Human behavior when out with birdy

[SunnyBird]

I am hoping to take my Alex out in the next month or so.

 

I would be very much interested in hearing about how you handle the public at large when you are walking around with a harnessed bird on your shoulder in the street / park / shop / etc.

 

How do people react? Do they think you are eccentric or weird or is it a positive experience for them? Are you welcomed everywhere or asked to leave?

 

What are the classic examples of reaction and how to handle them? Some people are frightened, some what to touch or are overbearing, etc etc.. and the children?

 

What about the pooping? Do you have a cloth on your shoulder to catch the poops or you just go around full of fresh poop globs?

 

Oh dear experienced ones, share your enlightenment!!

 

{Feel-good-00020114}

[lovethatgrey]

I bring my parrots out in their adventure pack. People are usually very surprised at seeing a parrot travel about. People are pretty intrigued. A common question is " Does it talk?" " Is your bird expensive?". Last year Emma was pretty young so she did not speak english. This year I have to be very careful about where I bring her because I don't want her picking up any inappropriate language. I don't let strangers handle my parrot. I wouldn't want her to bite them out of fear and I have no clue where their hands have been.

 

In terms of how I respond to people. It's a case by case situation. If they are respectful then I have no problems conversing with them but if they are obnoxious and make me feel uncomfortable I cut it short and leave. My first priority when I am out with my parrot is to her. In the end I'm the one who has to live with her so I won't tolerate anything that doesn't seem right.<br><br>Post edited by: lovethatgrey, at: 2009/03/12 00:02

[judygram]

I take Josey with me to work occasionally and the others there like to see her but they don't handle her, afraid of her beak and the last few times I took her she started talking some when they were out of the room she was in.

 

I would love to take her other places but she is not harness trained and I live so far from places in town that I could take her, when I do go I combine errands and some places I can't take her and don't want to leave her in the car alone.

[SchroedersJen]

Schroeder is very well socialized. The neighbors visit him frequently, and I take him out on errands about twice a week. Most people are very curious about him and i allow them to touch him with 2 fingers only after they use my hand sanitizer. He loves the attention, but if he seems nervous or stressed, I ask them to stand back and look only. The first question is always "Does it talk" Schroeder usually answers for me by saying No and shutting up. I also get asked what kind of pidgeon he is quite a bit. Schroed is a timneh and quite a bit smaller than a congo. When out andd about I put paper towels and water in my purse for him and keep a dixie cup in my hand for him to poop in. I understand that he is a bird, and birds poop all over the place, but it is important for me to be a respectful pet owner and keep my animal from soiling public areas. I don't want people to get the wrong idea about my bird because I allow him to poo willy nilly all over the place.

[LindaMary]

I mirror all of the above with Maxi. I have had her out and about a lot in her adventure pack, and I am trying to harness train her now (because she is fledging), but it's going VERY slowly. I usually keep a towel or cloth with me to take care of poops, as well. I also carry the hand sanitizer, and if an adult wants to see if she'll step up on them, I let her decide. It's interesting to see who she picks. (I always warn a person that they may be bitten first.) I don't let children handle her, except my daughter and her best friend, both of whom have handled her since she came home to us.

 

I've also been asked more than once if Max is a hawk, Jen. Makes sense, I guess, to some folks: grey, hooked bill... and she is also a Timneh and doesn't have that tell-tale scarlet African Grey tail.

[lovethatgrey]

Oh yes.. I forgot to mention that I've been asked how long have I've had my pigeon.:blink:

 

The first time someone asked me this I felt so insulted for Emma.<br><br>Post edited by: lovethatgrey, at: 2009/03/12 17:27

[judygram]

You have to excuse those people who ask if that grey is a pigeon or hawk, they don't know any better because they are not "bird people":blink: we are an elite group for sure.:laugh:

[LindaMary]

Too true, Judy - Featherheads Anonymous!

[Ballsy]

I've been lucky enough to harness train my cag. I've only ever taken her outside in our garden so havent bumped into anyone yet, but when the weather improves i will take her out and about.

Does it matter what kind of weather conditions i take her out in?

I have a couple of pictures on my profile for those interested

[judygram]

I would think if it is comfortable for you to be out then it will be ok for your grey, maybe not on windy or rainy days but in the sunshine for sure.

[SunnyBird]

Hey Ballsy, is that the Aviator Harness you've got on your CAG? I've just ordered the same color. Have been putting the Feather Tether on mine with much complaint and he's busy chewing on it most of the time when we go out on the balcony. I've done it with him 3 times so far. Those metal clips are so bulky I'm hoping he'll accept the aviator more easily. Yours looks a bit loose on him - or is that how it is supposed to be? Does he get his feet caught in it?

 

I'd love to hear more experiences from people who venture out with their birds.

[Ballsy]

Hi HappyinGreece, yes this is the aviator harness its the only harness i've used so have no experience with others. I must admit that yes it was a bit loose in the photo's but usually its a much better fit. I get the same problems with her chewing but just have to talk to her and get her attention. She hasn't caught her feet in it yet but it can be abit of a trip hazard when she walking along the top of the fence etc.

In general im really pleased with the avaitor harness and think you will be pleased with your purchase. Let me know how you get on with it.

[ranaz]

Wow I wouldlove to take my Kookie out, but Ive had him for a month now, he seems not to like new things and places, he feels stressed and a little scared. Little by little he is getting accustomed to seeing one to two new things every day but I reaaly not sure if its the time to start harness training or I should give him more time... what do you advise me?

[Ballsy]

I've started to notice Skye is so quiet when were outside meeting people:huh:

[ZivaDiva]

Thanks for the laugh! I spit my iced tea out on to my desk when I read the comment about people asking about your pigeon. That was funny.

 

I am so jealous of you that can use a harness. I still can't touch Ziva except for stroking her beak and she isn't stick or hand trained yet. She jumps over the stick or hand and keeps on going.