Height Dominance?

[OsiViper]

Ok, my Macaw loves just sitting on top of her cage and looking at whats going on around her, chewing and exploring what she can get to.

Someone told me i shouldn't do this because the top of the cage where she sits is about 6" over my head. And it could bring about dominance issues since she is sitting much higher than me.

I dont know what to do..

[Michelle & Fids]

I have never had a problem with that here. Just keep a stool or something handy so that you can climb up and make her come to you if need be.

[tielfan]

Also teach her to step up on a stick, so you'll have a fairly safe way to pick her up if she starts getting sassy with you.

[magdalena]

I've read recently height dominance is being disproved, territorial aggression is still a thing though. I try to move my birds around the house a lot (like they would do in the wild) so they don't get possessive about their roosting, feeding and sleeping areas.

[Lori~D]

I dont believe in actual Height dominance but it does give a bird more power? If that makes sense? Like it says In Mattie Sue Athans books and always seems to work for me. If I have an aggressive bird I can reduce the aggression by lowering the cage and perches or putting the bird on the floor. If I have a timid bird I can help its confidence by putting it on the higher perch or cage. I wouldnt call it dominance but I will say height gives a bird more confidence. I know it does. If I have an aggressive bird out on a high place I dont even try to retrieve it with out first gettin on a stool or chair first.

[mmr]

My macaws old mommy said she would never let heim over or above her head. But his cage was so small I had no chioce to get a bigger cage. She about flipped when she saw he was higher than my head. I honestly don't have a problem with this. As long as you set boundries etc.

The top of teals cage is his favorite place to be! I also have learned they are disproving this theory also

[Lisa B]

yep, as said, keep a stool nearby.

I dont have issues with the Greys, as then tend to come to me when requested. However the Amazon will climb higher, get excited, and try to push buttons. I do feel, he is challenging me when he gets up high. Thus why I dont let him do it often. I dont feel like arguing with an angry~excited 20 year old male double yellow head.

[SDavid]

"I also have learned they are disproving this theory also "

The "theory" was probably just bird owners guessing. I think the simple truth is that birds feel safe and secure when they are up high because they are prey animals and anxious and fearfull when on the ground. For one example, their crop enables them to gulp down food quickly and take to the sky asap. To stay and chew food would keep them on the ground and in danger for too long. For another example just look at the primary (probably only) defense mechanism birds have evolved-when there's danger they take off. Up and away. They don't stay and fight (they're too fragile) but escape. Even when defending their young they bluff and try to frighten a predator away. So, I'm sure sitting up above everything gives them a feeling of confidence and safety.

When my TAG is on top of her cage she usually makes a fuss if you try to remove her. But, left alone, she seems to be having a ball vocalizing and climbing around.

"If I have an aggressive bird I can reduce the aggression by lowering the cage and perches or putting the bird on the floor. "

I'm not a fan of that idea. I don't know if putting a bird in "fear" is a good way to reduce aggression. Even if it works I don't think the end justifies the means. And, a bird in fear is too risky for other bad behaviors depending on how sensitive the species is. I've never had to deal with aggression but I think there are better ways. For one, Melinda Johnson's "clicker training," or any method that makes use of ABA.

[Abby]

I wonder with height dominance whether it's more that we as people feel dominated by a bird being up high. Like we've put our own feelings into the situation rather then looking at it from a behavioural point of view. Just thinking out loud here, not stating anything solid.

I don't like having my larger birds on my shoulder especially the 2 bigger 'toos (like Coco is getting anywhere near my shoulder with the damage she can do on the ground). This is more because I can't see them and read their body language. I've had a bleeding ear from my grey due to a panic situation where I was the easiest thing to take that fear out on. If he'd been on my hand I would have seen what was going on and been able to judge what was about to happen. However, I digress....

Personally I don't have any issues with my birds being up high as long as I can find something to stand on to get them down.

[Freedomoflight]

Originally Posted by Abby

I wonder with height dominance whether it's more that we as people feel dominated by a bird being up high. Like we've put our own feelings into the situation rather then looking at it from a behavioural point of view.

I totally agree with what Abby and SDavid said. I am a short person and when my birds are on their hanging playgyms they are much higher then I am. I have no problems with them...
I think if height dominance was true then we'd have seen a real version of Alfred Hitchcocks 'the birds' by now. Hehe