Height Dominance | Behaviour Solutions

[@kimveazey9036]

I am SO GLAD you made this video. Too many people still believe in dominance in birds.

[@TheParrotTeacher]

Too true!

[@ris8065]

*Thank you* so much. I get told far too much that putting my quaker on my head is “encouraging height dominance” She just wants to be happy on my head because it’s higher than my chair and she want to be up high because of her *survival instincts*

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Completely agree with dominance is not present in parrot species! It concerns me how many people believe this as it sets them and their parrots up for failure!

[@mehere8038]

It is in lorikeets. Anyone who's ever fed wild ones in Australia knows that

[@BirdNerdSophie]

@@mehere8038 I worked with a flock of 80 rainbow lorikeets and there was no height dominance.

[@mehere8038]

@@BirdNerdSophie "height" dominance no, but dominance, at least with the top pair, yes there is & I'm sure you know this if you've worked with 80!

[@BirdNerdSophie]

@@mehere8038 I’m afraid I have to disagree, and she actually explains things really well in this blog post flock-talk.tumblr.com/post/108990830803/dominance-in-parrots/amp

[@mehere8038]

​@@BirdNerdSophie oh please! You're in the UK & you're going to argue with an Aussie as to what we see every day of our lives if feeding lorikeets in our backyards? Notice how that blog does NOT mention lorikeets at all??????? Like it or not, lorikeet "flocks" have dominate pairs that all other birds submit to. They challenge them, but there is always a dominate pair that get the best food & if you don't provide a separate food dish for the dominate pair, the rest will have to sit & wait until that pair have finished before they are allowed to start eating. You have clearly not worked with 80 lorikeets in anything but a highly modified artificial environment, with birds born with multiple generations of natural behaviour denied to them if you've seen anything other than a dominate pair in a flock of 80 lorikeets!

[@TheParrotTeacher]

So glad you said that "dominance" isn't a thing! Was worried when I spotted the title! An excellent video, one of my faves of yours so far!

[@Camilla.x]

Thank you SO much for bringing this up! Wish every birdowner (and dogowner) should know this. It is so sad when owners think they have to prove that they are dominant over their lovely animal

[@620pickle]

I've had so many people tell me this is an issue but it's really not a thing... The higher they are the more safe they feel. There's really no issue keeping my bird on my shoulder it's honestly a convenient spot

[@fructifer4502]

This is an important topic, thank you! WingsNpaws (youtuber) also did a great video on height dominance a few years ago. Looking up videos of wild parrot flocks makes it apparent how a concept like dominance isn't natural to them.

[@theparrotsvoice6143]

Thank you so much for making this video and dispelling the height dominance myth! There are too many myths and too much bad advice on social media and KZbin about parrots, so videos like yours are so important.

[@fructifer4502]

Aaagh you called Newt "noodle" that's too cute I can't handle it

[@ris8065]

I feel like pet owners overall have some of the dumbest nicknames for their pets😂 My indian ringneck is named Charlie and I started calling him “Charizard” the day I got him, it stuck.

[@SoaringSunshine]

Wow! I am super early! Thank you for making this video!

[@animalsperspective4298]

INCREDIBLY THOROUGH AND ARTICULATE! Thank you!

[@Loveofpets]

I am so happy you talked about this as too many bird people think their birds are trying to be dominant when on top of your head or shoulders 🤔

[@archiesflock7517]

I was told about height dominance when I first got Archie and it made no sense! Now he’s allowed to snuggle on my shoulder and he’s a happy, well-behaved boi.

[@theConcernedWyvern]

I'm so glad you brought this up! Theres actually something said quite commonly in the reptile community that i think fits well here: there is no aggressive behavior, only defensive behavior. Be it defending territory, resources or themselves, animals dont lash out for no reason and its important to respect the motives behind the behavior. Thank you so much! Your videos are super helpful for when i do get a bird eventually!

[@まるまめちゃ]

I always look forward to your posts! Thank you😊

[@naviagetro8912]

No wonder my bird like flying to my head especially when I’m standing up.

[@lynnrushton7458]

Even just the word dominance makes me shudder. Love how happy newt and Mia are 💜

[@macintoshimann9892]

Thanks so much for making this video… the world needs it! I feel so sorry for a cockatiel that a good friend owns and sadly will not allow to perch on his shoulder because of misconceptions about dominance! In my experience, Ive never had an issue with birds thinking they are top dog, not really sure how these rumors came about, but they need to be addressed!

[@bigsky445]

💕 You are so beautiful & your love of animals makes you absolutely amazing! Thank you for this video! 💕

[@blahbibbledeebobbyma]

I got a parrotlet after a lot of research and watching a ton of Flock Talk. My baby is turning three years old in a couple of weeks and we love her so much. She's so happy and healthy and we couldn't love her more.

[@flockclock4080]

3:45 wow 😯😯 did he just did a spin on the signal of hands He did it whenever you show a sign of thumbs up He did it 7 times

[@candicet5973]

Yay! I knew that u would post today! Thanks for the vid!

[@stephaniem8187]

I am so glad that you made this video. I’m also glad that I found this video I recently got a baby Parrotlet who is eight weeks old. He tends to fly on my arms shoulders and head he is very friendly and likes going on my hand or finger. Recently he started flying on my head a lot and I tried to put him down and not really reinforce anything I gently tell him “no” but now I’m going to change my mindset and the behavior and try more positive reinforcing and involve lots of treats

[@plam_bg]

My green female parrotlet only gets aggressive when she’s on the roof of her cage or when I try to touch her wings. Other than that, she’s calm with me and follows me everywhere, but flies away from any other people.

[@psyseraphim]

Love your videos always really informative. My Nans Budgie Bertie is obsessed with mobile phones he seems to love spending time perched on top of them tapping away at the screen. Clever little birds they are. I honestly didn't even realise height dominance was considered a thing. Bertie loves sitting on my shoulder, my head or my phone, the light shade and has never really shown any kind of aggression issues other than briefly when he reached adolescence back before Covid was a thing. I wasn't spending as much time at my Nans place as I do now and I just think a lack of interaction might have been partially to blame for that. My Nan was scared to handle him but now I'm interacting with him regularly and he's reached maturity he's a fantastic member of the family.

[@anotherhuman3866]

My dad used to breed birds and I hadn't seen any videos on this topic so this is the one thing I just took his word on because I had my bird on my shoulder and he told me not to do that as it makes them aggressive (I still let him on my shoulder tho even though I thought my dad was right because he just seemed to like it there lol) but it's nice to know its untrue and they dont think they are dominant when above you

[@yjt7695]

Hi, thank you so much for this video. I need some urgent help in getting my lovebird into my cage. I’ve tried recalling him onto my hand and bringing him into the cage but he escapes almost immediately. Many times I spend up to 30mins - 1 hour trying to get him back and the frustration builds up so much I got so mad I shouted and try to grab him, which I know I shouldn’t. 🥺😔😭. I think I’ve broken his trust that he would step up on any other person’s finger but not mine, and would instantly fly away from me when I approach. but I really don’t know what else to do.

[@chompzapple8744]

Try putting him near the cage and reward him for being near the cage. Whenever he is in the cage, reward him for being in the cage too. Make sure his cage is also an enjoyable space, where his toys, and food is placed as an incentive of being in there. Just work on positive reinforcement for the wanted actions and behaviour! Idk if this is late, but If u are still having problems, hopefully this helps, or if anyone with a similar problem sees this, I also hope this helps.

[@nazadi853]

Thank you for the video 🖤 counting the days till the next video

[@kelawoops]

The "dominance" logic reminds me of parents who think their 2 year old child is testing them/challenging their authority when they are just exploring how the world works or HAVING EMOTIONS. I'm glad younger people are breaking out of the dominance-centric view of how people and animals work

[@wydefire]

thank you so much for doing this video!

[@jasusonice339]

Wow ty soo much for your vids, i’m learning so much from them

[@joemetzengerstein8519]

You covered a lot of important info! I'd just like to ask - dunno if it's possible or if it's just another youtube mechanism - but could you please turn on the captions option on your other videos? It's a great resource for people whose native languages aren't English. As much as I can understand mostly of what you say, some subs always help me to catch up a few lost words!

[@lassiandthebudgies4003]

Mia is very cuteee the entire video!!!😍😍😘

[@JemStone98]

My female budgie is 6 months old and has displayed weird behavior such as placing her beads under her rump and regurgitating on them and shoving herself in the corners of the kitchen. But she still hangs out with us and plays so im guessing it's nesting? How do I stop this!

[@luminousstrawberries]

Super helpful,thanks!

[@poopahbird3337]

I think some busy body just likes telling you what to do. You clearly know what you're doing.

[@jamescoopman8456]

I am a soon to be new parrotlet owner and have been watching all your videos to educate myself, but I am still looking for a little more information how to get things started. I watched the video about when I first bring the bird home. I am hoping you can PLEASE comment or make a short video on when you know your bird is ready to come out of the cage and how to go about getting them used to your hand and how to bring them out?

[@amandah2490]

Couldn't agree more with what you say.

[@jiakhunkhun6231]

when my cockatiel saw newt he came over to my computer and started licking on the screen where newt was

[@mailpooch]

my parrotlet bites my earlobe a lot of times when he sits on my shoulder. he still does not like t get handled but will step on my arm with some lure. He usually growls at my had if it moves above his eye-level . Me scratching my ears or taking a sip from a cup. Sudden movements can trigger him. I take your point that we are not super comfortable with each other yet.

[@PlainOLIcecream]

Thx for advice! Love ittt

[@Tyshdoesnotexist]

my past birds were so cute, we even got one from the street who was really wild and got really soft with much love after 8)one slept with me in my bed, he got so used to it and we both fell asleep together hehehe but someone gave my dad a couple, they had babies, they are all crazy, I don't even know what to do... they are really loud, don't let anyone touch them. I got my hand on them a few times, and I get them in my pocket, but they are still so aggressive, I just lose my mind. they wake me up every week at 4am because they get all crazy in their cage! I once got them out and they constantly hit the wall. never had birbos like this. don't know what to do. these videos get me some peace XD

[@donnanelson9181]

Excellent video. Very helpful.

[@MichelleMod1]

I would agree that height dominance isn’t a thing. That the way dominance often defined in training isn’t correct. However since birds compete for food, mates, and resources the winning bird would be the more dominant bird. Any competitive nature is dominance. They are not at all socialistic or fair they will knock each other off a branch if it suits them.

[@fatimaa4741]

Yay! You posted!

[@ashleybonniwell1753]

I have a female budgie that has decided that a male budgie is hers alone. She is so abusive and possessive of him. Any time he does anything (ie: eats food or treats given to him by me, perches on my hand, plays with the cockatiels we have, drinks water, literally anything) she bites him in the beak to the point where now he won't do anything and seems depressed. She is leaving scabs on his beak 😢. What do I do?

[@peepsicle]

To me it’s super obvious that my birds want to be on my shoulder so they can interact with me and be close to my face. This seems super obvious, like it makes me sad that people are keeping their birds off of their shoulders and claiming it’s because of some weird 1950s patriarchal “heigh dominance” bizarre ideas that a bird would want to be on our levels. This makes me think of those parents in the last century who thought it was important to always establish themselves as “authority” figures. God forbid ones children actually have healthy self esteem or something. Anyway, thank you for the excellent video and for nipping this ridiculous concept of “height dominance” in the bud!

[@eabird4358]

Please, please do a video on hormonal aggression! My parrotlet has been in this mode for about a year now. He just turned 2yrs old. Attacking me and the other birds. I don't want to rehome him. He's no longer tame and attacks me. PLEASE HELP!

[@jessicam.3672]

My parrotlet gets very protective and aggressive when she’s playing with paper tissue or plastic bags. When I hide these she’s going around the house looking for it and she knows to chirp non stop to get what she wants. How do I get her to not focus on this behavior?

[@midnightskittles8032]

I just got my baby conure a couple weeks ago and he loves to bite my ear. I've been trying to take him off when he does that and put him on his cage and ignore him. The problem is that when I try to get him to step off he ignores me and continues to bite.

[@HarleyQ5690]

Hi; just found your channel, love it! I have a six month cockatiel that loves to be on my shoulder but continues to rip my and has knotted up my my necklace watching you I noticed your birds didn’t touch, so keep her off my shoulder or remove all my jewelry? Is there a way to have both?

[@CampElias]

I only don’t let parents on my shoulder if they’re hard to get all like for instance one of my birds will just step right on my shoulder the first time I ask but the other one won’t so he does not go up there as much thanks for addressing this there’s a lot of miss information about this

[@docbainl9504]

YOU ARE TRULY THE BIRD QUEEEEN❤🇦🇺

[@charliedevine6869]

When I put my bird on my shoulder she chews holes in my shirt collar. So I don't put her there.

[@mcama9643]

Hi I have bought my bird from a family member who did not care for him well and when I got him he was very angry and did not want to get held or anything or he will try to bite so I am wondering if I bought another bird for him maybe will it make him more comfortable?

[@Lilly-fo9hy]

Hi My bird it is a Parrolette it will attack you if you touch anything of his that it’s yellow like if he sees my dog toy that’s yellow he won’t let the dog have it what should I do

[@lasherry6275]

Thank you so much for this video! My parrot was on my head and he bit my earlobe. I just stepped him down from my head. Was that a proper response?

[@aprillroberts]

Okay. Can you help. My Ringneck keeps dive bombing my kak when he’s on my shoulder 🤷‍♂️ not sure if he’s being protective or 🤷‍♂️

[@mmmiu85]

my parrotlet likes to fly to the floor to chase and bite my toes... *sigh* he also doesn't always fly higher if he's trying to get away from me trying to put him in the cage...he'll fly to the floor and run away lol

[@cake3291]

can you do a vid on mites plssss

[@korecob5761]

So i got 2 budgies and i need help getting them out of their cage they are ok with playing inside and eating from my hand but are scared of coming out thxs

[@fatimaa4741]

Leave the cage open and let them walk out by themselves

[@TheParrotTeacher]

Fatima has it right! You can also reinforce coming out whenever they do decide to venture out with a treat. Or if the hand is the issue a perch to step onto near the cage!

[@korecob5761]

@@TheParrotTeacher thank you i tried it the prefered perching on the millet stick😅 the have been poking their heads out today so i was very happy they are still a bit scared of coming ouy completly but they have started to poke their heads out!

[@TheParrotTeacher]

@@korecob5761 just takes patience and a bit of trust!

[@korecob5761]

@@TheParrotTeacher thxs

[@galeem713]

My two conures bully all my other birds.

[@mohammedyusuf9631]

Me focused on mia

[@michaelbayliss9412]

Nibbles and I have work to do.

[@antonius872133]

Thanks! But what about when a bird is aggressively protecting the top its cage? My cockatiel will quite often charge people who walk by the cage, flying towards them with open beak, and hitting their head. I was hoping to learn how to discourage this behaviour.

[@bolt1437]

Do they have any sort of out of cage playstand? Birds can sometimes become defensive if they only have a single territory.

[@antonius872133]

@@bolt1437 Yes, they are always free to roam my apartment, and will play in the plants, on the fridge, in the bathroom, etc. Yet, the cockatiel will often be territorial about the cage...and the bathroom.

[@bolt1437]

@@antonius872133 Do they have any water / food bowls outside the cage?

[@antonius872133]

@@bolt1437 Not specificly, but one has to walk between her and the table where I train them.

[@kimveazey9036]

What about a bird on your shoulder bites because they perceive a threat and wants you to move away from it?

[@parrotandbird8923]

Why does my bird continuously go to my head and shoulders it like it doesn’t stay on my hand for a second little pig he likes to go on the people who have more better grip on their head and shoulders why is that it’s definitely not because he likes Tyler places we’ve confirmed that

[@jood7094]

Can we freefly an already grown up birb?

[@chicken5761]

Yes! It can can be more difficult, and you do need a professional no matter the age, but yes! It’s definitely possible

[@mrhenk007]

I think that commenter misunderstood dominance with a bird just liking sitting in a higher place.... But it's a bird, so it's logical.

[@nusayban5461]

early!

[@laurenb6837]

My bird attacks me when I bring her strawberries. I find I-gor’s food aggression adorable, so I make sure we always have strawberries for her.

[@musicooze]

That cute!