Just look how this proves it:

Budgies...Not very smart.

We've been working on this trick for a few weeks now, it was a hard one for Nani. I think she didn't really understand what I wanted her to do. I would say bang pointing my finger at her, and then tip her on her back. Immediately I would praise her and give a treat. Then she started expecting being pushed so she would grasp my finger with her foot which forced me to manually set her on her back. That lasted forever, she just didn't understand I wanted her to do it herself. If I didn't tip her over she'd just stare at me and then go run off to get into something. FINALLY a few days ago I tried again, and what do ya know she did it!

This has been a bad month for me health-wise. The weather outside has been freezing, and as a result I've gotten a cold twice this month. In fact I'm convinced this latest one is actually the flu. Being I've felt like poo, I wasn't spending as much quality time with Nani. Sure I would hold her, but she would act like she wanted to go back right away only to beg to step up again when I'd put her back. Although I routinely let her out to play all day, she started being a crabby pants. Biting harder while play wrestling (one of her favorite pass times), squawking and screaming much louder, and when she wasn't being loud she was doing her beeping noise CONSTANTLY. It may sound offenseless, but this low pitched beep can drive a person crazy after only a few minutes let alone all day. beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep. See? It's even annoying in print. I managed to order some new foraging toys which kept her entertained for a little while, but not completely.

Well I knew full well that she was acting out because she wasn't getting the attention she requires of me. Since we hadn't done a session of trick training in a little over a month I decided to give it a try. I could sit up in bed during the session and not expend a lot of energy. Although I knew she enjoyed doing trick training, I was surprised at how excited she got over it. She picked up a new trick, the flip, in about 5 minutes! And that 5 minutes was all it took because as soon as I returned her to her cage she spent the rest of the evening playing quietly...even when I would leave the room. Now she was completely content to entertain herself. It was then that I realised just how important it is to stimulate their little minds in order for them to be truly happy.

I suppose there are some species of parrot who are more inclined to just wait it out, perching quietly in their cage (at least for a longer period of time than a Caique). But how many of us have wondered why our birds start to scream and bite "out of the blue". Of course there could be other causes, but why not try teaching a simple trick the bird can learn and be rewarded for? I look at it this way: You can buy a child a video game that will keep his attention for a while, but he soon becomes restless and starts to whine that he is hungry, bored, etc. Take that same child to the park to play ball for an hour and he's as happy as can be. Parrots are no different. Toys are important, especially educational and foraging toys, but take just a few minutes out of your day to teach and interact with your bird and they are as content as could be.

So I'm still sick as a dog, but Nani is in the other room quietly playing right now. Why? I believe it's because we've had our daily training session and she's now happy to entertain herself for a while (although I suppose I should be sleeping).

Hello to all my new readers! Nani and I would like to thank you for stopping by. Please note that on the right side of the page, just below "Categories" is a link to "Follow This Blog". Once you click on the link you will be able to choose to follow publicly or privately. By choosing to follow The Doodle Bird Blog you can stay updated with this blog's posts on your Blogger Dashboard.

Here's Nani's latest, the flip trick. It took her about 5 minutes to learn. I just held one of her toes and flipped her while giving her the command, then gave her a treat. When I stopped doing it for her she got the point and flipped all by herself. :-)

Supplies:

• 1 unfinished wooden cup with loose fitting lid (can be found at most craft stores)


• 1 wooden flower cutout


• 1 quick link clasp


• 12" section of nickel plated chain


• 1 bird safe bell

1. Start by drilling a small hole in the center of the flower cutout, wooden box, and lid. You may also want to dye the pieces different colors using food grade coloring.




2. Attach the bell at one end, and thread the other end through the holes starting at the bottom of the box. Finally, attach the quick link clasp at the top and hang.

3. Put one of your birds favorite treats in the cup. At first you may want to show him what you're putting in. For some you may need to demonstrate how to get the treat out. Give it some time, eventually he will get it.

The Retrieve is a bit more tricky to teach than some of the other tricks I've taught. In this trick I have to get Nani to pick up an object and bring it back to me on command. I followed the steps Tani Robar describes in her book Parrot Trick Training.

First, pick an object that is easy for your bird to pick up in his beak. I chose a small stacking cup because I will eventually use a set of them for a more difficult trick. Next, set the cup at arms length from where you sit and place a treat next to it. Do this several times and your bird will begin to associate that object with a treat. Don't forget, PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE every time your bird makes an effort. Now try putting the treat under the cup while your bird is watching. Encourage him to go move the cup to get the treat. I had to lift the cup several times to show her it was still there. The point is you want the bird to move the cup to get the treat. You can also place the treat inside the cup face up. Now comes the tricky part.

Instead of putting the treat in or around the cup, keep it in your hand. Stretch out your other hand flat, palm up right next to the cup. Now tell your bird "bring it to me", or "fetch", or whatever phrase you want. He should go check out the cup looking for his treat only it's not there. If he moves the object at all or picks it up PRAISE and give him the treat. Once he starts to pick up the object put your hand directly below it so that it falls into your hand. PRAISE! REWARD!

Repetition is key to teach this trick so don't get impatient, he will get it eventually. Once he does try placing the cup farther and farther from your outstretched hand so he must actually bring it to you. Remember, praise and reward (treat) every tiny milestone. Once your bird has it down packed try using various objects for him to retrieve. This will keep the "game" interesting for him and he will learn to bring you whatever you want. I've heard of some larger parrots bringing their "master" the newspaper or slippers.

The Retrieve is the basis for many other tricks like shape puzzles, ring toss, pull toys, basketball, etc.

Nani and I are now working on putting one cup inside a larger cup. She's still confused, but I know she'll get it eventually. Click to watch

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Nani was only 4 months old in this video (she hatched 5/4/08). Teaching her the turn around was very easy! (see below)

1. Place bird on t-stand.

2. Show him the treat (a small piece of nut, sunflower seed, or favorite treat) to get his attention.

3. Slowly circle the treat above his head so that he follows it, while giving the command "turn around".

4. As soon as he makes any attempt to turn, or does so even if only half way praise him and immediately reward by giving him the treat. Do not give him the treat for nothing! He has to work for it. He may get frustrated, in which case you can reward (don't forget to praise) for any turn of the head or attempt to follow your hand.

5. Do several repetitions, each time making him go a bit farther around before he gets the treat.

After one to two training sessions of 15 mins or less he should get the hang of it. You can start giving the verbal command only and drop the hand movement as soon as he seems to get the idea. (I still have to remind Nani from time to time using my hand).

Parrot Tricks Tip: After the bird has mastered the first trick, move on to something else, but don’t follow a lesson with playtime. Make the lesson itself be his special time with you.