Shoulder Sitting - Good or Bad?

[Planned Parrothood]

I have read conflicting opinions on allowing one's tiel to sit on your shoulder.

One says it's a sign of affection and bonding.

Another says it's bad because the tiel will think that he's above you in the flock hierarchy.

Since Zeus is only 3 1/2 months old I obviously want to start him out with healthy habits. He steps up easily, sits in my hand and eats from my palm and a few times has let me give him scritches after a couple apparent protests. He does like running up my arm to my shoulder where he nibbles on my neck and ears. I hope that's a sign of affection.

I also welcome any bonding suggestons.

Thanks!

[Michael]

It depends on your relationship with the parrot. However, it is important to realize that no matter how much a parrot likes you, it could reflexively bite and you are vulnerable when it is on your shoulder.

[liz]

My personal opinion is that the nibbles are preening.

[Khaiqha]

I would say it depends on the bird. My ringneck likes to nibble on the neck and ears. I've trained him to not nibble on me (he sometimes goes for my glasses as compromise). He does however immediately nibble on anyone else's shoulder.

When I do allow Ace on my shoulder, it's usually only for brief periods of time or else he'll get right behind my neck where I can't reach him. If I notice he's scared of something, I'll let him stay on my shoulder, else he'd leap off my hand.

[Silver_touch]

I'm really inerested in this, as I've gone back and forth on this with my senegal. When she is on my shoulder she's really good, and even if she nips Its never been painful (very much a 'preening' action). However, I've also heard that it's bad for the reasons discussed.

[ghostrider1964]

I let my macaw and my timneh sit on my shoulder. I do not let my Cockatoo getabove my elbow. The cockatoo likes to grab my glasses or get on top my head. The macaw and timneh will preen my hair and are content to just be close to me. I have only had the Timneh a month and it was one mean SOB when I got her from previous owners, so I am glad that she is bonding with me and has not tried to remove any more skin from me...lol. My Amazon is 22 and she does not require much holding. She will step up if I want her but she never moves from my arm.

[liz]

I put Rambo on my shoulder and let him travel with me through the house. He makes pretty little noises in my ear like he is happy.

Before I could touch Myrtle and before she realized that she could fly she would land on the floor and climb up my pants leg to get to my shoulder. I still could not touch her but she was making contact with me. Now she flies to my back and climbs on my shoulder. She is touchy-feely and always preening and kissing me. She tells me birdie secrets and will even grab my nose and say "honk honk".

I see nothing wrong with a bird on the shoulder. That is the most personal contact.

[ghostrider1964]

I put Rambo on my shoulder and let him travel with me through the house. He makes pretty little noises in my ear like he is happy.

Before I could touch Myrtle and before she realized that she could fly she would land on the floor and climb up my pants leg to get to my shoulder. I still could not touch her but she was making contact with me. Now she flies to my back and climbs on my shoulder. She is touchy-feely and always preening and kissing me. She tells me birdie secrets and will even grab my nose and say "honk honk".

I see nothing wrong with a bird on the shoulder. That is the most personal contact.

I agree, I like it when they make the happy sounds, but I am starting to get a tinge of jealosy between my macaw and my timneh. I have been spending more time with the timneh trying to get it tamed down. As I walked by my macaw cage she jumped over on my shoulder and the timneh was not happy...both were squawking at each other, but no one hurt

[liz]

Myrtle owns my left shoulder. Rambo owns my right shoulder. Heaven help me if I put Rambo on the wrong shoulder.

[MeanDonnaJean]

I have read conflicting opinions on allowing one's tiel to sit on your shoulder...He does like running up my arm to my shoulder where he nibbles on my neck and ears.

Dunno whether its a good or a bad thing (so I really outta keep a sharp eye out for other responses), but mine does the very same thing...altho I've gotta admit that I'm notta huge fan of her doin' it only for the fact that she loves to bite my neck tattoo every damn time she's up there! LOL