Shoulder-Bird-No-More????

[_Cass_]

I love my Green Cheeked Conure, Toulouse, but she is TOO much of a shoulder bird. Sometimes Cass wants me time haha, but I cant have it with toulouse flying to my shoulder every 2 minutes! Any suggestions..? Please...?

Thanks!!

-Cass

 

[HRH Di]

I know what you mean, our RFM Jade is the same way. We've found that we can't "make" her do anything, really, but we can distract her. Is there a favorite activity that Toulouse can be redirected to? It gets frustrating sometimes to have to keep moving them from your shoulder, the light fixture, etc.

We're starting to have a little luck w/ Jade when it comes to helping me make dinner. I have a pan rack hanging in the kitchen that she likes but she isn't allowed to perch there. She really just wants to be with me. I tried moving her directly to her boing just inside the living room, but that didn't work very well. I've found that I can put her on the faucet in the sink and she usually stays there just fine. I guess the boing was just too far away. This is not always sucessful, but it's getting better.

It really takes repetition and positive re-enforcement. Praise or a small treat when he follows direction is the best way. This will take time, though.

 

[MisterBiscuits]

Its always recommendable to teach a bird how to amuse itself and be on its own comfortably. The old saying is "be a bird's friend - not its spouse." Sometimes, unwittingly, we try too hard and a bird gets mixed signals, they may love you so much you become the "mate" and shoulder time can be controlling time for you. Introduce your bird to a gentle, "not right now" showing that it is okay just to be seen in the same room and not necessarily pounced on.

 

[Parkep]

Its always recommendable to teach a bird how to amuse itself and be on its own comfortably. The old saying is "be a bird's friend - not its spouse." Sometimes, unwittingly, we try too hard and a bird gets mixed signals, they may love you so much you become the "mate" and shoulder time can be controlling time for you. Introduce your bird to a gentle, "not right now" showing that it is okay just to be seen in the same room and not necessarily pounced on.

I dont mean to high jack this thread but how would you go about doing this? just distraction? the only thing that really distracts my bird is food but if he is full its a no go.