Advice please, bird follows us around like a puppy!

[Aces Wild]

Our bird Ace is always out whenever we are home. He hangs out on his playstand and in his cage, not to mention hanging out on my shoulder alot too.

The issue I am having is that whenever we go into a different room, he jumps down onto the floor and comes to find us! Does anyone have any idea how many times I have walked out of a room only to find Ace wondering the hallway looking for us?

I wanted some advice on how to re-direct this behavior. I am so worried that he is going to be on the floor and one of us is going to step on him! Should I just get a portable perch and bring him from room to room with us or would this be encouraging the behavior?

Anyone else go through this with their birds? Believe me, I am flattered that he is so attached to us, but at the same time I want him to be safe too!

EDIT: Sorry, I am not sure if I should of posted in the Bird Help section... just noticed it!

[Chico's Mom]

My birds occasionally do this, and I feel guilty because I work all day and I think they should be with me as much as possible when I get home. (Don't know if this is right or wrong, but that's how I feel.)

I have a small playground that I can set up in whatever room I'm in, so that I can do what I need to do (read, computer, eat, etc.) and they can still be near me or at least see me. When I leave their sight, they call for me and look for me. Sometimes I leave them be, and just answer them so they know I'm still there.

[sugarbeth]

I would get some sort of perch for each room. :) I'm already collecting perches and playstands off of craigslist for my future bird.

[kellywess]

My Yellow Collared Macaw does that all of the time.

[Ashling]

Just an idea- you could attach a perch along the wall so he can climb along this to find you- great exercise and safe as well! I'm going to do something like this when we've moved house.
You'll have to train him to stay... Tell him "wait there" and leave the room for three seconds... return, praise and reward. Tell him "wait there" again, leave for 6 seconds, return, praise and reward. Increase the time your gone every time over a period of weeks and soon he'll realise that if he stays and waits for you, he'll get attention and a treat!

[macawlover]

Although it may not be the most attractive thing, could you run a pvc pipe across the ceiling for him to follow you on instead of the floor?

[Kevin]

LOL BeeBee does the same thing if nothing is going on in the front room. She will fly out the family room, through the french doors, down the hall, 2nd door on right and land just above my computer.

[mmr]

My Ellie (U2) foloows me everywhere also. I wouldn't worry too much.

[mymacaw]

It doesnt matter where sid is at on his play gym cage perch if he hears my voice hes going to climb down then you will hear him coming up the hall hollering mama to the top of his lungs until he finds me. It does get annoying when you are trying to clean the house and he cant be with you. I then have to put him in his cage and then I feel guilty but at least he is safe and not getting into anything while I clean.

[Dollybird]

For our green cheek conure at home, we set up a gutter system around the edges of his cage. My dad cut pieces of gutter to go on each side, and then he fixed small plastic hooks so that they could hang from the bottom part of each side of the cage. This helps with catching seeds and other things Petrie throws off the cage, but it also forms a type of barrier so he can't slide or climb directly down on the floor. He either has to fly off the top of the cage or jump down from the edge of the gutters. It takes a little bit of work to set up the gutters, but it works pretty well at keeping him on there! I'll see if I have a picture of his cage somewhere that I can post for you.