Training Your Bird – It’s Not as Hard as You Might Think!
Why train birds?
Daily behavioural training and interaction are vital for the health of pet birds. Wild birds spend many hours foraging, avoiding predators, and interacting with companions. With smaller groups, often pairs or single birds in our homes, pet birds must get mental stimulation in other forms to keep them healthy and happy.
Without regular interaction and training, health problems can arise. Feather plucking is an unfortunately common condition in pet birds. With a diagnosis of exclusion (ruling out parasites, infections etc), it is often found that boredom is the culprit. Birds pluck out their feathers in frustration which leads to bald patches, sore skin, and the inability of that bird to carry out natural behaviours such as preening and displaying.
Training is not only a great source of enrichment for pet birds, curbing boredom and preventing stress-related illnesses, but it also strengthens the bond between you and them. Training is also a useful tool in preventing unwanted behaviours both through teaching “no” or “leave” but also by redirecting mischievous energy through mental stimulation.
General training considerations
Most birds are receptive to training. Depending on the species of bird you share your home with, the level of intelligence and therefore the level of enrichment and interaction your bird will benefit from can be determined. Some of the smaller-brained birds such as canaries and finches, will enjoy simpler training and enrichment, such as interacting with music, whistling, and singing. Some can learn to mimic very simple sounds and words.
Larger-brained birds such as parakeets, cockatiels, and parrots, enjoy more complex interactions and enrichment and can be trained to accomplish more difficult tasks or “tricks” enhancing their mental well-being.
The most successful training supports your bird's natural behaviours. Most smaller birds aren’t natural talkers, but they will be more willing to move objects or pull levers etc. Choose interactions and “tricks” that your bird is happy to engage with and will come naturally to them.
When is the best time to initiate training?
The best time to initiate training is when your bird is calm and receptive. This is often just after a meal or before bedtime. Ensure you have a nice quiet environment without distraction and a familiar space so they feel comfortable.
Learn your bird’s cues. If they are showing signs of discomfort or not in the mood to learn, try again another time. If your bird moves away from you, pushes you away, vocalises, or tries to bite, these are clear signs that it is not a good time to initiate a new interaction or new teaching session.
Start simple
When starting to train a new idea, action, or trick, start basic and build on the behaviour slowly. It is important to remain patient as some tricks take a short amount of time to teach but others can take days or weeks to learn. Always finish sessions positively and offer a reward. Reward-based training empowers your bird to choose to be involved, leading to a keen participant wanting to learn. Never scold or punish your bird as it will deter future participation and interactions.
How to train your bird
The key to finding the right level of enrichment and introducing new objects or “tricks” is to try. Try introducing new sights, sounds, and toys to play with and watch how your bird engages with that object. If they seem to enjoy the interaction, you can add a word to it and provide a treat, in hopes of creating a connection with that object/action and a positive reaction or reward.
- Introduce new toys/games/objects for interaction and reward engagement.
- If wanting a specific interaction with that object, i.e., raising a flag, initially reward any interaction until it is reliably repeatable, then over time, wait for the specific action before rewarding.
- Keep training sessions short and fun. Make sure your bird is happy and engaged with the task and remember, it is meant to be adding value to their day, so if they’re frustrated or appear to not want to continue, don’t push it. Try again another time.
- Reward desired behaviour and distract/redirect undesired behaviour, don’t punish.
- Repeat, be patient, and reinforce.
See, training your bird isn’t that hard after all!
Keep at it, stay calm, and remember to have fun. Reward, don’t punish, and keep training sessions short and enjoyable for you and your bird. Training will improve the bond with your bird, enrich their mental well-being and discourage mischievous behaviour so you live a more enriched, harmonious life together.
Why train birds?
Daily behavioural training and interaction are vital for the health of pet birds. Wild birds spend many hours foraging, avoiding predators, and interacting with companions. With smaller groups, often pairs or single birds in our homes, pet birds must get mental stimulation in other forms to keep them healthy and happy.
Without regular interaction and training, health problems can arise. Feather plucking is an unfortunately common condition in pet birds. With a diagnosis of exclusion (ruling out parasites, infections etc), it is often found that boredom is the culprit. Birds pluck out their feathers in frustration which leads to bald patches, sore skin, and the inability of that bird to carry out natural behaviours such as preening and displaying.
Training is not only a great source of enrichment for pet birds, curbing boredom and preventing stress-related illnesses, but it also strengthens the bond between you and them. Training is also a useful tool in preventing unwanted behaviours both through teaching “no” or “leave” but also by redirecting mischievous energy through mental stimulation.
General training considerations
Most birds are receptive to training. Depending on the species of bird you share your home with, the level of intelligence and therefore the level of enrichment and interaction your bird will benefit from can be determined. Some of the smaller-brained birds such as canaries and finches, will enjoy simpler training and enrichment, such as interacting with music, whistling, and singing. Some can learn to mimic very simple sounds and words.
Larger-brained birds such as parakeets, cockatiels, and parrots, enjoy more complex interactions and enrichment and can be trained to accomplish more difficult tasks or “tricks” enhancing their mental well-being.
The most successful training supports your bird's natural behaviours. Most smaller birds aren’t natural talkers, but they will be more willing to move objects or pull levers etc. Choose interactions and “tricks” that your bird is happy to engage with and will come naturally to them.
When is the best time to initiate training?
The best time to initiate training is when your bird is calm and receptive. This is often just after a meal or before bedtime. Ensure you have a nice quiet environment without distraction and a familiar space so they feel comfortable.
Learn your bird’s cues. If they are showing signs of discomfort or not in the mood to learn, try again another time. If your bird moves away from you, pushes you away, vocalises, or tries to bite, these are clear signs that it is not a good time to initiate a new interaction or new teaching session.
Start simple
When starting to train a new idea, action, or trick, start basic and build on the behaviour slowly. It is important to remain patient as some tricks take a short amount of time to teach but others can take days or weeks to learn. Always finish sessions positively and offer a reward. Reward-based training empowers your bird to choose to be involved, leading to a keen participant wanting to learn. Never scold or punish your bird as it will deter future participation and interactions.
How to train your bird
The key to finding the right level of enrichment and introducing new objects or “tricks” is to try. Try introducing new sights, sounds, and toys to play with and watch how your bird engages with that object. If they seem to enjoy the interaction, you can add a word to it and provide a treat, in hopes of creating a connection with that object/action and a positive reaction or reward.
- Introduce new toys/games/objects for interaction and reward engagement.
- If wanting a specific interaction with that object, i.e., raising a flag, initially reward any interaction until it is reliably repeatable, then over time, wait for the specific action before rewarding.
- Keep training sessions short and fun. Make sure your bird is happy and engaged with the task and remember, it is meant to be adding value to their day, so if they’re frustrated or appear to not want to continue, don’t push it. Try again another time.
- Reward desired behaviour and distract/redirect undesired behaviour, don’t punish.
- Repeat, be patient, and reinforce.
See, training your bird isn’t that hard after all!
Keep at it, stay calm, and remember to have fun. Reward, don’t punish, and keep training sessions short and enjoyable for you and your bird. Training will improve the bond with your bird, enrich their mental well-being and discourage mischievous behaviour so you live a more enriched, harmonious life together.
Why train birds?
Daily behavioural training and interaction are vital for the health of pet birds. Wild birds spend many hours foraging, avoiding predators, and interacting with companions. With smaller groups, often pairs or single birds in our homes, pet birds must get mental stimulation in other forms to keep them healthy and happy.
Without regular interaction and training, health problems can arise. Feather plucking is an unfortunately common condition in pet birds. With a diagnosis of exclusion (ruling out parasites, infections etc), it is often found that boredom is the culprit. Birds pluck out their feathers in frustration which leads to bald patches, sore skin, and the inability of that bird to carry out natural behaviours such as preening and displaying.
Training is not only a great source of enrichment for pet birds, curbing boredom and preventing stress-related illnesses, but it also strengthens the bond between you and them. Training is also a useful tool in preventing unwanted behaviours both through teaching “no” or “leave” but also by redirecting mischievous energy through mental stimulation.
General training considerations
Most birds are receptive to training. Depending on the species of bird you share your home with, the level of intelligence and therefore the level of enrichment and interaction your bird will benefit from can be determined. Some of the smaller-brained birds such as canaries and finches, will enjoy simpler training and enrichment, such as interacting with music, whistling, and singing. Some can learn to mimic very simple sounds and words.
Larger-brained birds such as parakeets, cockatiels, and parrots, enjoy more complex interactions and enrichment and can be trained to accomplish more difficult tasks or “tricks” enhancing their mental well-being.
The most successful training supports your bird's natural behaviours. Most smaller birds aren’t natural talkers, but they will be more willing to move objects or pull levers etc. Choose interactions and “tricks” that your bird is happy to engage with and will come naturally to them.
When is the best time to initiate training?
The best time to initiate training is when your bird is calm and receptive. This is often just after a meal or before bedtime. Ensure you have a nice quiet environment without distraction and a familiar space so they feel comfortable.
Learn your bird’s cues. If they are showing signs of discomfort or not in the mood to learn, try again another time. If your bird moves away from you, pushes you away, vocalises, or tries to bite, these are clear signs that it is not a good time to initiate a new interaction or new teaching session.
Start simple
When starting to train a new idea, action, or trick, start basic and build on the behaviour slowly. It is important to remain patient as some tricks take a short amount of time to teach but others can take days or weeks to learn. Always finish sessions positively and offer a reward. Reward-based training empowers your bird to choose to be involved, leading to a keen participant wanting to learn. Never scold or punish your bird as it will deter future participation and interactions.
How to train your bird
The key to finding the right level of enrichment and introducing new objects or “tricks” is to try. Try introducing new sights, sounds, and toys to play with and watch how your bird engages with that object. If they seem to enjoy the interaction, you can add a word to it and provide a treat, in hopes of creating a connection with that object/action and a positive reaction or reward.
- Introduce new toys/games/objects for interaction and reward engagement.
- If wanting a specific interaction with that object, i.e., raising a flag, initially reward any interaction until it is reliably repeatable, then over time, wait for the specific action before rewarding.
- Keep training sessions short and fun. Make sure your bird is happy and engaged with the task and remember, it is meant to be adding value to their day, so if they’re frustrated or appear to not want to continue, don’t push it. Try again another time.
- Reward desired behaviour and distract/redirect undesired behaviour, don’t punish.
- Repeat, be patient, and reinforce.
See, training your bird isn’t that hard after all!
Keep at it, stay calm, and remember to have fun. Reward, don’t punish, and keep training sessions short and enjoyable for you and your bird. Training will improve the bond with your bird, enrich their mental well-being and discourage mischievous behaviour so you live a more enriched, harmonious life together.