Is there such thing as too much time out of the cage?

[psychocircus91]

I am working on teaching him to stay put unless asked to fly to me.

Why? Flying is great exercise for birds. I think birds should have the freedom to choose what they want to do while they're out of the cage, not just sit on a stand. That's the whole point of out of cage time, right? In this case, the stand simply becomes another cage. The bird cannot choose to fly somewhere else, or even if it can, it is encouraged to stay there. If the bird chooses to leave the stand, clearly it is bored and wants to do something else. Out of cage time should be quality time, spent with the owner (scratching, cuddling, training, playing), and exercising, not just sitting on a stand with its wings clipped. Of course, this does not mean the bird can do anything it wants (for example, destroy furniture or attack people) but it should have the freedom to choose where it wants to be. If the bird spends 10 hours on a stand doing nothing, it's the same as spending that time in the cage. Of course, it's different if the bird flies to the stand because it wants to be there. Keep in mind quantity vs quality when deciding how much out of cage time your bird needs.

I have no desire for my bird to stand on a stand for ten hours at a time. I will have to disagree, that your bird sitting on you and being scratched is the only form of "quality out of cage time." I don't think most of us have ten hours a day, every day for that. However, because Kalani has learned independence, he can be uncaged for about 13 hours every day (including overnight).
I am very pleased that my bird is able to fly.
But to fly to me every single time I take a few steps away creates dependent behavior. THIS IS YOUR BIRD TRAINING YOU. As Chris mentioned, this can be dangerous due to things like doors opening, toilet bowls, ect. It can also lead to neurotic behavior due to over-dependence.
I am also not at a point where I am comfortable with Kalani spending a lot of time on my shoulder. He has a tendency to try to fly there with my back turned.

Because I have a bird room, out of "cage" time means being close to me and being a part of the flock. In the "cage" means out of sight. I promise you Kalani is much more content sitting on his stand with me in the room, than being in his aviary when I am home.
Edit: He can sit on my lap for an hour straight, that doesn't mean he shouldn't be able to stay on his stand for five minutes when I go to answer the door.

 

[FlyBirdiesFly]

As long as they're enjoying their time out of the cage and not just left on a stand or on top of the cage and ignored, it's fine. I know my birds wouldn't like to sit on a stand for hours at a time. I don't have a problem with birds landing on my head or flying after me when I leave the room, it means they want to be with me. I also encourage them to fly around the room for exercise, and do training with them, and enrich their lives. You need to interact with your bird, for at least a few hours each day. Sitting on a stand does not count as interacting. Of course they can sit on a stand while you leave the room! But that doesn't mean they have to stay there when you're in the room and supervising them. I also have a bird room, and while sometimes they choose to play on their playgym (which means actually playing, climbing, hanging upside down, and destroying toys), they usually either decide to fly to me or just fly around for fun. I never leave them unsupervised while outside the cage. It's only dangerous for them if you're not watching, like when Chris said Parker walked after him and he didn't know he was there.

 

[psychocircus91]

As long as they're enjoying their time out of the cage and not just left on a stand or on top of the cage and ignored, it's fine. I know my birds wouldn't like to sit on a stand for hours at a time. I don't have a problem with birds landing on my head or flying after me when I leave the room, it means they want to be with me. I also encourage them to fly around the room for exercise, and do training with them, and enrich their lives. You need to interact with your bird, for at least a few hours each day. Sitting on a stand does not count as interacting.

It sure does count if you're interacting with said bird on said stand. I pet him, give him treats, and talk to him while he is on his stand (as well as when he is on me.)
FWIW it is painful when a green wing macaw lands on your head.