cant figure it out?

Hi All,
Trying to figure my new adopted DYH amazon out. This behavior forces me ask the masses because I can't make sense of it. Last couple of days he squats low and makes a purring sound and flutters his wings when he wants attention. I will go over and talk softly to him...he will take some of my hair and preen it (i think?) Then he will lower his head and I ask if he wants me to scratch his head, which he does and I will. All that seems clear to me and this is where the confusing part comes in... He then puts out his foot as if to step up... I offer my finger and say "step up." He will then grab my finger tight and then bite me?! Not super hard but enough to make a point. I don't react and jerk away so I leave my hand there and tell him "no bite" as I slowly move my hand away. He then gets angry and it appears that he bites his own foot in frustration? Im new to larger birds so this may be normal but my instinct is telling me there is more behind it? Im not understanding this super sweet moment and him asking me to step up basically and then turning on me? Any advice would be great..Thanks in advance!!!

The squatting and purring could be an aggressive gesture, and not a request for attention as you guessed. It's hard to tell why he would bite you, but maybe it's because he doesn't want you to stop petting him, or just because you misinterpreted his foot movement and he doesn't like it. Birds have some pretty complex body language and it's often very difficult to read. I'd recommend that you do some research on it and maybe buy a book or video. Barbara Heidenreich has some really good training videos, and one of them is on body language. I bought this video and it was really helpful for me:
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Parrot-Body-Language-DVD/dp/B001GF18ZO]Amazon.com: Understanding Parrot Body Language DVD, vol 3 - Barbara Heidenreich: Movies & TV[/ame]

Good luck!

Thanks so much! I'll check it out. Any help would be beneficial.

Wings fluttering while squatting down and leaning in a direction is usually a begging behavior.

From the sounds of it, someone unintentionally taught him to step up and bite. This can easily be accomplished by repeatedly forcing the bird to step up and ignoring the bites. You, standing there, and allowing your bird to chew you up is ignoring the bite.


I wouldn't recommend asking for a step up until your zon is target trained.

Barbara Heidenreich - YouTube

Good Bird Inc Parrot Training Talk: Respecting the Bite
Good Bird Inc Parrot Training Talk: Help! My Parrot Wont Step Up!
Good Bird Inc Parrot Training Talk: Training a Scared or Aggressive Parrot To Step Up

A ?Bird Attacking? Question | Lara Joseph
A Question About an Issue with Nipping | Lara Joseph

It seems to me he wants attention and scritches.
He grabs your finger and bites because he wants to see if you trust him, my DYH loves grabbing and gently biting my finger. It's like a test, do let him know if he bites to hard by telling him gently or no. obviously remove finger if too hard. They bite their own feet when they get excited. Do learn about amazon body language, eyes pinning, tails flaring and feathers ruffling are a sign of an excited/agitated amazon and to beware.