7 month red lored amazon

[catsquakers]

I just got him/her a week ago. He is a sweetheart and loves to be cuddled at night but a little grumbly when he doesn't want to come out of his cage or doesn't want to step up. However, the last couple of days he has started nipping me when I put my hand in for him to step up. It isn't hard hard but hard enough that the first few times it startled me. This isn't my first birds. I have many quakers, IRN GCC. Bites don't normally affect me. However, his beak is much bigger and it caught me off guard.

Is he getting cage aggressive? Just grumpy? When he does this how do I handle it? With my other birds I tell them no and make them step up. Today I tried to gently grab his beak and tell him no bite. He will always step up even if you don't say step up but adding that little nip in is not making me too happy. I have got to get him beyond this quickly as I do not want a big bird with bad habits.

Advice needed please.

[jylu97]

Sometimes, when this happens I usually use a dowel to get my bird out, esp. when she doesn't want to come out of her cage. I think most will agree that birds are more territorial and aggressive in their cage. When my bird doesn't want to come out, I usually respect her decision unless I really want her out. I've found that many times she needs to do her business first before being willing to go out.

Also, spring is coming, but you zon is still young.

I'm sure others will have more advice!

Liz