permitting a parrot to sit on your shoulder

[sighthoundlover]

I have heard many people advise against permitting a parrot to sit on your shoulder because of potential dominance issues but I see in the videos where Michael is able to do that without experiencing any problems. I'd like to know if the shoulder issue is a myth or there are some circumstances where it is not wise to permit a bird on the shoulder. I'm about to bring home a baby blueheaded pionus and would really like to allow it to sit on my shoulder while I walk around the house at times but don't want to do anything "wrong"! Also, my apologies to Michael for writing directly instead of first using this forum . I'm just getting familiar with the forum and will hopefully get the hang of this soon.

[liz]

Welcome to the forum.

Some believe it is dangerouse with a baby bird. It could fall off and get hurt.

Myrte is my youngest at a year old. On my shoulder is when we snuggle the most. She is a rehome/rescue and does not like hands. She preens me and kisses and gets under my hair. I love her.

Rambo is an independent kid. He is 20 and equivalent to a 6 year old boy. Stuck on my shoulder he give me attention.

All my tiels are the same.

I don't trick train mine. They are little beings and all I need from them is to share love.

[parrotsareyay]

Its not a myth nor a true fact. It really depends on the bird and trust. I had a parrot on my shoulder and we were fine until SNAP... a nice little hole was left in my ear. Other birds though, they were more interested to the fact that they are up higher than usual. Some birds will others don't, it is just a risk to take to find out if your bird is trustworthy enough.

[Khaiqha]

You really just have to get to know your bird. When my bird is scared, he feels safest on my shoulder or under my chin. When he's bored on my shoulder I can just somehow feel it, so I take him off my shoulder before he can get into mischief.

[Michael]

It depends on the bird, behavior, and how much risk you are willing to take. It is important to understand that even the tamest/sweetest parrot could lash out and bite out of nowhere at whatever is closest. This could take an ear or an eye with a big enough parrot. So first you have to evaluate the risk to decide if you will do shoulder or never at all. Then if the answer is yes, you'll take the chance, then it comes down to the parrot's behavior. If the parrot is bossy, bites, doesn't want to step down, etc it is not a good idea. However, if the parrot is taught good shoulder behavior this can be solved.

For example, only put the parrot on shoulder as a reward for good behavior. Furthermore, only put the parrot on shoulder when you'll be busy doing something like walking around the house picking things up. Between paying attention and working on balance the parrot will be too busy to be annoying on the shoulder. On the other hand sitting down to watch TV or have a conversation with parrot on shoulder could be a disaster cause it has nothing to do. So basically ration out shoulder time, only allow it in return for and for as long as good behavior persists, and only do it when you know the parrot will be too busy to be problematic.

[Khaiqha]

I agree with Michael. My roommates often get their ears nibbled, and they wonder why I don't. They never notice that my bird is generally only on my shoulder when I'm moving or doing something (Ace loves watching me prep food/clean/do dishes.

[coral]

i have blue headed pionus but hes around 4 or 5 i got him in december and he sits on my shoulder all the time he prefers it to sitting on my arm he holds on better and plays with my shirt/necklace/hair hes has/had aggression issues and i still let him and he does just fine. it depends on the bird i guess. i love pionus though their so gorgeous