Weird Behaviour

must admit i started wearing thin leather gloves when my ringneck kept biting me. the shock of getting no reaction when she had a beak full of leather was a picture. only needed them for a few days as she stopped it.  
 
1452shaw said:
 He is tearing my hands to pieces.... And all I give him is attention
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Sounds like you could be accidentally rewarding his negative behaviours.

I'd take a few steps back and for now, grab yourself a stick or perch and just teach step up practice with that. Reward with something small like sunflower seeds and just do it for about 10 minutes at a time, 2-3 times a day. I found that when hungry the food rewards are more of an interest. If he bites don't make a sound and just end the session.
 
Michael Reynolds said:
The problem with parrots and stepping up it some will use their beak for to assist in balance and the feeling of security. It can be a little difficult to tell its intentions either balance or bite. This can make some a little nervey and the bird will sense and may even make it grab a little harder.
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This is how I am now with mine. I just cant hold my nerve now to wait and see if he's wanting to step on me or bite me!


I will hover my hand just out of reach and he will actually put his leg up so then Im hoping I know that he does want to step up but then its an immediate jump up to my shoulder where I'm stuck! Im worrying my ear will get bitten or my face if I turn to look and I cant put my hand up to take him off, in case. So I open the cage and back up to it and lower my shoulder so he's in the cage and slowly stand up so he has to get off inside the cage.


A lot of advice I see for parrots doing this is to just see what mood they are in and avoid them. Sometimes its not possible to avoid them. If they get out while I'm cleaning the cage or feeding them, the female is fine but if I'm in a rush its a nightmare to get him back in. He's probably not going to bite outside the cage but I just don't want to take the chance. That beak was like a pair of scissors through my finger last time!


If it was dogs that did this they would get put down. There must be some kind of training to stop this?
 
When I am working with a parrot who I know is going to bite when I ask for the step up I put my hand into a tight fist (no fingers flapping around to tempt a bite) and while placing this hand in front of the parrot and asking for the step up the other hand is diverting their attention by clicking my fingers and offering a pine nut. I don't like gloves and don't think they should be used with pet parrots if neccessary a tea towel wrapped around your arm and hand with your jumper pulled down to give the appearance of normal to the parrot is a better option.
 
I would agree distract the bird whilst getting it to step up normally works well I use gloves or towel depending on the birds reaction as I do not want to frighten it.  never grab a bird with gloves on it will make the bird frightened. if a glove is used it should only be for the bird to step on using a towel over your hand is preferred but some birds can have a dislike to them I would try both ways and see how it reacts.  The main problem is trying not to react or show reaction and that is easy to say but hard to do.  you have to make your self feel safe and that is very important as birds can tell your nervousness.  if you feel safe then no mater how the bird tries to bite you know you are protected,  and the bird once realising it has not had reactions will see that biting is not going to do any thing and will stop.it can take a short while two to four weeks..  before training so it gets used to it wild ring necks I will leave a glove hanging in the cage
 
I've tried the tight fist thing.. He still manages to bite and puncture my skin..... He did it only the other day, I was playing with him on the top of his cage.... Kissing him etc. I put my hand flat on the cage top and he reluctantly puts one foot on and steps off..... This is obviously a trust issue at the min so I thought I'd keep doing it until he gets both feet on.....after a few attempts both feet are on my hand so I praise him and leave my hand still so he can step off at any time... Which he did... I thought, yes! What a break through... The day after he did exactly the same but only this time when he put both feet on he proper head butted my hand he was stood on biting hard at either side of my middle finger puncturing the skin... I don't usually pull away if I can help it but this time my reflexes got the better of me and before I knew it sam was hanging off my finger with just his beak...which inevitably he crushed into my finger harder in order to hold on tight!!!! Not impressed at all!
 
Oh dear poor you. It was progress though getting both feet up.

I know you are trying to gain his trust at the moment but unfortunately when you leave your hand still when he is on it he isn't too sure what to make of it so is test biting to see what reaction he gets. Next time he places both feet on your hand try to gently and smoothly move him down and face him in towards you where he can feel safe. If he is looking uncertain place him immediately onto a chair, playstand, back onto top of cage etc and reward.
 
how is Sam doing now?? sounds like he has been giving you a hard time  :shock:

I have to agree with some of the earlier posts, I really wouldn't advise using gloves with companions it really doesn't help in my opinion.

I hope he is settling down, if it is his bluffing stage he will come through it just as quick as he started with it.  :rose:
 
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