Why Do They Do That?

[FoxersArtist]

On more than one occasion I have read articles about how birds will bite their mates when there is a sign of danger near in order to get them to fly away from the trouble. Bird talk magazine also had an article early last year that "If you can't bite the one you want, bite the one you're with." This has always been very interesting to me but my curious side has always wondered..."why?" Why do they do that?

I was given a perfect example tonight. I was standing next to Uriel's (GW) perch, rubbing him on the head and playing with him. (Actually, He was blowing kisses into the phone at Uncle.) My absolutely wonderful, sweet, and affectionate husband walked in and came up behind me. Distracted, I didn't even realize he was there, but Uriel noticed. Andy wrapped his arms around me to give me a loving hug, which put me between andy and uriel. CHOMP! Uriel grabbed up my thumb and chomped before I had time to tell Andy that he was too close. (BTW, I'm fine, Larry!) Lesson learned. He couldn't reach Andy, so he got me instead. Though, really, I don't usually mind taking a bite. It always causes me to think about why and then I am given an oppertunity to learn more about these amazing creatures.

So I'm taking the oppertunity, as always to ask "why?" Anyone know?
-Anna

[Dot]

What I have always been told is that the bird wants you to remove yourself and the bird from the danger. It is sort of a "get a move on it and get us out of here" bite.

[FoxersArtist]

But why a bite? Why not a nudge or a squalk or something? Perhaps we will never know...
-Anna

[Diane, Clouds assignment]

. . . . perhaps since a squawk or a nudge would not convey the immediacy of the desired response. I know from personal experience, a bite will get a much faster reaction from me than a nudge.

[too&me]

Maybe this is where the expression "Get the Point!" came from?

[Larry, Baby and Me]

:hihihi: I know - I know the answer.... It's because they can. :D

[FoxersArtist]

I vote for Uncles answer.
-Anna

[Larry, Baby and Me]

I was waiting for your answer to my post...

I was a bit concerned the other night when I was talking to you on the phone and all I heard on the other end --- in a soft voice I might add... Oh Uriel just bit me.

I asked --- is it bleeding... you responded - yes.

And then we hung up so you could nurse your wound. You had me a bit worried because I know with you on the blood thinners you could leak like a sieve.... not good.

I am glad you are okay.

[FoxersArtist]

Neh, it was nothing really even worth mentioning, except that I found the reason for the bite interesting. It's not even sore or purple today. Just have a small "paper cut." I'm sorry to have worried you though. It's always a little hard to tell how bad something is until I can stop the bleeding, unfortunately.
-Anna

[Larry, Baby and Me]

There are so many supposed "experts" that write books telling why the bite and the such. I think most of them are way off base. :yernutz:

They tell us that in the wild that a mate will bite the other one to warn of danger... tain't so.

Just think about it. Birds are in a flock. There are sentinels in the trees watching out for danger. When danger or even preceived danger comes near... the sentenils cry out and the entire flock on the ground will immidiately fly.

There is safety in numbers. The numbers in the flying flock confuses the preditor and it doesn't know which one to chase. So the birds in the flock escape harm.

Now - the "authors" have us to believe that a bird will take time to bite the mate to have the mate flee... If a bird takes the time to bite the mate --- it will lose split seconds of fleeing time and will end up as lunch for the preditor.

So they tell us that our bird bites us to have us to flee danger. Uhhh???

There are many reasons for the bite - but that ain't one of them.

Think like a bird and you will have your answer.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Here is a hint...

Prey birds can see 360 degrees... yes - it is like they have eyes in the back of their heads. Your hubby did not sneak up on Uriel... he saw your hubby coming - whereas you did not.

Remember - prey animals eyes are on the side of their heads... preditor animal's eyes are in the front of their heads and cannot see 360 degrees.

Preditor animals (humans included) see things straight on and focus intentently at what they see. That is why preditors (humans included) are so good at catching their prey... intent focus.

Prey animals see the world much differently that we do.

So - your hubby did not surprise Uriel -- but he did you... now what was the reason for the bite???

[bonnie]

I have read that when they are sensing danger they bite because they have feathers. In the wild their partners have feathers, so they feel the bite, but not like we do. It's just some of that ancient, dinosaur hardwiring.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

okay --- but for what reason(s) does one bird bite the other in the wild?

[bonnie]

They are warning the one they love to get the heck out of there because they are in danger.

Or they could be protecting territory, young, their mate....

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Good try... but that is what the "experts" would have us to believe. Tain't so... reference my previous post.

Remember:

1. Companion birds are prey animals.
2. They are flock animals - reference item 1.
3. They are territorial - reference item 1.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Or they could be protecting territory, young, their mate....

Oops - sorry. I didn't read your last line. The answer lies within.

[bonnie]

Oops - sorry. I didn't read your last line. The answer lies within.
See Larry! I do kinda know what I'm talking about hehe:yeah: