Shoulder Sitting

[Ira7]

I took a few nice bites to my shoulder, but it was worth it.

Only kept him on there a few minutes:

 

[wrench13]

Ira, you really need to be more in tune and confident that he is not going to bite while on your shoulder; Amazons, big ones like yours, can do serious damage to ears, lips, eyes and face, and even get an artery or vein in your neck. Its called shoulder priviledges, and only parrots that have proved to be trustworthy should have those. Parrots with those priviledges are bite pressure trained, and will readily step up when asked to, becasue nothing is worse than trying to get parrot off your shoulder when they don;t want to be gotten off or when they decide your ear looks like a walnut.

Work with him for awhile so you both are more at ease, I think you will both enjoy yourselves more.

 

[Ira7]

Ira, you really need to be more in tune and confident that he is not going to bite while on your shoulder; Amazons, big ones like yours, can do serious damage to ears, lips, eyes and face, and even get an artery or vein in your neck. Its called shoulder priviledges, and only parrots that have proved to be trustworthy should have those. Parrots with those priviledges are bite pressure trained, and will readily step up when asked to, becasue nothing is worse than trying to get parrot off your shoulder when they don;t want to be gotten off or when they decide your ear looks like a walnut.

Work with him for awhile so you both are more at ease, I think you will both enjoy yourselves more.

Oh, he was very cool and into it. They weren’t bad bites. He was just on overload because of the new experience. I even walked around the house a little, but just very little. Didn’t want to overwhelm him.

I didn’t plan on doing it:

I moved him from his play area to the couch, crappy couch covered with a blanket anyway. I sat down on the floor leaning my back against the couch, and as he walked toward me, I tapped my shoulder for him to step on.

Which he did, and we’ll see what happens tonight.

 

[ParrotGenie]

Ira, you really need to be more in tune and confident that he is not going to bite while on your shoulder; Amazons, big ones like yours, can do serious damage to ears, lips, eyes and face, and even get an artery or vein in your neck. Its called shoulder priviledges, and only parrots that have proved to be trustworthy should have those. Parrots with those priviledges are bite pressure trained, and will readily step up when asked to, becasue nothing is worse than trying to get parrot off your shoulder when they don;t want to be gotten off or when they decide your ear looks like a walnut.

Work with him for awhile so you both are more at ease, I think you will both enjoy yourselves more.

Could have not said it better myself. Bite pressure training and knowing you birds body language is critical. Plus have to be fully bonded and earn that privilege in time. They also have to be able to step down when requested.

I had my ear rip opened once while training my female cockatoo Baby years ago. Cockatoos are powerful, she rip it right open. It took Baby over a year to earn that privilege, now she goes on my shoulder every where with me. Some birds are quicker as Cooper earned privilege on second day of adopting him as he was formerly trained and has a layback personality.

 

[Scott]

What Al (wrench13) and ParrotGenie said. Shoulder privileges are earned simply because of the potential for grave damage. Fingers and arms will heal, but you don't want to submit to the magic of a plastic surgeon.

I totally understand your desire to closely bond via the shoulder. Hopefully you will remain lucky and never suffer a serious bite.

 

[noodles123]

Congrats on managing for as long as you did-- I know they are irresistible and that there is a thrill to it, BUT , remember, when they bite, it isn't a matter of dominance or something--it is because you misunderstood them! Now, slow down and back up to where you can do it without getting bitten at all (hint- this won't occur through practice, but through awareness of body language and trust building).

 

[Ira7]

See new photo below.

He’s fine on the shoulder, but he gets so excited about it that he gets nippy on my hands.

 

[ctwo]

My IRN bit me good on my cheek this morning, blood dripping off my chin. It's gonna be a while before he comes back up. I've had him a year and have had months of shoulder time, almost daily the past month due to the situation. Something set him off. Beware.

 

[Ira7]

He’s been doing great up there.

 

[ctwo]

Hope it stays that way. Fingers and hands are one thing but the face has a lot of sensitive nerves.

 

[noodles123]

I am sure he is happy to be there, but it just takes one mistake for you to lose an eye or get bitten in a way in which your reaction inadvertently harms the bird. I would make sure he is trained before granting that privilege, in the same way that a teen must pass a driving exam before getting a license.