We were friends but not now

[legal_eagle]

Newb to this board, but have a couple decades of parrot ownership under my belt.

I've been following this thread with some interest, as it seems to confirm a conclusion I've come to over the years, which is that a lot of behavioral problems can be prevented from happening in the first place by always keeping in mind that parrots are basically wild animals with sharp bills and powerful jaw muscles. They have learned to live with people, but they retain their wild instincts and automatic reactions. I think the practice of cuddling with parrots invites biting because of the huge difference in size and mentality between between us and them, and because that sort of physical closeness is unnatural for most parrots. If you let your parrot crawl all over you for a significant amount of time and blur the boundaries between human and wild animal you should EXPECT to be bitten. I have never owned an Amazon, but having handled them I would never let one on my shoulder or beyond my hand, nor would I try to cuddle with it. I wouldn't let any large bird beyond my hand. One of the great things about parrots it observing them and enjoying their intelligence and beauty without having to constantly touch and fondle them. I think the parrots often prefer that as well.

 

[OOwl]

Noblemacaw, I enjoyed your post very much. Your parrot(s) are lucky to have you.

 

[Dorra]

I am sorry, i really do not want to create new post, just to make it one place.
Our relation becomes better day after day, now he still afraid a little bit from my hand, but less than before. I just want to let all knows that, thanks for your support

 

[WharfRat]

I wouldn't let any large bird beyond my hand. One of the great things about parrots it observing them and enjoying their intelligence and beauty without having to constantly touch and fondle them. I think the parrots often prefer that as well.

Wow, while i expect bites, I could not imagine not "cuddling" with my birds. While I can't with the Zons (yet) I would be in bad shape with the GW's, cuddling with them is pretty much a requirement and helps with their training as a reward, if not for that one of my GW's would be a nightmare to deal with when it came to cage time. I was able to curb her aggression with holding her to my chest under my chin while stroking her prior to putting her in her cage and she no longer tries to bite or fight me in the process.

IMO it is vital to have a close bond with them in order to succeed with them.

 

[sodakat]

... I have never owned an Amazon, but having handled them I would never let one on my shoulder or beyond my hand, nor would I try to cuddle with it. I wouldn't let any large bird beyond my hand. One of the great things about parrots it observing them and enjoying their intelligence and beauty without having to constantly touch and fondle them. I think the parrots often prefer that as well.

Most of my Eclectus don't want to cuddle but keeping them off my shoulders and head, now that's an entire other matter. Half of mine were acquired as adults who have opinions on where they should sit. When they fly to my shoulder and behave, why shouldn't I allow it? It leaves my hands free to do stuff. I also have head riders and don't mind that at all either.

Each to their own I say.

 

[SandyBee]

I wouldn't let any large bird beyond my hand. One of the great things about parrots it observing them and enjoying their intelligence and beauty without having to constantly touch and fondle them. I think the parrots often prefer that as well.

Wow, while i expect bites, I could not imagine not "cuddling" with my birds. While I can't with the Zons (yet) I would be in bad shape with the GW's, cuddling with them is pretty much a requirement and helps with their training as a reward, if not for that one of my GW's would be a nightmare to deal with when it came to cage time. I was able to curb her aggression with holding her to my chest under my chin while stroking her prior to putting her in her cage and she no longer tries to bite or fight me in the process.

IMO it is vital to have a close bond with them in order to succeed with them.

I agree it is vital to have that close bond. I got Bosley recently and he is 35, he has opinion where he should be and that is on my shoulder. I understand the risks and I pick and choose the times, if he is being hyper I get him off my shoulder. Wharf is right about its not a matter of if you get bitten, it's when. That being said some common sense can go far.
I took Bosley to the vet yesterday and after the vet released him to be weighed, Bosley flew to my shoulder, it's where he feels safe and loved, Vet didn't have a problem with it either.