Key takeaways
- Many birds can be frightened and stressed when they are in a new environment, and it can take time for them to bond with you.
- This is why it's essential that pet parents put in the work to tame their parrot.
- We explore why taming a parrot is important before detailing our four simple steps to successfully tame your bird.
Can you tame a pet bird?
Yes, you can tame a pet bird, and sometimes it's a necessity! If your bird bites or is scared of being handled, it can be difficult to give them the proper care they need.
The taming process can take a long time, but it will greatly improve your parrot's quality of life in the following ways:
- It will destress them: If they are constantly frightened of you, they will have a very stressful life. By getting them used to being handled, you'll prevent them from being unnecessarily scared or stressed.
- It will help you bond: Being able to handle your bird will help you spend quality time with them. This will enrich their lives and prevent them from feeling lonely.
- It will give them more freedom: A life in a cage is no fun, which is why most birds enjoy a bit of freedom daily with their owner. Whether that's while their cage is cleaned or it's playtime, it's an important aspect of your parrot's life. Without being tamed, this may not be possible.
If your bird bites or is scared of being handled, it can be difficult to give them the proper care they need.
4 steps to tame a parrot
You can expect taming your parrot to take about two weeks. However, every parrot is different. If you have a very scared bird, it might take a little longer. Patience is key!
Step 1: Approach your bird's cage
The first step to tame your parrot is to get them used to your presence. They should eventually feel comfortable with you approaching their cage. But you need to build trust before you do this. If you walk straight up to the cage, you may frighten them, which will slow the taming process as they'll associate fear and stress with your presence.
Instead, approach their cage slowly without making eye contact and using slow and gentle movements. When you notice them becoming stressed, stop straight away. This may even be a few meters away from the cage, but that's okay! Stay put until you see them relax. Observe their body language for these cues.
Once they have relaxed, walk away from them. This has taught them that they are safe within that distance from you.
Approach their cage slowly without making eye contact and using slow and gentle movements. When you notice them becoming stressed, stop straight away.
Step 2: Repeat this, gradually moving closer
The second step should be a repetition of the first step but moving slightly closer to your bird. This repetition will help build your bird's trust.
Remember to stop as soon as they show signs of stress and wait until they relax. Don't repeat this too many times in a day. Make sure you gradually decrease the distance over a few days so you don't overwhelm them.
Step 3: Move your hand closer to the cage
Now your parrot is comfortable with you in their environment, you should work on getting them used to human interaction and, specifically, being handled.
To do this, they have to trust your hand first. So, you'll need to repeat the process you used to walk towards their cage with your hand.
When you are standing next to them, slowly move your hand towards the cage. Stop when become stressed and stay still. When they relax, move your hand away and verbally praise them.
Step 4: Repeat this, gradually moving closer
As before, continue this process and gradually move your hand closer and closer to the cage. When you finally reach the cage, drop a treat into it to reward their good behavior. This will help them trust you.
The next step is to open the cage door and ensure your parrot is comfortable with your hand. Ideally, they may even eventually hop onto your finger!
Keep decreasing the distance between your hand and your parrot, pausing when they're uncomfortable.
3 Tips for training a parrot
If you're training a particularly frightened bird, then you may find it quite difficult. Loud noises, sudden movements, and direct eye contact can reverse your progress. So, to make your bird comfortable and remain calm, follow these three top tips.
1. Calm environment
To train a parrot effectively, you need to keep their stress levels as low as possible. If they are afraid or distressed, then they will be distracted and won't be able to learn.
Ensure the environment is:
- Quiet: Your bird's cage should be placed in the quietest room in the house. Try to soundproof it as much as possible. Don't have any music playing or the radio on in the background, and if there's a sound you can't control from your neighbors or outside, postpone your training session until it's a bit quieter.
- Calm: Children running around or visitors coming and going will distract your bird. Ideally, the environment should be very calm. Make sure your own body language remains relaxed, as they'll be able to pick up on stress and tension.
- Secluded: When training your parrot, you should be the only one in the room. Anyone else, no matter how quiet or calm they are, can distract your parrot in key moments of the training session.
2. Good rewards
Whether your bird loves its food dish the most or a jelly pot, find the reward that will motivate your pet the most. Every parrot is different, so pay attention to your feathery friend and see what excites them the most!
3. Clicker training
Clicker training refers to the use of a small plastic clicker that should be pressed when your bird behaves ina way that you will reward. It should be pressed just before you give your bird a treat to reward them for the behavior.
This can be very effective because the sound is consistent and clear. If you use a word, your voice and intonation can change, making it difficult for your parrot to understand the verbal praise. This means they may misinterpret the behavior for which they are being rewarded.
FAQs
Final thoughts
It can be disheartening when your parrot seems afraid of you. But don't worry. This is perfectly normal for new birds as they get used to their new environment and new owners.
Remember to be patient, respect your parrot's boundaries, and be consistent. You and your bird will both benefit from these training sessions. Before you know it, you'll have a new best feathery friend!
