Elvenking Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 Do I allow Issac to free flight to me at will? He gets his "two-year-old" mode on sometimes and absolutely must be on me somehow. Which I do not mind most of the time....he's cuddly and sweet. But I was on the phone tonight....and he was having a fit like a child trying to talk his mother while she was on the phone. HA! Do I let him be like this or are there methods to keep em in line. I could go in another room lol. As I type...he just landed on top of my head. What to do? I have to imagine that for many this would not be socially acceptable behavior. Imagine if I have guests. He is probably due for more toys too. I have like 9 coming in the mail....where the hell are they...LOL.<br><br>Post edited by: Elvenking, at: 2010/02/25 05:24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvenking Posted February 25, 2010 Author Share Posted February 25, 2010 This bird suprises me in many ways. Usually I come home and immediately have one-on-one time with Issac. I feed him and talk and play with him....then i ahve to go clean up...and he is usually at least cool walking around on the kitchen counter for a bit while I do that...chewing on the dish wand or something like that. But for an hour after that tonight...its like he was suddenly possessed to be on me. LOL. Like a "I need to be close" attack. Not frantic...but much more frequent. LOL...He ended up chilling out but it left me wondering what got into him. Birds will be birds I suppose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JillyBeanz Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 Elvenking wrote: As I type...he just landed on top of my head. What to do? Swat him like a fly before he lands! I don't let Harvey on my head, and if he does get there as soon as he lands I remove him. He can happily fly to my shoulder or my lap, but not my hand. It's a personal preference - but I'm not entirely sure why anyone would want to leave their parrot on their head :unsure: If you have a flighted bird, then something you will have to accept is that he flies! He will follow you all over the house, he will want to be with you. You are Isaac's chosen one and he'll want to be with you (Harvey's currently sitting on my forearm whilst I type)! It's great through when you are in another part of the house and you call them - and they come to you - it's a pleasure to see Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pearllyn Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 As Jill says, he is a flighted bird and you'll just have to accept that. It's just Issac demonstrating that he want's to be with you so why would you want to stop that anyway? However, and I guess it is personal choice, but I don't allow Alfie on heads - it's a pecking order thing. In the wild the most important flock members get the highest branches. It's the same reason why cages and perches, in theory, should be lower than your head. Some people keep shoulders off limits too for the same reason, but I must have a big head cos it's still higher than Alfies if she's on my shoulder. Also, the phone thing - Alfie does this too! She goes nuts when we're on the phone. I don't know why - most of the time she's trying to grab it from us - maybe trying to liberate the little person she can hear is in there - I'm not sure. At any rate I don't allow her to do it - I use my 3 strikes and you're out policy and it is working. You just have to decide what he can and can't do, and be consistant. There's no point in letting him land on your head sometimes, when you will disallow it at other times - Issac won't understand this. Jill's right though - it's such a joy to have your grey come and find you when you're at the other end of the house! It's awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvenking Posted February 26, 2010 Author Share Posted February 26, 2010 Most of the time....I don't mind him on my shoulder. And of course it is super sweet that he wants to be with me. I would have to be totally oblivious not to recognize that. I also do appreciate it for that much. Sometimes I have to get things done though I cannot do it if he is trying to get at every single thing I do. This morning I was flossing my teeth and trying to get the laundry out of the dryer and its never been harder. I guess I will just find a way to work it. What is your "three strikes" method? There is not a particular problem with landing on my head. He just goes there when he gets the idea that it is going to be difficult to make the shoulder landing. He gets removed from my head immediately after he does it. Most of the times he executes perfect landings to my shoulder...it's actually pretty impressive Don't get me wrong, I knew that leaving him flighted would give him the choice of where he wanted to be. I just want to let him know where the right places to land are in a positive way. <br><br>Post edited by: Elvenking, at: 2010/02/25 18:49 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JillyBeanz Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 Elvenking wrote: Sometimes I have to get things done though I cannot do it if he is trying to get at every single thing I do. This morning I was flossing my teeth and trying to get the laundry out of the dryer and its never been harder. I guess I will just find a way to work it. That's what his cage is for!! If I am doing a task which doesn't require any input from Harvey, and would be detrimental if he was involved, he gets put in his cage. It's safer for him and me. You don't have to have Isaac out the whole time you are home - for instance - I have just been telephoning some companies about some furniture I've ordered - it's taken 45 minutes and Harvey was put in his cage - he's out now - all's good. It's not cruel to put them in their cage - they can't expect to be with you 24/7 - and by giving him all the cage out time he wants will make it more difficult when you leave him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvenking Posted February 26, 2010 Author Share Posted February 26, 2010 I am already gone for work during the day, so I love to give him maximum out time when I get home. I do have to get over the fact that the cage is not a prison though and i suppose you are right. LOL...a little piece of my heart breaks every time I see him claw at the bottom of the cage to get out. He does get over it I believe....not sure...never caged him when I was home for long enough. *Total Softie* I certainly hope his box of toys shows up today, I want to make life super fun for him! <br><br>Post edited by: Elvenking, at: 2010/02/25 19:12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave007 Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 """"There is not a particular problem with landing on my head.""" Well, that's until he shits on your head. You can never be guaranteed that he won't drop a plop. Not to worry, it can be used as a new styling gel and if it works, get a patent. Now that your bird is flying all over you, it's now the perfect time to teach him to constantly land on your hand or wrist. When he finally gets that down pat, your head won't be as attractive. You bird will feel thatit's accomplished something good just like they feel when they learn how to fly from branch to branch in the wild.<br><br>Post edited by: Dave007, at: 2010/02/25 19:40 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talon Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 Nilah LOVES being in her cage, so she goes there willingly...except for bedtime. She prefers to sleep in her playground in the Living Room, but that's not allowed due to my dog and cat... My daughter has taught Rikki to say in the most sad, pitiful voice ever...."come baaackkkk, come baaackkk.." So I have to have my heart broken everytime I put Rikki in her cage and walk away. Talon doesn't mind going in her play cage. She always says, to me "be back soon okay???" :unsure: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvenking Posted February 26, 2010 Author Share Posted February 26, 2010 Hi Dave. Yep...when I see him coming I will stick my hand out. I look like a pro trainer in front of people when Issac and I do this. Other times when my hands are full, he makes perfect shoulder landings. But when I sit at my computer desk...the head landing is likely. I am sure he will get the idea that is not where to land. He is never there for long. Also, he is getting a lot better about not flying to Pedros cage, only about 2 times last night..and he came right off. For his age, I think his behavior is quite normal. He is the healthiest and the happiest bird I could imagine, I have to be ever so grateful for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave007 Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 Good for you. Do it over and over and over and over. PS--I want a 25% return on the profits from the patent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvenking Posted February 26, 2010 Author Share Posted February 26, 2010 LOL...It is funny how short the time is between, "I want this bird to love me and to know its loved"....to...."OMG this bird is totally in love with being around me and everything I do" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danmcq Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 Dave is spot on. Your grey is a baby and learning where a stable landing spot is, and will learn to avoid unstable spots. Our grey has always tried to land on heads from time to time in situations like you describe. The response by us both is once we know he is hovering down to the head, we simply move it back and forth and he continues to another perching area. But, every once in a while, he still tries it and gets the same results. Consistency is the key. Also, as Dave said, make sure you get him used to accepting your arm and hand as a good target perch as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvenking Posted February 26, 2010 Author Share Posted February 26, 2010 Okay...got it. Even in a moments notice...if I hold out my hand...he nails it dead on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvparrots Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 Remember whatever you let Issac do now will become a habit for him so make sure it is something that you can live with for all time. You don't want to confuse him about the rules at a later date. If my grey tries to land on my head I just shake her off. It's not something she enjoys but she has learned to say "Stop That" very clearly now! :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzzique Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 When Alex was a baby and learning to land ect I got my share of head landings. He was always picked right up and set on my shoulder or set back down if I didn't want him on me right that second. Now at 2 1/2 the head landings are more of a once in a blue moon and has more to do with where I'm sitting than anything. Sense he does so much flying around I just don't pay attension so don't know a head landing is coming until it happens. If you want to let Issac stay out while you are doing stuff but don't want him with you he needs to be distracted. Set him on his cage or playstand and offer a toy or treat that will keep him busy. I love Alex to death but I wanted him to be independent. To know how to entertain himself when I can't spend time with him. He still gets cage time if we are doing something that we don't want him flying around while we do it because even trying to distact him wouldn't work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvenking Posted March 1, 2010 Author Share Posted March 1, 2010 Yeah...if they are worried about the landing..they will choose the highest spot...(Issac just now made a perfect shoulder landing as I type)...no worries...if you stick your hand out..he knows exactly where to go. Issac is now a pro at this..even over the last week he has both stopped landing on my head and stopped landing on my Conures cage....all I had to do is take him off everytime...consistancy rules. I am totally amazed at him...I already consider him to be the smartest pet that I have ever been encountered with. Also the one that has neede me the most..he loves shoulder time. And he is very complient there...so he gets to be there. I feel truly blessed. This is beyond my best dream about having a Grey.<br><br>Post edited by: Elvenking, at: 2010/03/01 07:50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird519 Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 going back to the very good point of a cage. i do work and mojo gets his cage time when i am not home. however, i do not let him out of the cage all of the time when i am home. i believe that a healthy grey is one who can hang in his cage on his own, and keep himself content. hense the reason that we need to swap out new toys and such. it builds a certain independence in our birds. JMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvenking Posted March 2, 2010 Author Share Posted March 2, 2010 Yeah...I have to get him used to spending time in his cage when I am home sometimes too. It's a weak spot I have. Most of the time...I love it when he is out. It's quite amazing to have a bird that usually flies around in Africa, want to be near you. I will work on the cage thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird519 Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 just curious, how big is your cage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvenking Posted March 2, 2010 Author Share Posted March 2, 2010 I would have to measure it. I am currently at work. However it seems quite comperable to most of the cages I see on the forums. He doesn't look cramped lets just say that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird519 Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 lol way to utilize your time at work. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird519 Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 i personally would enjoy the time that you have with him. and i am speaking of the free flight. sounds to me like he has bonded to you as much (if not more) than you have bonded to him lol. mojo is not the same way. he will fly to me if he sees me leaving the room, but if we are in the same room he is quite content just hanging out. mojo is a bit more independent than i thought he would be at his age (5 months). i am not sure if this is due to his personality, or if it due to the simple fact that he is caged at times even if i am home. i have to cage him because i alternate wich animal is getting my attention. i have a german shepard mix that would love nothing more that to catch a flying meal lol. maybe one day the dog will give up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
domyoburk Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Good suggestions on this thread! Especially the training to hand as a substitute for head landings and the wagging the head back and forth to avoid them (I duck way down). Thing is, I personally prefer Ursula to land on my head as there are no ears or eyes for her to chomp on there. She's not so mellow with me as with my husband so these are always possibilities! I also am working on training her to STAY - showing my palm and giving her a treat when she doesn't fly over. Of course, we're at the very early stages - that only works when she doesn't actually want to fly over! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
domyoburk Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Good suggestions on this thread! Especially the training to hand as a substitute for head landings and the wagging the head back and forth to avoid them (I duck way down). Thing is, I personally prefer Ursula to land on my head as there are no ears or eyes for her to chomp on there. She's not so mellow with me as with my husband so these are always possibilities! I also am working on training her to STAY - showing my palm and giving her a treat when she doesn't fly over. Of course, we're at the very early stages - that only works when she doesn't actually want to fly over! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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