Bites when I try to get her off my shoulder...

[Beth3773]

Help! I'm new to this site and also new to being a bird mommy. I got Sunny from a breeder about two weeks ago and she has been great...very tame and loving. Starting yesterday, when I try to take her off my shoulder, she won't step up and she bites me instead. Also, today she is furiously chewing on my shirt and when I put my finger or hand out for her to step up, she bites. She doesn't want to come out of her cage and she is generally being mean. She is 8 1/2 weeks old and I don't really know if she is a she. Any advice?

Thanks,
Beth

[chapala]

Well, it sounds like she thinks she owns your shoulder. I would not allow that behavior, and have been known to take off my shirt (with bird inside) when the bird didn't step up from the shoulder (only had to do that a few times with my re-homed Parrotlet). Another thing you can try is first to stick train the bird with positive reinforcement, and then avoid the bite but insist that the bird step up from your shoulder onto the stick. The shoulder should be a privilege, not a right, that the bird has to earn by good behavior. Until the behavior stops, I wouldn't allow the bird on the shoulder.

[LovelySydney]

I agree with what the above poster said, you should not let this behavior continue and should use the stick training with some reinforcement. That way, once that is learned your bird will be able to move onto the stick rather than attack your hand when you are trying to move it. & I also agree that until the stick training happens and step ups are happening, the bird does not need to be on the shoulder. It has to learn that being there is a privilege and it cant get away with destructive behavior (biting!).

[Beth3773]

Thank you for your help. I will try that.

Beth

[Monica]

Bird on the shoulder. Perhaps she finds your shoulder a fun place to be. A comfortable place. Why should she move when she is up there? Is there any reason why should come down when she's having more fun up there????

Think about it... if you want her to come down, give her a better reason to come down off your shoulder! Such as treats, going to a gym, her cage, etc. If you can't train her to come down, simply don't allow her up there.


Bird biting the shirt. She's probably bored. Lovebirds chew. If you don't want her chewing on your shirts, then give her something to chew on and keep her beak busy. You can even design (or buy) a bird necklace that is full of toys, thus giving her something to occupy herself with... or take an old shirt or sweatshirt, puncture a bunch of holes in it, and hang toys from these holes, so once again, she has a way to keep busy.



Bird in the cage. Lets see, her cage has food, water, and hopefully, toys. A fun place! Perhaps she finds beind inside the cage more fun than being out of it? I don't feel like retyping it all, but check out this post.... it has some good ideas on getting the bird out of the cage... and remember, you have to make the bird *WANT* to come out without forcing the bird out!
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