Home » Bird Forums » Training » Teaching Tricks » Birds on the shoulder?
Posted by Lindseydrea on Tue, 01/17/2006 - 20:29 :: Teaching Tricks
I read somewhere that when trying to tame your parrot, you should never let them sit on your shoulders. The article stated that the bird should be below your eye level, not at eye level with you because the bird will feel superior to you. Is this true? I always have my bird on my shoulder because it's convenient for me to get other things done with him and he is content as well. However, I do have biting and squawking problems with him, does it really help to keep him off your shoulder?
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Posted by Lindseydrea on Tue, 01/17/2006 - 20:32.
I meant to have this in the forum for problem areas!
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Posted by Ming on Wed, 01/18/2006 - 00:44.
Hi Lindsey,

There are a variety of different opinions on this topic. There is quite an extensive discussion on this under 'general discussion.' Go back through the pages and find the topic 'shoulder perching' and read the comment. I posted another question about shoulder perching and got some great replies - that one is even more recent.

Personally, (although I am no expert) I think shoulder perching is fine so long as your bird is not biting your face/ears etc, and it will reliably step-up onto your hand on your command when you wish to remove it from your shoulder.

Height dominance is a hotly contested issue. Check out articles relating to dominance in parrots at www.naturalencounters.com

Michelle.

Proud owner of little corella - rose breasted cockatoo cross (Pippi), alexandrine (Cam Rahn) and princess parrot (Eep). From Qld, Australia.
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Posted by Lindseydrea on Wed, 01/18/2006 - 19:30.
Thank you for the information. I looked at the website you offered and it's great. Very much appreciated :) Thx!
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Posted by ssj2matt on Sun, 03/18/2007 - 09:15.
It generally depends on how friendly the bird is to start with. Get him/her to learn the step up/down commands without hesitation before doing so just to be safe.
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