Ok I need some suggestions...

[Kassidy]

I'm having one of those days where I am questioning my decision on getting an Amazon... guess I just need some motivational ideas.

Kassidys' nipping has moved more to biting, its going on 2 weeks since I got her. I've tried saying "no" then promptly putting her back on or in her cage. Unforunately I'm not sure how upset she really is that she is being put there. She just starts talking away, which in the past few days has been ENDLESS aside from when I'm holding her, or when I cover her cage for her to sleep.

"step up" almost is always combined with a nip, even though I know she wants up... she puts up her leg before I even get a foot from her, waiting to come up. Thats not really so much the problem as after I've already been holding here and she continually wants to bite my fingers.

I know the Amazon can be difficult, especially since this is my first bird. I just figured with time things would get better, where as she seems to be biting more than before. Aside from work, I've been devoting all my time to her, and hold her as much as possible, until she gets too roudy/too bitey, then I put her back and fetch her alittle later. She still is only ever about 6 feet from me. I know she can bite alot harder, its not all that painful, but enough to make a bit nervous that she will REALLY bite me one of these times.

 

[henpecked]

I don't really know her history, but i'd guess she must be a young bird. She's biting like that because she doesn't know any better, she doesn't realize that it's too hard, her bothers and sisters would bite her back.Somehow you have to teach her what's acceptable and what isn't. I'm not suggesting you bite your bird but let her know when it's too much.

 

[Kassidy]

Yeah I think that is what I'm getting at... As of 4 days ago she is 7 months old. I got her from a rather large aviary, and as happy as they were to see her go to a home, the staff was upset she was leaving, they said she was one of the favorites.

Holding sessions are typically short because she gets very rambunctious, but I stand next to her cage and talk to her a lot. The more worked up she gets, the more she bites. I know this is typical, she is young and wants to play, I did a considerable amount of research (6 months or so) before I actually went out and purchased a bird. I spent 3 hours with her, before I even made the decision. She nipped at me a few times then, but if I introduced a toy or wood block she would choose that instead. Now that she has been with me for a couple weeks, when I show her the toy, she goes for my skin that is touching the toy.

If I bring her over to sit with me, while I watch TV or anything, she destroys anything she can get her beak on. This is another thing I expected with a young parrot, but does it end? She is up down over jumping everywhere and attacking everything.

I already really care for her, and want the best life for her that I can give her. I guess I'm just really scared my inexperience is the issue, making sure I'm doing everything I can to get her to be a better bird. That is where you experts come in

 

[Tammy]

Give her more time. I've had my OWA for 2 years now & he is now 12. It took him several months to completely trust me. He likes to explore with his beak & if it's too hard I tell him "No, that's not what beaks are for" and then distract him with something else. It may take a little time but I have found that Amazons become pretty easy to read their moods. They are very clear about what they like / don't like & what they're in the mood for. If Mr. Precious doesn't want something to eat he will 1st turn his head away, 2nd he will squawk & 3rd he will do an open mouth lunge to let me know he's serious. Knowing that, I know to stop when he turns his head.

This was my very first bird also & had no clue what I was getting myself into. Luckily I found this place & have been here ever since. My OWA is my best friend & an awesome companion. I think you are off on a wonderful adventure. They love to dance & talk.

 

[Kassidy]

Thanks for the encouragement. I really did research all this so I knew what I was getting into. It doesn't seem to really be a trust issue, from what I can tell, its just she gets soooo excited all the time! I just can't get her to calm down. As henpecked pointed out, she just doesn't know any better. Which I also completely agree, I don't think she is trying to inflict pain. It just seems saying no and putting her back in her cage and ignoring her doesn't seem to be getting it through her little head to stop

 

[mtdoramike]

My eclectus can get to playing a little rough sometimes. So when he does, I immediately tell him NO and walk him over and put him on his playstand or cage whether he wants to go or not. Then a little later, he will climb down and search me out to play som more and is sweet as sugar after that. He LOVES to play peek a boo with a towel and if we are on the floor and there is a towel near by, he will drag the towel over to where we are playing and lift the towel up and then let it drop until I play peek a boo with him. He also like to play fetch with a ball also.

 

[oled]

YNA, DYHA, and YHA is know for being "to hard" biting, but working in a NO way for a year or so the problem will decreace. I am puncing hes beak also and he know and the problem is decreasing but it takes time

 

[ShreddedOakAviary]

Be extra careful about what you are really teaching her... think about how she might understand things...

"Hmmm how do I get back to my cage for a drink of water? Oh that's right she puts me back if I nip"

"Oooo a new toy, she hasn't handed it to me yet... how do I get her to give it to me? Nipping worked last time... *nip* yep, still works.

"I wanna play.... hmm lets see what kind of reaction I get when I push the button I've been inadvertently trained to push... *nip*

Birds are intelligent and always learning.... so think about what you're teaching. Additionally, baby Amazons ( and most other species) are "beaky" and it is your job to make clear what is acceptable and what isn't. Baby hyacinths are even worse than Amazons and it's just a matter of sayings "no" and setting the bird on the FLOOR. No bird has any good reason to want to be on the floor... (unlike a cage). Set her on the floor and tell her no. Don't allow her up again until she comes up nicely without nipping....

The above is just my experience and opinion and in the end only you know your bird.

 

[ann]

BITING PARROTS Why They Do It and How To Control It
this is an excellent web site on why parrots bite and how to controll it, good luck, i really recomens you check it out

 

[roxynoodle]

Young birds want to explore and they use their beak to do that. I say "Don't" as sometimes "No" can sound kind of soothing. Make sure she is looking you in the eye when you say it.

It might also help to distract her. A hand held toy can do that. She might just want something to do.

And some birds are always beaky. My Nanday still is and she's getting close to 12 years old now. She is curious and energetic. Everything she sees, she wants to touch (with her beak). She just isn't a bird that wants to be held and petted. She would rather run around me and sample my clothes. Or play on her playpen. She also wants to groom me and give me a new hair do. Being a small bird who isn't going to rip my face off, I let her do my hair.

It can help sometimes just to have 2 birds with different personalities. My recently departed Blue Crown was the cuddler. Rowdy, the Nanday is the explorer. My new Amazon Pete is some of each. So I cuddle with him for a little bit and when he wants to play and explore, I let him do that.

If the bird latches on, push your hand toward her beak though, don't pull it away. Pulling it away could cause much more damage. And when you know she is about to bite, you should distract her even if it's putting a piece of junk mail between her beak and your skin. Try to get eye contact immediately and that should stop a bite.

 

[cockatielfan17]

u have to try be positive like if it bites u put her in the cage and cver it up and then try again she will come to an understanding soon