Intro & need a lil help

[lisabirdsdaddy]

Hello,My name is Jacob And i Am the pround owner of a fiesty 1 year old Red bellied parrot named lisa.She has been with me for 2 weeks now and is doing wonderful already stepping up(when ever she wants lol) but is a realativly a good bird.

But as of lately she really hates going back in her house to sleep or anything and will constantly screech when im out of site.when i first got her she bit me on the spot of touching her but i did nothing telling her that won't deture me from petting her which worked sort of.

she no longer bites me when she goes to step up or chatters at me she is mainly calm around me and i have been slowly socializing her with the fam because she was to be a breeder female so she wasn't played with much but was in an aviary next to some AFRican Greys so she chatters a lil bit.

but like i said she has begun to really take to me flying over to me(clipped) from her cage when she sees my plate of food or just wants to annoy me lol

whats really bothering me is her constant chewing of my skin!
she flys to me on my bed and just examines everything i play with her ect but if i don't pay her attention or just don't do anything she will walk over get head scratches or bite and start chewing my skin she pulls off which i think is making her want it even more.
Its like a cut on my hand with some skin stiking up is like an invite for her to come make the wound bigger she absolutely loves to eat my skin and its really killing my fingers along with my ear she got on one of the first days.

she loves scratches which all these i have taught since the breeder really never interacted with her just saw him feeding etc...

and she will do a kind of lick on my finger then flips her head down for scratches. she really is a beautiful loving bird but the eating my skin and screeming for me has got to stop.

also any good links for socializing her with fam she has only been picked up by me,brother,and father which she was realitivly nice too but if my dad goes to her she backs up until he temps her to come back over lol by pretending to eat her food.

if i could get any help on the subject it would be appreciated alot and sorry for the long thread!

hope to get some pics up soon of her beauty.

 

[HRH Di]

First, welcome to the forum and congrats on the new little bird.

Next - there are others who may have a better explantion that I have, but it sounds like she's preening you. It can be a little painful if she gets ahold of a bit of skin or cuticle, but the overall picture is that it's a good sign. It's a social behavior between birds - she wants to make sure you're clean and that your feathers are in good shape. Obviously, any imperfection must be dealt with. My birds really think the little mole on my collar bone needs to come off and they know they can get my husband's half-sleeve tattoo off if they just try a little harder.

I'm sure some of it is also the way she explores her new surroundings. Birds use their beaks and tongues to explore.

Good luck!

 

[HRH Di]

Oh, and for socialization with your family, slow and steady is the key. Let her go at her own pace. Let her get used to the fact that they're around, then move to the next step.

This is harder than it sounds, becauce most people are impatient, especially with something as cool as a bird.

 

[Spiritbird]

Hi Jacob and welcome to our wonderful forum. You do not say if you have any parrot experience. I am going to assume that you have none to a little in my response. There are four very important topics to be aware of and understood. The number #1 is nutritional needs of parrots. #2 is their environmental safety needs #3 is the play/toy needs and #4 is companion/social needs. I suggest you get the book called Parrots for Dummies (no offense please). It will help you to know and understand the many aspects of parrot care and guardianship. Many breeders send the young birds home on a seed diet which is inadequate.
They need lots of fresh fruits, vegies, nuts and some herbs. You should be aware of the no no's such as avacado, coffee, chocolate, salty foods and onions. There are probably more too. I think the first thing to do is have to bird examined by an avain certified vet. even if you see no signs of illness. They need a baseline check up. As far as the chewing of your skin goes, try a distraction of chewtoys nearby. As far as the screaming goes remember she is young yet. She may be hungry. Important to note that if you pay any attention at all to behavior you do not want, you have rewarded her and she will do it again and again to get your attention. Good luck and we await you photos.

 

[Mel]

Hi Jacob and welcome to our wonderful forum. You do not say if you have any parrot experience. I am going to assume that you have none to a little in my response. There are four very important topics to be aware of and understood. The number #1 is nutritional needs of parrots. #2 is their environmental safety needs #3 is the play/toy needs and #4 is companion/social needs. I suggest you get the book called Parrots for Dummies (no offense please). It will help you to know and understand the many aspects of parrot care and guardianship. Many breeders send the young birds home on a seed diet which is inadequate.
They need lots of fresh fruits, vegies, nuts and some herbs. You should be aware of the no no's such as avacado, coffee, chocolate, salty foods and onions. There are probable more too. I think the first thing to do is have to bird examined by an avain certified vet. even if you see no signs of illness. They need a baseline check up. As far as the chewing of your skin goes, try a distraction of chewtoys nearby. As far as the screaming goes remember she is young yet. She may be hungry. Important to note that if you pay any attention at all to behavior you do not want you have rewarded her and she will do it again and again to get your attention. Good luck and we await you photos.

Hi Jacob

Welcome to the forum. Great advise from SB. I agree the Parrot for Dummies book is a great intro, I bought it with my first parrot and still refer to it at times.

Enjoy the journey ahead