Shoulder Friendly Birds?

[chain]

In your opinion, which birds would you consider "shoulder friendly"? I know technically all birds can sit on your shoulder but many birds (especially the larger ones) i would not trust on my shoulder simply because it can easily take a chunk out of my face if it ever felt like it. So which birds would you trust on your shoulder without fear of it doing damage to your head area at all?

[kp_in_scott]

No particular species of bird should be considered a "shoulder bird". It depends on the individual bird and it's relationship with the owner. Also the owner's ability to understand that ANY bird can cause serious injury if startled or aggitated. I allow my greys on my shoulder, but only in certain circumstances and when their behavior is showing no aggression. There are times when I don't even allow my birds on my fore arm. Each bird is different.

[The Outlaw]

Kim is correct. I feel safer with my macaws on my shoulder than when my greys are in a snit. Each bird needs to be evaluated carefully before being allowed on your shoulder. Know, also, that ANY bird at any time can become jealous or frightened or even just slip and give you a good bite. I once got nailed accidentally by my YNA because my husband got too close. It had never before been a problem, but on that day, it was to her.

[Casa Amazona]

I agree with Kim. As their caregivers it's our responsibility to set up a win-win situation for them. This includes assessing the personality of the bird, the interaction between bird and human and what's going on at the moment. Of my Amazons, some I allow on my shoulder at all times, some I never allow on my shoulder and some I allow up there if the conditions are right. There are several schools of thought on this -- some say that birds should never be allowed on the shoulder. That's an individual decision, IMO. The biggest thing to understand is that these are not domesticated animals and -- while their behavior may be completely understandable in its intended setting -- they may behave in ways we, not being birds, simply don't anticipate or prepare for. The resulting problems aren't their fault -- they're ours -- but the bird also suffers a loss when problems arise.

[huz]

again, each individual bird has its own character, i felt more safer with my u2 on my sholder that my grey, even though i fully trust my grey (if that maks sence).

[basketbagley]

I just want to throw in that once a bird is on your shoulder it should also listen to the "step up" command and you be able to get him/her off when YOU want him off. If you have a bird that won't obey, it may not be a good idea to let it up there.

My littles ones don't always listen, because they don't want to leave me, so a good way to get them off is to back your self up to a wall so they have no place to go, usually this works.

Now if Mai Tai wouldn't listen (her Nanny taught her well) I wouldn't feel comfortable with her on my shoulder. (she's the ekkie)

[yehudasf]

All of my psittazen companions, at one time or another, avail themselves of my shoulders as a place to nap, preen, practice their vocabulary & on occasion as a vantage point from which to explore my hair, spectacles & ears. This includes the Hindenbird, O'Hara, one of the largest Ara Macao (Scarlet Macaw) known to either myself or my avian veterinarian. All of the others, (see sig) have their turns. Easily the lion's share of "face time" is taken by the two jealous redheads, Viridian Rose, & AyatLeila.
In determining the parametres for shoulder access with any bird, one first needs to ascertain their own level of competence in reading, even the most subtle shadings, their psittazen's body language, & to anticipate the actions associated therewith. My psittazen companions have never inflicted any damage to my face, (although I would swear that O'Hara has an ear fetish) however each bird is different, & each day is different. Use good judgement, avoid frightening, provocative or *tasty* activities while enpsittazened.

[Alika]

It depends on your bird and your own comfort level. When we first got Sam, I had read so many negative things about letting larger birds on your shoulder that I said "nope, never with this bird".

Sam now regularly sits on my shoulder, preening my neck and my shirt.

I know her. I know her mood swings. I have taught her the meaning of "no shoulder" and that she is not allowed to go there unless I put here there. I have also made sure she knows (all my birds, really) that when I ask her to get off, she gets off immediately or she does not go back up there for a long, long time.

But the same bird with my husband is a no-go. He does not feel comfortable with her on the shoulder, and their relationship is not quite the same as our relationship is. In fact, the only bird he lets on his shoulder is our cockatiel.

It just depends on a lot of different factors... I don't think it is a black and white topic... there is a very large, wide, gray area.

[Freedomoflight]

All true. Depends on the bird- and what mood its in.
My caique is definatly a shoulder bird, he loves nothing better then rubbing in your hair and preening your ears. But if he is in a mood- he has no access to the shoulders.
The zon- its 50/50, he really feels comfortable on the shoulders, and hasnt yet done anything to convince me otherwise- but he is still trained to stay on my arm, and if he is in an off mood, he will either stay on my arm or go back on top of his cage.
The grey- nope. Dont feel comfortable with her enough yet, and she doesnt feel comfortable with me enough yet. She is contented enough to sit and get a headscratch.

[Lori L]

Both Tiki my sun and Maya my 'too are allowed on my shoulder for short period of time. Both listen to the step up command immediately. Tiki prefers to hide under my hair an take a nap and Maya is more of a picker and investigator, chewing on my clothing tags and buttons etc. Mind you, they are not on my shoulder at the same time.