Bring your parrot everywhere?

[Nayara]

Can you teach your parrot to sit on your shoulder, wearing an aviator, and go for a walk with you (like in the forest)?

Is it rewarding for a parrot to go with you for a walk while sitting in a transport cage?

I have no parrot yet but I would love to bring my future parrot "anywhere" I go.

 

[Doss]

Well, when i go place i have bird stand that goes n my car that he stands on in he drives everywhere with me. In i do have his wings clip so when i take him to the park or any thing i dont worry about him flying away. but make sure your trust you before you do that.

 

[Nakiska]

Yep! I take our birds trained to their flightsuit...and when I can, I do take our conure or our Pigeon with me. People just love seeing them and their inital reaction toward me having a bird on my shoulder is often hillarious.

When I take Franklin out, our conure...sometimes he'll be soo still...and people will think he's just an "accessory" then he moves or makes a sound and peoples mouths drop open and they say...Oh my goodness! It's real!! LOL

They both ride in the car, very well...they LOVE to go, Franklin's favorite place is on the back of the back seat and with his flightsuit on, it catches his poo's so I don't have to worry about clean up and Belle (our pigeon) loves to ride on the headrest of either of the front seats.

Not only have they been to every store in our little town, Franklin has also been to larger stores "down below" such as Walmart, Ross, Fred Meyer and all the pet stores.

I find it extremely rewarding to take our birds out when I can. And yes, I've also taken our birds for walks sitting on my shoulder or perched on my hands. They absolutely LOVE to go...and when it's safe I'll let them walk on their leashes.

Totally cute!

Have fun when you get your own parrot.

Toni

 

[mtdoramike]

I would be extremely careful about taking your bird outside without a harness. There are quite a few ads on craigslist for missing birds from owners that assumed their birds wings were clipped. When you ask them how long has it been since their wings were clipped, they claim oh, a few months back. But in reality I expect it was more like 6-8 months ago.

Also, most large bodied birds such as Macaws, Eclectus or Greys, bird groomers give what they call a shallow cut on their wings so that they are able to glide versus drop like a rock. Unfortunately, it also allows them to be able to fly a fair distance as well if they get spooked while out and about. Besides, where I live, most stores will not allow animals in their stores period, except for seeing eye dogs. There is a liability issue there that most store owners especially large chain stores like Walmart don't want to absorb.

 

[brianlinkles]

I have to repeat what Mike said. Both of my girls are clipped, our amazon was rescued with a horrible very short clip and our grey has been clipped (after fledging ) by our breeder little by little. Our breeder does not like to clip a grey too short so Dorothy is able to glide down. Ok I know I'm making this long however there is a lesson in here. We had her on our front porch, she got spooked and managed to fly all the way to the street (she glided down, there was a slight breeze) she luckily landed on my husbands car, which was parked on the street out front. She could have easily managed to get to the street had it not been there. That scared us ALOT! We did have a couple more feathers that could be clipped after that however it was enough to get me to order a flight suit. I wanted this because I really wanted to try and control the "pooping" all over me. I have only had it on her once. It was such a stressful event to get it on her that I haven't tried again. We have purchased a big grapevine climber that hangs in our backyard. We have a tall fence and have hung it lower, this way she cannot fly upwards if she gets spooked, I feel safer this way. I would love to take her with me places, if there are any hints on getting her comfortable with this flight suit, I am open to suggestions! She didn't seem to mind it once it was on, but oh my goodness, getting it on was a nightmare!

 

[lizardsmells]

Kazi goes with me everywhere he can. If the weather is mild he goes with me everywhere and stays in the car while I run in.

I bring him along in a carrier. Sometimes I'll take him out if we're in a secure, quiet area, but mostly I just leave him in it and carry him around. We have a harness, but we're still working on learning 'wings' before we move on to that. I expect he'll have PLENTY to say about it once we start trying to put it on.

 

[KatherineI]

With a harness or in a carrier is the ONLY way you should ever take a bird anywhere.

I have a Pak-O-Bird that can be carried like a backpack (or a front pack, or on the shoulder if you're not walking far or for long, like to the car and back) and I have taken my guys out in it quite a bit. It is most definitely rewarding for them. I've taken Sugar to the beach and back a few times now (I can walk to a beach from my house) she seems to really enjoy it. She can see out, people can see in, but there's little chance of her escaping from it or someone touching her without permission and getting bit. It keeps both the Fids and the Humans, safe. It also prevents our parrots from becoming the Prey of larger birds that are in the woods (You mentioned the forest, THAT would be a major concern about walking with a bird on your shoulder - bigger birds and yes, bigger birds eat smaller birds).

I do think it's important to get them out and socialized as much as possible, but as safely as possible. Sugar isn't harnessed trained yet. I'd like to eventually do that with her, but you can't just buy a harness, put it on them and expect everything to be hunky-dory. Even with the Pak-O-Bird, it took using it a few times with Sugar for her to go in without any sort of protest. Not because she didn't want to go anywhere, but because she wasn't used to the carrier.

 

[Nakiska]

I would be extremely careful about taking your bird outside without a harness. There are quite a few ads on craigslist for missing birds from owners that assumed their birds wings were clipped. When you ask them how long has it been since their wings were clipped, they claim oh, a few months back. But in reality I expect it was more like 6-8 months ago.

Also, most large bodied birds such as Macaws, Eclectus or Greys, bird groomers give what they call a shallow cut on their wings so that they are able to glide versus drop like a rock. Unfortunately, it also allows them to be able to fly a fair distance as well if they get spooked while out and about. Besides, where I live, most stores will not allow animals in their stores period, except for seeing eye dogs. There is a liability issue there that most store owners especially large chain stores like Walmart don't want to absorb.

I guess I should clarify that before entering any store we went into, including Walmart and Ross...I asked permission from the security workers at the door. Because Franklin is soo little and was leashed AND stayed right on my shoulder or held in my hand, they had no problem with it. I'm not saying EVERY store would be this way and I totally respect any store telling me No. In that instance, I'd just walk back out and put him in his travel cage in the car. No harm, no fowl.

Also, when I have any of our birds out and about..I don't let people pet or attempt to hold any of them...they can look and talk, but not touch.

Toni

 

[PortaPerch]

Nah, we don't allow touching, either.

 

[dishgal1]

portaperch.....aren't you worried that your bird may bite someone and end up with a lawsuit on your hands?

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I bring Rosie to as many places as I can, I especially love taking her on walks. I wouldn't do this without her aviator harness though. The sunlight is great for her and it's made her into a even calmer well socialized bird. My vet was surprised by how well she takes to new situations.

 

[azdesertrhino]

Mac travels with us quite a bit.

We've tried training with an Aviator Harness and he will have no part of it.

Considering trying a harness that does not have to slip over his head, that is the problem with the Aviator that Mac does not like, but I digress!!

We like having him with us and would not consider "boarding" him.

People enjoy seeing him and asking questions.

Mac at Catalina State Park, AZ

Mac Checking out the Grand Canyon

Folks checking out Mac at the Grand Canyon

Mac At Roper Lake Safford, AZ

Mac having lunch at the Pioneer Grill in Tombstone, Az

Mac outside his "chariot"

 

[lizardsmells]

I love Max's folding wagon! That thing is awesome!

Do people want to stick their fingers in Max's cage? They seem to want to do that with Kazi, and of course he lunges at them and I have to say, "Don't do that, he may bite, he's a rescue and we're still working on socialization.

 

[mtdoramike]

I would be extremely careful about taking your bird outside without a harness. There are quite a few ads on craigslist for missing birds from owners that assumed their birds wings were clipped. When you ask them how long has it been since their wings were clipped, they claim oh, a few months back. But in reality I expect it was more like 6-8 months ago.

Also, most large bodied birds such as Macaws, Eclectus or Greys, bird groomers give what they call a shallow cut on their wings so that they are able to glide versus drop like a rock. Unfortunately, it also allows them to be able to fly a fair distance as well if they get spooked while out and about. Besides, where I live, most stores will not allow animals in their stores period, except for seeing eye dogs. There is a liability issue there that most store owners especially large chain stores like Walmart don't want to absorb.

I guess I should clarify that before entering any store we went into, including Walmart and Ross...I asked permission from the security workers at the door. Because Franklin is soo little and was leashed AND stayed right on my shoulder or held in my hand, they had no problem with it. I'm not saying EVERY store would be this way and I totally respect any store telling me No. In that instance, I'd just walk back out and put him in his travel cage in the car. No harm, no fowl.

Also, when I have any of our birds out and about..I don't let people pet or attempt to hold any of them...they can look and talk, but not touch.

Toni

Wow Toni, your lucky. I asked my Walmart yesterday while I was there (without my bird I might add) if they would allow me to bring in my bird if he were on a harness on my shoulder. The person I asked had to ask two or three other people by phone. But when she finally got back to me the answer was "NO" and said that if they allowd me in the store with a bird, then others would expect the same courtesy and want to bring their dogs or cats into the store in carriers. So it's best to discourage it in the first place. They will only allow see and eye dogs for handicapped folks.

I asked mainly because I was curios. But I wouldn't carry my birds to places like that because of the amount of people who carry germs. Open air areas such as parks are different because of the open air situation.

 

[azdesertrhino]

I love Max's folding wagon! That thing is awesome!

Do people want to stick their fingers in Max's cage? They seem to want to do that with Kazi, and of course he lunges at them and I have to say, "Don't do that, he may bite, he's a rescue and we're still working on socialization.

We make sure we are right there when folks are around the cage. we do not allow anyone to try to touch him or put their fingers in his cage.

He is fine with us but doesn't play well with others!!

 

[goalerjones]

With a harness or in a carrier is the ONLY way you should ever take a bird anywhere.

I have a Pak-O-Bird that can be carried like a backpack (or a front pack, or on the shoulder if you're not walking far or for long, like to the car and back) and I have taken my guys out in it quite a bit. It is most definitely rewarding for them. I've taken Sugar to the beach and back a few times now (I can walk to a beach from my house) she seems to really enjoy it. She can see out, people can see in, but there's little chance of her escaping from it or someone touching her without permission and get bit...Even with the Pak-O-Bird, it took using it a few times with Sugar for her to go in without any sort of protest. Not because she didn't want to go anywhere, but because she wasn't used to the carrier.

I also have a Pak-O-Bird for Hahnzel. He loves going any and everywhere with me/us. I got it so I could go walking at the beach and not feel like I was stealing time from him after I had been at work all day. He also used to protest being put in the pack, but after a few trips he knew we were going to the beach and he was all for it. We took him with us to the shoe store Sunday last, then to the bakery across the courtyard and allowed him to just hang out with us. He barely makes any sound until he gets comfortable so no one really knows there's a bird in there (the stainless steel mesh hides him well). Here is the link for Angie's backpacks: Celltei Pak-o-Bird - the high quality light-weight carrier for your birds and parrots

 

[KatherineI]

With a harness or in a carrier is the ONLY way you should ever take a bird anywhere.

I have a Pak-O-Bird that can be carried like a backpack (or a front pack, or on the shoulder if you're not walking far or for long, like to the car and back) and I have taken my guys out in it quite a bit. It is most definitely rewarding for them. I've taken Sugar to the beach and back a few times now (I can walk to a beach from my house) she seems to really enjoy it. She can see out, people can see in, but there's little chance of her escaping from it or someone touching her without permission and get bit...Even with the Pak-O-Bird, it took using it a few times with Sugar for her to go in without any sort of protest. Not because she didn't want to go anywhere, but because she wasn't used to the carrier.

I also have a Pak-O-Bird for Hahnzel. He loves going any and everywhere with me/us. I got it so I could go walking at the beach and not feel like I was stealing time from him after I had been at work all day. He also used to protest being put in the pack, but after a few trips he knew we were going to the beach and he was all for it. We took him with us to the shoe store Sunday last, then to the bakery across the courtyard and allowed him to just hang out with us. He barely makes any sound until he gets comfortable so no one really knows there's a bird in there (the stainless steel mesh hides him well). Here is the link for Angie's backpacks: Celltei Pak-o-Bird - the high quality light-weight carrier for your birds and parrots

Both birds are the same; not a peep out of them the entire time. I've only ever once had someone ask what kind of bird I had and we've taken Sugar to the beach half a dozen times now. I absolutely love the Pak-O-Bird. We took Loki in to Starbucks once and no one even knew. But it allowed him to just hang out with us, which is why I like the carrier so darn much!

 

[Atwee921]

The outdoors is great for birds! Very different and stimulating, and fun for the birds' to hear the wild birds outside! Sprite loves to "talk" to the birds outside. The sunlight is also great for you bird's feathers and skin. Sunlight that is filtered through windows does not have the same benefits as does pure sun! And lastly, I bet the fresh air HAS to be good!
I would NEVER go outside without a harness on your bird though, as even the most bonded parrot could fly off if it got scared, and when it flies off it could hit a gust of wind and get lost (and even clipped birds can fly in wind).
Hope I helped, I've brought Sprite outside before and he loves it!

 

[wildwest]

I would be extremely careful about taking your bird outside without a harness. There are quite a few ads on craigslist for missing birds from owners that assumed their birds wings were clipped. When you ask them how long has it been since their wings were clipped, they claim oh, a few months back. But in reality I expect it was more like 6-8 months ago.

Also, most large bodied birds such as Macaws, Eclectus or Greys, bird groomers give what they call a shallow cut on their wings so that they are able to glide versus drop like a rock. Unfortunately, it also allows them to be able to fly a fair distance as well if they get spooked while out and about. Besides, where I live, most stores will not allow animals in their stores period, except for seeing eye dogs. There is a liability issue there that most store owners especially large chain stores like Walmart don't want to absorb.

I 100% agree with this post

 

[suebee]

i would love to take the nut out an about!!

i have seen a stroller type travel cage that i might invest in, so i can, the wing clipping is a no-no for me, as the vets won't do that where i am, and as i want to spend the rest of my life with nut and my fingers i am not even going to think about a flight suit/harness