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Post by penelope on Dec 5, 2015 14:04:02 GMT -5
My new Quaker is settling well but everytime I put him on my shoulder he climbs on my head and sits there. I know that height means dominance to them, is he trying to establish dominance over me? How do I deal with it, he still loves to cuddle under the duvet. we still couldnt work out the treat, either he drops it or I do  noe he has had enough and not interested in treats anymore. Please help! |
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Post by wsteinhoff on Dec 5, 2015 17:52:54 GMT -5
Heights make birds more comfortable and safe, it doesn't necessarily mean he's displaying dominance over you. If he were biting from up there then that'd be different but you didn't say he was so if he's behaving up there then I'd say he's just trying to feel more safe.
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Post by easttex on Dec 5, 2015 18:25:40 GMT -5
I agree with wsteinhoff. The height = dominance theory has been oversold. I would not let him on my shoulder until you are able to establish hand control of him. I know I wouldn't want a bird pooping on my head.  Leave the shoulder as a reward for good behavior. |
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Post by penelope on Dec 5, 2015 20:50:51 GMT -5
Thanks so much. He doesnt know biting yet, but he is clumsy. he struggles to perch still on my hand. But we are working on it. we still couldnt figure out how to feed him treats |
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Post by cnyguy on Dec 5, 2015 22:55:33 GMT -5
When I first got Ralph, he liked to sit on my head too. It wasn't long before he decided he'd rather perch on my shoulder instead. I really didn't have to do anything to change his behavior.
I agree about height dominance being exaggerated. Most any parrot who wants to establish dominance will do so regardless of how high up they are, and many parrots just like to climb up higher so they can better keep track of what's going on around them.
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Post by biteybird on Dec 6, 2015 1:35:01 GMT -5
Hi! Like the others I don't think it's really a problem unless he's biting you. Bonnie, like Ralph, used to seek out my head (only when she was a baby), but lost interest after a while. It might be because your hair makes it easier for his feet to grip, particularly if he's still wobbly.
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Post by penelope on Dec 6, 2015 9:13:02 GMT -5
Thanks so much everyone! Penny likes to be in closed and dark space such as my lap covered by a duvet, is this a baby phase?
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Post by biteybird on Dec 7, 2015 0:52:48 GMT -5
I'm not sure about that. Bonnie has always liked to go in small covered places (maybe it reminds her of a nest). Nowadays I discourage her from this when her hormones kick in, as I don't want her to lay any eggs. But you won't have to worry about that for some time, so meanwhile it could help her feel more secure with you.
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Post by aaron on Dec 7, 2015 11:46:30 GMT -5
Greetings! I also agree with the others that the height = dominance theory is a bit misguided. Obviously birds feel safer when they are higher up, but I'm not sure there's much more to it than that. That said, we don't really let Cupcake ride around on our heads, but it's really just because we don't want to get pooped on. As far as the dark little spaces go, I think just about all parrots like them, and as biteybird suggested, I think it's because of nesting instincts. For a young one, this isn't necessarily a problem, but when hormones become a factor, you really don't want to encourage nesting behavior. It's a shame because it's very fun and cute to play in small spaces with them, but at least in my experience, it's better to completely avoid such things once you see any sign of hormonal behavior. So, enjoy it while the baby phase lasts!  What are you trying to use as treats? |
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Post by julianna on Dec 8, 2015 16:02:30 GMT -5
Oscar used to like sitting on my head but then he decided he didn't like hair between his toes and won't go there now. He loves all dark spaces. One of his favorite is to climb up my sweater and nibble on any little hair follicle he can find. He will stay there for as long as I allow him. It is cute to see him climbing around under my sweater... sort of freaky also ... like I have a demon baby in there... ewwwww.
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noe he has had enough and not interested in treats anymore. Please help!
Leave the shoulder as a reward for good behavior.
