New owner ?s

[Stephen777]

So I have some questions about my little Sun, Sierra.
I want to start working with her getting use to a harness but not sure which to get, I know I prefer no zippers.
Sometimes she will bite my finger or fingernail hard and even my ear a few times. I don’t know how to teach her no or not to do that. I usually just quickly move my other hand to her to step up on.
Sometimes she starts flapping her wings really fast but doesn’t seem to be doing it for lift. Sometimes it’s when someone is holding her, or on my chest laying back and sometimes in her cage or top of it.
When my wife does that bird clicking sound we all love to make. She will try to put her beak in her mouth and she makes a chirping sound that she only makes at that time and to her.
Sometimes when petting her neck she will lift her shoulder, I have been just assuming she wants me to quit, so I do.

Ok just start filling me in, I don’t want to raise her with bad habits or doing something wrong.

 

[Owlet]

Aviator bird harness is the most secure as it has no latches or clips or what not that can possibly be undone. it is one piece that slips over the head and body then you pull the wings through. Only con about this harness is if you have a bird that isn't keen on being touched it is a slow, very slow, process to train them to wear it.

 

[Jen5200]

I can give you some of my best guesses, based on what my birds do

Harness - I have a few aviators, and a couple from leathers for feathers - and they are both well constructed. I can’t tell you a lot about how they work because I have not yet achieved getting one onto a bird...sigh. My advice....take it slow, introduce it gradually. I’m working on it still. Flight suits were also a no-go in my house, they have Velcro to hold them shut and all the feathered creatures in this house freaked at the sound of Velcro opening.

The bites - what has worked best with all of mine is to respond right away with a quick “no bite” and set them down somewhere that is not on me. I then turn my attention away from them for a minute or two. I usually use a chair back, or a perch to set them on - somewhere that isn’t fun so that it can’t be seen as a reward. Then I just pick them up and carry on having fun or attention or other good things. The “ignore” from you is not fun, and they usually catch on pretty quickly if you are consistent in your reaction. Just remember that birds use their beak to explore everything, so it’s not always intended as a bite but she may not understand bite pressure yet.

Flapping - that kind of sounds like when mine get excited or are just getting some wing exercise. All of mine do that on occasion. Sometimes they do it in their cage too - hang off the side or top and flap, flap.

The shoulder lift - not sure about that one. You’ll figure out her body language as you get to know her better. But it’s great that you want to respect her wishes.

Sounds like you are making some great progress with Sierra so far!

 

[wrench13]

Hi Stephen. We use the Aviator. IT pays to gradually introduce the harness to your bird, casually leaving around where she can see it, maybe playing a game with it with her.
Salty loves to throw his off the table. Once they understand it will not eat them, you can move on. Aviator comes with a decent CD on how to put it on. THe man thing, is if Sierra is used to you doing stuff for a treat, like stepping up, and if you can lightly handle her.
Biggest hurdle, as mentioned, will be getting the head loop over Sierras head. It took me almost a year , of nightly training sessions, to get Salty used to doing that, and letting me wrassle him in to the harness. Check out our video on the link below, to see how much handling we have to do to get it on. Everytime we do it, it gets easier, and dont forget to give treats during the whole process - it will take her mind off putting the harness on. SOme parrots take to being put into harness easy as pie, most need a lot of training and some just flatly refuse it altogether. FOr those birds, the Pack-o-bird is the ideal way to get them outside in the fresh air and sun.

 

[Stephen777]

Thank you all for the feed back. I ordered this one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O3L24ME/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[MonicaMc]

Sometimes she will bite my finger or fingernail hard and even my ear a few times. I don’t know how to teach her no or not to do that. I usually just quickly move my other hand to her to step up on.

Every time a bird bites, this reinforces the need or desire to bite. It's better to redirect and avoid when possible.

If she's being curious, then give her toys or foraging activities to do.

If she's getting a little overwhelmed by everything, she may need some time to de-stress and calm down at her cage.



Sometimes she starts flapping her wings really fast but doesn’t seem to be doing it for lift. Sometimes it’s when someone is holding her, or on my chest laying back and sometimes in her cage or top of it.

She could be doing this because she's clipped... she wants to go somewhere... she's content.... or maybe she's hungry.... or another reason.



When my wife does that bird clicking sound we all love to make. She will try to put her beak in her mouth and she makes a chirping sound that she only makes at that time and to her.

Our mouths are full of harmful bacteria which isn't healthy for birds. Do not allow her access to your mouth - not even licking your lips.



Sometimes when petting her neck she will lift her shoulder, I have been just assuming she wants me to quit, so I do.

She might even want you to pet her under her wing... which could result in unwanted behaviors as an adult.