Visitors With Your Parrots

[kendrafitz]

I was on Facebook today and saw a post from someone about visitors with their parrots. They were upset that visitors don't listen to their no touch rule. Then visitors get upset when they get chomped.

I really can't say I have the same issue. It is probably because Rosie is on a java tree which brings her eye level with my guests. Plus she has a big beak and I find most people are terrified of her. Intrigued, yes. Admiring of her beauty, yes. Unprompted touching, no. Lots of questions and once in a blue moon someone will ask if they can touch her. I take their hand in mine and touch her beak while explaining to my guest and Rosie what I am doing. Usually those are children though. The adults freak as soon as she brings her beak near their hand to tongue them. ;)

The only exception I can think of is my dad. On Thanksgiving he just walked over to her and tried to get her to step up. HA! Mind you, he is a large and loud man. Rosie, who is hardly ever approached by people she doesn't know well FREAKED. Alarm yelling followed by flapping herself to the floor and running to the couch. Quite a spectacle. To make it even more ridiculous, her beak was covered in my mom's lipstick, from my mom smooching her hello earlier. Poor Rosie, and my poor dad. He was a worried mess!

Anyway, do any of you have issues with visitors with your parrots?

[PlaxMacaws]

Well, Kendra, it sounds like your dad may not try such a bold approach toward Rosie again. I'd say that's probably for the best. Poor Rosie :(. And I've found that you are correct about many adults being intimidated by large Macaw beaks. That's probably for the best, too. Little do they know that the medium sized parrots typically do the worst biting damage and hurt the most ;)

As for mine... Zaf loves people (unless they happen to be working at a veterinary clinic). Salsa has no trust at all of humans he doesn't know... he'll bite them if they get in his space. Maynard and Jack tend to keep their distance from strangers.

[kendrafitz]

Sadly, he is still completely enamoured with her. He sees Rosie cuddling and kissing me and my mom and wants to do the same. Since he is a boisterous man, chances are good he will try again. He lives a distance and only visits a couple times a year so it isn't too much of an issue, either way.

I agree about the smaller parrots doing more damage. The smaller beaks scare me, which sounds silly.

I can't imagine Salsa being anything but sweet, how funny. Good for him for defending his turf. :). Of course Zaf loves people...he seems like a true cuddle bug.

So have you had any issues with visitors bugging your guys? Since you have macaws I wonder if they keep their distance from the big beaks?

[Pinkbirdy]

its cute to see how the birds react to some of my daughters friends . Its obvious if they like them :) I let them visit through the cage.i wont take the chances with them being out on them. The Hawk head and Caiques are real people birds. Daves best friend is a animal person [and I think the birds know].When hes over we take the birds out [some like him a lot ]. He walked by Harlow [my Macaws cage] she stepped up on his shoulder . Neat how birds know animal people.

[kendrafitz]

Isn't it funny. One of the women at the store I got Rosie told me once you are a macaw person, they all know it. I would have to agree now that I have experienced it myself. Animals are smart and can tell who is a good fit. :). Was Dave's friend ok when Harlow got on his shoulder?

Rosie thinks my daughters friends are there to see her. She throws a fit when they leave to go do something in another part of the house. So funny (but annoying). Funny that your guys are the same with your daughters friends!

[PlaxMacaws]

So have you had any issues with visitors bugging your guys? Since you have macaws I wonder if they keep their distance from the big beaks?No, because I'm very protective of them. I won't allow unsupervised contact with them by anyone. Usually people are respectful. I know there are those who may not be respectful enough, but fortunately neither my birds nor myself have had to encounter many such folks. I tend to live by observance, assessment, warning.. and, when necessary, action!

[Mare]

I think my birds like visitors, they like to observe them, anyways. The birds are as curious of the visitors as the visitors are of the birds. Sassy can and WILL bite hard but she's funny in that, she'll wait till she knows them better, I tell them, "You are safe till she gets to know you :)"! If Amigo is loose, he will follow folks around, tree to tree, just keeping an eye on things. Most folks that come over have heard the horror stories of Amigo's attacks and they stear clear of trying to touch him, thank God, he seems to have matured enough to not do that anymore. Amigo LOVES women, HATES little kids, women are pursued by him. Little Chip is adorable, everyone loves him which he likes as long as they don't try to touch him :)

[jtbirds]

About two years ago I took a friends Green winged macaw out to an outreach for the first time.. He was the sweetest bird at her house and we thought it'd be a great time for this big red guy. Well the second I got him out of the carrier he got car sick in he was slightly upset, So i took him for a walk.. Well someone let there kids run upto me which is fine and great, but instead of being there with their kids, the kids yanked this birds tail not once but twice. Both times I got bit full on, I was not at all upset with the birds but got slightly upset with the kids well I kinda scolded them and the parents seemed slightly upset, but honestly respect is a big issue. Obviously these little kids did not know much better as the parents didn't have the nerve to even be parents and watch the children. This certain even upset me greatly and luckily it was one of the first times this happened in the years of going out.

My birds get very fond of people coming around but like plax I do not allow people to get my personal birds out without me being around. As goes the same for the rescues birds. I also tell everyone they play and handle at there own risk. But in all the years of rescue people never learn not to stick fingers in the birds face, I always tell then dont purposely feed your fingers to them thats just idiotic. :).