biting

Question
hi we were given our parrot by a familey that no longer wanted her she was about 8 months old the problem we have is when you go near her our she flys to you she bites which draws blood and is very painful other than this she is a lovly and content bird singing and playing can you help us stop the biting

Answer
If you are being tentative when you present your finger to her she may not feel that it is a safe place to stand (because to her it may feel "unstable" since you are nervous), and biting may be her way of telling you that she does not feel safe. I know it is easier said than done, but you have to try not to think about the possibility of getting bitten when you try to pick her up, and if she does bite try not to react. You can withdraw your hand if she bites, but try to do it slowly and try not to make a sound. You may want to try wearing snug-fitting gloves for awhile to give you some protection (and therefore more confidence) when trying to hold her. Just make sure the gloves are a neutral color, and not to bulky or loose on you. Also, make sure they are not made of a material that she can get her claws stuck in. Once she is not biting the gloves and stepping up on your finger, you can take them off and pick her up with your hand. I hope this helps!