Bad Budgie

Question
QUESTION: Hi, my name is Crissy. A couple of years ago, I got a Budgie named "Jacky". I got her from a breeder when she was young and they said they would call us when she learned to eat millet. When they called, my dad picked her up, and I didn't come with. Now, she is bonded to my dad who isn't an animal person, and not me. I just recently got some strong gloves and trained her to sit on my shoulder, but every once in a while, she will bite my ear or neck really hard. Now, I cover every part of my body so she won't bite me, but I am afraid that every time I want to play with her I will have to put them on every single time. What should I do?
         -Worried Owner

ANSWER: Dear Crissy,
thank you for your question.
I recommend clicker training, it's an excellent bird training method. Basically, you reward good behaviour with a specific sound and a treat to enforce that behaviour. For example, you let her step up on your hand or shoulder and let her sit there for a short time, then you make the click (with a special clicker, but you can also use a pen or something else) and offer a small treat. Repeat that for a few times and a few days, then you wait a bit longer until you offer click and treat. That way she learn that it pays to behave. If she bites, don't punish her, just put her down and start again a bit later.
You can find more info on clicker training and a very active message group at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bird-Click

I recommend getting Jacky a partner. Budgies are very social, as all parrots, and should be kept in pairs or groups. Two budgies will have each other to interact with and won't get lonely or bored if you don't have time to play with them. It might also be that she will stop biting you once she has a partner. A male will work best, two females very often don't get along well. If you can find a bird the same age as Jacky, that  would be ideal. They won't breed unless you offer a nesting box (which I don't recommend).
I hope I was of some help to you
Jennifer


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you!
But, my bird, she doesn't use those beak things that wear her beak down, and so it is very sharp, and sometimes she draws blood, and she steps up on my finger with the gloves on, but bites hard if my hand is bare.

Answer
Then start training her with the glove and when she and you are absolutely comfortable with that, take the glove off. Or you start very slowly by just putting you naked hand near her and rewarding her when she leaves you alone. Try and get closer after repeating the lesson a few times, but work slowly. It might be better to rain her outside the cage to that she has a lot of room to avoid you if she doesn't want to be bothered, that can make it a lot easier.