How can I get my sun conure to get off of me when it's time to go back on the perch?

Question

Don't get me wrong, I love the attention I get from him, he sits on me almost all day, but from time to time I need him to get off, I'll try getting him to step off my hand to his perch but Vergil just runs right back up my arm and to my shoulder as soon as he sees I'm going near his perch or cage! I even have a hard time getting him to sit on his perch while I go to the bathroom and, goodness forbid I have to run to my shop! He sees me putting on my shoes and won't get off for anything. I've tried treats to get him to his perch, didn't work and I really don't like having to grab him because I know he sees it as mean that momma grabbed him even though I'm gentle in doing so!

I love him and the affection, but how can I get him to realize that sometimes he needs to sit on his perch and give Momma a break? How can I get him on his perch without all the fuss?

Answer 1

I was going to say food, but you already tried it. I guess the bird has really bonded with you......just take it as a great compliment.

Answer 2

I have a sun conure , and their favorite place is on the shoulder. Although it is not recommended to have any companion bird perch on your shoulder(because it promotes dominance in the bird) use a dowel rod to make him step up on.... Each time you bond with your bird discourage him from walking up the arm and onto the shoulder...You do this by keeping the dowel rod in your hand and moving the bird as he tries to approach the shoulder.

Answer 3

My green-cheek Pom-pom clings to me like there's no tomorrow, but I can manage to get him off my shoulder just by giving him something else to step on to, like if I put my shoulder next to a chair, or the sofa, he'll usually climb onto that, thinking I'm about to sit down and he can get back on me. Then you can pick them up and put them away.

Answer 4

Bird will step onto your finger if you put it in front of his feet, and if you keep your hand up, he won't be as interested in walking up your arm. If he tries, fend him off with your other hand.

Answer 5

you know that the sit on the shoulder thing is a dominium thing right? birds like it up high, but not just because. the higher up it is the better so by being up there he/she is owning you...

Answer 6

I'd recommend target training your conure so you can target him to his perch.

http://jamiesparrothelp.wordpress.com/category/training/