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If you make a fist and bend your wrist as
far as it will go, you'll notice that the skin on the back of
the fist becomes very tight. In fact, on most people, it's
too tight a surface for a bird's beak to get a hold on.
And it creates a safe place (a "sweet spot") for you
to use to get your hand near a nippy bird. In this way,
it's similar to the
"heading" technique. Bring your fist up to the bird very
slowly, finding out where its striking range is. Making
gentle contact with the bird’s beak helps get it used to your hands, to being touched and
helps it gain trust. It can also be used to fend off an
attacking bird.
***Keep in mind that
you must use care and judgment with this technique. It is
still possible to get bitten if you're not alert and agile.
You don't just thrust your fist at the bird's beak, you must
keep the center of the back of your fist, the "sweet spot", where the
skin is stretched tight, lined up with the bird's beak.
If the bird moves its beak to bite you, you must move your fist accordingly.
Otherwise it will simply bite you on the edge of your hand where
the flesh is soft.
Also, approach the bird with your hand at a
distance and let the bird demonstrate how far its striking range
is. Then slowly move into the range so the bird is only
able to barely touch the back of your hand when he is reaching
out to bite you. ****
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This workshop participant uses the
"fist of iron" to approach an aggressive
macaw
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After a few failed bite attempts Fred, this
Sulpher Crested, begins to calm down and nibbles harmlessly at Ken's
"sweet spot." Fred is already becoming comfortable with hands.
Moments later, Ken is freely cupping Fred's head and
kissing him.
Fred's enjoying the
contact.
The fist is also great to protect
yourself from an
aggressive bird. Let's say your bird gets territorial and
starts attacking you when you go to feed it. Or it
goes after your feet when it's on the
floor. The Fist,
brought slowly toward the bird's beak, can be used to control the bird,
move it away from you, hold it off and let it know that you are
not about to be driven out of the territory.
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