My IRN Nibbles on My Ears HARD - HELP!

[NewbieIRNer]

Hi everyone,

I picked up my IRN Mango late last week from the breeder. Overall, he is a very active, fun and tamed birdie. However, I have but one complaint, when he is on my shoulder, he tries to nibble on my ear and it's pretty hard to the point there's pain.

How do I work with him to make him stop?

[ranechild]

I find that my baby nibbles when he wants to go back to his cage. He may be trying to tell you something.

[moosepug]

Mine has done that before...I don't think he/she realizes how hard she is nibbling....I don't think there is any aggression behind it at all, so I try not to make a big deal with it...I usually just give her something else to stick in her beak and move her off my shoulder. Mine is always nibbling on me..My nose, ear, lip she cracks me up!

[ellieelectrons]

Unfortunately it is something they tend to do. I noticed when mine were younger it was a "hmmm... what's this thing" behaviour... and they'd nibble on the ear. Now, when my boy does it, it usually means he's bored and he wants attention and when my girl (who is more likely to draw blood) does it means she's either upset or over-excited. The only ways I know to stop it are:
1. wear something over your ears (eg. beanie/balaclava) - however can cause other problems
2. not allow them on your shoulder.

What I will say is they do seem to understand better as they get older what they are doing when they bite your ears and become more likely to use it only as a communication tool than just idle curiosity.

Ellie.

[Melika]

Hane can't be on shoulders. He pulls hair, puts holes in clothing, and bites ears/faces. It's just how he is. His brother was a shoulder angel. Sometimes it's just the bird's personality.

[MissK]

Rocky will bite my ear from the shoulder. Sometimes it's a nibble, but an investigatory nibble turns fast into a harder one, and I can't handle the escalation.

Solution: No bird on the shoulder. This also cuts down on dirty shirts.

-MissK