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Re: conure's on shoulders?
Posted by Cindi on 1/25/07

On 1/24/07, LM wrote:
> Hi there, We have just got a maroon bellied conure from a
> guy that was allergic to her and had to give her up. Before
> that she was witha guy that gave her up because he was
> moving to hong kong. Her name is Lucy she is less than 2
> years old. In her previous home she was used to being home
> alone all day and then would sit on her caregivers shoulder
> when he got home till he went to bed. It keeps coming up
> when I research birds that they should not shoulder sit
> because they feel that they are the dominant one. I don't
> want to "dominate" a little sweet bird like Lucy but I took
> today to try to teach her that shoulder sitting is not
> welcome. She was pretty responsive but really defiant at
> times as well. Do I go cold turkey with this or slowly. I
> have only been with her less than a week and want her to be
> comfortable in her new home but also want to work on some
> of her not so great habits.


Shoulder sitting is a controversial subject in the bird world.
For some birds that are "dominant" as you say, it can be an
issue. These type of birds might try to control the
situation by giving you an unsuspecting bite to the ear or
face.
On the other hand, there are birds that can ride around on a
shoulder forever and a day and not show any signs of wanting
to be "dominant" at all. They know who buys the bird seed
and are simply affectionate birds that want nothing more than
to be with you.
Use your better judgment with your new bird and see what type
you might have after observing her behavior.
She's been passed around quite a bit and might not be secure
with you and her new home as you've only had her for less
than a week.
While you've read that she might not have this not so great
habit, it may not be a problem for her or you.
Good luck with her and I hope this is her final home!

Posts on this thread, including this one

• conure's on shoulders?, 1/24/07, by LM.
• Re: conure's on shoulders?, 1/25/07, by Cindi.
• Re: conure's on shoulders?, 1/25/07, by LM.
• Re: conure's on shoulders?, 1/25/07, by LM.