Sleeping and Comfiness

[LegendClappitao]

Hello! I have a 10 month old GCC. There’s something I’m wondering about.

Online I see people who’s bird would sleep on their shoulder or lay on their back or otherwise just be really comfy with their owner. I know what the general reasons for this are. They already have had their bird for so long and have bonded so much.

But I would see posts from people and they had just gotten their bird, the bird is only a few months old, or they haven’t had their bird for long. Yet I also see those birds sleeping on their owner, being comfy, etc.

My bird used to sleep on my shoulder when I first got her and used to tolerate being on her back, and I’m wondering why my bird stopped and why a bird who hasn’t had years to bond with someone would do such things.

This is mostly out of curiosity, any answers are appreciated!

 

[AprilRobin]

Behaviors can vary by the individual bird. Also, it's been my experience that a bird can go through "phases" in which they stop doing a certain behavior. One of my Budgies will not sit on my head or shoulder for weeks, then suddenly does it again. One of my Cockatiels has stopped sitting on my palms or fingers most of the time, but loves to be on my shoulders or the top of my head.

Does your Conure still perch on one foot in your presence, preen herself, accept treats from your fingers/palm, and show other signs of being at ease when you are nearby?

 

[wrench13]

Like people, parrots change over time. Behavior shown by a baby or a juvenile might stay or change with age. And new behavior is picked up.

 

[LegendClappitao]

Behaviors can vary by the individual bird. Also, it's been my experience that a bird can go through "phases" in which they stop doing a certain behavior. One of my Budgies will not sit on my head or shoulder for weeks, then suddenly does it again. One of my Cockatiels has stopped sitting on my palms or fingers most of the time, but loves to be on my shoulders or the top of my head.

Does your Conure still perch on one foot in your presence, preen herself, accept treats from your fingers/palm, and show other signs of being at ease when you are nearby?

Yes she absolutely does. I’ve had her since November of last year.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Parrots most definitely change behaviors as they mature from baby to fledgling to weaning to puberty to mature adults. Playful, cuddly, behaviors like you describe are very common in their first months after weaning but very often, but not always, stop at some point between weaning and puberty. The three budgies I hand raised from eggs were all super cuddly but grew out of it by 3 or 4 months old. We all would love it if our babies stayed babies forever but it's unreasonable to expect it.

Some individual birds, especially green cheeks it seems, may continue to enjoy intense cuddling, laying on their backs, etc, as adults but it's not typical, and if someone won't be happy unless they have a super cuddly pet, they should not get a bird.

 

[LegendClappitao]

Parrots most definitely change behaviors as they mature from baby to fledgling to weaning to puberty to mature adults. Playful, cuddly, behaviors like you describe are very common in their first months after weaning but very often, but not always, stop at some point between weaning and puberty. The three budgies I hand raised from eggs were all super cuddly but grew out of it by 3 or 4 months old. We all would love it if our babies stayed babies forever but it's unreasonable to expect it.

Some individual birds, especially green cheeks it seems, may continue to enjoy intense cuddling, laying on their backs, etc, as adults but it's not typical, and if someone won't be happy unless they have a super cuddly pet, they should not get a bird.

That’s a lot of good insight! And I completely agree, if you want a cuddly pet, bird isnt the choice. I was mainly curious because I didn’t have that experience and wanted to know why. Thank you!

 

[rheashard2]

Behavior changes for a variety of reasons; age, personality and more. I prefer that my CAG not sleep on me. That beak has PSI crushing power nearly 2x a pit bull and it's sharp! So dozing or sleeping on my shoulder then being startled can lead to injury. She's still affectionate and loving. She now limits her need for baby cuddling for after 'nasty vet nail trims' or blood draws.

 

[cnyguy]

Parrots' behaviors and preferences will change over time. An example: when I first got my Quaker parrot Ralph, he was just 6 months old. He liked to collect various objects and hide them behind a pillow on the sofa. Anything from junk mail, molted feathers and parts from parrot toys ended up back there. After a few weeks he stopped doing that and found other things to do. In the rest of the time he was with me he never did it again.

A month ago I brought home a cinnamon GCC. He's not quite 5 months old, and he loves to snuggle. He'll climb into my shirt sleeve and stay in there for half an hour or more. Sometimes he'll snuggle against my chest while sitting on my arm. He fell asleep doing that this afternoon. I don't expect that will keep happening forever. As he gets older I doubt that he's going to be quite so snuggly. That will be completely normal.