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I notice that when I ask her to step up from my shoulder she doesn't want to. Perhaps she is still a baby. I would like to know how to better reinforce the step up issue.

Great Advice. Thanks every.

That's a very common problem. The shoulder is considered prime real estate, first because it's high, second because it's close to your face (they bond to your face, not your hands), and third because it's not an easy place to get them off of. It's always a good idea to make shouldering (if you allow it at all, some don't) conditional on behavior. If she's not totally reliable about stepping up, then she hasn't earned the right to be on your shoulder. Same goes with aggressive behavior. If she's nippy when she's on your shoulder, she hasn't earned the right to be there. Some birds can behave when on your shoulder, some can't, and some can learn to deal with it given time and work. If they can't, they really shouldn't be there, because it can get to be a real power struggle if they win a few times when you try to get them off and have trouble. Also, the worst bites by far are face bites. Too many tender fleshy bits within easy reach, and if they get protective of you, protective aggression is always a possibility. Protective aggression is when they are trying to drive you (their mate) away from what they perceive as a threat or rival.

Another thing about shoulders is that it's physically impossible for us to be able to fully see and read their body language. If they're being nippy up there, they might be sending very clear signals through body language, but we need to be able to see them to read their body language. And Dozy is still very knew to your home so you'll be learning to read each other for awhile to come.

Peanut is getting better with coming down from high places especially the curtain. He is fully flighted at present and we are trying recall. It may be a bit mean but if he does not come when I ask him to, I just tell him bye bye and walk out the room. It ends the game but he did make the choice to come down.

Well she wants to be up there more than any other place in the whole world at that moment. So until she's confident that gettting off doesnt mean going somewhere she REALLY doesn't want to be.....I would simply lay on the floor. Or the sofa.

If you roll around she can't just stay there LOL.

It really depends on the bird and their age and stuff. For her, a baby and new to you ,every single thing you do has to be positive and make her think that all good things come from you. Meaning when she does step you make a fuss and tell her how good she is and give her something else fun. OR just don't make a fuss and give something fun...depends on the bird imo.

It's hard to say without seeing or knowing details. Like are you comfortable "man handling" her like a football...or picking her feet up...stuff like that. You can also put her on your chest instead.

I think I posted before I dont really believe in step ups and drills. But I do believe in "winning" sneakily....so whenever somebody doesnt want to do something I eventually get my way but they think it was their idea LOL.

This technique, however, only works with husbands and older birds with whom you already have a good steady trusting relationship. Not usually with a new baby in the house.

If it's dusk not having any lights on works, too. Slowly as the sun sets they want to wind down and go to sleep.

I voted for misbehavior. Most of the time I am pretty sure this is the case.... both of my birds like to play the "you can't reach me" game A LOT! Sometimes I think they just like for us to chase them...LOL.

With Maple sometimes it's a dominance/comfort thing. She can be a kinda nervous bird and seems to come out of her shell a little more when she is up high. She has had a bit of a sorted past though, so you can't really blame her too much.

Harley is just playing games and testing boundaries right now. He's just a baby and his previous owners didn't work on step up too much with him, so he's still not convinced he has to come and step up when we need him to.

Both my birds need some work with step up as well in fact. Maple is MUCH better then she used to be. Now usually just puts up a little front before raising that foot...not much screaming or biting anymore. Harley, again, really just needs to learn what it means. He's real playful and as soon as he sees your hand he just wants to play with your fingers....but once he does get up (and of course gets a big fuss over him for doing so)....he loves the attention and doesn't want to get down.

They have very different personalities....it's a lot of fun to try to figure them both out.

Although I too could use some advice on teaching step up a little more efficiently. I have read everything I can get my hands on, but still feel like at least Maple should be better at it by now. We are probably doing what we should be....but you always doubt yourself when it comes to the fids.....

LOL.