hissing/scared sennie

[sega123#]

Hi I'm a new Senegal parrot owner! I bought a sennie just over a week ago, have spent a lot of time with him but he has over the last two days started nipping me in the face. I hold him and he deliberately comes for my face...why is he doing this? I know he is still very scared but every time we go towards him he opens his mouth and kinda growls/hisses at me. He then dives head first straight into his blankets as to try hide away. Will he eventually settle in?

[marie83]

Yup he is scared and your pushing things far too quickly by the sounds of it. Why are you holding a scared bird, he may eventually settle doing it that way but it really isn't the best way by a long shot and you can end up making him more scared. Unless your trying to get medication into him there really isn't a need to do that til he trusts you.

Sit outside his cage and talk to him or read to him for a while.
When he is less scared start offering treats through the cage bars. When he can take the treats with no fear of you you can then start on target training him or attatch a perch onto the outside of his cage by the door to lure him onto.

Read Michaels taming and training articles, he has loads of advice in those which will help you loads.

[sega123#]

Thanks so much for your advice, he is 7 weeks old so I have to hold him in order to feed him as he is still on formula. Despite him being scared, he is chirpy and happy so I know he is ok. I just talk to him a lot and rub his head.

[marie83]

Urgh, why breeders are so irresponsible and sell unweaned babies I do not know. I guess its the money thing, they can charge full whack and lower their feeding costs a bit

When did you get your baby? Your probably still a stranger to him and he will settle down once he gets used to your feeding routines, the feeding will help with his fear, give it time.
In the future please dont buy any more unweaned babies, its not good for them and it wont affect any future bond with you as long as they are well handled by the breeder and not only got out to feed them then shoved back in their brooder/cage.

[pennyandrocky]

yes that's one reason the other is it encourages more egg laying the parents try to replace stolen babies.more babies more money.

[Eurycerus]

Quick question. Why is your Senegal even near your face? I don't see any reason for that to be happening. I see your little guy is clipped so it's not flying at your face. I would suggest keeping your head away from him, it is probably intimidating and you will accidentally reinforce biting because it's difficult to not draw back and remove your parrot from your face after a bite. Are you laying down with him is that how he can get to you? I would sit in the future.

Sounds like everyone else's advice is great and what marie says is absolutely true.

Your little guy is scared, be a calm presence.

[marie83]

yes that's one reason the other is it encourages more egg laying the parents try to replace stolen babies.more babies more money.

True but if they are being handreared they are not with the parents anyway, they will lay more regardless, so that isn't really a reason to sell unweaned. Its laziness on the breeders part more than anything.

[sega123#]

I wish I had done more research before buying a baby that was not weaned but here in South Africa people do things differently and for money....I assure you that he is in good hands and despite being scared he is very happy chirping all day and is playing. I know it will take time for him to settle down.
Thanks for all the advice...it helps a lot for first time bird owners as a person really doesn't know in the beginning.