encouraging independent play

[TheNzJessie]

my rainbow lorikeet is very clingy and doesn't play by him self unless he is in his cage when ever he is out he wants to explore but he will sit on my desk but will always have a foot holding on to my finger or piece of clothing, he will let go and walk a few steps freaks out and comes running back to me. i thought this is an issue i should really start tackling now while he is still young but i really dont know where to start.

[michellet]

I have the same concerns about my baby GCC...i've only had her a week but already she only wants to cuddle up to my neck and under my hair(under my ear). She'll sit there forever! If i pick her up and try to keep her on my hand or my lap she just jumps up onto my chest and then quickly scurries back to her cuddle-spot. She also does the same thing if my daughter or son attempt to hold her...straight up to their shoulder/neck. Its cute and sweet, but I dont want this to be her only form of interaction. Any suggestions??

[entrancedbymyGCC]

I am no expert here, and given an opportunity Scooter would rather interact with me during play than play independently. Some degree of benign neglect... putting him on the playtop with some good toys and refusing to interact does seem to have helped. I also made an effort to sometimes praise him for playing by himself -- it seem counter-intuitive a bit, but giving them attention for not demanding attention I think can help them decide being independent as good... he used to more often try to come to me by flying off the playtop and then walking (he's trimmed) but I would consistently put him back or even in his cage when he did that, and he does it far less often now.

Don't know if that helps...

[TheNzJessie]

yea Jango is fully flighted and has always been and i have no intention to ever clip him which makes things a bt harder when i do put him in his play stand and i go sit down at my computer he flies straight over i once spent an hour and a half placing him back on his playstand but he would not give in and fly back over to me everytime, i also tries ignoring him but yes...its doesn't work