Our Darwin, an African Grey Parrot, is footless, so he does not spend a whole lot of time outside of his cage, he does not have the ability to climb on people or perch on hands, shoulders, or chairs like most birds. He dows like to sit on top of his cage when the cloth cover is on it, and ofcorse he loves the inside as he is smack in the middle of the action in the living room. He drops everything, or should I say "feeds the dogs" He flings food out! lol, from seeds to whatever else he may be eating, the dogs are always happy to clean up after him! And they do! Its never made anyone sick... just makes for spekled poop... seeds eaten whole don't digest and he flings bits of millet.. a treat he likes...
As for them hurting each other... Every person will tell you a story about this and that animal that did or did not get along... but I personally think its as random as a brick falling from the sky.... Odds are your dog is a dog and their years of being dogs tells them that your bird is prey! No matter how socialized, I would always worry.... It may never happen.... It may happen with you two inches away! And our reaction time is not enough to fix a punctured air sac on a bird! They are so easily harmed, turning the tables, their beaks are SO strong and able to inflict SO much damage! Even if it never happened... I wouldn't want to risk it... I've had Darwin fly down twice from atop his cage while pixie was near and I tell you Pixie was on him like white on rice! And Darwin was ready to defend... They both would have been harmed had I not been so quick.... I keep them on lead now when we have him out, just in case... I love them both too much to risk it!
I wish I trusted them enough... but there is just no way...
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