I realize I posted it as the last post on a very old thread, and I can't find it by searching. So I'm cross-posting here.
I could use some insights on this.
We have 2 Senegals (plus 3 CAGs), one a recent foster who has been through a very rough patch (was surrendered to a vet, pretty close to death's door). We'll call her "Bird". She is doing much better now, visibly in terms of health and energy. She loves music, which ties in to the general problem, as I am a musician. She gets very excited when I play music, and now that she's feeling well, she loves to dance. (She's really cute).
Her behaviors *seem* to indicate that she wants contact and attention from me. The one time she has flown, it was to me (and no bite occurred). When I sit in my chair (which is by her cage) she comes to the side of her cage watching me. She "dances" with me - in particular a rocking from one foot to the other, with her body going side to side. She seems to love when I mirror this dance with her.
She allows me to scritch her head. She will lift her foot in an apparent "want to step up" manner, but if I offer my finger and say "step up" she immediately (no body language prelude) bites my finger hard and hangs on. It seems completely counter to her other body language. This behavior has been consistent. She goes back in her cage (often having to be pulled off of my finger) when this happens, which does not seem to be the outcome she wants. Saying "ack ack ack" or "no bite" has no impact on her behavior. I don't jerk my hand away or make any entertaining noises when she bites.
My wife can pick her up and mostly does not get bitten - and when Bird does start to bite, my wife can say "no bite" and she stops. (My wife can say "no bite" when Bird bites me, but to no avail).
Right now Bird and I have a "no step ups" relationship. I still give her scritches when her body language says that's OK. She's delighted to take treats from me, and as I said, displays a fascination with me that *seems* affectionate (although with Senegals, it may be "I'm carefully watching for an opening to keeeeel you!" - kidding, I'm just kidding).
I'm wondering if her behaviors (the dancing and fascination) are courtship behaviors, and if the biting is some Senegal courtship thing? I haven't really heard of that. Or that "I" am OK and my finger coming above her head to scritch her head is OK, but my finger coming at "step up" level (slowly, gently) is a threat? Or if she gets overexcited? Or ????
Oh, and she is a female, and she DOES bite hard and hangs on.
Senegal insights welcome.