Just wondering. ....Where do your birds go with you?

[happy410]

Hi all,
I read several post about socializing. I noticed where alot of you take your birds places with you. Wanted to see where all you take your birds. I am looking at a travel
cage ( would love the celltei pak o bird) but not sure where its safe to take him with me. Just not sure if stores would allow him in? Then I worry about taking him into homes when we visit family (candles, cleaners) Hope this isn't a silly question to ask.

 

[Kiwibird]

I take Kiwi all over when it's warm out! Basically, anywhere that will allow him (BTW, grocery stores and most restaurants won't allow non-service animals). I always ask before I bring him in somewhere, but most people are thrilled to see him and he eats the attention up He is especially fond of Home Depot, Joann fabrics (he just loves all those bright fabrics) and the bank. He also likes the farmers market, as people like to give him berries and nuts and stuff He's been downtown to (small) outdoor concerts and loves riding the train. We also go on walks, short hikes, down to the lake nearby, he's even been to the beach. I use the pak-o-bird and it's one of the best investments I've made for him. Highly recommend it!

Now most birds will require some time to get used to the concept of going out, so little walks around the block are a good place to start. You don't want to frighten the bird taking them out into a crowd right away. I see you have a zon, and most zons (once they get used to the idea) LOVE being out and about birds! Best of luck!

 

[Birdman666]

Pretty much anywhere we don't get kicked out of...

And every once in awhile, someplace where we get asked to leave.

Hey, it's worth a shot.

 

[happy410]

Lol,
So Petsmart and other pet stores would be okay? Wasn't sure with them having other birds there.Just worried about diseases.

 

[Captsteve]

One of my Fav places to go is Panera Bread. We go for lunch and sit on the outside patio. You would be surprised at how many people come to say hi! My birds all love the attention and the snacks!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Lol,
So Petsmart and other pet stores would be okay? Wasn't sure with them having other birds there.Just worried about diseases.

You are right to worry about diseases in stores that carry birds. I, personally, wouldn't take that risk.

 

[Christinenc2000]

I take Kiwi all over when it's warm out! Basically, anywhere that will allow him (BTW, grocery stores and most restaurants won't allow non-service animals). I always ask before I bring him in somewhere, but most people are thrilled to see him and he eats the attention up He is especially fond of Home Depot, Joann fabrics (he just loves all those bright fabrics) and the bank. He also likes the farmers market, as people like to give him berries and nuts and stuff He's been downtown to (small) outdoor concerts and loves riding the train. We also go on walks, short hikes, down to the lake nearby, he's even been to the beach. I use the pak-o-bird and it's one of the best investments I've made for him. Highly recommend it!

Now most birds will require some time to get used to the concept of going out, so little walks around the block are a good place to start. You don't want to frighten the bird taking them out into a crowd right away. I see you have a zon, and most zons (once they get used to the idea) LOVE being out and about birds! Best of luck!

pak-o-bird.

Is the large big enough for a Macaw ?

 

[Captsteve]

I think the extra large is Macaw size. Personally I just use a aviator harness.

 

[Christinenc2000]

I think the extra large is Macaw size. Personally I just use a aviator harness.

I am working on the harness but he does not tolerate it right now.

XL is very nice. WOW $600.00 He needs to get use to the harness lol

 

[Captsteve]

I think the extra large is Macaw size. Personally I just use a aviator harness.

I am working on the harness but he does not tolerate it right now.

That I understand! Keep at it. Hang it near his cage so he see's it all the time. It is so worth the work to get him in it!!!.

 

[Birdman666]

I just use a shoulder blade, an arm, or a hand... but mine have had more out and about and startle training than most get... and my out and about trained birds are all recalled. (Not that recall is 100% certain, but it's pretty good.)

 

[Captsteve]

I wish I had a clue about recall training. Some day I will delve into that, I have a lot more to learn about other facets of bird psych first.

I am getting there! At least I can take them out on a harness!

 

[Birdman666]

I wish I had a clue about recall training. Some day I will delve into that, I have a lot more to learn about other facets of bird psych first.

I am getting there! At least I can take them out on a harness!

Well, it's kind of an ongoing continuous thing once you start that stuff... you have to keep it up. If mine tolerated the harnesses better, I'd go that route... with a few of them. I haven't kept up Sweepea's recall training, and haven't harnessed her in years either...

She fights the harness, and there are still occasions where I have to go chase after her. So it's an inexact science...

Maggie, and Sally are both very, very good. And I still free fly Sally occasionally. Maggie shows very little interest in anything other than a shoulder, a lap, or her playstand... (Preference being lap.) So, it's as much a temperment thing as anything. I've been pretty lucky...

 

[ruffledfeathers]

Gilbert goes on all my dogs walks around town when the weather allows it (I live in a town, so we can walk down Main St and he gets to see the shops and people eating outside at restaurants). He likes the beach and then does parades and outdoor events downtown. I haven't taken him in a lot of stores because I often have the dogs with me too, but when in stores, he behaves really well and is usually given free stuff. (He goes to Rita's, they give him a little sample cup to lick; He went to Dunkin Donuts recently and they were offering him free munchkins, LOL. I allowed him a little bite and he was amazed! haha)


I also have resisted taking him in any pet stores (other than on my shoulder in my local dog bakery) just for safety.


I have used a carrier in the past but he is happily harness trained and will basically just stay put on my shoulder.


As far as socializing him, yes he is a more well balanced bird for getting out and seeing how things work. But he still is a bird and still chooses ME. He really is fine being friendly with strangers but isn't all warm and fuzzy with them in general (he would prefer if they don't handle him even though he doesn't look scared of strangers).

 

[Birdman666]

As far as socializing him, yes he is a more well balanced bird for getting out and seeing how things work. But he still is a bird and still chooses ME. He really is fine being friendly with strangers but isn't all warm and fuzzy with them in general (he would prefer if they don't handle him even though he doesn't look scared of strangers).

YEP.

I'M A PAIR BOND BIRD. I'M OUT ON AN ADVENTURE WITH MY PERSON... I LOVE GOING ON ADVENTURES WITH MY PERSON. NOT TO BE RUDE OR ANYTHING... I'M SURE YOU'RE VERY NICE AND ALL, AND IF YOU WANT TO SCRATCH MY HEAD OR SOMETHING, AND YOU'RE NOT TOO FORWARD, I'LL ALLOW IT...

BUT I HAVE A PERSON. AND IT ISN'T YOU. AND ACTUALLY, WE'RE GOING TO GO ADVENTURING NOW, NICE MEETING YOU... COME ON... ADVENTURE AWAITS!

It's kinda like that...

 

[Birdman666]

Unless it's Maggie, on laundry day...

Maggie on laundry day isn't so much going out adventuring, as it is MY EXCLUSIVE TIME OUTSIDE WITH DAD... AND PART OF MY EVERY WEEK ROUTINE...

God forbid the weather is bad, and I load up the car with clothes without her...

WAIT! WHAT?! I'M NOT COMING?!

 

[Aquila]

I took Sydney into work a few times when I worked for a certain pet-supply-store. Had his picture taken with Santa (I was running the event, they threw a hissy fit when I brought Sydney on my break, even though I paid for the picture that I took with my own camera!) and the person who was Santa (my coworker husband) threatened to walk out when they took me off picture duty and yelled at me for my bird, but that's a whole other story!

I used to take my SunDay out on walks down the bike trail/forested area where my old apartment was, she was great with the harness, but never left my side anyway. I'd really like to get my other birds out, though it's getting colder now so I'll have to wait for spring unless we're going anywhere inside!

 

[ruffledfeathers]

I took Sydney into work a few times when I worked for a certain pet-supply-store. Had his picture taken with Santa (I was running the event, they threw a hissy fit when I brought Sydney on my break, even though I paid for the picture that I took with my own camera!) and the person who was Santa (my coworker husband) threatened to walk out when they took me off picture duty and yelled at me for my bird, but that's a whole other story!

I used to take my SunDay out on walks down the bike trail/forested area where my old apartment was, she was great with the harness, but never left my side anyway. I'd really like to get my other birds out, though it's getting colder now so I'll have to wait for spring unless we're going anywhere inside!

I brought Gil to my work Christmas luncheon. He also sat with Santa for a photo. Santa was scared of him I think. haha

 

[Mallory]

Just wanted to throw out my experience, although it seems my posts are developing a common theme of using non-parrot examples! Sorry guys, my life is a bit of a zoo.

Before my pair of sugar gliders passed away of old age, I used to take them virtually everywhere except stores that carried open food like restaurants/grocery stores/supermarkets. They went out with me in a pouch and honestly most people didn't notice them. I did not avoid pet stores as they did not carry marsupials so I figured it was an acceptable risk. I would think a small bird on your shoulder would not be noticeable, obviously a larger parrot will attract attention so make sure both you and your bird are comfortable with others! My job involves daily interactions between animals and the public and it can be a mixed bag. Anyway, the only time people really gave "looks" was when the pouch I was carrying started "crabbing" aka making very loud irritated noises. Usually we got positive attention and people wanted to see our suggies, we were never thrown out of stores or approached in a negative way. That said, I would be especially cautious about other peoples' dogs and children!

When Greenleaf is calm enough and Eva is trusting enough I hope both of them will join me outside on harnesses or if not, in a Pak o Bird or similar carrier. Occasionally I bring one of them to work with me but that's a fairly animal friendly environment!

 

[Aquila]

I took Sydney into work a few times when I worked for a certain pet-supply-store. Had his picture taken with Santa (I was running the event, they threw a hissy fit when I brought Sydney on my break, even though I paid for the picture that I took with my own camera!) and the person who was Santa (my coworker husband) threatened to walk out when they took me off picture duty and yelled at me for my bird, but that's a whole other story!

I used to take my SunDay out on walks down the bike trail/forested area where my old apartment was, she was great with the harness, but never left my side anyway. I'd really like to get my other birds out, though it's getting colder now so I'll have to wait for spring unless we're going anywhere inside!

I brought Gil to my work Christmas luncheon. He also sat with Santa for a photo. Santa was scared of him I think. haha

Sydney tried to eat Santa's beard.