[Joyce6830]

We adopted a Hahns Macaw and a Cockatiel this past weekend. They were previously owned by a teenager who kept them in his room. He only handled the Macaw in a towel. We've had them home for several days now and the macaw does not want us to get him out of the cage. He will bite (not hard) if you reach in after him. Once he is on your shoulder he is fine but he will bite if you grab him. His wings are clipped and he will sit on the play area out of the cage. I'd like to teach him to step up but every time you put your hand out to him he acts like he is going to bite. I'm not sure if he's actually biting or just tasting and it scares me when he comes at my hand with his beak. He bit me once and I'm afraid that he'll do it again. The kid we got him from says he is just over a year old. He doesn't talk at all either. Which makes me think he didn't have a lot of human interaction.

So here are my questions:

(1) How can I train him to step up without getting bit?
(2) Should he be talking by now and if not what age will they start?

The cockatiel we got from him is the sweetest thing ever. He will step up, cuddle, play with your hair and jewelry and just "nibble" all over you. I'd love to be able to handle the macaw like the cockatiel. Any suggestions?