Grabbing my ears!

timneh seems to get a kick out of doing things that will get me to say hey or no. One thing that bugs the heck out of me is when she grabs my ears. She knows it bugs me but figures a timeout is worth the joke. She grabs my ear and says No or hey before I do. Her new one is to say oooooowwwwwww really drawing it out. She doesn't usually grab too hard but hard enough so you know it. I'm a little sensitive about my ears otherwise I probably wouldn't care. I've had surgery on them 6 times and can't even stand to get water in there anymore after having to keep it out for so long. She tries to keep from goign to her timeout by flipping upside down on my finger or her perch. Do you guys think she will grow out of this? Thanks for listening, this being really Timnehs only annoying thing so far I think shes doing pretty awesome. I think shes doing it to get attention mostly. Timneh loves to get pet.

Cute, but regardless of sensitivity - biting ears is a strict No, No!

The activity will not go away with time, especially since she has linked it to a response from you - attention junky thing!

You have to train out of this activity and cutting off all access to the shoulder is Step-One! As can be found in numerous Threads; Being on the Shoulder is only allowed when the Parrot is very well behaved.

The neck region contains very sensitive structures that if damaged could be life-ending or greatly effect your life style!

She probably sees this as well-intended grooming and a game, given your response. Definitely needs a diversion when she grabs your ears, and a meaningful time-out if persistent.

I have taught Perjo some pretty good bite sensitivity.

She knows the difference between a nibble or being gentle, a tickle and a bite. If I say tickle my nose or my ear when she's perched on my shoulder she lightly grabs each of them. If she's in play mode and nips on my fingers or grabs them with her beak after I scratch her she knows that a nibble. I say ow when she bite bites, but I have two versions of ow. A loud sharp ow that signifies a bit that I do not permit, or a softer more drawn out owwww to signify it doesn't bother me and that she's just being silly. It's all working for now, but she's only 16mos, that can change overnight I suppose.