Zachary hangs out on our shoulders frequently because he has proved to be a very sweet and tame parrot, who has passed the training of knowing how to treat his humans with love and care. You must be very sure that your bird is a tame and trusting pet before you allow him or her to sit on your shoulder.

Birds that are not always tame, unpredictable, or temperamental must not be allowed to hang out on your shoulders. Also birds that are not trained to be sociable with all humans, should not be allowed to perch on humans' shoulders. In fear, terror, or jealousy, they can very easily rip off an eye, ear, or scar your face badly. Before any pet parrot is allowed to sit on your shoulder, it must have already gone through several training stages; some of which include knowing how to step up and down, know & accept humans as equals, and love being with them. They must be mellow, calm and loving in temperament. They must not have any issues of aggression, overbonding, or other behavioral problems.

If your parrot is not completely tame, you can still interact with it, by allowing it to sit on your hand. Make sure your hand has a firm grip so that the bird feels secure. Arms are not a good perch for a parrot, as it can be wobbly and can cause a parrot to lose its grip. When they don't feel secure, they will grab you with their beak for balance, which you may interpret as a bite.

Take all the necessary steps to train and tame your pet bird before you allow it to sit on your shoulders. This is important, as serious injuries can happen if you're dealing with an untamed, or unpredictable pet bird. Amazons are large birds and their beak can cause serious face injuries. Take it a step at a time. Whether a parrot can sit on your shoulder or hand is not an indication of how good a pet it is. You can still a love a parrot in many ways, even if it is one you would never put on your shoulders. Just know your bird well, and work in the way that brings out its best.

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