First thing first-- we are new to each other. I rescued Wembley and Mokey (female)from Craig's List last month. Overall-- we're doing pretty good and making fast progress bonding. They are not afraid of me at all and are very excited to come out of their cage and sit as close to me as they can. We haven't started step up training yet, I wanted them to have time to feel safer with me before that to hopefully minimize biting. They have their own room, and are flighted. Their room is central to the house so they are not alone, and there are no doors to close them in. Their cage door is only closed at night, and they hang out with me in another room if I'm watching tv, etc. This is a new cage for them. its about 4 times larger than the one they had been living in. They have been in this new cage since oct 27th.
The first time Wembley flew to the floor to explore (he looked like a little t-rex stalking around)
I sat on the floor with a blanket on my lap on the other side of the room. After exploring a bit, he walked over, climbed up the blanket and sat on my knee just looking at me.
I talked to him, but didn't move, because this was the first time we touched! I did take these pictures, but he loves the camera, and even immitates the sound so I'll bring it out. Eventually he sidled up to my bicep and bit--HARD and over and over. we dont have a tree yet so i put my fist near, he willingly stepped up, and after a moment began biting my knuckles, so i put him back in his cage, but he didnt want to step off!!
after me slowly tilting my hand toward a perch a few times he hopped off. I'm sure you all know how hard it is to ignore that painful gouging little bite while it's happening!I did manage to get pictures during the whole thing too, so it wasn't entirely focused. I'm wondering, why did he choose to bite me out of nowhere? I didn't see it as territorial because the experience was new to him, and that he came to me and sat with me nicely for so long before biting randomly. Thoughts?
my arm the next day:
Both the birds look at me expectantly when I am close to them, like they really want to be picked up or ride on my shoulder. In fact, a few times, I've been worried they will jump on me just to ride my shoulder! It makes me think in their previous home their mom must have handled them alot "in the good days". Admittedly, I am nervous about the biting. I know I can handle it, but...its a bite!!
Now for the cage aggression. Mokey, when on top of the cage exploring-- will attempt to bite my hair when I am bent over changing water and food dishes, and has pecked at and pulled my hair, twice. It doesn't hurt, but I don't want her to be trying to hurt me, either. It's a quick movement, which is why I guess its aggression, vs curiosity. And it's new too, she's only done it this week.
Wembley will pinpoint and strike the cage near my hand occasionally when I am attempting to change the fruit treat cup or other dishes. Now then-- both of them loooooove the fruit and food changes, and get very excited when the new selection comes back. If i distract with a carrot, as an example, it usually works, but sometimes, he's hell bent and will drop it and lunge. Any ideas on redirecting and cause? Am I inadvertently threatening them by removing the cup in the first place, even though they know what that means? Any help is appreciated!
And they have toys, but don't really have any favorites, so far. Wembley does like to tear paper if i hold it for him, but only then, and eventually he'll try to walk up it to my hand, which I haven't allowed. Sooooo... I placed an order with Things For Wings this morning because Danita's shop is too cute to ignore-- and I liked that the focus on the toy parts was a little more natural. Hopefully they'll start to tell me what kind of toys they want!