Problems with new parrot

[Happyperson915]

I have had my 3 month old meyer parrot for about a week now, she is my first bird ever and so I am not sure how to proceed with some behavior issues. For example she loves to come out of her cage, she will step up and everything, but I don't think she really understands the step up, she just does it when its convenient for her. She is a shoulder fiend. She will do ANYTHING to get on my shoulder and once there she will not come off. I have tried to distract her and everything, I want to take her out of her cage but all she wants to do is sit on my shoulder, which wouldn't be so bad but she will not come down. She also gets a bit aggressive once up there and will growl at me when I put my finger there to try to take her down. I have tried using treats but she ignores them, the shoulder is much more appealing.

Another issue I have is with the biting. I understand not to pull my finger away, but sometimes it really hurts. She keeps biting on my nails very hard and breaks them, sometimes too low so it breaks the skin as well.

She also keeps making what sounds like sneeze noises. Should I be worried? She has a general vet check up on Wednesday, should I make it sooner?

Please help, I really don't want to start with a bad foundation for the future, and she really is a persistent little bird.

[GreenWing]

Parrots want to be on the shoulder because it makes them feel secure, and your bird wants to feel close to the "flock"

It seems to me that your parrot wants to bond with you and is, at the same time, testing the hierarchy in the flock. The way to combat aggressive behaviors is to reward good behaviors with positive reinforcement. Ask your parrot to step-up, give lots of praise (and a treat, if desired). This way your parrot will truly learn step-up and this will build their confidence at the same time.

Tiki is just starting to get hormonal and the positive reinforcement consistently helps, and TREMENDOUSLY so.