Questions on my Nanday

[NanDayus]

Hello, I am new.

I have a Nanday Conure that is about a year old now. The person I bought him from had him cage raised, so he is not very friendly. My husband and I can pick him up with a towel and set him on our laps, however he does not step up on your finger, instead he tries to bite. I can preen him behind his neck but that is about it.
What is the best way to teach him not to bite? How do you discipline a bird??

I feel that he is still young enough to learn to trust me and be trained to talk and such, but I have no idea of how to go about doing it. Any pointers?

[Sorechia]

What do you mean by they had the cage raised? Also I would definitley get rid of the towel! That is more than likely making the situation worse. He might be cage protective...try using a perch to get him to step up on first. Also ask this question in the training section and/or the conure section.

[ROYJOY]

never dicipline your bird, he can be tought anything with positive reinfrcment. get the clicker training book. melinda johnson wrote a good one.

[birdlover912]

I agree with the above posts--birds do not understand puishment and it will harm your relationship with them. The towel most likely isn't helping with trust issues either.

Try giving your nanday treats from your hand. This will encourage him to come closer to you, trust you, and connect your hands with something good (food). Do not attempt to grab him or force him to step up if he is afraid. These things will put you back a step. Let your bird choose the pace. :)

[Razzle]

NanDayus --

First, take your towel in hand. Then walk to your garbage can. Deposit the towel in the garbage can. NEVER use a towel on your bird again unless neccesary. Some people can successfully use a towel with their birds, I hear, but it sounds like your bird is the same as mine. He doesn't trust you because you're trying to FORCE him to come out and socialize. So of course he tries to resist. Wouldn't you if you were kidnapped? Instead, open your bird's cage door and sit in the room with him but ignore him and do something else quiet like read a book, surf the net or watch TV. Wait for him to come to you. It is a very slow process but it is WORTH it in the end. Our conure now is the sweetest bird we've EVER owned and it only took a month or two. We've had him for 6 months now and he loves to sit on us for hours on end and preen our hair and ears.
Once your bird starts approaching you, or even coming out of his cage to sit on top, start praising him and telling him what a good birdie he is. The important thing is to NEVER, EVER, EVER try to rush him. If he comes out and sits on top of his cage, do NOT run to the cage to greet him. If he comes over and sits on the floor in front of you, RESIST the urge to pick him up. When he stands on your foot, do NOT pick him up in your hand. When he perches on your hand, DON'T try to throw him onto your shoulder. Let him lead in the growing relationship and always tell him how wonderful he is to deign to give you as much attention as he does. Sooner or later the bond will grow strong and he'll be most likely one of the sweetest birds you've ever owned.

[NanDayus]

Thank you all for your responses. I will try these. I was pretty sure there was no way to discipline a bird. Cage raised, I know that it sounds odd. In fact when the lady told me that he was cage raised, i responded with, "what the heck is that?" she said that he was raised by his parents and left in a cage. Very little human interaction. When she got him our she used gloves. My little Cinnamon Cheek Conure is sweet as can be. However the man we got her from hand raised her. She just doesn't know how to step up on your finger or anything. she prefers cuddling next to your chest. Even when i place her on my finger she jumps over to my chest. Now my parakeets.... well i dont even mess with them. Bought them from Petsmart and Petco, they have NEVER been nice. I had one when i was a little girl that would let me hold him but these guys are mean. My cockatiels are just temperamental. They are older birds that I am the second parent to. my white faced will just make a hellacious noise when i get her out. she doesnt bite or anything, she just squawks and gripes. She is so funny. she will not try and fly away from me or act aggressive. I have not figured out why she does that. Our other cockatiel will not let me touch her. That is my husband's bird, she only likes him. I can pick her up and she just flies to him and starts preening his shirt and pulls his beard hairs.... That is funny

well anyways, thank you all so very much for your suggestions. I am still open to any other suggestions as everyone has different ways of doing things.