Disassembling food from hand

[Elotemuygrande]

Little Grendel(about 8 months) will, when I hand her a seed, peanut, cashew piece, chip, or anything else I have handy begin powdering it but never eat it. She eats food from her bowl just fine. Is it normal for Greys to do this?

[Judenmink]

Elmo does that. He is a baby and we havn't had him long but so far he hasnt actually eaten anything we hand feed him he just destroys it and flings it. As you say..he eats just fine from his food bowl.

Jude

[Elotemuygrande]

Interesting. Glad to know I'm not the only one seeing this. I can't think of any reason why a bird would act like that, it's bizarre. Makes it difficult to train and reward them for doing tricks etc.

[Guest briansmum]

Brian does that sometimes, and sometimes he will eat it. I guess sometimes they just dont fancy what we give them. and as for rewarding good behaviour and tricks etc i have read a lot of information that says that verbal praising and tickle/scratching and kisses can work better than food rewards as at the end of the day, as much as they love ther favourite food they love and crave affection from their "flock" so much more.

[Talon]

I agree with Becca. I use more attention than treats when rewarding Talon. It seems to work well for her.

[judygram]

Works for me too.B)

[Guest Monique]

Birds do that because it's fun! Ours will do that depending upon their mood and what food you give them and what they think of that food that particular day. One day bananas are all the rage and the next they're only for dunking in their water bowl, chewing up into pieces or smearing around their cage ... !!

[judygram]

I guess they have different tastes for things like we do.

[dblhelix]

Different tastes, likes, dislikes...and its all a moving target! Like others have said, one day something is good to eat, another its good to play with and yet other times that same thing is flat out rejected!!