Shoulder Friendly Birds?

[LtlWngdAngl]

Though I normally know his moods and body language well, Oscar is not allowed on my (or anyone elses) shoulder, EVER. He's simply too aggressive about Dominance issues; and if he sees his opportunity to show you his dominance, he'll take it. I do spend regular time with him, but I use my forearm and a playstand; then I can usually almost gurantee his sweet-ness.

BamBam is allowed on the shoulder. I'm hoping that, since he's real young still, that he can learn proper "shoulder behavior" and is doing very well with it. I do allow him to get down when he starts showing signs of wanting off.

Bebee (my IRN) is another one that I do not regularly let him on my shoulder...I kinda like my ears My b/f though has no problem with him on his shoulder.

Dewey (PFC) and Badges (quaker) are both good shoulder birds for the most part.....but both have their moments.

[Jme8672]

Like most others it depends on my birds moods, if I allow them on my shoulder. I can tell their moods from watching them and interactions with them when changing water, and feeding. My TAG is very vocal(whistles, and sounds)when she is in one of those "moods" and I wont allow her on my shoulder.

[Doubleyolk]

I don't trust any of my big birds on my shoulder.

Charlie my B&G has tried on numerous times and has succeeded and has come down with no problems, but I still don't want that big beakie near my face. He has a habit of biting when someone enters the room which I know it is a warning thing.

My Greys have busy beaks and like to chew anything and everything.

My cockatoo just hates me and there are times I hesitate offering him my hand.

Now my Lovebird is always on my shoulder and loves to make the rounds to all the cages at feeding time.

I agree that allowing your bird on your shoulder is a personal thing and you should be prepared for the worse and if you get bit it is not the birds fault.

You know your bird best......maybe!

[Alika]

I want to add, too, that I don't care who you are, who your bird is, or how well you know your bird, you are putting yourself at risk whenever you let a bird on your shoulder. I think it's important to understand that. I accept that risk and any possible consequences, however foolish that may be. While I feel like the situation is safe and under control for the most part, any animal can be fine one moment and then not find the next, and behavior can change in a heartbeat.

I was once sitting with Sam on my shoulder. She was making her happy sounds and emitting her happy smell and contentedly preening my neck and shirt. Then my husband tried to touch her. She lashed out and in a small fit of displaced aggression, bit my ear. It wasn't an attack, it was simply her way of saying "get away from me!" by biting the nearest thing she could get her beak on. The damage wasn't bad. She did break the cartiledge in my ear, and it hurt like &^$*, but there was no bleeding and no lasting damage.

I understand the source of the behavior, or she never again would have been allowed on my shoulder. My husband is now not allowed to come anywhere near her when she is up there.

But it's a good example of how you just never know, and if it's not a risk you're willing to take and bear the consequences of, you should never allow any bird on your shoulder.

This is also why I don't allow my birds to perch on the shoulders of any friends or visitors. If they want to hold them, that's fine as long as they understand that my birds do bite... but never are they allowed on the shoulders of strangers. That is not a risk and liability I am willing to take.

Furthermore, whenever I am out in public with my birds (which is rare anymore), I never put them on the shoulder. I think that doing so sets a bad example, and I would rather people educate themselves about the risks before letting their bird on their own shoulder because 'that other lady did it'.

[Jme8672]

Ok I have to add that if one of them would ever give me trouble about getting off my shoulder I wouldnt allow them back on my shoulder. So far I've not had a problem of getting them down off my shoulder, they step up on my hand when told. <knock on wood> LOL

[Tiki]

All of mine are small birds and very shoulder friendly. In fact they pretty much consider me one big play gym as they like to play with my hair and walk all over me!

[SweetPea]

yeap.. sometimes, when i pick angel, my blue and gold macaw up, she tries to be slick and jump on my shoulder...sometimes, she has nipped at me while on there..and hence, i dont trust her..

so the closest she gets, is my forearm when i pick her up...

she's also almost my size.. lol me being 4'11 and 88lbs...

my other birds, lovies, and black capped conure are small birds, so them being on my shoulders are no problems...although my conure is a brat a lot of time getting down off my shoulder.

[The Outlaw]

I routinely have 4 macaws on me at one time. They HAVE to grab a shoulder. There isn't any other real estate left! Do I recommend it. NUH UH. Its something that just kinda happened over time. They are a flock and when one comes running, they all do. I'm their "tree". With the new GW, its gonna be impossible, but frankly she's very shoulder friendly. I think with really big birds, they need a steady place to perch. Time will tell. So far, so good.

[FeathersNFur8]

Originally Posted by Tiki

All of mine are small birds and very shoulder friendly. In fact they pretty much consider me one big play gym as they like to play with my hair and walk all over me!

Tiki, I had to laugh when I read this. I just said these exact words this afternoon, as I seem to be Kady's favorite perch and toy.

[MaryG1959]

My vet will tell you that no bird belongs on your shoulder, however, I will allow my little tiel on my shoulder ---his bites are "nothing!!"