African Grey Biting

[michell448]

I am not sure what I am doing wrong. I have had GAbby for 6 days now(8 year old TAG) She comes out of her cage for me fine, She steps up and eats fine. The problem I am having is when she sits on my should she does not want to go back to her cage and if I try to make her step up from my should she bites my fingers hard and draws blood. Today I was sitting with her and she was on my should and she was chewing on my zipper and in a normal voice I said "Gabby no" as soon as no came out of my mouth she attacked my face. Bleeding and all. She still would not step up when she was done. So I took her to her cage and leaned up to it and she finally went in. As soon as I started walking out of the room she started whistling for me and making her cute noises. When I walked into the room she did her happy wings like she wanted me to pick her up. I am not sure what I should do, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks from Gabby and Michell

 

[nofearengineer]

Sorry to hear about your naughty Gabi, Michelle.

The first thing you do is no more shoulder time. Period. I know you love Gabi, but probably not enough to lose an eye for her. Shoulder time is a treat for only the most trusted bird. Even a good bird can get hormonal or scared by something, and ooops, you'll be looking like a pirate for the rest of your life.

Even the 3 times in 13 years Gandalf bit me on the lip was too often.

I think you need to stick to this for a good while. (Me personally, I will probably never do the shoulder thing again, but it's a choice all parrot owners have to make themselves.)

Gabi is still new to you, and vice-versa so work on the other fundamentals of building trust for a long time before trying this.

 

[Bobby34231]

Hi Michell, I'm sorry to say this advice comes to little to late since you've already been bit, unfortunatly we all to often hear this same sad story when members allow their birds to perch on their shoulders, and its not limited to those with new birds either, I've read a number of posts where even members with birds they've had for years and trusted have for no understandable reason have bitten them on the ears neck or face, I'm sorry if the advice I give sounds to simple but you'll have to stop allowing Gabby on your shoulder, there is no fix for this because it something that is just to unpredicable, I'm sure its not the answer you were looking for but its one you'll probably hear more than once in this thread, good luck with Gabby and keep the faith

 

[bogo1]

Agree with Bryce and Bobby ...shoulders are earned space and I think the anti is uped when the bird is capable of doing real damage like a grey

 

[antoinette]

Michelle, eina, that must have been so sore.
Gabby is still finding her feet, so to speak. Her being 8 years old, being placed in a new environment, many new faces, so much for her to absorb. It will take quite a while, give her all the time she needs. When you have one on one time with her, perhaps try let her sit on your lap. Have a stick handy, in case she tries to go back onto the shoulder. Keep a toy nearby, to distract her as well. For the moment, do not let her on your shoulder. As mentioned above, some do and some don't allow shoulder time. I am a strong believer in they are so unpredictable, I have never allowed my AG Mishka on my shoulders.
When Mishka has attempted to bite me, I make a fist, showing it to her, almost placing it on her beak, and say uhhh uhhh, in a very stern voice. When she does something wrong now and she know it she says uhhh uhhh
Let us know how she progressing okay
Good luck

 

[Cowtown]

Michelle, eina, that must have been so sore.
Gabby is still finding her feet, so to speak. Her being 8 years old, being placed in a new environment, many new faces, so much for her to absorb. It will take quite a while, give her all the time she needs. When you have one on one time with her, perhaps try let her sit on your lap. Have a stick handy, in case she tries to go back onto the shoulder. Keep a toy nearby, to distract her as well. For the moment, do not let her on your shoulder. As mentioned above, some do and some don't allow shoulder time. I am a strong believer in they are so unpredictable, I have never allowed my AG Mishka on my shoulders.
When Mishka has attempted to bite me, I make a fist, showing it to her, almost placing it on her beak, and say uhhh uhhh, in a very stern voice. When she does something wrong now and she know it she says uhhh uhhh
Let us know who she progressing okay
Good luck

Michell, I hope you are OK. Abby my Eclectus bit me when she was only 3 months old on the thumb and I was amazed at the power she had then. I can not image an older larger bird like a Gray... wow.

I agree with Ant and the others. From everything I have read and heard from experienced bird guardians never let a bird on your shoulder.
As you unfortunately found out the power of their beaks is tremendous.

I hope you understand no one here is fussing at you. We just want you and Gabby to be the best of friends.

I hope you were not injured

 

[AndrewH]

Concur with all above.

Sorry to hear about the bite.

It is unfortunate that the shoulder hold is unadvisable, as it is rather convenience for freeing up both hands to do chores around the house, while still interacting with the bird. However it is a risk. I occassionally, though foolishly, allow my macaw on my shoulder, it is with this understanding.

 

[greycloud]

Hi Michelle, you have gotten great advice. I just want to add that you mention Gabby does happy wings when she sees you. This may not actually be a happy behavior, but a warning. Some greys will spread their wings slightly away from the body when they are stressed or frightened. This makes them appear bigger in the hopes they will make you steer clear.
My advice to you is to take 2 steps back and start over. Her whole world has been turned upside down. Just talking to her, singing, drop a treat in her bowl when you walk by. Absolutely no shoulder time! She needs to build trust with you and this takes time. 6 days, 2 weeks, even 1-2 months is just the very beginning. Patience is the key.

 

[michell448]

Thanks guys for all the input I appreciate it! Gabby had her 1st vet appt today and she did pretty good. She has the all clear that she is a healthy bird. Now it just getting her to start to eat right. I have learned not to let her on my shoulder. When she is on my lap she keeps trying to climb up and I am just not letting her. I think when she does her happy wings she wants me to pick her up, because she does it when ever she sees me and steps right up no problem what so ever. She does not do that with any one else. She actually does not like any one else to pick her up at all. I am confident we will get this, just a learning curve for both of us!!!

 

[antoinette]

You doing a great job Michelle, patience is the key
Glad you took the advise about Gabby not being on the shoulder, wise choice Michelle
Keep us posted with Gabby's daily doings

 

[HRH Di]

I don't have anything to add but my support. This is a scary situation for her so your patience is very important.