Ever since I've had him, he's been the sweetest guy i could ever ask for...he never bit me, just my partner. He had won my heart and I had won his.....so i though well just recently, the roles have been reversed...my parnter is at home now 24/7 while i still work...so initally, i thought this could be a reason....and he only bites my thumb when im having him step up...he can't do it w/out biting and he's starting to tear the skin!!! i ve read many many posts here dealing w/the biting and the possibilities that can cause it, but other than the fact that my partner is home more than me, nothing else is different. I try doing the "no bite" and off to time out in the cage for a few min, then get him back out, but its NOT working. and i even HATE doing that, b/c i don't get to spend enuff time w/him, and its killing me!! how in the world do i get this little fella back?

You've probably guessed correctly. You're gone, someone else is there giving him attention all day and he's beginning to zero in on the other person as his source of attention. Have your partner let him alone in his cage all day so when you come home, you're the Great Emancipator who lets him out and plays with him. A day or two of this and he'll refocus on you. That's what my husband and I did when Clyde decided Hubby was the only person who could touch him and bit me and attacked my hand every time I got near him. It really did only take a couple of days, maybe three at most, before Clyde snuggled up to me again. Unfortunately, now he's doing that biting thing with my husband, although he will let me pick him up and put him on my husband's shoulder and will -- usually -- behave fairly well once he's actually on my husband's shoulder.

I'll have to try that. I also forgot to mention that he's starting the "happy dance" so that makes it even more difficult. thanks for the advice, we shall see if it actually works

Tis the season for hormones too, so that may be an issue.

Try what was suggested. Also, keep in mind as to how you are reacting to the bites and what you're doing right before the bite and right after the bite.

Another thing, what happens when you take him into a room that he usually doesn't go? If you haven't done that yet, give it a whirl. Take him into a room is isn't used to and see how he does in there with step ups. Birds usually are more accommodating when they are in an unfamiliar situation.

QUOTE (Siobhan @ Jul 29 2008, 05:42 PM)

You've probably guessed correctly. You're gone, someone else is there giving him attention all day and he's beginning to zero in on the other person as his source of attention. Have your partner let him alone in his cage all day so when you come home, you're the Great Emancipator who lets him out and plays with him. A day or two of this and he'll refocus on you. That's what my husband and I did when Clyde decided Hubby was the only person who could touch him and bit me and attacked my hand every time I got near him. It really did only take a couple of days, maybe three at most, before Clyde snuggled up to me again. Unfortunately, now he's doing that biting thing with my husband, although he will let me pick him up and put him on my husband's shoulder and will -- usually -- behave fairly well once he's actually on my husband's shoulder.

Yes I think this is the reason too~!

sounds the key...he def. is in his hormone stage as we started noticing his "unusual behavior" on his toys! thanks everyone

I had the same experience with Boomer. I used to be Boomer's favorite human, but now my husband is the favorite. The problem we are having is he feels the need to defend my hubby when he has him. So to combat this I don't have Boomer step-up from my hubby's hand. Matt has to put him on a neutral territory (table, sofa, ex..) and then I have him step-up. If not the whole excperience results in Matt getting bit VERY hard by poor Boom. Another thing we don't do is let Boomer on either of our shoulders. And we keep him below eye level so he doesn't think he is above the flock.

As for why he switched loyalties, as others have said it's probally b/c the other person is spending more time with him. And, in my experience, quakers tend to pick thier favorites and there's really nothing you can do about this. Just don't get jelous, be glad he has a bond with a member of his flock and try to have some alone time yourself with your bird.

I guess my case is different. Kiwi tolerates my husband and will let him "rescue" him off of the floor. When I was working I was gone 8 hrs a day and my Hubby works from home, but that didn't change Kiwi's bond with me. These silly birds are all fickle. Yes I do think the "hormonal" phase has a lot to do with it.

another idea as well.. if he is being crabby with you and your not his fav person right now when you take him out of the cage and he bits.. and then you return him.. he's going to learn REALLY quickly that all h has to do is give one good bite and he'll get to go back in the cage..,, which if he's sulky with you is maybe where he wanted ot be in the first place...

i would be perisistent and push into the bite and try the earthquaker method.. gently jar his balance with the finger he's sitting on and see if that helps..good luck its never nice when our fids play favs with pople toher than us