Is it bad to let a pet bird ride on your shoulder?

Question

I keep hearing that it is bad to allow a pet bird to ride on your shoulder.
The reasons I have been given is that
a) they think they are dominant when their eye level is above yours and
b) You might lose an eye or your nose as they can bite.

I think these reasons are pretty flimsy, especially as it would take a huge budgie/parakeet to sit on your shoulder and be higher than your eye level !

is there something esle, or some other reason?

I have budgies and a rainbow lorikeet who all find my shoulder their fav place.

Am I doing something wrong?

Answer 1

It is fine to let small birds ride on your shoulder, they aren't big enough to do damage and I don't think the dominance is really an issue. My husband's little green cheek conure rides on his shoulder all the time and we have never had a problem. I have a Goffins Cockatoo that resides on my shoulder most of the time too. He is big enough to worry about, but I don't. I've had him since he was pre-weaned and I know how to read his moods. If he is too excited or ramped up, I don't let him on my shoulder.
As far as little birds go, I see no problem with them riding on your shoulder. Now, a Scarlet Macaw on your shoulder, I think would be risky.

Answer 2

As long as the bird is shorter than your head, it is fine. I let my cockatiels on my shoulder all the time.

Those reasons are more for huge birds. I would never let a large cockatoo or parrot ride on my shoulder. Intelligent birds are very quick at noticing a dominance change. Whoever sits higher up is the dominant bird. It is very important to not let a large bird thing it is dominant, because they can bite very hard and cause some damage.
I actually had some trouble with my cockatiels when their cage was right next to the couch. They became very aggressive because they were always sitting above us. We moved the cage to a place where we are always standing next to them- back to their sweet selves.

With two small birds, I would not worry about it- just don't let them ride around on top of your head :)

Answer 3

The only thing wrong with carrying your bird on your shoulder, is they tend to poop. It is actually a very nice bonding experience. Something tells me you already found that out, though.
If your birds are not biting you, then that's not a problem. (I've had budgies take stones out of my earrings, though.)
I have never heard of this problem of the bird thinking it is dominant because it is on your shoulder! Anyway, every bird is an individual.

Answer 4

You bring up two of the major reasons that people say that. I think it's okay, especially with small birds. However, if you are having dominance issues where the bird is biting or being territorial, then I wouldn't allow it. I think mostly the reason people say that is because they are talking about larger birds that get territorial and aggressive (if not properly trained and managed) once they hit maturity. I see nothing wrong with letting your birds ride on your shoulder if you aren't having any of these issues.

Answer 5

My love bird liked to sit on my shoulder and I think it is a good way to spend time with the bird. My bird even learned to move the body in order not ot poop on my shirt. Clever, isn't it?

The bad thing is, that allowed the bird to rest on a height and flew out the window easily. That's how I lost my bird.

Watch it!

Answer 6

I don't at all believe in dominance in birds because we, as their people, are their flock members. It's not a dominance issue, but more of a trust issue. I think this false belief (in my opinion) strings from the fact that if a bird is above your level, you have trouble retrieving it for safety reasons and unless your bird is trusting enough of you, it'll be a hassle to get. If anything, consider the wilderness. Birds seek refuge in high areas to avoid predators but most will forage for food on the ground. They may go high to seek security when they're not feeling safe with you or something spooks them. As long as you have a strong trust bond between you and your birds, I doubt being above eye level should be a problem. I allow mine to ride on my shoulders or head if they so choose, but my hand or arms are always their first option.

As for losing an eye or getting bitten, that's all true. Birds are attracted to shiny things and their first curious instinct is to beak at it or bite it to see what it is and play with it. Our eyes shine in light, which is everywhere around us, so it does pose a danger, even if you have glasses because they can just reach underneath. Their beaks have the potential to be so strong that sometimes it's not worth the risk, and I don't see a problem in that argument. There have been cases where someone has been injured by a bird bite for allowing them so close to their face. If you use make up, gels, creams, or lotions with certain chemicals in it and your face gets licked or beaked at, that could also make your birds very sick and may require emergency care. One case I know of is my piano teacher who had a lineolated parakeet that she really loved. She taught him to give kisses and once, he sat on her shoulder, she puckered up and kissed him on the belly, and the next thing she knew, a giant hole in her bottom lip was gushing blood, she went to the ER and got stitches, and because of her own stupidity, she got rid of the poor bird.

I think as long as you consider your own and their safety (losing an eye, getting pierced somewhere on your face, bird ingesting toxic whatnots, whatever...), you should be fine. Remember that birds can be unpredictable and the second reason does hold potential truth.

I should mention that I don't find a differentiation between larger and smaller birds. All can do damage, all can be trusted or distrusted, and all have the potential for anything to happen. (Though none for the type of dominance others believe they have, similar to a dog's "alpha" position in a pack; I think that's a load of bull, honestly.)

Answer 7

No, of course not, I know some bird experts at the Zoo and in normal life who do that. Birds on your shoulder are fine.

Answer 8

After the keets are tamed, and you have earned one anothers trust' there is nothing wrong with letting them sit on your shoulder.

Answer 9

it is only bad if they can fly and could get outside. birds that fly away outside usually die. if the wings are clipped you are great for letting the play on your shoulder.! keep it up:P

Answer 10

no way i used to let my parakeet do it all the time