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I have a 2.5 year old Hahns macaw for sale. He is sweet and loves to be on you but he nips. I would sell him to the right home. I have been debating this for a long time. I don't want him passed from home to home. He's too nice of a bird. Not sure he is a male. He loves to be held.
Thanks!

where are you? All YC are nippy.

I am in Montana. It is actually a Hahns macaw not a YC.
Thanks.

Opps, tired- been a LOOOOOOOOoong day- Hahns very nippy! We just bought a Severe Macaw last week.

Wish I could break him of nipping but I can't. He really is a sweet bird. He likes to crawl under my chin to get petted. Sometimes he won't nip then.

do the break away branch when he gets mouthy.

I am not sure what that is.

when he is nippy make his perch- your arm fall a bit- unsure footing will catch on as a no-no.

Actually, dropping them slightly to unbalance them could make things worse.

It's better to push into the bites, say "No Biting", if they keep on biting give them a 5-10 minute time out.... and to otherwise ignore the bites (i.e. don't react). Sometimes putting them on the floor and walking away is a form of punishment.

Thats not true! This works and does not make things worse- in 27 yrs we have never had a nipper using this method. Yhea- time out, okayyyyyyyyyy, sorry thats just funny with 4 big macaws and dealing with big beaks all day. The unsure branch always works- well for us that have big birds for many years, it has. Putting on floor just makes them track you down, doesnt deal with the problem, but then again, what do I know- nothing...........but dealt with a Cockatoo that chased feet learing this behaviour. I have rehabed many and what works is what I stick with.

I'm glad that it has worked for you! All I'm saying is that it doesn't work for everyone!

Actually, dropping them slightly to unbalance them could make things worse.

It's better to push into the bites, say "No Biting", if they keep on biting give them a 5-10 minute time out.... and to otherwise ignore the bites (i.e. don't react). Sometimes putting them on the floor and walking away is a form of punishment.
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No you didnt, It spells out way different! 27 yrs- of my own and family had 63yrs- so I guess it wont work for anyone but us. Our 3 vet's my 2 previous bosses also use this technique, but ive also witnessed a few vets let them hit the floor, those never did lay a beak on anyone again.

"Could" is a key word.... and in some circumstances, it DOES make things worse... because the bird looses trust in you when you make their perch unstable... so why would a bird want to perch on you if you are to unsteady them? I'm not saying this is with every bird, as I know the "dropping of the hand" does help quite a few birds... and I'm not saying it's *ONLY* in your situation.

As for a bird hitting the floor? No, I wouldn't say that would be a wise thing to do, as one could injure the bird... rather setting them down and walking away or at least ignoring them is but a better idea.... but of course if you have other pets in the house that are not contained this could be a bad idea.

OK- i just accept Im on your radar so I will stop posting anything I could share with anyone!

I'm not trying to attack you... have never even gone after you... nor was I saying anything you said was a bad idea... just rather that it doesn't work in all instances.... and to suggest other possibilities.

I have personally experienced the dropping of the hand to make situation more difficult... and this was with a special needs bird. Other people have also experienced this sort of training with normal birds as a problem for the bird... but like many, as yourself, have had good results with this technique.