Lilac amazon biting my face and being more aggressive Why?

[Veronica]

So ive had my lilac for 1 year I bought him as a baby and he has always been a good boy except lately when I put him on my shoulder he tries to bite my face. How can I discourage this? Also he has been biting my husband and I more lately when doing normal things like spending time with him at first I thought he was mad at me for something idk what but its been a couple weeks now and he has been getting more aggressive. Any suggestions?

[Wolf]

The first thing that I would do is to put him down on the nearest suitable surface while telling him " NO BITE " or something similar when he tries to bite. I would also restrict the time that he has perching on my shoulder by not allowing him there when he attempts to bite. These are the immediate things that you can do to protect yourself as well as to start modifying this behavior.
While he is too young to be hormonal, since they reach maturity around 3 or 4 years of age. I would check his diet as too much protein can cause the bird to be more aggressive than is normal. If you will tell us about his current diet, I am sure that we can help you with his diet.

[Veronica]

He eats his seed diet rich is for small hook bill and veggies everyday I also give him almonds and fruit as treats.

[Veronica]

By the way when he starts lunging at my face I try my best to get him off my shoulder but he usually gets mad and starts tearing up my hand so it's a little struggle but when I finally get him off I put him in his cage which he also disagrees with lol but yeah I put him in his cage and ill leave him alone for about 20 minutes and then come back to greet him and take him out of his cage. Is that ok?

[liz]

My Myrtle flies very well. She really doesn't bite but can let out some real screams while on my shoulder. I use a spread open hand with the palm forward and brush her off my shoulder. Since she is able to fly and not fall and get hurt she has sort of learned that she has to behave to get the privlige of my shoulder.
If your bird resists being brushed off you can show him the open hand then actually push him off not giving him time to respond.

[Wolf]

Do not allow him on your shoulder until you get his biting under control. This may not be as easy as it sounds because it is natural for them to go to your shoulder or head as it is the highest part of you and being higher means safety to a parrot. I would not put him in the cage for this behavior as that will end up causing you to have problems with getting him in the cage in the near future. Put him on top of the cage if you are right there otherwise anyplace that he will be safe is fine and the closer the better as timing is important in correcting the behavior.
This species of Amazon parrot is well known for being one of the least aggressive of the Amazons and it sounds like his diet is very high in protein, which may be a major contributor to his aggression. I would start looking into feeding him fresh fruits and vegetables such as chop or a cooked food such as gloop for breakfast and for all day foraging and feed him his seed ration only in the evenings. You can find more information in the diet, health and nutrition section.

[Veronica]

Ok ill try that both of the suggestions sound very good liz and wolf thank you.

[Wolf]

You could also place a towel over your shoulder or around your neck, where it would be easy to grab. the placing of the towel there might stop him from going to your shoulder. If not then it will be available to help you to get him off your shoulder if he attempts to attack you. If you use the towel try just lifting it up between you and him to distract him from his intended attack.

[liz]

Myrtle is excellent with her flying. She does thing I only thought humming birds could do. If she screams in my ear, usually when Rambo screams, I use an open hand and fling her off. After a while I think just an open hand will work, but not Myrtle, she pushes me to the limit.

[Veronica]

I'll try that see how he takes it thank you. Sometimes when he bites my husband my husband puts him in the cage and puts blanket over his whole cage at leaves him there for a while is that effective?