new at being a bird owner

Question
I have a yellow amazon nape.  This is her 2nd week with us and she is 5 months old.  The first week she was really quiet then yesterday she began to squawk and talk.  Very entertaining.  I let her on the top of her cage when the dogs are outside but when I tried to put her up today she ran and bit very hard and refused to let me pick her up. I finally got her but it was after long frustration for both of us.  Any ideas?

Answer
Hi, Jill.  Thanks for posting!

You are experiencing characteristics of an amazon!  

I believe she likely bit you because she did not want to be put back in her cage.  This is typical parrot behavior when they don't want to do what their human wants them to do.  What was your reaction to her negative behavior?  This is very important as your reaction could be teaching her bad behavior.  

Also, if this is only her second week with you, she might not yet be acclimated to her new surroundings in your home and to you yet.  You might want to give her more time to settle down in her new environment.

Also, you are going to have to keep the dogs and the bird separate until you see how they interact together.  Dogs and birds are natural enemies...you dogs will most likely kill the bird if given the opportunity, depending on the dogs' personalities.  I have 3 dogs; 2 of them could care less about the birds because they have been biten by parrots!  However, 1 of my dogs will kill any bird he can get his paws on, regardless of the number of times he has been biten.  So be aware.  This might be a major source of stress for your yellow nape, thus, the reason she might bite you.

Chrys