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Post by kimmichanga on Dec 8, 2015 14:40:28 GMT -5
Hi all, I recently purchased a 4month old blue quaker from a breeder, hand fed. I don't know the sex but I named him Zazu. He was pretty shy at first but now he starting to warm up to me a little bit, I've had him for a week and he "steps up" really well on a hand perch. He seems to be scared of my hands/fingers anywhere near him..he bites and I try not to react but cheese and crackers!! it hurts LOL he hasn't broken my skin but wowzers. I say in a calm stern voice no no and he stops but will do it later on..like intentionally scoot near my hand thats on the hand perch just to bite it  . He'll take a treat from me very cautiously or snatches it from me just not to be near my fingers  . How can I correct this behavior or solve this problem in a positive manner...because he's pretty awesome!!   |
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Post by aaron on Dec 8, 2015 15:16:25 GMT -5
Greetings kimmichanga and Zazu!
Zazu sure is a cute little guy. Love the photo. The best thing you can do to discourage biting is to put the bird down and ignore them when they bite. In general, the rule you want to follow is to praise good behavior and ignore bad behavior.
I'm not very knowledgeable about resolving a fear of hands, but others may have advice for you on this.
Good luck! Let us know how things go!
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Post by cnyguy on Dec 8, 2015 21:08:03 GMT -5
Welcome!  When I first got Ralph, he would only step onto a spare wooden perch, but in a matter of days, he graduated to stepping straight onto my hand. Maybe as Zazu becomes more comfortable with you, and learns that he can trust you, he'll be less afraid of your hands and will be ready to perch on them. A little more time, and plenty of patience, will get you off to a good start. I know we have some Forum members with similar experiences to yours; maybe they'll soon "step up" and offer some good suggestions. |
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Post by kimmichanga on Dec 8, 2015 23:57:58 GMT -5
thanks aaron and cnyguy for the replies and suggestions!!
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Post by easttex on Dec 9, 2015 5:32:13 GMT -5
Welcome to you and Zasu! (I like your name. Are you a fan of Mexican food, by any chance?) Zasu is very handsome/pretty.
One technique I've seen might help you. This helps birds who are fearful of hands, and also takes advantage of their comfort moving sideways on the perch, rather than stepping forward onto your hand. Try placing whichever hand you use for the step up into a closed fist, with the palm facing down, and put it at the end of the perch, as if it were an extension. Use your other hand to dispense treats, which you give when he moves toward your other hand. When he actually steps onto your fist, you can gently turn it around until he is perched on your fingers.
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Post by biteybird on Dec 10, 2015 1:06:47 GMT -5
Welcome to you and Zazu! I hope you enjoy the forum. |
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Post by kimmichanga on Dec 11, 2015 21:50:47 GMT -5
thank you easttex and biteybird!! yes i love mexican food lol im trying the treat exercise with the closed fist..so far still biting and now even harder ?? but its only the 2nd week so i have plenty of time to work with Zazu...  |
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Post by easttex on Dec 12, 2015 4:38:29 GMT -5
I think he's trying to tell you he's not ready for your hands. I would respect that, because you don't want him to learn that biting is the only way he can communicate with you. If his body language tells you he's going to bite, try to stop what you're doing before it comes to that. I'd recommend that you give him some more time getting to know you, and in the meantime, let him see your hands doing good things, like giving treats. This link will give you some basics on body language, and a whole lot of other information on biting. www.stfrancisanimalandbird.com/index.php/pet-resources/library/9-avian-care/84-my-parrot-bites-what-can-i-do |
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Post by bruce on Dec 26, 2015 21:01:30 GMT -5
Hello. Zasu is a real cutie . Others have already made suggestions that I would echo. |
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Post by julianna on Dec 28, 2015 14:12:18 GMT -5
Welcome and hello to you and Zasu. I find even after having my QP for 5 years he will still at times grab food from my hand and run with it. Many times he eats while sitting on my hand but certain times he prefers to grab and run.
It is really cute when they want something badly and he will bow his head very low for it. Always afterward I get a loud squak. I think he is saying thank you so I yell out "you're welcome".
Like all the others said.... patience is the virtue and he will come around.
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Post by beccilouise on Dec 28, 2015 15:02:48 GMT -5
Hi! Welcome and Zazu is a real cutie best advice to offer is he advice I was given on here. Ignore bad behavior and praise good behavior. If he is in your hand and bites, the 'earthquake' technique works really well: just shake your finger two or three times (enough to make him stop, but not enough to unseat him) and say 'no' firmly. The other thing to do is associate the hand with food. The key, as you are doing, is not to react with the bird bites you, but to shower with praise and affection when he is gentle with your hand. Slowly, he will learn that gentle behavior gets him positive attention and biting gets him absolutely nothing at all! Best of luck! |
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. He'll take a treat from me very cautiously or snatches it from me just not to be near my fingers 
. How can I correct this behavior or solve this problem in a positive manner...because he's pretty awesome!! 
When I first got Ralph, he would only step onto a spare wooden perch, but in a matter of days, he graduated to stepping straight onto my hand. Maybe as Zazu becomes more comfortable with you, and learns that he can trust you, he'll be less afraid of your hands and will be ready to perch on them. A little more time, and plenty of patience, will get you off to a good start. I know we have some Forum members with similar experiences to yours; maybe they'll soon "step up" and offer some good suggestions. 
