ok I need help-I decided to try to get ponacho to 'step up on my hand' and didnt want to scare him so I didnt have any glove on --well he got a hold of me and that does hurt---now my question is how do you let them know that they arent suppose to bite---I didn't think I was rushing him because he willing takes food from my hand inside his cage and comes over to the side of his cage to sit next to me when I am by his cage---I am sure you dont tap them on the beak and say no --so what do you do?

You can say no, but don't tap them on the beak. Also it helps to show no reaction( like pulling the finger away, yelling. I know its harder than it sounds. The reason for no reaction other than no is they will learn that if they bite they get a reaction out of you. You can also when they bite push towards them instead of pulling away. I hope this helps some. His bite may have been to see what kind of response he would get out of you. How hard was it? And what size bird was it?

Duh forgive the airhead moment about what size and kind of bird it is. Did he break the skin? If not then it was probably a test bite.

Yes, no reaction, or he will keep doing it to get a rise out of you.

Other than that, how is he settling in? All well I hope! Good luck and have fun!

Having recently had stitches to my face from one of my birds, I can say this. A firm NO and place the bird back in their cage and ignore them when they do not behave. They will begin to realize that you will not respond to bad behaviors and start to try to please you more. And formost, do show the bird fear, if you are afraid of the bird they can sense it, well at least that has been my experience. We own 2 Macaws who for the first 12 yrs of their life were owned by someone who was afraid of them and never let them out of their cage. We let them out but we also make sure they know we are not afraid of them.

no he did not break the skin--he left the imprint and bruise--I did not pull away from the bite,but now I know what it's going to feel like--as far as getting him out of the cage I havent tried that --yet--he has his full wing feathers and could fly and to get loose in the house could be dangerous for him.Someone posted that these birds have blood feathers so I am afraid to try to clip the feathers myself--can anyone post a link to a site that may help --the sites I have found dont really tell a great deal about caring for them--and one more thing thanks for not bashing me for getting him when I don't know how to do all these things.

hey CGA...how are you and the new bird doing? Has he started to let you pick him up yet? Have you had his feathers clipped yet? I will see if I can find a link about it. Was just curious as to how the two of you are gettting along.

well he is still with me and I havent lost any digits yet----so I guess you could say we are--hanging in there---he wont get on my hand --but doest do the step up on a perch---someone said that he would like to be 'misted' what do you-all think?---and no he won't let me actually pick him up----and no I haven't got his wings clipped --I don't know how and I don't want to hurt him or cause a setback in him trusting me---anything you can tell me or any link would be most appricated----also if I knew how to put a picture up I have some of him----

Well like I said it will take some time and patience but if he will step up on a perch that is a good start. As far as misting goes, YES by all means. I know my birds love it.

Now for uploading a pic. Start a new topic only make it a photo album. You will have to name the topic and give a brief description of what the photo album is. Then click next a small window will pop up for you to browse your computer for the pics you want to share. For each pic simply browse your computer for the pic and then click OK was you have chosen the pic you want. From there just click next until it gives you the choice of post and then click post and your done.

Thanks Papetlover--I am going to try to post the pic's---I am really getting attached to this bird --he has started making a different sound now ,it doesnt matter that he doesnt talk ,I just like to hear him do this because to me it's like he is trying to talk--does that sound nut's? Ah,well as I have said I have no experince at all with birds like this and each day is fun---