Sitting on the shoulder

My Quaker Clyde has a bad habit of chomping my ear when he's on my shoulder, and while I still let him sit there if he's in a calm mood, it has made me wary of parrots on shoulders.

Now that Rocky 'Too has gotten comfortably settled in with us, he sometimes wants to sit on my shoulder, and I have gently discouraged this, and he's been cooperative about it. Then I thought it might not be fair to refuse shoulder privileges to one bird because another bird is an ear-chomper, and wanted to ask for a show of hands. Do any of you let your 'too sit on your shoulder? Rocky has been very gentle on those occasions when he's beaked me, and doesn't bite down. Beaking is a way he sends a message -- usually it's a warning of his need to poop and means "Take me back to my cage! Hurry!" because, bless his heart, he never poops on me, unlike all the other birds. LOL And the few times I have let him sit on my shoulder briefly, he usually actually ends up sitting on my back, behind my head, where he rearranges my hair.

Any thoughts?

Willow much prefers my arms, however whenever I'm sitting upright (table, computer, etc) I put her on my shoulder. She's been great about it for the most part, the only problem being she will grab my shirt (or beard) and "repel" down to my arms when she gets tired of it, lol

She was on my shoulder for a good hour/hour and a half yesterday while I was playing video games.

Just thought I'd add, she LOVES my mother's and brother's shoulders, since they both have long hair. I guess my short hair is not to her liking, lol

I permit all of my tame Toos and an Eclectus to sit on the shoulder without restriction. I would also allow my wild-caught female Goffin to do so if she felt comfortable, but she isn't hand-tame. Many times one on each shoulder, and thus far they have not abused the privilege.

However, you MUST know your bird beyond reproach, and they MUST understand you show no fear of them in that position. The potential for serious damage to your your face, ears, and scalp is exponentially magnified as the size of the beak increases! If you have any serious doubt, enjoy your birds on your arms, lap, and in various cuddle positions!

Scott said:

I permit all of my tame Toos and an Eclectus to sit on the shoulder without restriction. I would also allow my wild-caught female Goffin to do so if she felt comfortable, but she isn't hand-tame. Many times one on each shoulder, and thus far they have not abused the privilege.

However, you MUST know your bird beyond reproach, and they MUST understand you show no fear of them in that position. The potential for serious damage to your your face, ears, and scalp is exponentially magnified as the size of the beak increases! If you have any serious doubt, enjoy your birds on your arms, lap, and in various cuddle positions!

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I dunno.... lap could be dangerous for the men of the group Too! (Pun intended)

ToMang07 said:

I dunno.... lap could be dangerous for the men of the group Too! (Pun intended)

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Why is that?

For a male 'too, at least according to everything I've read, Rocky is exceptionally well-behaved, and this is in spite of a troubled history (we are guessing at some of that due to behaviors and fears that we've observed, because we don't know most of it). As I said, he has been a gentleman the few brief times I've let him sit there, or that he has climbed onto my shoulder in spite of me. He would like to sit there more often, though his favorite thing is to sit on my arm and cuddle while I pet his head. I have long hair and can keep my ears covered, which usually keeps Clyde (the ear chomping Quaker) from being tempted. Rocky has only recently discovered that rearranging hair can be fun, and I think that's why he wants to sit on my shoulder, so he can play with my hair.

I think it comes down to how much you trust your bird and how much damage that bird could potentially do if their behaviour was to change for any reason. I'm quite happy with Alice on my shoulder because she doesn't typically bite anything other then fingers, she's a pretty calm bird and it's my responsibility and my fault if I ever do get bitten. But it's easy to say that when the likely effect of a galah attacking from shoulder position would be a scratch and a bit of a loss of pride, where as a U2 can inflict a pretty nasty bite. I wouldn't want that giant beak anywhere near my eyes or lips, that's for sure.

I can't remember how old Rocky is but the other thing that would be on my mind with a large too is what happen when a bird gets used to shoulder privileges as a sweet juvenile then becomes less predictable when hormones kick in and is no longer safe to have on the shoulder? How do you explain to a grumpy hormonal too that he suddenly can't go somewhere he likes being? Obviously might not be applicable with your bird but worth mentioning.

A tiel is admittedly a much smaller bird. Mine all have shoulder rights even though Jet (tiel) bites and sometimes nips my ears.

I just put a hat or shirt on my head.

I do let Amy AND Jonesy on my shoulder <he is on it right now as I type> Even with his Dr Jeckyl Mr Hyde personality, I allow him there...If he does bite me,it'll be the last time he goes there
He does grab my glasses on occasion on fling them on the floor...his game lol..but he will stay for good periods of time without fussing...telling me wahat a "good cockatoo man" he is...right in my ear lol..AND he doesn't scream while he is there <I will post a new thread about this in a bit>

Amy,the 'zon,will stay on my shoulder all day if I want her to.


Jim

Paused the game for a pic...

ToMang07 said:

Paused the game for a pic...

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Tom,"they" say that our animal friends resemble us in some manner... I can see the resemblance between you and Willow..the beak!

I'm just joking there buddy!! LMAO..Willow looks very sweet1 and Merry Christmas/Happy New Year to both of you!

Jim

AmyMyBlueFront said:

ToMang07 said:

Paused the game for a pic...

Click to expand...

Tom,"they" say that our animal friends resemble us in some manner... I can see the resemblance between you and Willow..the beak!

I'm just joking there buddy!! LMAO..Willow looks very sweet1 and Merry Christmas/Happy New Year to both of you!

Jim

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Lol, back at you Jim

ToMang07 said:

AmyMyBlueFront said:

ToMang07 said:

Paused the game for a pic...

Click to expand...

Tom,"they" say that our animal friends resemble us in some manner... I can see the resemblance between you and Willow..the beak!

I'm just joking there buddy!! LMAO..Willow looks very sweet1 and Merry Christmas/Happy New Year to both of you!

Jim

Click to expand...

Lol, back at you Jim

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JerseyWendy said:

ToMang07 said:

I dunno.... lap could be dangerous for the men of the group Too! (Pun intended)

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Why is that?

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Had that happen......I learned 3 new languages that night as well.
And learned I could hit the High "C" Note...LOL

AmyMyBlueFront said:

I do let Amy AND Jonesy on my shoulder <he is on it right now as I type> Even with his Dr Jeckyl Mr Hyde personality, I allow him there...If he does bite me,it'll be the last time he goes there
He does grab my glasses on occasion on fling them on the floor...his game lol..but he will stay for good periods of time without fussing...telling me wahat a "good cockatoo man" he is...right in my ear lol..AND he doesn't scream while he is there <I will post a new thread about this in a bit>

Amy,the 'zon,will stay on my shoulder all day if I want her to.


Jim

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All Mine will sit on my shoulder, not at same time or there will be
me with bites all over as they fight over daddy time.

My BFA, pushes her body right up against my face and will groom my ears, eyes, and face ever so gently. She never bites me. she even tries to get a French kiss ( spit spit) sometimes. Takes her foot grabs my chin to turn head and Smooooooooooccccchhhhhhhh! My wife is like, " New Girl friend??? LOL"

We don't know Rocky's age. My best guess is somewhere between 15 and infinity. LOL He is not a baby bird or even a young adult bird. I've had baby and toddler and "teenage" (hormonal) parrots and he is none of those. The people we got him from first said he was 12. Then they said he was 15. Then they admitted they had no idea. He's been in multiple homes and many of them, judging by his behavior and the things he is or was afraid of, were horrid. I only know anything about two of them and I wouldn't trust either of those homes with a plush toy. So I'm comfortable in saying he's not a juvenile who will suddenly turn into a moody teenager. My husband believes he is much older than 15, but of course, we have no way to find out. Our only clue is his cage, which we think he has probably had most of his life and which is a nice and sturdy cage, but obviously well-used and some years old.