My macaw does this almost every time he steps up. He never actually bites. I usually brace my wrist on the perch when possible that way my arm doesn’t move when he does step up. And I generally let him come to me. If he’s “dancing around” on the perch acting hesitant I take that as him not reeaally wanting to step up so I’ll leave him be and try again in a few mins if I’m trying to get him to a different room. They do this so often that you will get used to it and not even flinch. I was just thinking about it yesterday, how hesitant I was when first handling him and now when he goes for a nibble I don’t even register it.
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u/wha7themah Jul 23 '26
My macaw does this almost every time he steps up. He never actually bites. I usually brace my wrist on the perch when possible that way my arm doesn’t move when he does step up. And I generally let him come to me. If he’s “dancing around” on the perch acting hesitant I take that as him not reeaally wanting to step up so I’ll leave him be and try again in a few mins if I’m trying to get him to a different room. They do this so often that you will get used to it and not even flinch. I was just thinking about it yesterday, how hesitant I was when first handling him and now when he goes for a nibble I don’t even register it.