Why does my GCC always want to be at a high point

[Acka]

My conure always wants to be at a hight point. Im currently trying to teach her roll over but she wont stay on the ground, does she feel intimmidated on the ground, ?

[marie83]

Yes probably, being on the ground, let alone rolling over on the ground is a vulnerable position for a bird and makes them much easier prey. Despite being domesticated they haven't lost their natural instinct at all.
You can get them more comfortable down there using positive reinforcement but be aware that encouraging them to spend time on the floor can actually be risky for them, they may be more likely to eat something thats been dropped that they really shouldn't or be at risk of being trodden on accidently.
Anyhow that aside if your parrot isn't used to being on his back you need to get him comfy with that first. Start with him being on his back in the palm of your hand, then lying on something higher up than the floor, like the sofa for instance, then on the floor.

What I did is pick Ollie up with my hand gently over his back. When he got used to that I started tipping him slightly, gradually getting further each time til he was upside down.
Gradually I loosened my grip on him whilst upside down and let him hold onto my fingers with his feet. I put him the right way up immedietly each time but then gradually increased the length of time spent upside down (only by a few seconds, birds aren't supposed to be on their backs really).
Eventually I loosened his grip on my fingers with my free hand and he will lie their quite happily now.
The next step for me was to get him on his back on the sofa (I figured this would be the most comfy place for him), I started off by lowering my hand to it, then I started to lift him gently with my other hand and placed him on his back on the sofa. He did get up straight away to start with which is fine but I stretched that out by delaying the click and treat by a few seconds.
I then repeated that process on the floor (on the rug cuz I still worry that if its uncomfy for him then he wont be as willing to do it). He clearly doesn't feel as safe there but he will do it.

I havent figured out how the heck to get him to roll over on his own yet as I don't wish to force it on him by pushing him but that should give you a good start on things.

[Acka]

Thanks, i think this will help heaps! (:

[liz]

There are more preditors on the ground than in a tree. The instinct is still in them.

Myrtle stayed as high as possible. The higher she was the more interactive she was. That was then. Now she even walks on the floor and steals the dogs toys. She has no fear but will fly if she doesn't like what is going on. I have yet to scratch her head without wrestling with her first. She flies away but comes back.

They feel that higher is safer.