Hi from Michigan

[kitt]

Hi everyone. My name is Connie. I have been searching the web for a site to help me learn more about hahns macaws.
I just got my hahns on Monday. He flew in from Texas. His name is Dusty. Although I have read a lot about these little guys I still have some questions. Perhaps someone here can help me.
It has been four days and Dusty is still incredibly quiet. I think this just means that he still isn't comfortable here. Any thoughts?
He does this strange thing when I ask him to step up. He only puts one foot up and holds my finger with a death grip and then nips at my hand. Is this normal behavior for a hahns? I don't remember reading anything about that.
He is just five months old so I realize he is still just a baby but he seems awfully nippy. He actually reminds me of my caique except that Dusty's nips are pretty hard.
Any advice would be much appreciated..Thanks, so glad to find this site. Yay!!!! .......connie

Here is a picture of Leroy my caique and Dusty my hahns

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[LovelySydney]

Hi & welcome! Im also from Michigan, are you preparing for the weather change thats about to come? = ) I am so jealous of your babies, they are adorable! As far as Dusty's behavior, Im sure he is still just settling in and getting used to the new world around him. He will come around with time, he just needs to learn he is safe. The nippyness can be curbed once he is comfortable and you are able to interact with him and teach him that biting mommy is a no no! I know others can offer some great advice as far as nipping goes. Cant wait to hear more about your babies and again, welcome!!

[kitt]

Thank you so much for the warm welcome. I thought maybe Dusty would be a "beaky" bird like my caique. Caiques love to nibble on fingers all the time. It is just part of who they are. I also have a lovebird named Ava but it is hard to get her picture. She is my little diva or little "miss thing" as I like to call her. thanks again.........connie

[Michelle & Fids]

Welcome to BB, your babies are adorable!!! I don't have any Hahn's experience, but I would guess that he is still a little nervous in his new home and needs time to get used to you and his surroundings.

[LovelySydney]

You have a lovebird too, well now I am SUPER jealous!!! = )

[becca623]

Hi Connie, Welcome to birdboard! I don't have a hahns but I know that they mini macaws are known for their nippiness. Not all are nippy but most are. Babies tend to go through a very nippy stage. Plus, he's in a new environment with new people. He's probably a bit scared. He may be testing you. When you go to handle him, try distracting him with a piece of wood, a soft toy, or a special treat he really likes so that he bites it instead of you. Praise him like crazy when he doesn't bite. You may want to go slower with him. Try sitting by his cage reading to him and telling him about your day in a soft voice. If nothing else works, threat him with a fork. Tell him he'll be thanksgiving dinner. I had to do that to my macaw earlier this week. He was being a real brat biting us like crazy. Later he was a sweetie, acted like nothing happened. Birds are a lot like men, lol.

[kitt]

Originally Posted by LovelySydney

You have a lovebird too, well now I am SUPER jealous!!! = )

Yep, I have a lovebird. I use to be just terrified of all birds then Ava came into my life and I fell in love. Sense she was my first bird I didn't follow any rules and spoiled her rotten. She has taught me a lot about birds and what not to do. Don't get me wrong. I love her to death. She is always on my shoulder. But ava doesn't have to do anything ava doesn't want to do. LOL
Thanks to her I got brave enough to get a caique. I studied for months before I got one and oh boy has he been adventure. They are truly a breed all their own. Now I have Dusty and that is my limit. Three is about all can handle and feel good about the time and attention they get.
You will have to tell me more about your birds. I love bird stories and bird pictures.........connie

[Scooter]

Hi Connie - and congratulations on your Hahns, I have a friend who has one and she just loves him - but says occassionally he may nip her out of the blue. She also has 2 congo greys and a goffins.

I have 5 caiques and they seem to be so different - very much hands on birds - love to nibble on your fingers - a couple of them like to be swung around (we pretend they are on the big ferris wheel and then they hang upside down as it is going around - and of course I have to sing the ferris wheel song too) they love the excitement of it and the attention. My amazon and sun conures would be scared to death if I tried it with them. My friends Hahsn just loves to sit on her shoulder and hang out. But yours may be just testing you and adjusting to his new surroundings and home. I have to remind myself to slow down a little when it is not a caique I am picking up or playing with, as the others are so much more mellow and don't like to rough house like the caiques.

Your birds are adorable - (of course I am partial to the caique).

Have fun with the new member of the family.

[chinniechantel]

Welcome, and gorgeous fids!