Just Adopted Meko

[Jgo1973]

Hello,

 

I am new to this site - We just adopted Meko, he is 3 years old and took to the family right away. He seems to be well socialized, he is speaking and steps up on command. We got one week ago today, and he just started biting yesterday. It's not a "beaking" its a "biting". Once he steps up then he will cock his head and bite down on my thumb or fingers. I am trying just not to respond...can I get some opinions of the best method to end the behavior and or possible causes?

 

Thanks so much,

Jessi

[Eckobird]

Hello Jessi and welcome to the forum! That is great that Meko has adjusted to you so well, some people aren't that lucky. If he bites you, you should calmly tell him no bite and put him back in his cage for a short "time out"(maybe 5 mins.) and maybe he will get the picture that it is not nice to bite. And the next time you pick him up and he doesn't bite give him a treat or lots of praises so that he knows he did good. I hope this helps a little. Anyways enjoy the forum and maybe post some pics of Meko if you get a chance, we love to see pictures.

[cflanny]

Also if he bites while on your hand try the "earthquake", you can roll your hand back and forth or just dropp a couple inches, he will lose his balance and concentrate on righting himself rather then biting. he will soon learn biting while on your hand does not work out well.

[Jgo1973]

Thanks for the tips - they both sound perfect! I hadn't heard of the earthquake roll before...

 

Meko is our first "big bird" we have many exotic pets and a quaker named Bella.

 

Here are some pics of them...the picture of Meko is on his first day home

[Luvparrots]

Hi Jessi, congratulations on your 3-year-old grey. My grey is only 8-months-old so I don't have experienced with an older grey; I just wanted to say hi and welcome you to the family!!! Looking at your Avatar I have to ask, are you a skin diver?

[Jgo1973]

Thank You so much!

 

I am a newly certified Scuba diver We just got back from Cabo and that was my first dive at 70'.

[Luvparrots]

I am so jealous, I can't even swim :ohmy:. Congratulations on your accomplishement!!! I did go snorkeling in Thailand it was beautiful and of course everyone laughed at the snorkeler in the life vest, and of course I didn't see all everyone else did, but I loved it!!!!:cheer:

[judygram]

Meko is probably testing you to see how you will react, just like a small toddler will do. The others have given you some suggestions that may work for you to get him to stop biting.

[Jane08]

Another thing that you can do is when you see Meko leaning down to bite bring your other hand up to block the bite. If he knows step up then he will prbably move to the hand you bring up and you won't be bitten.

[Jgo1973]

That is what I did with my Quaker and it worked really well. But Meko just bites my other hand Bella (my quaker) has been with us since January and is about the sweetest thing ever now. No more biting at all.

 

I also think he isn't getting enough sleep.We have adjusted his schedule to in bed by 10 and up at 8...the problem is he is making all kinds of noise under there this morning - he knows I'm up...

[Jgo1973]

<br><br>Post edited by: Jgo1973, at: 2009/04/17 15:54

[Jgo1973]

luvparrots wrote:

I am so jealous, I can't even swim :ohmy:. Congratulations on your accomplishement!!! I did go snorkeling in Thailand it was beautiful and of course everyone laughed at the snorkeler in the life vest, and of course I didn't see all everyone else did, but I loved it!!!!:cheer:

 

I actually just learned to swim when I was 28 (35 now) and I am pretty nervous around water. However I LOVE reefs and saltwater fish ( I have a 100 gallon tank too) so I overcame my fears and "dove it" so to speak. I must say I'm pretty proud of myself too ;P

 

Snorkeling is awesome and when I did it in Maui I had a "water weenie" under my arms so don't feel bad lol!

[judygram]

Jgo1973, why don't you introduce yourself in the welcome room and tell us some more about you and Meko.

[Char]

If he does not get enough sleep it will certainly make him grumpy. Is it possible for him to have a sleep cage in another room?

[Jgo1973]

Yea-I'm working on that...his new t-stand is coming today or tomorrow, then I can move his cage upstairs and have a place for him to hang with the human flock downstairs. I think that will help.

[Jgo1973]

judygram wrote:

Jgo1973, why don't you introduce yourself in the welcome room and tell us some more about you and Meko.

 

Thanks - I will do that this afternoon