Height dominance does not exist for birds!

[Skyebirdsmom]

http://www.naturalencounters.com/
Is it true that I should not let my bird get above eye level or he will feel dominant over me?

To put it bluntly, Height Dominance does not exist in parrots. It is most likely just a projection of someone’s personal beliefs that seemed to make sense when applied to parrots. Naïve bird owners searching for easy answers to complicated problems readily buy into the concept that a parrot will feel dominant over a person when held above eye level and that the bird will express this dominance through aggression. The accompanying myth about wild parrots forming hierarchies that are coordinated with the position a bird takes in a tree is equally inaccurate. Parrot behavior is far more complicated than this.

There is much talk these days about dominance and dominance hierarchies in captive parrots. To fully understand captive bird behavior people should begin with an understanding of wild bird behavior. Through personal observations, discussions with many parrot field researchers (personal communications: Brice, February, 1994, Munn, July 1998, Gilardi, February, 1999, English, November, 2000, May, May 15, 2001) and review of literature, we have found no evidence of flock hierarchies in wild parrots. The field researchers all attest to aggression and disputes among parrots. However, the aggressors are not consistent from one incident to another. A bird that looses a confrontation with one bird may just as well win a confrontation with the same bird later. It could be said that the winners of these confrontations are dominant over the losers. However, the dominant position is limited to each specific incident and does not carry over to future encounters. There is no evidence of social hierarchies in flocks of wild parrots that resemble social hierarchies commonly found in many mammal species. If dominance hierarchies exist in wild parrots they are most likely limited to family groups.

Why then do so many people subscribe to the height dominance theory? For many people this is a very easy concept to accept. Hierarchies are common in human societies. When people were young it was the taller people who were dominant over them, and even as adults their relationships with others are often hierarchal. Plus, it is not uncommon to see some forms of hierarchies in captive pet parrots. Again, unnatural environments encourage unnatural behavior. Confined groups of parrots in small environments will most likely work out dominance hierarchies. However, if these same birds were in the wild they would not be forced into these close relationships and they would surely avoid aggressive encounters with the other parrots.

It is easy for some parrot owners to misinterpret aggression as a parrot’s desire to dominate. Aggression, for the purpose of establishing dominance, is common in many mammal species, however, it does not occur in parrots. Parrots have no natural inclination to form a dominance hierarchy with other parrots in the wild, or with humans in captivity. Parrots may be moved to show aggression for many different reasons when they are higher than human eye level. However, the desire to dominate should not be considered as one of those reasons.

Dominance, in all societies, is based on much more than a few inches of height. Dominance is about relationships and history. Explaining away something as complicated as dominance hierarchies with something as simple as a few inches is very misleading and does not provide a clear understanding of a bird's behavior. It is best to avoid anthropomorphic interpretations and let natural behavior be your guide when evaluating parrot behavior.

From Natural Encounters by Steve Martin.
http://www.naturalencounters.com/

[Franciscus]

I agree that the theory is probably incorrect, however, my grey is much more compliant when she is below my eye level than when she is above it. I have heard from people I know that have the same outcome. Height does not have the same effect on my macaw or ringneck however.

While we are on the subject of Steve Martin he beleives when parrots are talking it's just mimicry and using words on cue. I know from experience that parrots use language, including human language, in appropriate and complex ways.

[BirdsUnlimited]

I've never bought into the heigth dominance issue myself. My feeling is a bird up high wants to stay up high and may do anything, including bite, to stay there. One has much more control of a bird if it was to stay on your hand and never on a shoulder. Most birds, especially African Greys train their owners long before they ever get properly trained.

[indybirds]

Does that mean you shouldn't let it ride around on your shoulder? I was planning on having mine out several times a day, while I was doing various tasks around the house - and I was hoping it could ride on my shoulder, so I could have my hands free.

Originally Posted by BirdsUnlimited

I've never bought into the heigth dominance issue myself. My feeling is a bird up high wants to stay up high and may do anything, including bite, to stay there. One has much more control of a bird if it was to stay on your hand and never on a shoulder. Most birds, especially African Greys train their owners long before they ever get properly trained.

[smallonion]

The shoulder thing is controversial. Many people say you shouldn't let our bird ride on your shoulder - this normally applies to bigger birds, because they could turn around and bite your eye or something, as well as the height issue. Other people let their birds on their shoulder. Humphrey is allowed on my shoulder and my head. I think it's down to the individual, and with a cockatiel, I PERSONALLY think there is no reason you shouldn't let your little tiel ride around on your shoulder. I think it's a nice way to spend time together while you do other things. Other people may disagree with me.

[Franciscus]

Originally Posted by indybirds

Does that mean you shouldn't let it ride around on your shoulder? I was planning on having mine out several times a day, while I was doing various tasks around the house - and I was hoping it could ride on my shoulder, so I could have my hands free.

It's much better to have a portable play area for the bird or have one in each of the rooms you will be spending time in. They don't all have to be big, they can be spiral perches hanging from ceilings or non painted wicker baskets with a stone in the bottom for stability as well as some toys. Of course the basket should have a handle for the bird to perch on. If you do put him on your shoulder there is a chance your face and/or ears will become the chew toys. I know I'd be pretty bored just sitting on someones shoulder.

[wildirish]

I had read another article by this guy about the talking and I wasn't impressed as he did say something to the effect of they only mimic and have no actual personality of thier own just what we put there. Yeah right...LOL!!!

As to the hieght thing however, other people who have studied birds in the wil have stated that there is no hierarchies as most of the wild parrots don't travel with more than their mate and offspring.

That article here does state that in captivity their can be hieght dominance as this is an unnatural environment to them. I agree and disagree. Some of our birds are perfectly fine on our shoulders and others get bossy when up there. I still think it's just to each his own and what your bird and you are comfortable with.

We let some of our up on our shoulders for outtings and such, if you trust your bird then it's up to you.

[indybirds]

Well, looks like there's some varying opinion, certainly! I guess I'll just have to test the waters and see what happens. Perhaps it's time for someone to fashion a hip-perch, eh? <VBG!>

[The Outlaw]

I rarely do anything the experts suggest, so please don't use me as your best teacher. I routinely have up to 4 large macaws hanging all over me or a grey on my head and another on my shoulder. As for height dominance, around here its nothing more than a game they like to play. I have to get the perch or broom and then they step up and are happy to do whatever I want. I don't like birds on cages simply because a poop dropped from 6 feet can splatter 6 times wider than one dropped from 3 feet (not calibrated, just a good guess).

You have to establish complete trust and mutual respect before you try any shoulder riding or things of that nature. When you can safely have your bird on its back in your lap happily playing and not at all distressed, then and only then would I recommend considering the shoulder riding. Remember, even the sweetest birds can react viciously and immediately if threatened or frightened. Its a chance you take.

I don't allow my Amazon to ride on my shoulder. I know that she's got a hair trigger response (she's a yellow nape) and think it would be just plain idiotic on my part to put either her or me at risk for injury. As for the rest of them, the ekkie, the greys, the quaker, and all of the macaws including the Severe happily perch whereever they want on Nanny. Folks often crack up when they see me attempting to vacuum with 4 BGs hanging from my pants, shirt and shoulders. It just a game to them and it makes household chores more interesting.

That's another reason that I encourage every family member to at least handle every bird in your home. You'll find that the jealousy issues will be far less as family members attempt to approach you with birds on you. I have a problem with my Amazon when Will gets to close. She will not tolerate him touching me when she's on me. At least she gives fair warning. I've told him a hundred times that if I get bitten, I'm biting HIM myself.

Study your bird. Establish trust. Meet its needs and properly socialize him. After that, the sky's the limit. They are companions, not really pets at all.

THE OUTLAW

[Adi]

I think that this whole thing is just a case of getting to know your bird properly and learning how to read their behaviour. All birds are different, have different personalities, and react differently in certain situations.

Do I believe that height is never ever a factor in any birds agression or dominance issues??? No, I prefer to look at each bird as an individual and I'm sure that some of our parrots have developped behaviours (both good and bad...) that could puzzle the most qualified behaviourists and most experienced parrot owners.

Height and shoulder perching might not commonly be an issue for an experienced parrot owner because they have truly developped a sense for their birds. Outlaw has done a great job explaining how anyone should know their birds properly before attempting to let them ride on your shoulder. I always feel like some new parrot owners might leave with a false sense of security and allow shoulder perching at inappropriate times. I like to be clear on the importance of knowing your birds behaviour and body language, while still being aware of the risks...

I asked myself your question in a different manner: "Is it true that inexperienced parrot owners should not let their birds get above eye level or they will feel dominant over me?"

Experienced owners already have a feel for their birds and will know when it is right or wrong. For the inexperienced person, I think you might be taking the risk of your parrot walking all over you.... in this situation I would answer a firm yes. Learning to predict moods from body language and behaviour is something that comes with time.