I don't quite think people understand what it means to respect your bird, but it is so so so so SO so so... important. Honestly, if you simply show your bird some respect, he will respect you right back and start to like you.

To prove this, I am going to show you a video of Dave and a Hyacinth Macaw (the same one we decided to take on for 6 weeks) but the video is taken in Virginia where Hymie lived. He was hanging out in a big motor home garage pretty high up and was in a mellow mood, so Dave took advantage of that and began petting Hymie (who tends to be a bigger fan of women but doesn't not like men).

Notice how Hymie tells Dave via his body language (and which feathers lift and go down, also through what his feet do and this and that... little body language signs you need to learn to pick up on with your own bird) that petting him with his first hand is okay, but with the second hand is NOT okay.

Dave then RESPECTS Hymie's decision and backs off...

He comes back a little later and offers his hand again, asking if hand 2 is okay... again... and this time Hymie realizes that he can say yes or no to Dave and it actually will be respected. So now he has decided, that is pretty cool, and yes Dave can pet him with hand 2.  

So next time your bird tells you no, respect it, take the hint and back off. Then come back again. The more often you respect your bird's decision, the more likely he will feel like he NEVER has to say no to you again.

Article by Jamieleigh Womach. She has been working with parrots and toucans since the age of 17. She isn’t homeless but is home less than she prefers to be. She travels the world with her husband, daughter, and a flockful of parrots whom she shares the stage with.