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Post by chris on Jun 5, 2017 8:35:00 GMT -7
My g/f won't let Ruby on her shoulder but I will. She also will not stick her fingers out (for the 'step up') because she's afraid of getting a bite. (This fear is not completely without merit!) She will offer her arm and while the grip isn't as good as the finger I guess her arm is small enough so Ruby feels comfortable. Ruby is actually very affectionate to her generally so it's not completely clear to me whether the lack of 'step up' to her finger is more her fear or Ruby just not liking to do that with her. (Could be she senses the fear ....)
I would say 2 things:
1. When I put my finger out for the 'step up' I am VERY alert to her body language. 90% of the time she is fine and accommodating. If she backs up or goes somewhere where it's going to be difficult to reach her, forget it. If you pursue her even a little, she will tag you. On the other hand sometimes she will lower her head when I ask for the 'step up' which means she doesn't want to step up but does want some love (neck scratch). 2. As has been said letting these birds on your shoulder is a risky proposition. You can't see there eyes or any other body language. So unless you are either very sure of your bird or willing to assume the risk (which can be severe) it's better to be 'safe than sorry'.
Expanding a little on #2, Ruby is pretty good on my shoulder but not 100% reliable. I wear glasses and she cannot restrain herself from not playing with them. Occasionally she will just haul off and bite my ear or neck and that's no joy believe me. I used to have a Cockatiel who would literally sit on my shoulder for hours with complete contentment, and even if he did get a little antsy he would never do the kind of damage a grey can!
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Post by beakertrout on Jun 5, 2017 8:54:30 GMT -7
Shoulder sitting is a privilege that is earned IMO.
Beaker sat on my arm/hand/leg for almost a year and a half before he was allowed on my shoulder.
My ears, face, neck and any attached appendage is "off limits".
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JnM
Weaned Todd
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 36
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Post by JnM on Jun 5, 2017 17:16:25 GMT -7
Thanks Haz! That reply was very helpful. And thank everybody else who has given their thoughts and suggestions.
We visted Scarlett a couple times before deciding to purchase her. She was so gentle and allowing of the lady. She would just reach in and grab her, hold her on her back in her arms like a baby and we never saw a single bite. I've never seen a parrot so friendly, I've only seen a couple though.
At our house we have never seen any aggressive behaving either and any hesitance is solely on our part. To be honest I am pretty nervous about getting bite but have no reason not to trust Scarlett. We are not pushing her and she's being nice to us too.
The shoulder being an earned perch is a great idea, in my eyes she has earned it by trusting us and giving us the chance to win her over.
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JnM
Weaned Todd
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 36
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Post by JnM on Jun 5, 2017 17:22:26 GMT -7
Chris, thanks for sharing about yours lowering the head to get a petting. Scarlett does that often when we attempt to have her step up and being the cautious guy I am, figured it was a warning that she was possibly going to chomp on me... Now I feel bad for leaving her hanging when she may have been asking for some love.... I'll have to try a little head scratching next time she does that.
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Post by chris on Jun 6, 2017 9:12:36 GMT -7
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JnM
Weaned Todd
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 36
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Post by JnM on Jun 6, 2017 21:44:36 GMT -7
That's list is both spot on and very funny. Really enjoyed it. Thank you.
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Post by Jane on Jun 7, 2017 0:52:44 GMT -7
A specific point to note in the shoulder photos are her neck feathers, they are slightly ruffled in most of them meaning she is relaxed but in the last one her neck is extended and the feathers are smoothed down meaning something is concerning her at that point - maybe someone else came in or she heard a noise?
Jane
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JnM
Weaned Todd
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 36
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Post by JnM on Jun 7, 2017 7:22:06 GMT -7
If I remember correctly I think it was either she moved her braid, or I got closer with the camera. She really doesn't like the phone. Should I get her a toy phone for her cage to see that it's ok? Also she doesn't have any mirrors in there...should she?
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Post by Jane on Jun 7, 2017 11:09:32 GMT -7
Greys are often nervous of many things - something unfamiliar in your hand, something new in the cage or in the room,sudden movements,loud noises. She might be equally nervous of a toy phone. Try showing her the phone and use it to take photos of something or someone else so that she can see it is okay.
Mine don't have mirrors in the cage. They had one once but they didn't like it. They growled at it and got aggressive with it as they seemed to think there was an intruder in the cage. Also mirrors make some Greys broody.
Jane
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Post by chris on Jun 7, 2017 12:21:25 GMT -7
I would just echo the unfamiliar part. When we put a new toy in Ruby's cage it can literally take her WEEKS before she will even go near it. Several weeks ago we put a new travel cage on our coffee table where Ruby (used to) like to hang out because we're taking her with us in August on vacation and want her to get familiar with it -- she hasn't been to the coffee table since and now stands off to the sides turning her head to view it ("pinning").
It's really quite remarkable how "chicken" these otherwise powerful and intelligent birds can be!
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JnM
Weaned Todd
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 36
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Post by JnM on Jun 7, 2017 12:51:39 GMT -7
That's why I'm so amazed at how far Scarlett has come in the week she's been with us. Our house is loud and always busy, but like another member mentioned previously her age may be why she is adjusting so well.
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renearias
Just Hatched
Joined: January 2018
Posts: 2
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Post by renearias on Dec 31, 2017 20:06:23 GMT -7
Hello I have a beautiful princess named Leia, she is only about four months old. I love her to death and I was wondering though if what I’m doing is right. I have been petting her in her cage and she bows, but when she is out of her cage she won’t let me really pet her. When she does she will lay her head down but not a bow more like whole body down and let me pet her. Is that ok?
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renearias
Just Hatched
Joined: January 2018
Posts: 2
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Post by renearias on Dec 31, 2017 20:09:55 GMT -7
Hello I have a beautiful princess named Leia, she is only about four months old. I love her to death and I was wondering though if what I’m doing is right. I have been petting her in her cage and she bows, but when she is out of her cage she won’t let me really pet her. When she does she will lay her head down but not a bow more like whole body down and let me pet her. Is that ok? Read more: africangreyparrot.info/thread/8036/help-learning-body-language?page=2#ixzz52tmmimam
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Post by Jane on Jan 2, 2018 4:39:18 GMT -7
renearias - welcome to the forum. They often behave differently in the cage and out of it and they do like to decide what you can do, where and when. She is still very young, I wouldn't worry about it.
Jane
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