Training Tips

All parrots can be taught to do simple tricks, and very often complex tricks as well. In Zachary's home, we don't call these trick training, but rather his daily training consist of things that we feel will help him understand and enjoy this "unnatural life" amongst humans. Birds in the wild (in their natural habitat) speak their parrot language and do what other birds do. Pet parrots in a household situation need to participate in the lives of their human companions. Being able to see, talk, and do similar things to what we do & say makes a pet parrot feel like they are part of the "flock". Help your birds understand what you're training them to do - no matter what it may be. Start with giving your bird time - time to get adjusted, healthy and happy with his living situation. Then slowly work on training them how to step up and step down, several times a day. Visit Zachary's Forum for details on how to train a bird to step up. Once they learn to trust you, then it's time to slowly work on other things that they can learn and enjoy.

Stick to simple words and sentences. Use the same words for each command and your Amazon will soon know what you want and will give it to you. Give lots of enthusiastic praises when your parrot responds the right way. Commands should always be used before expecting a response from your parrot - all the time. Even if they already know what it means. It keeps them secure when they hear what they know. Zachary hears a verbal command each time he's asked to do something, even though sometimes he knows what it is and actually says the command himself.

Parrots are never too old to learn new tricks. But they will only perform when their needs are met. They must feel safe and secure with you, and trust you implicitly. Start by simple tricks, using their natural behaviors that you already notice they are doing. This may include the wave, wings up, lying on their backs (this is a very vulnerable position for a parrot so give them time), and giving a kiss - by extending their beaks to touch you. Then you can slowly move to more "unnatural" behaviors that will require more time, patience and repetition. Remember to use enthusiastic praises for every little step that they master.


The Wave	Lying on back	Giving kisses

When kissing birds, only allow them to kiss you by placing their beaks on your closed lips. Do not allow them to touch your saliva.

The "unnatural" behaviors that can be trained in parrots, are where interactive training comes in. Besides the basic "parrot tricks", they can also learn to identify objects, play baby instruments (cause and effect), play catch, and solve puzzles, to name a few. Before starting a program like this - they must first respond to the basic trick training mentioned above. Like all training, parrots have only limited attention span and it takes repetition, more than time at each session, to make them understand. You can never force a parrot to do anything they don't want to do. It took almost 6 months of flashcards/objects training 15 minutes everyday before Zachary identified two out of the 10 objects and 2 cards. But once he got it, it became easier for him to learn more in this manner. Zachary also plays the baby piano, throws a ball and wants it thrown back; and is now working on learning what a puzzle is all about. TV programs for kids showing interactive behaviors are very helpful in helping them understand. When Zachary is in his cage, a video is always on in front of him - he has videos ranging from Baby Mozart and other baby learning videos, to just about every Disney movies there is. Colors and exciting voices catch their attention.


Playing the piano	Solving a puzzle

Just like trick training, your Amazon must feel happy, healthy and safe before he will want to talk. If you speak your commands all the time - in the same words and tone, it won't take long for your Amazon to pick up those words and associate them with the actions. It's as simple as that. Then using the same method - talk to you bird like you would to a 4 year old child on everyday things that go on in your life. Talk to them and not at them. Associate things with simple words and/or sentences. Then use them consistently. Use an upbeat tone of voice. The rest is patience and paying attention. All birds start with baby garbles, and if you give them attention and praise for those efforts, you will see those garbles transform into understandable words. Go to Zachary's Voice page to hear some of the things he says.

It's important for a pet parrot to feel comfortable with humans' hands. There of obviously other training steps prior to this - first knowing how to do step ups & downs; & accepting other human contact positions, before learning to be comfortable with these actions:


Leaning on you, sideways and back	Being held and playing "bunny hop"!	Allowing you to hold its wings up

Take time to make them comfortable with you, and help them trust you. From there you can work on gradually getting them used to having their head scratched, foot rubbed, tickling their toes & bodies, and eventually they will enjoy being held by you.

Keep praising them for all the things that they do right. Amazons react to praises and your tone of voice. Use them correctly and your Amazon will respond accordingly. They are inquisitive, and are very intelligent creatures. Work with them like you would teaching a very young child.