I've read lots and lots about 'the bluffing stage', but I have to say I've never experienced it with my pair. They're just sweet. The only times they have disciplined me with their beaks were when I was attempting to get them to let me touch them. I know some of our members have Alexes that will permit scratches and petting, but mine just don't. They are inseparable from me, always wanting to sit on my head or shoulder or swing off the bottom of my hair, but they will not allow me to pet or touch them otherwise. That makes them very nervous and skittish and if I persist, they will bite me. So I don't. Easypeasy!
The secret with Alexes (and any bird, really) is not to force them to do anything they don't want to do. Don't force them to step up (especially not over and over from hand to hand); don't force them to come out of the cage; don't force them to be held or petted. Instead, ask them nicely by offering a treat and rewarding the behaviours you want. So, if you want birdie to step up, offer the treat across your outstretched hand and if birdie steps up, give the treat. If not, don't. Birdie isn't ready for stepping up right then, so try again in a little while. After quite a few repetitions of stepping up succesfully, birdie will eventually begin to enjoy being with you, especially if you just sit quietly holding him and shovelling treats into his beak. You don't need to do this often, but spending what I call Quality Time really helps to build his trust in you. It's a proposition every time: 'If you hop up on my hand, I will always give you something nice to eat'. 'If you sit quietly on my hand, I will continue to give you nice things to eat AND I will speak softly to you in a low voice and make such a pleasant experience that you will want to do it again soon'. When these sorts of behaviours become habit, then you can leave the treats and move onto other training goals.
If your bird is biting now, slow right down and think very carefully of everything you're doing. Is there anything that might be disturbing your bird? Are you approaching him too suddenly or too loudly? Are you waving your hands above his head? (Birds find that scary and threatening) Are you poking things at him? (Your finger? Sticks? Treats?) Are you having too many people present so that he can't focus on just you? All my birds function best when they're alone with me. If the kids are present, they do OK, but will often fly off to relate to one of them rather than work with me. If visitors arrive, forget everything! Birds go home. They just get too excited and fly to people's heads who may not really want a big green hat.
This might sound a bit deflating, but it only takes a week or two to get your bird into a better place. You need to get your whole family on side so that everyone works by the rules. If one person unsettles the bird, then no one else will be able to work with him. So hasten slowly. Aim to stop the biting first. Do that by slowing down etc as mentioned above. When you offer your hand, offer the back of your tightly closed fist. Birdie can't get a grip on the skin that way and you can learn to turn the hand so he can't bite it at all. Once he accepts your hand, he may then step up. If so, great! If not, slowly keep going and offer a treat for every positive move he makes. Only work with him for five or ten minute intervals. If he's only weeks old, that's about all he can manage right now.
Once you have him stepping up, if he continues to bite examine the way you hold him. I found I was unconsciously turning my wrist when holding my Galah so that he continually had to readjust his balance. This made him mad and he bit me! It took ages for me to work out that problem because I wasn't thinking like a bird. LOL! You need to develop a bird brain to some extent. Sometimes, Alexes don't like to be held too close to your body: I think there's something about feeling trapped... I'm not entirely sure... but that could be a reason he bites you.
Another thing I've heard other members mention is target training. I've never done that with my pair because it just hasn't arisen. I've heard great stories of it working well to occupy a bird's mind so that it has something to do rather than biting for fun. Training is the very best thing you can do for your bird and it's surprisingly easy, especially with Alexes. They're extremely clever and can learn lots of things if you spend the time teaching them.
Anyway, that's enough for now. If you have other questions, please ask them! I had no clue when I started out with my Alexes and members here have generously given their knowledge and moral support so that I now have two of the sweetest, greenest little birdies ever. Best of luck and please keep in touch so we know how you're getting on!
