You, whether you are an experienced bird owner or new to the hobby, will likely be familiar with the joy of letting your bird roam around without its cage. But, it is important to train your bird friend and set boundaries.
Many owners want to know how to get their birds to sit on the owner’s shoulders and behave properly while they are there. We have experts who will help you understand how to get your bird out of its cage.
Should I shoulder-train my bird
Jacqueline Johnson is the manager of the Parrot Gardens at Best Friends Animal Society, Kanab, Utah. She also mentions Dr. Do Birds Have Sex Jan Hooimeijer, a Dutch-based avian behaviorist. Jan Hooimeijer believes that birds being allowed to rest on their shoulders can foster insecurity.
Johnson explained that birds can be prone to redirection. Johnson also said that it’s not uncommon for bird owners to find themselves in a situation where their bird hangs off your back while they try to get it to move.
What can I do to train my bird without the cage
Johnson and her team recommend that people teach their birds to step up onto a hand instead of training them on the shoulder. Johnson explained that if you keep your elbow in line with the ground, and your arm straight up, it makes it easier to stop a bird from running up your arm towards your shoulder.
Johnson explained that Johnson’s first step to getting a hand “step up” is to get the bird to accept a treat from you. I recommend that you find your bird’s favorite treat and use it for training sessions. 
She said, “Eventually, the bird will be able to reach the other arm to receive the treat. You can do this by holding the treat on your arm and tempting it.” She explained that it doesn’t take much to teach a bird because of its intelligence and reasoning abilities.
Pay attention to the body language of your bird
It is important to pay attention to your feathered friend’s body language, as with any other animal training. Johnson explained that birds communicate a lot via their body language. Johnson explained that bird bites can be caused by a failure to listen to the bird’s messages.
Each species is different, but there are common signs that your bird is tired. Johnson said that almost all birds will turn their backs toward the cage, acting as if they’re trying to find the courage to fly again. Johnson said that this could include flicking their wings at each other (similar to a quick shrugging motion)
She said, “If you immediately take your bird [to its cage] whenever you observe this behavior, it will help [your bird] understand and make it feel safe with you.”
What are the potential risks associated with shoulder- or hand-training birds?
Johnson and her team recommend shoulder training over hand training because of the known risks. Johnson said that birds are prey species and are wired to flee when they are startled by loud noises or sudden movements. Do Birds Have Teeth This can be dangerous for your bird especially if you allow it to fly around the house? This is how many birds go missing every year.
She said that even the calmest and the most well-balanced bird could panic or startle and that clipped wings do not guarantee safety. She explained that even if the wings of a bird have been cut, they can still fly to some extent. She also said that even trained birds shouldn’t be left perched on someone’s arm outside. Johnson stated that Johnson recommends not taking your bird outside without a carrier or bird harness.
