Hi everyone, thank you so much for your replies, detailed and helpful as ever
MissK- Thanks for welcoming me back, I hope you are well? I completely understand what you mean when you get the feeling our IRNs want to interact somehow. If he is coming to me when I haven't even got anything for him, surely he's coming to me for something? It can't be just to get a taste of me surely! It also can't be for the reaction he'll get because I always say 'Hello!' before I remove him slowly with the perch, but if I have treats to hand I will give him one, or use it as a block if I need to.
He only seems to land on my hand if I have my phone in it, maybe he wants my attention but then doesn't know what to do except bite. I'd love to get him more comfortable with me, and to realise I mean him no harm so he needs not react this way. If he is on his stand or his favourite place to go (not mine lol) -the curtains, I will call him with arm outstretched with a treat but he flies around the room and back onto his stand. It was only a few weeks ago I was so happy that he was coming to us, but now he's so different, and no-one can relax around him when he's out of his cage.
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He's never landed on my head but my partner says he has had incidents where he's almost been landed on. Now he won't be in the room with Doodlebug alone! If he lands on my arm, or chest or shoulder, he will bite whatever it is I'm wearing several times and it frustrates him if he can't get skin!
Madhuri, thanks so much for your input. I did think it may be the dreaded bluffing but as it is coinciding with a moult which looks like it could irritate him then was wondering if that was the issue. So you think I should carry on bringing him out but not so much the training to step up on my finger? It does seem silly to almost force him to get onto me if he's in a hormonal mood-I sure wouldn't like it!
I make sure I don't react when he lands on me or goes to bite me, and will definitely do some target training with him, I don't want to not interact with him at all as he'll get even wilder than he is now! Your English is very good by the way
Ellieelectrons- Thank you for replying too, your post makes a lot of sense. When he lands on me I never seem to catch him before he takes off, to see maybe what his motives are. But you're right, focussing on him while he is out of the cage will help so I can what may be getting to him. I usually am sitting when he lands on me, he'll come to my chest, or knees if they're bent up and occasionally the shoulder. I am mostly on my own when this happens, during the day when my partners at work and my son is at school. I am normally sitting minding my own business, not eating or anything!
I will take your advice and try getting him to land on my arm, and start training the turnaround, I'd do anything to build a better bond with him. He does twitter away to me nicely, and we have some lovely 'conversations'. I have done what you suggested and treat him when he's on his stand etc, I shall carry on with that for sure. His diet is mostly fresh veg and fruits other than his seed, the only other variation on this is when he has a piece of my toast in the mornings.
Your foraging tips is bringing something to my attention actually, he has gone off all the things he used to enjoy, like crisp packets, straws, shredded paper etc, I will provide foraging things but all he seems interested in is taking chunks out of his wooden playstand and anything wooden, so I've given him lots of clothes pegs etc to destroy. He was destroying his mirror so I had to take it away as I didn't want him cutting his tongue.
In answer to your questions: Doodlebug is 5 months old now, I got him at 8 weeks old. I live in the UK and not sure when breeding season is to be honest?
He has only really interacted with me, he did occasionally land on others but usually only when he wanted something they had, but don't feel comfortable having him land on them at the moment.
Thanks for taking the time to reply guys, it means so much to have your help.
Loo
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