African grey on one's shoulder

[SJV92]

Over the past year I've met and held many parrots especially Congo African greys. I noticed that sometimes even if I'm holding and meeting one for the first time, they'll walk from my arm to my shoulder.

Why do African greys (or parrots in general) go onto people's shoulders and what does it mean when they do that?

Much appreciated!

 

[MooshieBird]

Most parrots be they a CAG or something else like high perches. Shoulders are one of the highest places on a person. Many also like to be close to your head and face. Some are wary of hands and your shoulder is a good alternative.

Words of caution! I never let an unknown or aggressive bird on my shoulder. It is very difficult to read their body language from this position and the risks of injury to your face are GREATLY increased when the bird can easily reach your face from the shoulder. Shoulder privileges are earned, much as you earn the ability to give head scratches. Birds are not allowed on my shoulder until I get to know them and can without fail get them to step up on command. I trust Mushka but I am aware of the risk of having her on my shoulder even though she has never bitten me. And she is not allowed on my shoulder when she wants to rough house. Any bird, even the most gentle and well behaved ones, are a risk to have on your shoulder.

 

[chris-md]

Absolutely true, it’s about being high.

As an interesting study, watch how parrots use a cage. If I had perches at every level of Parkers (eclectus) cage, he would only stay at the top third of the cage, religiously.

 

[texsize]

My CAG does not give me the option of hand or shoulder. She runs hops fly's strait to my shoulder. She did this the first time she came out of her cage in the pet store.

 

[bigfellasdad]

Shoulders only for Enzo also but there is no way id let any parrot on to my shoulder that I did not trust 100%. If holding a parrot I dont yet trust I will hold on my forearm which is held low so that my upper arm is too steep for the bird to climb.

In Enzos cage she will only go on lower perches to eat/drink or to be close to us if we are eating and she is not allowed out.

 

[DRB]

Perjo loves my shoulder, she has height dominance but I also believe it's affection as she likes to communicate close to my face. I'm OK with it but I do try to make sure she understands its on my terms. The moment she gets a bit too excited and snippy I relocate her.

 

[GaleriaGila]

The Rickeybird flies right to the shoulder, too, in part, I think because he regards my head as the "true me". He seems to think it perches on a weird moveable perch with objectionable extremeties(hands). I always wear my hair down so that he can't bite my ears!
Yeah, he runs the place...
Other birds here are MUCH better behaved!

 

[SailBoat]

I follow along with the above Statement: " I think because he regards my head as the "true me". He seems to think it perches on a weird moveable perch with objectionable extremeties(hands)." Parrots identify with our face early on.

FYI: The second highest perch is near as great a reason!

 

[bigfellasdad]

My CAG does not give me the option of hand or shoulder. She runs hops fly's strait to my shoulder. She did this the first time she came out of her cage in the pet store.

With Enzo she will naturally fly to my shoulder, however, if I hear her flying behind me i put out my arm and she will fly to it then climb to my shoulder.

 

[Mindy]

It used to be regarded as a dominance thing, but now views have changed and it's a height thing. In the wild they have to be weary of predators and escape quickly if there is a need = shoulder or top of your head. Finnegan isn't a fan of shoulder surfing, Chicky prefers the shoulder but I don't let her get to it because I don't trust her not to bite me.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

If I want Amy on my shoulder,I have to put her there.She doesn't care if she is there or not. I DO have to watch her though,coz at times she gets excited (from watching you tube ) In the many years she has been with me I' will admit I've got a chomp or two (usually on my hand as I try to remover her) I guess I'm lucky,never been bit on the face

BB on the other hand WON'T stay off my shoulder..He RUNS up my arm to get there,or he has even flown to it. He doesn't bite,unless we "thumb wrestle"
and its just a nip anyway (compared to a 'zon at least) But he has an aggravating habit of "boxing" my ear lobe out of the blue and it P.M.R.O.

Like everyone said, I think it's coz they are in a high place and it makes 'em king (or queen) of their domain,or at least they think. Right? HRH??




Jim

 

[davefv92c]

i have found with mine, there is just something about the ear they will not leave alone.lol
so no shoulders for mine. as for the high spot that is funny cause lily likes to land right on top of my head. im 6'4'' so it is the tallest spot in the house next to Max's cage

 

[bigfellasdad]

as for the high spot that is funny cause lily likes to land right on top of my head. im 6'4'' so it is the tallest spot in the house next to Max's cage

That's the thing I don't get when people say birds go to your shoulder as a dominance thing, if it was so then surely they would fly to your head. I've never had a bird that flies to my head unless its messed its flight path up.

I think going to your shoulder is more a safety/security/flock thing for the birds, I do believe they look at your head as the real 'you' which lets face it is probably correct.

All of my birds prior to Enzo had a fascination with ears, budgies used to stick their heads in and whistle away; where as Enzo is bigger and when on my shoulder she can look at my face whilst we chat, preen my beard, and paw my face when she is hormonal. Basically I think when birds fully accept you, the shoulder is the closest thing to 'face to face' they can get.