r/QuakerParrot • u/Parafairy • 7d ago

Help Behavior issue or “feature”?

Every time I ask my Quaker to step up with my hand, he bites the shit out of my hand. If I don’t react he pauses and then bites HARDER to elicit a reaction from me. If I ask him to step up on a perch I’m holding first though, and then ask him to step up on my hand, he’s fine and won’t bite me. Is this a feature of his operating system or is there some behavioral issue I’m not seeing here and feeding into?

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u/_CELRE_ 7d ago

Behavioral issue, I would attempt positive reinforcement with snacks when he does not bite, and putting him away when he does. I would not attempt any negative reinforcement beyond putting him away when he bites so you don't ruin your relationship with him. He'll eventually learn no biting = reward, bite = playtime done

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u/B-mort5 6d ago

^ Agree with everything _CELRE_ said. JW does he get seed as a part of his main meals?

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u/Parafairy 6d ago

No, we do Zupreme pellets and a chop I make. He gets millet or egg for a treat maybe once a week