Nail biting

[Lilibugz]

I’ve had Yoshi the quaker for almost 2 months now and he is obsessed with my finger nails.
It started with him nuts trying to trim the white parts which was annoying and I tried to distract him when he did that.
But it’s progressed to him trying to bite and pull the whole nail OFF. I’m not sure what to do. He obviously stands on my hands a lot so I can’t just hide them.
I put him down every time he starts trying to let him know he can’t stand on my hand if he does that. He usually does it again as soon as he’s allowed back on my hand. Sometimes when he gets really aggressive with it I put him back in his cage and ignore him for 10 minutes or so but I feel like nothing is working.
He doesn’t usually bite other than that occasional warning bites when he’s agitated, but even then he doesn’t bite hard. He can get a little overzealous when preening me but that’s been getting better over time.

 

[goofybird]

Bump

 

[Lilibugz]

When he starts doing it I usually make my hand into a fist to hide my nails, he’s decided he doesn’t like this and will respond by biting my hand which he doesn’t usually do.

 

[Pixiebeak]

When new ones are over preening us, I take it as a sign they didn't have enough attention before coming to us . It usually does calm down as they are with us and getting enough attention.

With the 4 quakers I've had , they have been the only species that has been receptive and tolerant of me very gently prying their beak off me and holding it it for the briefest less than second and saying no. They have all been, very beak communicators. You could try once and see the response.

Trying to anticipate and redirect before he has contact with fingers . If he starts to lean over have him step to other hand , then to perch , then back to you. Have it start being annoying ( kind of ,) by having him move around if he looks like he is going for fingers. I have hanging perches at my eye level when sitting in my favorite spot. Do they can be by me and hang out , without always being on me .

Have a little game or something you do together, before just hangout. Like pick up objects for you , plastic bottle caps, little things like that . Or do simple foraging together, you cover up a seed with a plastic bottle caps , or piece of paper . Little things to burn up some mental energy. Before you cuddle

 

[Lilibugz]

I’ve actually believe you’re right about him not getting enough attention before now. I found Yoshi outside and based on location I really do think he was let go intentionally. I looked for owners for a while and when I brought him to the vet they said based on his condition he had either been outside for a while or neglected. When he’s out it’s hard to get him off me no matter what the treat, or toy is. I really do think he wasn’t getting the best care wherever he was before.
He does have a puzzle board, and foraging box we use! I usually give him those when I’m busy but I think giving it to him before hanging out could definitely help. He seems to already be getting better about it I guess it just takes some time!