Appropriate bird handling!

[Honesty]

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[Mare]

Really!?! Maybe this is why Amigo has chosen me as his mate? Hmm..

[PlaxMacaws]

While those general recommendations are valid (to a point), I've found that each bird can vary as far as which areas of their body stimulate unwanted hormonal behaviors, and how stimulated a particular bird may or may not become when the warning areas are contacted. As an example, it makes no difference where I touch Jack or Maynard. They have never become hormonally aroused from being handled during the decades they've lived with me. And another contrary example is Zaf. The 'shoulders up' rule is not a safe zone for him at all! He can become very hormonally stimulated from a simple touch to the bare yellow skin area surrounding his lower mandible, and even from touching certain other surfaces at various points on his head. At times it seems like a fine balance is needed to avoid triggering his regurg reflex during handling, playtime, or relaxation sessions. My POOR blue friend :(

[Honesty]

A[Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks] poor Zaf! I would imagine it is hard knowing where to touch him to stop this from happening :(