Training allows you to build a better relationship with your bird.

***I am now offering free training help!***

Please e-mail me at parrotvolancy@gmail.com or message me on Instagram or Facebook.

Some people use clipping in an attempt to tame a fearful bird or to control an aggressive bird.  However, as we discussed in the section on mental health, this method is not very kind to the bird.  It is also not particularly effective for achieving the kind of trust-based relationship most people wish to have with their birds.  Understanding behaviour and working with a bird through training will allow you to cultivate such a relationship, or modify existing behaviour, without the use of physical force or domination.  It is worth mentioning that even if you are working with a clipped bird, you can (and should) still apply the science-based, positive reinforcement techniques outlined here.  (For those wondering why science-based methods are important, I recommend Dr. Susan Friedman’s article “He Said, She Said, Science Says”.)  There is an extensive list of training resources at the bottom of this page. Modern training techniques are based on understanding motivations for behaviour, gradually shaping behaviour, and using positive reinforcement (giving the bird something it really likes in return for doing what you want it to).  Although these concepts and techniques were developed primarily by psychologists and behaviourists, they can be easily utilised by the average bird owner.  Using a clicker to mark the exact moment your bird does something to earn a treat is an extremely effective way of improving communication.  Target training, which usually involves teaching a bird to touch the end of a stick to earn a treat, can be used as a helpful aid in teaching a huge variety of behaviours.  Before we can begin to implement these various strategies, however, it helps to have a basic understanding of the concepts behind them.  I highly recommend reading behavioural consultant Pamela Clark’s “What Is Training?” and psychologist Dr. Susan Friedman’s “10 Things Your Parrot Wants You to Know about Behavior”.  Even a brief look at these two articles should give you a much better idea of how it all works.  Professional animal trainer Barbara Heidenreich has also created a thorough and descriptive list of bird training terminology. This is a demonstration of teaching clicker training and target training to a bird by Barbara Heidenreich: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6iRRum5lPU In this video, Hillary Hankey of Avian Behavior International shows us how she trains a nervous bird, starting with its arrival in her home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1t9M15fKhXI This article by Dr. Susan Friedman documents her step-by-step process to teaching an untamed, pair-bonded macaw how to step up for humans and get weighed on a scale: http://www.behaviorworks.org/files/articles/Empowering%20Parrots.pdf With the right approach, even birds exhibiting fearful or aggressive behaviours can learn to value human interaction.  By carefully observing a bird’s body language, we can often avoid being bitten–certainly preferable to being bitten and teaching the bird that it is effective in getting us to go away.  If we avoid being bitten and instead reward the bird for an alternative, acceptable behaviour, the bird will be more motivated to do what earns it the reward than to bite.  Methods that change behaviour by motivating an animal with rewards and respecting its boundaries form a lasting rapport between animal and trainer.  If a bird’s aggression is being caused or spurred on by hormones, there are changes we can make to address it.  Wing-clipping is typically pursued as a shortcut–a way to restrict movement and choice without trying to understand or change behaviour.  (I am aware that in some extreme cases, a partial wing-clip may be performed in conjunction with training as a means of keeping a bird in its home without being permanently confined to a cage.  However, if wing-clipping were only done as conservatively as possible, reserved for extreme cases, and accompanied by an appropriate behavioural modification plan, I hardly think I would have felt compelled to create this website.) This three-part video series from Avian Behavior International documents the step-by-step training of an aggressive macaw.  Part 3 provides an explanation of how to replicate their success with your own bird: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 In this article, Dr. Susan Friedman explains how we can reduce aggression and fear through learning rather than through “parrot breaking” (using force): http://www.behaviorworks.org/files/articles/Alternatives%20to%20Parrot%20Breaking%202002.pdf This is an excellent article by Pamela Clark on hormonal behaviour and how to reduce hormone production: https://blogpamelaclarkonline.com/2019/08/28/a-k-a-hormonal-behavior/ Another article by Pamela Clark on how diet influences parrot behaviour, including a section on hormones: https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/2346483a-32b0-4032-8070-2efb263e6a90/downloads/Diet-Linked%20Behavior%20in%20Parrots.June2018.pdf?ver=1566842308561 Positive reinforcement methods are not just used to resolve unwanted behaviours, either.  They can also be used to teach a bird how to fly, to recall (flying to the hand when beckoned/called), to go into a travel cage/carrier, to step onto a scale, to accept veterinary exams, to do various amusing tricks, and so on and so forth.  Training benefits not just us, but our birds as well; it offers them mental stimulation and the opportunity to earn their favourite things.  It is a disservice to our parrots’ intelligence to give them everything they could possibly want “for free”.  In fact, when given the choice, animals tend to choose working for their food over eating it freely from a bowl.  (The article below lists several references to support this.) Here is a tutorial video on flight and recall training by wingsNpaws with plenty of thoughtful explanation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRh2PUcTICw This video by Barbara Heidenreich demonstrates flight and recall training: https://goodbirdinc.blogspot.com/2011/02/parrot-flight-training-improving-skills.html This video by Barbara Heidenreich provides ways to increase a bird’s motivation for training treats: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lquf3mPSPU0 This article by Barbara Heidenreich explains how to manage the delivery of a bird’s food to create motivation without depriving the animal of food: http://www.goodbirdinc.com/professional-articles-managing-food.html Some people clip their birds’ wings in order to take them outside, but this is very risky.  As previously discussed on my Flight in the Home section, a clipped bird can still take off and land out of sight when frightened.  By training a bird to wear a harness (and securing the lead to our person), we can take them outside far more safely.  There are a variety of harness styles.  Many bird owners use the Aviator Bird Harness while others prefer a Leathers4Feathers custom creation or the EZ Bird Harness.  Though harness training is more complex than teaching a bird to step up, it can be accomplished by implementing the same basic approach we use to train simpler behaviours.  There are also bird backpacks and carriers such as those sold by Celltei which allow us to bring our birds out and about with us. Here is a video on harness training tips by Barbara Heidenreich: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etKRisR7vgo This video on harness training by wingsNpaws offers a thorough explanation of how to make the process gradual and comfortable for the bird: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rGRC3twkCw This series of videos by Skye Elizabeth documents each step of the harness-training process with a baby bird: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5