Cockatiel keeps flying off my shoulder

[MJD17]

Hey again everyone. So the first few days have gone by alright. This morning my tiel actually came to the front of his cage and walked onto my finger without me having to go in to get him so that was nice, but the past few hours he's been acting up. I'll get him on my finger or shoulder and sit down with my laptop and he'll look around, bob his head and then fly (despite his wings being clipped, talk about a strong little guy) to either his cage or an opposite corner of the room. Earlier I thought he was hungry or something so I just let him do his thing and placed him inside his cage but now I'm now sure since I was out for a few hours and when I took him out he started doing it. I covered his cage with a towel to see what would happen and he still continued the behavior. Oddly, before he takes off he bobs his head a few times and then as he lands his crest goes up and he chirps a little bit. Anyone else had this happen with their birds?

[GlassOnion]

I wouldn't cover the cage because the bird has no idea what that means and wonder why it is covered in daylight!

You just got him, he's not used to you thus flying away. I would give him time to adjust and get to like you. And yes, what he is doing sounds normal.

[MJD17]

I wouldn't cover the cage because the bird has no idea what that means and wonder why it is covered in daylight!

You just got him, he's not used to you thus flying away. I would give him time to adjust and get to like you. And yes, what he is doing sounds normal.

It's only strange because this only started today, before that he would sit on my shoulder/laptop content with preening himself or just sitting there. I'm curious why it's starting now.

[Michael]

I hate to break it to you, but it's a living breathing free willed animal. It has no obligation to stay on your shoulder just because you put it there. Try thinking more from the bird's perspective and always ask "what's in it for me" for the bird. Consider putting a perch near where you spend your time and putting some activities for the parrot to do on there or be more proactive interacting with it when it is with you.

Don't worry though, for many of us the issue becomes keeping the parrots off our shoulders rather than on!

[patdbunny]

[MJD17]

Because he's had a few days to settle in, that's why. Now he's a bit more settled in so it's time to go roam around and explore. When he wasn't as settled in, in his mind it was safer to just stay put.

This is just the next stage in settling in and getting to know his surroundings. After a few weeks the desire to jump off of you may subside.

Think about it - Wouldn't you be bored to tears if you had to sit on your shoulder for any extended amount of time watching you surf the internet?

The bird's not really "acting up". It's just doing what a bird does.

Hm, interesting. I always play music and hum to him if he's out, and I actually think I might have heard him chattering back for a moment today but I wasn't sure what to expect since a bird my parents had when I was younger (a Sun Conure) would always just sit on our shoulders and stay put, even preening without me remembering doing anything to deserve it. I'm very unfamiliar with actual cockatiel behavior so I'm trying to get a feel for what other people's birds act like.

[kaylayuh]

I agree with pretty much everything everyone else has said. It's normal bird behavior. Once he's done exploring and has a firm bond with you, you'll be wishing for ways to get him off your shoulder.

That said, they make some really awesome tabletop perches and playstands. Try putting those in the areas you spend the most amount of time in. Give him treats when he's on them to confirm that these stands are appropriate good places to hang out.

[Julsiebean]

Give the bird some time, this is a million times more overwhelming and insane to him then to you. He just needs space and attention. Keep talking to him and giving millet

[theparrotletdude]

Benry, my parrotlet, does this, but I can't get Chase off my shoulder usually X3

[laducockatiel]

I hate to break it to you, but it's a living breathing free willed animal. It has no obligation to stay on your shoulder just because you put it there. Try thinking more from the bird's perspective and always ask "what's in it for me" for the bird. Consider putting a perch near where you spend your time and putting some activities for the parrot to do on there or be more proactive interacting with it when it is with you.

Don't worry though, for many of us the issue becomes keeping the parrots off our shoulders rather than on!

Yeah, my bird always goes on my shoulder and nibbles my glasses! It is rather annoying but I love him so I can't complain.