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i just picked my apparently 4 month old IRN up yesterday from the bird shop, ive been handling him nicely but he keeps trying to bite me, it doesnt hurt but he keeps biting be when i try to pick him up, he doesnt like to be touched.. is this just the bluffing period or is he going to hae this type of personality always... also he hasnt made a sound or played with any of his toys he just sits in the cage and runs away when i try to get him.. but he lke to just siton my shoulder... but bites my ears sometimes.. any idea whats goin on or how i cqn make him nice and tame

aww congrats on your new feathered baby

He's only 4 months old and now has a brand new home with new people around him so I would say he's going to be quiet for a while (Obviously depends on each bird)

Going from my experience when we got Sullie, he was silent for quite a few months, would go mad when we went near the cage and we've really had to work hard to earn his trust. You have to spend time with him to show him you won't hurt him. I'm unsure about the biting thing - Sullie is currently getting used to landing on our hands, and when he does and I have no treat, he will put his beak round my finger, but its not malicious biting as he draws no blood, I think he's just trying to work out what it exactly is lol I say in a low voice the word 'No or No Sullie' - I'm not sure if this is correct but slowly he has stopped trying to eat our fingers as much and when he now lands on my hand or arm and doesn't try and eat my finger, I give him a treat and tell him in a higher pitched voice what a good boy he is. (Or, as he has now started talking, he tells himself what a good boy he is!!) hehe

From what I have learnt so far (And I am still learning everyday about these birds) - they are very very clever and need a lot of attention and love. The more time you spend with your beautiful bird, the more he will come to love and trust you. I would give him time to get to know you as its only been a few days and he needs to settle in.

Hope this helps, and congrats again

Trace & Sullie xxx

thanks for the reply

yes i have been spending alot of time with him but its so hard to gain his trust when he is constantly trying to get away from me an bite my hand, hes now biting harder, drawing blood. i feel like i am forcing him to stay in my hands and on my finger when he doesnt want to be there. he stretches his neck out and tries to bite my hand as i reach for him. should i let him be for a while? any tips?

I left sanjay to settle in for a few days. I sat beside his cage and talked to him, sang nursery rhymes, and moved slowly and quietly when i cleaned the cage and put fresh food and water in the cage. Your chickster could be angst biting.

I agree - it sounds like he may be telling your hand to back off a bit when he goes to bite you - I would spend time with him, talk to him and sit with him etc etc and let him get used to you before you you try your hand again - eventually he'll work out you're not trying to hurt him. Sullie wasn't hand reared, so it's taken us months and months to get to the point where he will even come to our hand, so if yours has been hand reared, it shouldn't take that long at all hopefully.

He'll get there don't worry

Trace & Sullie xxx

okay thanks guys
he seems to have stopped biting as much just by me backing off for a little and talking!