Hello My name is Micky. I have a 4 year old Quaker that my daughter got for me. I really love birds and all animals for that matter. I don't know much about his background. He is always trying to bite me as I attempt to get him out of his cage. Once out he isn't too bad. Although he does fly away from me much of the time unless I let him on my shoulder. Also he allows me to pet him when he is out. If I lay down on the bed he is really nice to me. Can someone give me some advice or help. I have only had him about 2 weeks.

clip his wings so he wont fly off of you, it will take his attitude down a notch as well. if you want him able to fly let them grow back in as soon as the taming is done. 2 weeks is still pretty new so he is warming up to you still , give him time. does he come out of his cage on his own yet? i find its always easier if i open the door and let mojo come out THEN tell him to step up , Quakers are known to be cage terratorial so that could also be causing him to be nippy...

do not yank your hand back or yelp when he nips they LOVE that makes em think its a game. instead gently push you hand forward into the bite and stay silent. act like you dont care and they will loose alot of intrest in biting.

since you dont know much about his background you two will have fun learning about each other. good luck and have fun! take it slow and easy and enjoy each other

Thanks for the info. That makes sense. I know it will take time. When I was much younger I used to train wild parakeets. He usually won't get out on his own. I can coax him out with food. As for biting I will try that. I don't believe in being abusive. I wonder how I would respond if some giant person was trying to pick me up. Ha!

Again, thanks for your help.

Micky

agreed, being abusive wont help a bit , will make him shy away more and be more nippy , but as long as your gentle when you push into the bite then he gets the picture it doesnt hurt you (HAHA) and may nock him off balance so he may think "maybe this isnt as fun as i thought".......

Ok you can use a wooden cooking spoon for him to step-up on or two to make him do the jacob's ladder. Hold the spoon in your palm handle out for him to step on looks like your finger and by holding the spoon gives a firm steady perch as he stops biting you can cheat the handle back into your hand and use your finger again.

Hello Friedsoup, I have tried something similar but all he wants to do is chew it up. Maybe I need to leave it there a while longer. Thanks for your input.

Welcome to the forum. Did you say he's 4 years old? I lik he's size. Cool!! Good luck in the bite thingy. If you are successful in stopping the biting, could you let us know what you did?

I would just open the cage door and let him get out himself , many quakers are territorial of their cages , I don`t think its a big deal , most like to come out so will do on their own ..I agree a clip might help get him to calm down , patence and trust can be earned with love and kindness (and treats ) it will take time , you may be able to then let his wings grow out and he will remain well behaved , he will be upset about being clipped if I were you I would go to a vet to do it so he doesn`t associate you with the taking away his flight...if your home is bird safe and he is safe to fly in a certain area it might be nice to have him flighted once he knows the rules ..Good Luck...

Welcome to the forum, Micky!