New Bird Behavior?

[Pomlover2586]

Ugh......he is so frustrating! I love him....but yikes I wish step up was easier.Once he's up he's fine- seems to enjoy being held and petted. Getting him to step up is another matter entirely. He began running around his cage when you'd ask him to step up and climbing to areas that made step up hard- such as the very top of his swing rope, or hanging off the side of the cage. Now when I ask him to step up he screams at me and ruffles his feathers.....I can pet him in the cage just fine...but once I try to ask for a step up he gets angry......he nipped once- but even then not a serious bite.

Thoughts?

[marie83]

Lol, heard caiques were energetic bundles of feathers. Have you tried bribing/luring him to the cage door with a treat/toy?

[brfussne]

He began running around his cage when you'd ask him to step up and climbing to areas that made step up hard- such as the very top of his swing rope, or hanging off the side of the cage. Now when I ask him to step up he screams at me and ruffles his feathers....

This is very typical Caique behavior like I've previously posted about. Caiques are very INDEPENDENT. My Caique and many others I've read about all do this. When they know you can't reach/get to them in a certain area they will use that to their advantage. I suggest whatever Iago is getting on that is too high, you either move it and make it lower, or you get a stool or something you can stand on to make it easier to get to him.

[Cage Cleaner]

Yes

[Pomlover2586]

LOL yea he is interesting...kinda like a bird PMSing. At no point has he beome aggressive- he has given 2 stronger nips but even those I wouldn't call a bite. Mostly he just screams at us and shakes his beak on us.

It's so funny because once he's out of the cage he is so calm and mellow..occasionally he'll do a scream or beak rub, but he seems happy being pet. When I rub his neck he cocks his head to the side, puffs out his feathers, partially closes his eyes and yawns repeatedly.....i'm assuming this means he's content?

[Cage Cleaner]

Gl

[GlassOnion]

Look for books written by Sally Blanchard, you can find them online. She writes excellent, excellent books for first time parrot owners.

[Pomlover2586]

Cage Cleaner- If my "basic questions" bother you please feel free to not respond. I am a new parrot owner yes and as such I do have some basic questions

And I have read several bird books- but most of them have been Caique specific and have not touched on these specific behaviors. I will look into general parrot books as well.

Iago is settling in well, he is stepping up more willingly as well as eating new fruits and veggies