need help to stop biting

My one+ year old peach faced lovebird Basil has been with us for four months. He was not handtamed when we got him but has made great strides. Only four months ago, he was terrified of us, cowering at the back of his cage whenever we came near. Now he will hop onto my arm so he can come out of his cage and perch on my shoulder. He will also go to my daughter. He's still afraid of hands but that's okay. I am able to get him in and out of the cage without using my hands. He's not afraid of hands when they offer treats!

My problem is the nipping. He'll bite a finger poked into his cage, so we don't do that. But when he's on my shoulder, he'll nip at my neck and ears and it hurts! He's not being mean, he's just nipping at whatever is there. I don't mind if he's nipping at my clothing; he's just interested in how it feels. But tonight, while on my daughter's shoulder (she's 10), he decided to get inside the hood of her sweatshirt and nip her neck. We can't swiftly move him to the cage as "punishment" (there's some luring involved to get him back there, and a lot of praise when he does "go home") and I'm not sure I even want his cage to be punishment. I want him to love his cage (which he seems to). So how can we discourage this nipping behaviour?

Thanks!

You have done extremely well to get him this far... I think the little guy is preening you, but because you don't have any feathers, it hurts... You are right not to punish him... and teach him to be gentle.. If you have ever worked too hard on a pin feather, your bird would let out a sound that you hurt him... Try to imitate that...

Thank you Lene. That's excellent advice. I will try it. It makes perfect sense because it's not a defensive or angry bite. Human skin is far too delicate for that powerful beak! I just love him to pieces and am thrilled that he wants to be on my shoulder. He is so clever. He knows the usual time when he comes out of his cage (after supper, before bed) and will call me and hang out the side of his cage as if to say "ok, I'm ready to go, open up!"

Andrea and Basil

Why not make or buy some "birdy necklaces"? All you need is a plastic chain that hangs around your neck and then a bunch of small toys hooked to that. It may help give him something to do while he's up on your shoulders?

lene1949 said:

You have done extremely well to get him this far... I think the little guy is preening you, but because you don't have any feathers, it hurts... You are right not to punish him... and teach him to be gentle.. If you have ever worked too hard on a pin feather, your bird would let out a sound that you hurt him... Try to imitate that...

Click to expand...

You were absolutely bang on with this advice! I made his little squeaky "hurt" sound when he bit too hard and immediately he let up and was more gentle. And he took that as a sign to keep on preening, up and down my neck, in my hair. Wow, you are a bird whisperer.

cdnbirdlover said:

lene1949 said:

You have done extremely well to get him this far... I think the little guy is preening you, but because you don't have any feathers, it hurts... You are right not to punish him... and teach him to be gentle.. If you have ever worked too hard on a pin feather, your bird would let out a sound that you hurt him... Try to imitate that...

Click to expand...

You were absolutely bang on with this advice! I made his little squeaky "hurt" sound when he bit too hard and immediately he let up and was more gentle. And he took that as a sign to keep on preening, up and down my neck, in my hair. Wow, you are a bird whisperer.

Click to expand...

lol... yes... it works with my birds as well... No, not a bird whisperer, but I do use common sense... I'm female... lol