Nibbles too hard

[Melissa]

A yellow naped amazon parrot was in my backyard, I gave him an orange and he quickly came over to me. He must be someone else's, but whoever the owner is, he or she never put a notice or sign in the neighborhood. So it's been a month I have been taking care of it. Anyway, at first he was very gentle and played with my fingers or ear, but now he nibbles too much and harder and he gets too excited that I cant make him stop. I try saying a firm "no" or put him away for awhile. When I put him away he will cling so hard to my fingers or shirt and sometimes is so hard that his nails will pierce my skin and he wont get off. I dont know what to do! How do I train him to be calmer and stop nibbling so hard? He always wants to get out of his cage (I dont make him get out of his cage, he seems to want to).

 

[Tswift]

Try dropping your hand quickly every time he nibbles too hard while saying no. They don't like the feeling of falling and usually let go. Also, time outs tend to work (putting them in the cage right after they bite).

This is the advice given to me by my exotic bird store's manager. I have been visiting the caique I am planning to buy and he/she is quite nippy! It tends to work, but he/she is still young.

 

[MikeyTN]

I take it he can fly? A bird can fly a great distance, he may not be around from your neighborhood. Whomever lost him might be looking for him franticly. Just imagine what if you lost your beloved pet, wouldn't you want someone to post something in the news paper, internet, etc.? The main reason he came to you was probably because he was hungry and he is used to a human friend feeding him. Plus that tells me he was well loved. He is not used to scavenging out on his own as most of our parrots are raised in captivity. Just make sure you do understand the law, if he is someone else's bird, they will have the full power to take him out of your hands. Taking him to local humane society as they can post it on the local news or broadcast around the neighboring cities to try to find this bird's owner. It's been done before. For example, this couple lost their Cockatiels and it flew over 25 miles away from their home, but thanks to the news paper listing, they have recover their bird back home. I just thought I would mention that as I believe in doing what is right....

 

[Melissa]

yes you are right MikeyTN. If I would live in the USA I wouldn't even think of keeping it and I would have taken it to a humane Society. But I live in Honduras and it is very different here. I thought in putting a sign but I am sure many will come to my door saying it is there bird. We dont have a Humane sonciety in Honduras. There is one organization the protects wildlife. So if for example they discover macaw or any wildlife trafficking they would do something about it (hopefully). The parrot has one of her wings trimmed and I dont think it could have flyed a great distance. Anyway if the owner loves his parrot so much then why doesn't he or she do something about it, like post something in the local news? Like I said, it is very differente here.
Well, I am taking care of the parrot now. And I was hoping on some advice and tips on training a parrot for him to stop nibbling so hard. I tried what Tswift said, and it seems to make her stop a little but not for long.

 

[merlinsmom13]

http://www.parrotforums.com/behavioral/9381-biting-begins.html

This is a similar thread that I found helpful. Good luck.

 

[Conurekidd]

Do not put him in the cage for punishment. That makes the cage a bad place for him.
You don't punish a bird at all. They don't understand it. You have to just show that your upset and hurt by the behavior. They read that. And it's the best working method known. Birdtalk magazine park and Parker. June issue 2009.
Article under disapline. Its based on Greys but it counts for all birds.
How big Is the cage? What are you feeding him? How long is he in the cage?

Now part 2. Don't post pics of the bird have them describe it.
In my shoes if Sammy my yc zon flew away. I'd be freaking out balling.
And odds are Sammy would want home. Please attempt to do somethingto get that bird home. Post in the paper. " bird found call to describe" list number and wait.
Just try. The owner could be very confused.

 

[MikeyTN]

You'd be surprised how far some can fly even with a clipped wing. I had a baby tiel that was clipped for training. He took off from a gust of wind and went up a 50ft tree. I was lucky to get him back.

 

[Parrot Parent]

Please try to find the owner. Post in the news paper, make fliers, post some at the pet stores and feed stores. Vet offices would be a good place to post too. This bird has an owner who loves it and it doesn't deserve the frustration and confusion of their beloved owner not being there.

 

[henpecked]

Hey Melissa, I understand that things are very different in Honduras, it's been a long time since i was there .That's where i got my YN Jake from back in the early seventies. Many people only clip one wing and keep their parrot in a tree or on a perch, not in a cage.The nibbling too hard is because he gets so excited playing with you and parrots play rather rough.He probably wants to bite if you try and remove him also.I find that the best thing to do is try and keep the playing calm and when it gets out of hand put him down and and try again later, I'm guessing that it's a him and fairly young because of your description , i also think that he lived very close to you, maybe a block or two, If he's outside his owners might hear him so don't be surpised if you have them show up at your door.