my new Baby Eclectus Lilo biting. . . hard!!

[helijohn]

I would rather get bitten by an eclectus than a budgie, my goodness those little buggers know how to bite & they won't let go. With the bigger parrots they bite & let go.

I wouldn't. My Eclectus can really bite. I had a real nipper tiel a long time ago and I was told to blow on it's nostrils if it wouldn't let go but I never let it get to that stage.

I recently bought a female Eclectus parrot and she is beautiful!
She was really placid at first, but now bites often, and hard!
She hasn't quite learned to step up yet but I feel the biting has made me more reluctant to touch her and train her.
How is she now?

I also bought her some foot toys which she is terrified of, if i put one near her she holds her mouth open and will strike at it like a snake if she's really feelings threatened.

I find colour has a lot to do with that. My eclectus goes barmy at red colours. When I have a timid bird I usually leave the toy near the cage for a while so it can get used to it.

I guess i should just give her months to settle in right?
It is looking like mine is going to take months.

I wouldn't use a stick to get a baby to step up,

That's OK if you have a sense of security isn't it? Mine will lift skin from the back of a hand and that has been a new experience for me.

A pic of 1 of my babies i hand reared.
I love that sort of thing...........bless.

 

[moni.k]

You've got some amazing advices here!! One more thing to add: try talking to her in a calm, relaxed voice. I know it sounds a little funny and absurd, but I would read my chemistry book out loud to Nalani when I first got her. This allowed her to hear my voice and just feel the calm energy. It helped build trust and bond. Even though I hand fed her and weaned her, it still comes in handy now that she's been showing some cage aggression. When she begins to get aggressive I just back off and talk to her in a calm voice. A few seconds to minutes later I can get her out of the cage no problem. I think she associates the voice as positive and reassurance that no harm will be done and that I respect her wants. (although this is totally a wild guess... I haven't mastered reading Nalani's mind :09 All I know is that it worked for me and maybe it'll work for you.

 

[helijohn]

Even though I hand fed her and weaned her, it still comes in handy now that she's been showing some cage aggression.

That makes me want to ask a question; if you were to hand on your hand reared baby as soon as it was possible to do so how would the person having the bird deal with it?