Is it true that if a bird is higher than you they think they "control" you?

[Atwee921]

Well I found an amazing deal on a cage. The person said that used it for their macaw. It is 5'6" high, 3' wide, and 2' deep. I emailed them about the cage height (if it is the stand included) and asked if it had a seed guard. So since 5'6" is way taller than me (im like 4'10" ish?) I was wondering about your bird being at a higher level than you. I read in my bird book last night that its not true that they will feel they have more control over you... Thank you for any answers

 

[MikeyTN]

Re: Is it true that if a bird is higher than you they think they "control" you?

This part can be debated.....All birds like to be somewhere higher. Its not that it give them a sense of control, it can be habit forming and may have behavioral issues. I've tried this with all my birds, place one at eye level and place another at higher level above you. You will notice its harder to the the one that's higher to come down. When at a eye level you have more control, that's part of the reason why birds go for shoulders or your head, they want to be higher. Switch two bird's placement, you will see its harder at the higher level. They don't want to come down. They feel safe being at the highest level. That's the main reason why all my birds are taught to step onto a perch when its held infront of them. They will step onto a perch before they would with a hand.

 

[Atwee921]

Re: Is it true that if a bird is higher than you they think they "control" you?

This part can be debated.....All birds like to be somewhere higher. Its not that it give them a sense of control, it can be habit forming and may have behavioral issues. I've tried this with all my birds, place one at eye level and place another at higher level above you. You will notice its harder to the the one that's higher to come down. When at a eye level you have more control, that's part of the reason why birds go for shoulders or your head, they want to be higher. Switch two bird's placement, you will see its harder at the higher level. They don't want to come down. They feel safe being at the highest level. That's the main reason why all my birds are taught to step onto a perch when its held infront of them. They will step onto a perch before they would with a hand.

So would the tall cage be okay?

 

[merlinsmom13]

Re: Is it true that if a bird is higher than you they think they "control" you?

I would worry about the bar spacing more than the height of the cage. Big difference between macaw & cockatiel.

 

[darkling]

Re: Is it true that if a bird is higher than you they think they "control" you?

The cage dimensions you described are the same as the cage my macaw is in. The bar spacing is way too big for a tiel.

 

[MikeyTN]

Re: Is it true that if a bird is higher than you they think they "control" you?

I would worry about the bar spacing more than the height of the cage. Big difference between macaw & cockatiel.

Bar spacing is quite important!!!!

If its proper bar spacing, I wouldn't worry too much on height of the cage as hand tamed birds loves to come out to socialize. Its the tall plant hangers and such where you would have more issues.

I forgot to mention, one of the baby tiel I raised years ago flew onto a very tall tree. I had him clipped but he took off from the gust of wind. My ex was a firefighter so we had very long sticks they use for training. I held it infront of him and he step up for me while I lower the stick slowly. I got him back in the house safely for a reclip....

 

[MikeyTN]

Re: Is it true that if a bird is higher than you they think they "control" you?

I guess my macaw lives in a bigger cage then some macaws out there.... mine is in 4'x3'x6' and I wanted to get him a even bigger corner cage....

 

[Atwee921]

Re: Is it true that if a bird is higher than you they think they "control" you?

Oh I completely forgot about bar spacing!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the little story and info Mikey.