conure biting??

[Kiwi_King]

Hi! I just baught my first bird, a GCC yesterday. He was very quiet when we picked him up, and very sweet. He even slept in my hands. But today, after awhile when I was reading, the bird kept squealing on my shoulder. I panicked because I thought It was caught in my hair, so I put my hand next to his foot, but he but my neck and my hand really hard. I said no, and he became quiet. Throughout the morning, he kept biting me. He also fluffs up all his feathers, including his wings. Why is he biting me?

[Dave & Karen]

Typically a bird bites out of fear and he probably got a good scare when you put your hand up to him so that's why he bit you the first time, the reason he's still biting you is because he is still associating you with whatever scared him. He'll come back around but you may have to take a step back and regain his trust.
When birds get startled by us or if we do something that really scares them, even if unintentional, we do need to build the trust back up with them. He's probably still afraid of you from that little incident but should get over it as you work on gaining his trust back. Just take a step back with him and give him a treat anytime you walk up to him, but don't try to do anything else until he comes to you again. Then when he's ok to step back up on your finger or hand you can see if he'll let you touch his beak, don't try to pet a timid or scared bird from behind or on the back of their head, but touch their beak where they can see you and you can also avoid getting bit better too, besides, parrots love a good beak rub. Then once he's ok with you touching and rubbing or scratching his beak, you can work toward petting his cheeks or forehead. If he enjoys it he'll roll his head to direct you to where he wants to be pet and all should be good after this.

Letting him cuddle on your neck while watching tv or reading a book etc will also help gain his trust back quickly, just bring your hand up slowly to him and try to warn him by talking to him so you don't startle or scare him when it's time to get him off your shoulder. Sometimes they'll get mad when on your shoulder and don't want to come off, but usually this can be avoided by letting him know your hand is headed his way before putting your hand up there to pick him up.

[Pajarita]

You approached him too soon. He bit you because he doesn't know you from a hole in the wall. You are a stranger. New parrots need, at the very least, two weeks of getting used to their new humans before you attempt physical interaction UNLESS they take the first step toward it.

[Cedardave]

Until he realizes in essence that you are boss, you may try to avoid having him on your shoulder.Although this seems like a great place for your bird to be it does put a couple unwanted things in play.
First you are now equals...your at the same eye level.Maybe best kept until the two of you know each other better.A behavioralist once told me to always keep your bird below your eyelevel..even when training on a stand.The reality is who doesnt like to look their pet square on.Whats best likely lies somewhere in the middle.If hes bitting at you give him a time out.If he allows you have him step up thats great..hold him below eye level.If he continues to behave...try him on your shoulder again.If he bites ..start again.Since he is new to you it will take some time to establish boundries...it will be worth it in the end.