Grey Cheek Behavior

Bird Behavioral Problems: How to Deal With Them

Please consider reading the following (web or otherwise) for help with biting, screaming, and other territorial behavior that a number of grey cheeks exhibit. Also listed are references to information about feather plucking/picking. These would be very helpful for those who have pluckers.

Biting
Feather Mutilation/Plucking
Screaming/Yelling 		Various (Deals with multiple issues)
Behavioral Books

Biting

  • Athan, Mattie Sue. "Beyond Biting," Bird Talk, 16 (Sept. 1998): 62-71.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Biting: Getting Past the Fear," Pet Bird Report, 9 v. 2 (Feb. 2000): 6-10.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "No More Biting Birds," Bird Talk, 9 (Oct. 1991): 109-115.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: Cheeky Grey Cheek," Bird Talk, 6 (Mar. 1988): 26.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: Minimize Biting Behavior," Bird Talk, 17 (June 1999): 68-69.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Stop That Screaming!, Nippy Fits, Do You Dislike Your Bird?" Bird Talk, 12 (Apr. 1994): 118-123.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Why Birds Bite," Bird Talk, 11 (Mar. 1993): 68-72.
  • Chamberlain, Susan. "The Big, Bad Bite," Bird Talk, 23 (Jan. 2005): 26-35.
  • Davis, Chris. "The Biting Bird," Bird Talk, 12 (Jun. 1994): 32-38.
  • Davis, Chris. "Heart to Heart: Why Does My New Bird Bite," Bird Talk, 20 (May 2002): 22-23.
  • Doss, Joanie. "Biting the Hand That Feeds Them," Bird Talk, 13 (Oct. 1995): 106-109.
  • Dorge, Ray. "10 Ways to Avoid Bird Bites," Bird Talk, 15 (May 1997): 80-83.
  • F., Ann. "Success With A Biting Pet Bird!," Winged Wisdom (Feb. 1998).
  • Johnson, Anne. "Once Bitten...... Twice Shy," Winged Wisdom (June 1997).
  • Mandis, Kathleen. "The Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde Syndrome."
  • Micco, T. & M. "Why do Birds Scream and Bite?" Bird Talk, 4 (Apr. 1986): 25.
  • Moustaki, Nikki. "Turn Down the Volume," Bird Talk, 20 (Apr. 2002): 50-59.
  • Thornton, J. "Taking the Bite Out of the Bird," Bird Talk, 6 (May 1988): 16.
  • Tucker, Kelly. "Ouch!! Bird Bites," Winged Wisdom (March 2000).
  • Wilson, Liz. "Biting Parrots: Why They Do It and How To Control It," UpAtSix.
  • Wilson, Liz. "Don't Take It Personally," UpAtSix.
  • Wilson, Liz. "Facial Bites, Nozzle Nuzzling, &Tummy Kisses," UpAtSix.
  • Wilson, Liz. "Take the Bite Out of Biting," Bird Talk, 19 (July 2001): p. 30-39.

Feather Mutilation (Plucking/Picking)

  • Blanchard, Sally. "The Complexities Of Feather Destructive Behavior," The Pet Bird Report.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Feather Picking in Parrots," IAS.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: Solve Behavioral Feather Picking," Bird Talk, 20 (Aug. 2002): 12-13.
  • Dahlhausen, Bob. "Feather Picking in Pet Birds," Proceedings of the Mid-Atlantic States Association of Avian Veterinarians, 1997: 1-5.
  • Davis, Chris. "Feather Picking: Living With a Feather Picker," Bird Talk, 15 (Aug. 1997): 72-79.
  • Delp, Joanna and Ron Delp. "Overcoming Mandy's Plucking," Bird Talk, 12 (Mar. 1994): 66-68.
  • Dicker, Layne David. "What Your Feather-Picking Bird Can't Tell You," Bird Talk, 18 (Jan. 2000): 68-81.
  • Dorge, Ray and Gail Sibley. "What to Do With a Feather Plucker," Bird Talk, 13 (May 1995): 26-30.
  • Evans, Kathy L. "Feather Picking and Self Mutilation," Bird Talk, 11 (June 1993): 102-103.
  • Farlow, Susan. "Coping With Feather Plucking" in The Bird Care Handbook & Resource Guide, 1st ed., Monterey, CA: Seacoast Publishing (1997): 39.
  • Gestier, Dr. Tony. "The Feather Plucking Bird," Vetafarm.
  • Hallander, Jane. "Feather Picking: The Pattern Often Tells the Story," Pet Bird Report, 9 n. 2 (Feb. 2000): 76-78.
  • Highfill, Carol. "Feather Mutilation," Cockatoo Heaven.
  • Johnson, Anne. "Feather Mutilation," Winged Wisdom (Oct. 1996).
  • Johnson, Cathy. "Chronic Feather Picking: A Different Approach to Treatment," Proceedings of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, 1987: 125-142.
  • Johnson-Delaney, Cathy. "Feather Picking Diagnosis and Treatment," Journal of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, 6 (1992): 82-83.
  • Kauffman, Melissa L. and Amy Taylor. "Feather Picking: Reader Case Studies," Bird Talk, 15 (Aug. 1997): 52-71.
  • Lennox, Angela M. and Nicole VanDerHeyden. "Haloperidol For Use in Treatment of Psittacine Self-Mutilation and Feather Picking," Proceedings of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, 1993: 119-120.
  • Linden, Phoebe G. "Feather Picking: A Complex Problem! Checklist for causes and cures," The Pet Bird Report, 3 (M/A 1993): 14-16.
  • Messonnier, Shawn P. "Acupuncture: Discover this novel approach to treating feather-picking birds," Bird Talk, 17 (June 1999): 78-83.
  • Murphy, Joel. "Homeopathic Remedies for Feather Picking," Journal of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, 6 (1993).
  • Newman, Chick Ph.D, D.V.M. "Feather Picking by Pet Birds," Newman Veterinary Medical Services.
  • Newman, Chick Ph.D, D.V.M. "Feather Picking Relationship to Species," Newman Veterinary Medical Services (mentions grey cheeks).
  • Oppenheimer, Jerry. "Feather Picking: Systemic Approach," Proceedings of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, 1991: 314-315.
  • Ramsay, Edward. "Self-mutilation Syndrome," Journal of Avian Veterinarians, 5 (1991).
  • Ramsay, Edward C. and Howard Grindlinger. "Treatment of Feather Picking With Clomipramine," Proceedings of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, 1992: 379-382 and 1986: 265-279 (mentions grey cheeks).
  • Rosenthal, Karen. "Differential Diagnosis of Feather-Picking in Pet Birds," Proceedings of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, 1993: 108-112.
  • Rosskopf, Walter J., Jr. and Richard Woerpel. "Feather picking in psittacine birds: a clinician's approach to diagnosis and treatment", Proceedings of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, Miami, FL, (1986): 265-279.
  • Rosskopf, Walter J., Jr. and Richard Woerpel. "The Psittacine Mutilation Syndrome: Management, Incidence, Possible Etiology and Therapy", Proceedings of the Association of Avian Veterinarians (1990).
  • Schmidt, Robert E. "Use of Biopsies in the Differential Diagnosis of Feather Picking and Avian Skin Disease," Proceedings of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, 1993: 113-115.
  • Sleight, Donna. "Feather Plucking Survey Results Finally an Answer!," The Real Macow Parrot Club.
  • Swicegood, Carolyn. "Feather Destruction," Watchbird, (July/August 1998).
  • Turner, Richard. "Trexan (Naltrexone Hydrocholoride) Use in Feather Picking in Avian Species," Proceedings of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, 1993: 116-118.
  • Vaughn, Samuel B. "Feather Picking: A Mystery of Avian Medicine," Bird Talk, 15 (Aug. 1997): 42,44,46-51.
  • Wanamaker, Diane. "Mutilation: Beyond Plucking - Behavior Modification of a Moluccan Cockatoo," The Real Macow Parrot Club.
  • Wissman, Margaret A. "Causes & Cures: Facets of Feather Picking," Bird Talk, 22 (Sept. 2004): 18-22.
  • Wissman, Margaret A. "Causes & Cures: Feather Picking Causes," Bird Talk, 20 (Aug. 2002): 14-17.
  • Wissman, Margaret A. "Causes of Feather Picking," Bird Talk, 17 (Mar. 99): 78-79.
  • Worell, Amy Beth and William L. Farber. "The Use of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Feather Picking in Psittacines," Proceedings of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, 1993: 121-126.
  • Worth, Gail. "Ask the Experts: Causes for Feather-Picking," Bird Talk, 17 (Oct. 99): 98-99.

Screaming/Yelling

  • Athan, Mattie Sue. "Correct Excessive Screaming: Easy As 1-2-3," Bird Talk, 14 (Aug. 1996): 56-60.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Keep It Down!," Bird Talk, 13 (Sep. 1995): 60-65.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: Garrulous Grey Cheeks," Bird Talk, 9 (June 1991): 82-83.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: Is Harmony Possible?" Bird Talk, 8 (Oct. 1990): 17.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: Silence the Screaming," Bird Talk, 17 (July 1999): 74-75.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Stop That Screaming!, Nippy Fits, Do You Dislike Your Bird?" Bird Talk, 12 (Apr. 1994): 118-123.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "What Those Screams Mean," Bird Talk, 9 (Mar. 1991): 117.
  • Davis, Chris. "Heart to Heart: 5 Steps To Control Screaming" Bird Talk, 19 (Nov. 2001): p. 24-25.
  • Davis, Chris. "Why Is That Bird Screaming?" Bird Talk, 12 (Aug. 1994): p. 24.
  • Harris, Robbie. "Bonded Grey Cheeks Are Loud Grey Cheeks," Bird Breeder On-line, July 1997 (letter in "About the Aviary" section--Q & A).
  • Johnson, Anne. "Bird Noise - Sound of Music or Torture Alley," Winged Wisdom (May 1997).
  • Kaplan, Elise. "Stop the Squawk," Bird Talk, 22 (Nov. 2004): p. 60-63.
  • Kaufman, Melissa. "Quiet! Oh, Those Noisy Birds," Bird Talk, 15 (Feb. 1997): p. 20-39.
  • Micco, T. & M. "Why do Birds Scream and Bite?" Bird Talk, 4 (Apr. 1986): 25.
  • Moustaki, Nikki. "Turn Down the Volume," Bird Talk, 20 (Apr. 2002): 51-59.
  • New. K. "Tips on Quieting Birds" Bird Talk, 6 (Mar. 1988): 84.
  • Pietroski, Linda. "Ask the Experts: Loud Birds," Bird Talk, 9 (Feb. 1991): 39.
  • Rind, Sherry. "Living With A Noisy Parrot: Learn how to quiet a raucous parrot--and how to live with one," Bird Talk, 10 (Sep. 1992): 120-127.
  • Sweat, Rebecca. "The Truth About Bird Noise (And Lack of)," Bird Talk 22 (July 2004): 18-25.
  • Wilson, Liz. "Is Your Bird Quieter Than You Think," Bird Talk 23 (May 2005): 20-24.
  • Wilson, Liz. "Parrot Psychology: Excessive Screaming," Bird Talk, 19 (May 2001): 46-48.

Various (deals with more than one issue)

  • Allen, Diane. "Training Yourself to Train Your Parrot," The Pet Bird Report, 3 (J/F 1993): 12-13.
  • Athan, Mattie Sue. "Birds Who Love Too Much," The Pet Bird Report, 3 (J/F 1993): 14.
  • Athan, Mattie Sue. "How a Bird's Environment Affects It's Behavior," Bird Talk, 14 (Jan. 1996): 50.
  • Athan, Mattie Sue. "Potential Problem Behaviors," Birds U.S.A., (1997/98): 66-73.
  • Athan, Mattie Sue. "Preventing Aggressive Behavior in Hand-fed Parrots," American Cage-Bird Magazine, 64 (Nov. 1992): 5-8.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Avoiding Problems With Parrots On Shoulders," The Pet Bird Report.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "The Basics Of Nurturing Guidance as it applies to Companion Parrots," The Pet Bird Report.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Common Parrot Behavioral Myths and Why They Are Myths," The Pet Bird Report.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Companion Parrots as Mirrors of Our Moods and Energy," The Pet Bird Report, Issue 15 (1994): 4-9.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Don't Spoil Your Hand-Fed Birds," Bird Talk, 9 (Jul. 1991): p. 47.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: Bratty Bird?" Bird Talk, 8 (Feb. 1990): 14.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: Coaxing From the Cage," Bird Talk, 18 (Nov. 2000): 68-69.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: Dealing With Phobic Behavior," Bird Talk, 20 (Feb. 2002): 18-19.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: Grey Cheek Mood Swings," Bird Talk, 7 (Nov. 1989): 36-38.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: Keeping a Baby Tame," Bird Talk, 15 (Aug. 1997): 112-113.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: Learn to Work with a Phobic Parrot," Bird Talk, 15 (July 1997): 76-79.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Protecting Your Parrot's Emotional Growth," The Pet Bird Report, 3 (M/J 1993): 4-9.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Phobic Parrots," Bird Talk, 8 (Aug. 1990): 64-73.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Sexual Behavior in Companion Parrots," IAS.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Tips to Help You Keep Your Parrot Tame" in The Bird Care Handbook & Resource Guide, 1st ed., Monterey, CA: Seacoast Publishing (1997): 36-37.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "The Two-Faced Parrot," The Pet Bird Report, 3 (J/F 1993): 4-6.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Understanding the Basics of Parrot Behavior," Birds U.S.A., (1997/98): 62-64.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "When a Good Bird Goes Bad," Bird Talk, 6 (Jun. 1991): 124.
  • Blanchard, Sally. "Why You Can't Punish a Parrot," Bird Talk, 9 (Jan. 1991): 116.
  • Callahan, Edward. "Avian Behavior Modification in Pet Practice," Proceedings of the Mid-Atlantic States Association of Avian Veterinarians, (1997): 34-35.
  • Davis, Chris. "Bird Rage," Bird Talk, 18 (Dec. 2000): 18-27.
  • Davis, Chris. "Heart to Heart: Behavior Modification and Your Bird," Bird Talk, 20 (Aug. 2002): 18-20.
  • Davis, Chris. "Heart to Heart: Fickle Feathered Friends," Bird Talk, 22 (Apr. 2004): 14-16.
  • Davis, Chris. "Heart to Heart: Fostering Good Behavior," Bird Talk, 19 (Jan. 2001): 30-31.
  • Davis, Chris. "Heart to Heart: Just a Little Misunderstanding," Bird Talk, 18 (May. 2000): 12-14.
  • Davis, Chris. "Heart to Heart: Taming the Troublemakers," Bird Talk, 17 (Aug. 1999): 22-23.
  • Davis, Chris. "The Human-Bird Connection" in The Bird Care Handbook & Resource Guide, 1st ed., Monterey, CA: Seacoast Publishing (1997): 38.
  • Davis, Chris. "Socializing & Bonding," Birds U.S.A., (1997/98): 58-61.
  • Davis, Chris. "Today the Sofa--Tomorrow The World: Learn how to discourage territorial behavior in your bird," Bird Talk, 14 (Jun. 1996): 44-47.
  • Davis, Chris. "Training Techniques: Follow these basic behavior training techniques to create a good relationship with your feathered friend," Birds USA, (1996/97): 76-79.
  • Davis, Chris. "The Truth About Behavior and Training," Birds U.S.A., (2002/03): 84-91.
  • Davis, Christine. "New Techniques in Pet Avian Behavior Modification," in Annual Conference Proceedings of the Association of Avian Veterinarians (1989).
  • Dicker, Layne David. "9 Basic Instincts of Pet Parrots," Bird Talk, 15 (Oct. 1997): 20-22,24,26-28,30.
  • Dicker, Layne David. "Parrot Behavior Basics," Birds USA, (1998/99): 114-120.
  • Doss, Joanie. "Can You Speak Parrot? (parrot body language)," Bird Talk, 7 (May 1989): 110.
  • Doss, Joanie. "Phobic Birds," Winged Wisdom (Jan. 1998).
  • Eischen, Dawn. "Tellington-Touch for Birds," Bird Talk, 17 (July 1999): 68-73.
  • Foushee, Debbie R. "Play Therapy for Your Parrot," The Pet Bird Report, Issue 23: 30-32.
  • Germeau, Smiles. "Greycheeked Parakeets."
  • Linden, Phoebe Greene. "Quiet Time," The Pet Bird Report, 3 (J/F 1993): 8.
  • Linden, Phoebe Greene. "Understanding Avian Adolescence," The Pet Bird Report, Issue 16 (1994): 36-43.
  • Reisner, Ilana. "The Pathophysiologic Basis of Behavior Problems," in Veterinary Clinics of North America, 1991.
  • Rush, Diane. "Training Your Bird Can Be Fun," Bird Talk, 17 (June 1999): 50-55.
  • Sweat, Rebecca. "De-Stress Your Bird's Life (And Yours)," Bird Talk, 23 (Mar. 2005): 20-28.
  • Sweat, Rebecca. "Disciplining Your Bird," Bird Talk, 17 (Aug. 1999): 38-45.
  • Sweat, Rebecca. "Extinguish Bird Burn Out," Bird Talk, 17 (June 1999): 24-29.
  • Tyler, Joe. "My African Grey Performs on Cue," Bird Talk, 17 (June 1999): 57-63.
  • Wilson, Liz.
  • "Behavior Problems," The Aviary.
  • Wilson, Liz. "Behavior Problems in Adolescent Parrots: Guide to a Well-Adjusted Pet," Proceedings of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, 1995: 415-418.
  • Wilson, Liz. "From Home Wrecker to Home Respecter," Bird Talk, 23 (Mar. 2005): 30-35.
  • Wilson, Liz. "Parrot Psychology: Curbing Unprovoked Attacks," Bird Talk, 19 (Jan. 2001): 72-75.
  • Wilson, Liz. "Parrot Psychology: Get Your "Birdie" Sleep," Bird Talk, 23 (June 2005): 66-67.
  • Wilson, Liz. "6 Things Bird Owners Do to Mess Up Their Birds," Bird Talk, 19 (Feb. 2001): 82-.
  • Wissman, Margaret. "10 Strange Facts About Your Bird," Bird Talk, 16 (June 1998): 32-39.

Behavioral Books

  • Athan, Mattie Sue. Guide to Companion Parrot Behavior, New York: Barron's, 1999.
  • Athan, Mattie Sue. Guide to a Well Behaved Parrot, New York: Barron's, 1993.
  • Doane, Bonnie Monro and Qualkinbush, Thomas. My Parrot, My Friend: An Owner's Guide to Parrot Behavior, New York: Howell Book House, 1994.
  • Hubbard, Jennifer. The New Parrot Training Handbook (some chapters on behavioral training).

You may also wish to check out Birds n Ways' Library of Articles/FAQs, The Real Macaw Parrot Club Newsletter, Liz Wilson's Behavioral articles at UpAtSix, and The Aviary's Archives and Care sections.

© The Grey Cheek Web Site is owned by Lady Hawke                      Comments to: ladyhawke@ (add bresnan.net)                      Updated: 1/29/06