He just keeps biting

[alf-the-grey]

Hi i am new to this site can anyone help please

i have just got alf he is 4 years old i have had him for a few weeks now he seems to have setttled very well he will come out of his cage and sit on the top, he will take food from my hand and talks a little but when you put your hand up to give him a scratch or stroke he bites and wont let go i have been spending a lot of time with him to help him settle but he wont stop biting please help

[Fluffy]

With the biting he is communicating with you and trying to tell you something which is he doesn't want you to touch him. You need to back up a step and stop trying to touch him at the moment until you have built up a solid relationship. He will let you know when he wants to be touched and this could take awhile. You need to learn to read his body language so you know what he is communicating. Keep up the good work of giving him food from your hand, talk to him and tell him how good he is, just be with him and build on it step by step. Teach him to step up onto your hand and just give him time to settle in at his own speed. This might be frustrating for you as I know we all want to touch our birds, but you have to realise that if you keep forcing it the biting will just get worse.

[billysprout]

He is also at the hormonal age which is probably why he was rehomed. It is a phase but lasts some time and most come out of the other side as little sweeties. Patience, time and building trust without invading his personal space is the main thing at the moment.

[feika]

Hello and welcome from Ali/Captain. Good advise by Fluffy, try and build the trust first, and also keep a close eye on his body language, he will give you signals when he wants to be with you. Slowly and gradually you will make progress with him, have patience.

[kins23]

I agree with Feika. Let him build up the trust, try to do step-up, when he shows a real interest to go off with you. Always make sure, he is lower in position than you. If he does step up, praise like crazy....give him a tour of your home. Once he seems restless, take him back to his cage. He will want to come out more often, because he will associate "fun", with stepping up. Anytime your baby steps up, have a "plan", how you will praise your baby. Many people do treats.... I do not.(majority of people do treats, and their is nothing wrong with that!)I can honestly say, I don't do treats, because I have several birds, and it would be unfair to give one bird a treat, and not all! Hence, if my baby got a treat, I would have to give the others for doing nothing. Sophie would have noticed this!Bribery, is a very acceptable practice, with greys! Eventually, you won't have to bribe, because they want to be with you! So... bribe, bribe,bribe!   Nancy M