How do I get him off my shoulder?

[Thekatsmeow]

I am still getting to know my hahns macaw that came home sunday. I am trying to correct one issue at a time. He is a sweet little guy but there are two major issues that I have to change. The first is biting. The second is running up my arm to my shoulder. I don't think he is biting to be mean. I am trying to show him appropriate things he can chew and bite besides my hands and fingers and praise him when he uses them. He knows the step up/step down commands but he is such a little stinker sometimes he just doesn't want to listen. I am making a training stand so we can go back to basics for this and strongly considering clicker training because he is so smart. I usually get nipped on the hand or finger when he has quickly run up my arm and I am trying to get him to step up to get him off my shoulder. He is well aware of what I am trying to do so I am convinced that's why I get a bite! He is not a very independent birdy and seems to think that mommy needs to entertain him. I get him to step up and zoom! Like a roadrunner he is up to my shoulder in a flash. He has a massive cage with a playtop and I am trying to get him to play up there. He wont even eat or drink if I put his bowls up there. This morning I put him on top of his cage and turned around and left the room to wash some dishes in the kitchen. Before long something climbed up my leg, up my shirt, straight to my shoulder to stare me in the eye as if to say...."You left something in the other room!" So how do I get him off my shoulder and get him to be a bit more independent? Making him spend more time in his cage is not an option.

 

[JJones1719]

I would advise you not to place the Macaw on top of the cage. This can lead to cage aggression, I would advise you to purchase a play stand, T stand or play gym with toys, bowls. This is a much better option and will keep your Macaw busy while you do your work around the home. Thanks Joe

 

[sarafigal]

My little green cheeked conure is also nippy sometimes when I think it's time to come off the shoulder and he disagrees. I then call in reinforcements (one of the boys) to come and help.

Interesting to hear that playing on the cage top might create problems--I think I can see that with my amazon.

 

[Thekatsmeow]

Ok thank you Joe. I knew about the cage aggression I just hate that all the space up there is unusable. His previous owners bought him a beautiful huge cage with a play top and I was just thinking it is such a terrible waste not to use it. I will be building him a simple pvc training perch and looking for a play stand. These things don't stop his biting or his mad dash to my shoulder though.

 

[MacawGuy]

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

 

[MacawGuy]

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

 

[MacawGuy]

That's a good video for off your shoulder

 

[Cassandra]

I've never seen him be cage aggressive on his cage top. He did like to be up there with us - we put a couple of toys up, and we always fed him up there, so I am surprised he isn't eating up there. He had a ladder that he could walk up to get the food. I hope that helps a little bit. =)