I Really need advice (Fledgling Bird Owner)
About a few months ago after last Christmas, I picked up this cutie Monk from my family because they were trying to get rid of him and it didn't look like he was getting the proper treatment he deserved. I somehow convinced my own family at home to let me keep him, and he's been with me ever since.
But I think I've never been this stressed out for such a long period of time. I know he's happier than where he used to be, especially after I bought a new cage, toys, the essentials. But regarding our relationship, I just don't know. I know it's a total lack of experience in understanding a lot of his social cues and behavior that's hurting me but I don't really have good references to study from.
His name is Lynyrd.
His feathers are healthy, he's active, I try to feed him a mix of things, light on the seeds of course. Since I've gotten him, he's responsive to me, he clearly trusts me, but when I see the pictures other people have shared of their birds, I worry that I'm missing something and its hurting our relationship.
He really likes to chew on my fingers, pluck my facial hair, nibble on my nose. But he often also screams and shakes his head, which I don't have to be a birder to know he's upset when he does it (I think). Occassionally he fluffs up with a squawk, but only for a second, and it's hard to tell just because I'm 90% sure him chewing on my fingers is his way of playing but I don't think he's ever bitten me to really hurt me. But I have tough hands from manual labor so I don't really feel it.
He has this vendetta against my mom but I'm not sure calling it a vendetta is right because he chirps at her excitedly whenever she comes to see him, and he loves the noises she makes for him, but the moment she walks away at all, he charges at her, even if he can't get to her.
Is playing birdsong for him okay, I feel like that gives him the false idea that there's other birds like him around but that might just my own foolishness.
I know I'm probably overthinking most of this. But I want to do the best I can and do right by him. Please!