Please help! I am completely distraught. I've had a blue/black masked lovebird since May '02. He's always been EXTREMELY CUDDLY-- loves to have his head and face rubbed/ruffled, lets me put my thumb and index finger under his wings and pet him, lays his head down so I can gently push his feathers against the "grain".
About a week ago, he started biting me SEVERELY. I have four fresh bloody holes in my fingers now with five more healing from attempts to pet him, hold him. I can't do it anymore. I am at my wits end. I am afraid to put my hand near him, which is such a shame, because I used to be able to put my hand in the cage and pick him up or he'd get on my finger and come out. He was such a playful bird, sitting in my pocket and snuggling, etc. Today I tried to hold him and when he bit I gently moved his beak and sort of had to hold it still. He finally bit in so hard that I couldn't move his beak and I let him go.
Please HELP!! I'm afraid I will have to give him away. 
