How does my Amazon know not to poop on my shoulder

[BlueFrontOwner]

I was always wondering how she knows not to poop on my shoulder. I got her when she was 7.

Did the prior owner train her or do they just know not to do this?

Do most Amazons know not to poop when they are on your shoulder?

 

[IamJolyn]

My Davy doesn't either, but then again he doesn't spend much time there. The cockatoo I had for a few years while his family adjusted to changes, he would tell you when he had to go, and would dance around and then wait until you held him over something and tell him "go potty" and wouldn't go any where unless he knew it was okay. Birds are amazingly smart creatures

 

[PrimorandMoxi]

Primor is nine and will never poop on our shoulders either. ...not complaining but I have always been curious.
His former owner never handled him or let him out of the cage, so I know it was not something that he learned from her.

My other Red Lored Amazon, Aba is thirty three, she is a most well behaved "Grand Dame" BUT she will go wherever & whenever the spirit moves her.
Although, her body language is so exaggerated when she is about to go, that it is rarely a problem because I will then just put her on my partner's shoulder

 

[TokiesMom]

Now that is funny!!!!!!!

 

[Peppo]

My DYHA is not allowed on my shoulder but he is a true lap bird! I agree and find it strange that after a while of lap time, he will walk to the arm of the chair we are sitting on, squat toward the floor and poop! He then crawls down to my lap and settles in. Maybe amazons are just polite.

 

[KevH]

Mine just poos all over specially my head needs some training

 

[ToMang07]

When I adopted Willow, I asked the PO if she was trained at all, specifically asking about potty training. They said she wasn't, but that they didn't handle her much.

She hasn't pooped ON me yet.... *knocks on wood* however she has pooped while I was holding her. That said.... usually because I'm not paying attention to her cues. If I'm paying attention, she'll only go on her cage/perch areas.

 

[BlueFrontOwner]

I guess we are lucky if we have a bird that doesn't poop when on the shoulder. I sometimes have her on my shoulder for over an hour when watching TV and I wouldn't do that if she would poop on me.

Maybe some birds just learn through observation that when they did poop they got in trouble or removed from the shoulder.

 

[texsize]

My YNA does not poop on me when he is sitting on my shoulder or lap. He was never trained but he has observed us handling our cockatiels.
They poop anywhere anytime but when we see them about to let go while sitting on us we move them or shoo them away.
Once at the Vet's office we were kept waiting for over 45 min. and I had my YNA on my shoulder the entire time. I got worried about getting decorated and set him down on the exam table and told him to "go poop". As soon as he relieved himself I put him back on my shoulder. I am sure that helped him learn to.
texsize

 

[Birdman666]

Probably was poop trained at some point. It's usually one of the first things you do if you know what you are doing, right after step up and no bite.

Otherwise you end up covered in bird doo... which is just not an attractive look.

Occasionally there may be an accident if they are held too long, but for the most part, they learn this one very quickly. And after that they just don't poop on you.

 

[henpecked]

OK , a little insight into parrot behavior. One reason they don't roost in the same tree every night is the poop on the ground attracts predators. They usually poop as they fly off to another location, again the predator thing. The same is true about them being on your shoulder, pooping where you hang out lets the predators know where you hang out. It's a natural instinct thing. Of course our pet birds lose some of that instinct or don't have the freedom to "go poop" somewhere else. Yes, they can be trained but your also working with a natural instinct. Just an old man's .02 worth on the subject of parrot poop, LOL.

 

[Peppo]

I don't know why but that makes me laugh! It reminds me of the old saying don't "poop" in your own backyard!