Well, Yoshi and I have become best of friends. I wanted a velcro birdy and I got one. I believe he thinks I am his mate. He is incredibly clingy to me. He begs to come out all the time. He does these little crazy acrobatic gestures and even lifts the side door up and down until I let him out. He has flown to my husband a few times but never my children. If I let him perch on my children's shoulder, he just flies right back to me. He also still wants to perch on my head. I was told on another forum to remove him from my hair each time. I've tried the removal thing over and over, but he keeps going back to it. When I remove him, he bites. I'm guessing he's trying to keep me from removing him. He loves scratches on the head and neck area. But it's very hard to scratch him when he stays on my shoulder all the time. I've tried to give him alone time in his cage so he will play with his toys and learn some independence, but it hasn't helped. It only makes him more clingy when I let him out. He probably is out of the cage (on me) more than he is in it during the day. I will be starting school in August and I won't be getting home until late afternoons. I am really concerned. I don't think I'm ready to get him a "friend" just yet but I'm afraid that I might have to.

I am unable to teach him the "stepup" command because he is trying to find a way to my shoulder the whole time. He prefers me over anyone or anything.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

A lot of people on this site would love to have your problem. So many can't get near their birds and are constantly working at it.

Bob is much like Yoshi and I have to be the mom sometimes and tell him not right now little man and go and do something else.

Animals really do learn by repetition and the pavlov dogs theory is true. If every time Yoshi begs to come out and sit on your shoulder and you let him, that is teaching him to beg because it pays off to beg, he gets what he wants.

If your truly asking if his behavior is to excess, only you can answer that question. If you have concerns about leaving him for school and Yoshi having issues with it, you need to change your relationship slowly now.

I think any animal needs boundries, whether it is behavioral, social or diet, you have to do whats right by the bird. I have a hard time not giving too many treats because Bob begs for them, but I have learned to let it go and Bob does just fine.

Yoshi needs you and toys and good food and water and sleep and on and on.... if he is out of balance by too much of any one thing that is what we call overindulgence.

I think he needs a balance of activity and time to play by himself too, but that is just me. I may be completely wrong about this but I want to be happy having a bird, not burdened by its demands.

I am sure you will get much better input than I gave, but it all depends on what you want in the long haul.

too add to this...if you were to get another one kim they would fight over you...this is what you wanted ...now you need to fix it...before ...it gets worse...when he is asking to come out.... dont even look at him,.... dont talk to him,.... in fact leave the room...

be sure to secure the door he keeps lifting as well so he dont eventually hurt himself...

not so cute when they get too attached ...especially when your not going to be able to on a regular basis give the attention...not just a temporary time limited basis...more toys... less out time... less you... less you acknowledging him.... no matter what he does or how you feel about it...

called TOUGH LOVE.

i know folks who always wanted a one man dog too...till they get one and find out the dog is vicious to anyone else...

I agree with Tess. You have to, even tho it's hard, not give in and let him out with you every time he begs. They're very good at training US and that's exactly what he's doing.
How is he when he's in his cage and you are not there? Is he still frantic to come out or maybe not so much because mom is not right there in sight?
Is your hubby ok with spending more time with him when you are not right there to fly to? Maybe you should start letting hubby take a bigger role so he will feel just as comfortable with dad as he is with mom.
You really have to start separating from him slowly or he will be lost without you when you start school.
Leave him in his cage more. Make sure he has toys he LIKES so he can entertain himself. Does he have certain toys..or certain TYPES of toys he likes more than others?
I wouldn't get him a buddy right now. It's waaay too soon. Besides you have enough on your hands with Yoshi and the kids especially with your going back to school. You wouldn't have time to bond and work with a newbie before putting them together.

Just like kids, they DO need to learn to entertain themselves.Otherwise they'll drive ya crazy!
It's called Tough love mom. Good luck with that.
In the long run little Yoshi will be much better for it and HAPPIER. He'll still LOVE you and want to be with you but won't feel so overwhelmed if he's not right there on your shoulder every minute. he'll feel more secure and be more self reliant if you start to distance yourself a bit.

Oh, another thing? If he's able to lift the side door up and down you're going to have to find a way to secure it with a clip or something. If not he will undoubtedly eventually figure out how to slide it up enough to scoot out. eek!

We did it again illusive. Posted at the same time..i'm just longer winded. LOL

if it slides up and down could mean also he ends up worse than scooting out...and i REALLY say nix to another one...you will really have issues then for sure as major jealousy will happen with HARMFUL fights.

auuuuuuuuugh cut it out we just double did it again aaaaaaaaaack

Yesss on the worse than scooting out those slider doors!!! They can be GUILLOTINES. They are Bad news
Secure those doors Kim

and not with wire bread ties either....

You could use binder clips or quick links to secure doors.
You can also use the binder clips for veggies