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Totally 100% agree with you! If they aren't fully trusting you, that is an issue for sure. They need to feel secure when they are perched.

Well, it seems he has decided what he likes & what makes him feel most comfortable. Maybe just continue to let him dictate his step up comfort level & don't try & do anything different. In time you most likely will find that he decided to change things up once he feels totally secure & trusting that you will always do the same thing each time. It can be frustrating for you, but he is probably frustrated that he never knows how your gonna try & get him to step up. when he is ready, he will let you know by doing something different. I think patience is the key...:)

No rings or nail polish as I don't wear either. He won't ever step up on my fingers/hand so I offer with the wrist closest to him. He'll step up for a wrist and will normaly stay there or a little further up the forearm. He's a "no shoulder" bird because he won't come off a shoulder easily and will usually try and find an ear to munch so I can't trust him there. So when we move around he'll stay on my forearm. I have tried to encourage him to stay on my hands instead in the last but he always shimmies up to my forearm. I read something about putting a thumb up so he can't get up the arm so I tried that during recall training once. He landed on my hand, bit the thumb and then when I moved it he went straight on to my wrist. 🤣 So he knows what he wants and he is not easily fooled! I typically keep my hands in a fist as well so that if he does decide to lunge then it's harder to get a finger or much of a grip. This evening he was on the dinner table when it was time to go to bed so I walked over with the dowel and held it about a foot away from him. He came straight over and stepped up. By comparison if I had done the same with my arm he would have walked the other way, despite treats being on offer. I think it's just an accidental habit/routine we've managed to form over the years. I'll keep working on it with him and see how it goes.

I think there is a lot to the "unsteadiness" of an arm. Timber has a hand thing so hands are out. It has to be my forearm. I've noticed when he's on my arm he's adjusting to keep balance and fight slipping. I usually grab the bottom of my sleeve and make sure the surface he steps on is tight, which really helps. I can see that being at least a part of it.

I totally get this! He has communicated to you he doesn't like things from behind & it is great you underatnd that & respect it. There is no nail polish or a ring he might not like on your hand or wrist? When you ask him to step up onto your hand, what part of your hand are you using & where do you place your hand? Also, he will feel your hesitation, so always be confident & if you do get bit, don't react, they love to get emotion out of you & that will quickly reinforce his biting behavior when stepping up. Sometimes when I expect a bite, I will lay my hand flat & strong, palm down. I always place it at the belly just above their feet, placement can be everything. Let us know

Have you tried offering him a favorite treat while positioning your arm or hand behind him so he'll be distracted while stepping back onto you? Whenever my greys put out a spicy mood vibe, I'll grab a snow pea pod, offer it and while they're taking a bite they'll automatically step back onto my waiting wrist.

Gosh, I dont know what to advise. If he likes the dowel, I would just use that until he is so comfortable with that & time goes on that he forgets about stepping up on you & biting. can you take the dowel with you to your parents? Als, my 2 greys & my 1 amazon will step up onto my arm, but really don't prefer it as there is nothing to really grab onto, and your skin can slide..grap your arm tight with your hand & twist it, your skin isn't firm & it's easier for them to lose balance & fall. they prefer something they can dig their claws into if need be. He might like the dowel because he can wrap his claws & hold on tight making him feel more secure. I offer my hand in moments of being unsure about getting bit, but ALWAYS make a fist, if you have a tight fist, there really isn't much to bite or latch onto. I would contiune with the high praise & reward when he does what you like, but replace your arm with a sturdier item. keep us posted & Good luck. remember be patient as we live in their time which passes slowly vs our hurry up world!