bingo
Weaned Todd
Bingo
Joined: October 2005
Posts: 27
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Post by bingo on Oct 12, 2005 14:48:12 GMT -7
We've had Bingo for almost a year now, she is 9 years old. Since we've gotten her we have not been able to get her to step up on our hands. We are very confused by this because she is very loving otherwise. She loves for us to touch and pet her and loves to cuddle. She lets us get very close to her and she also tries to feed us. She will try to get on our hands but makes a nervous grunting sound while spreading her wings a little bit and then when we start to move our hand with her on it she bites. It's almost as if she is trying to hold on with her beak. We have tried various things but nothing seems to work. We can carry her around on several objects, such as a table runner rolled up that she likes for some reason. She seems to get on about anything except our hands. Any ideas? Thanks!
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Post by Jane on Oct 12, 2005 16:06:58 GMT -7
They can be quite wary of hands. Holding on with the beak is normal because they use the beak to test the strength of something before stepping onto it, and to help them get on as well. Are you moving your hands away when she does this and making her a bit uncertain?
The grunting and spreading of the wings is typical mating behaviour, and biting, sometimes quite hard, can be a part of this.
Try to train her to step up by putting one hand in front of her, just above her feet and then nudging her tummy. You can have a treat in the other hand to help.
Jane
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boltt223
Baby Bird
My name is Merlin
Joined: October 2005
Posts: 12
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Post by boltt223 on Oct 12, 2005 21:26:51 GMT -7
I agree with Jane. That is what I did with Merlin and now he even reaches out with his foot and wants to step up. At first it looked like he wanted to bite but then we realized he was just checking out our hands to see if it was going to be stable enough to stand on.
Eddie
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bingo
Weaned Todd
Bingo
Joined: October 2005
Posts: 27
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Post by bingo on Oct 13, 2005 8:26:27 GMT -7
Thank-you both for your help. We usually don't move our hand when she bites, but sometimes it is hard not to! We worked with her quite a bit last night and she did get on my boyfriends hand fo quite awhile without biting. That is the most progress we've ever made. We will keep trying your suggestions and I will keep you updated on her progress!
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sforl
Baby Bird
Joined: September 2005
Posts: 20
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Post by sforl on Oct 13, 2005 14:19:13 GMT -7
Do any of you use a wooden dowel to teach your bird to step up. The owner of the pet store neat me uses a wooden "T" shaped dowel to get the birds out of the cage. He entices them with treats and gives the "step up" command. Once out of the cage they are less territorial. He then again use treats to get the bird to step from the dowel to his finger. He claims this system works quite well and that the risk of being bitten is reduced.
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bingo
Weaned Todd
Bingo
Joined: October 2005
Posts: 27
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Post by bingo on Oct 13, 2005 15:08:47 GMT -7
I have also had suggestions to try using a dowel. We have tried this many times and Bingo will have nothing to do with it. She just acts scared and backs away. She gets upset and then won't step on anything.
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sforl
Baby Bird
Joined: September 2005
Posts: 20
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Post by sforl on Oct 13, 2005 15:36:38 GMT -7
Yes. I can see where it might be a frightening experience. Good luck with finding a workable solution. I'll be interested in reading what advice others may have.
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Post by spookyhurst on Oct 13, 2005 23:54:16 GMT -7
Whoever trained my grey to step up did a wonderful job. It doesn't matter if he's in his cage, on your shoulder, or whatever, when you put your hand at his belly, he automatically steps up (you don't even have to say it). He also steps down with no complaint. I got lucky with this guy . Nikko often grabs a finger or thumb with his beak for stabilization. I have small hands, so I guess he wants to make sure he's secure. My conure did the same thing.
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