How To Tame A Small Parrot

Parrot taming/training is a slow process with ups and downs. Just like humans’ birds also have good days and bad days.

Go Slow

Don’t be in a rush, when you are in a rush you will miss the subtle warnings that your bird is tired, confused, or not in that headspace and it will often result in a bite making everyone uneasy. That being said you most likely will get bitten by a bird when it’s your first time taming a bird. Birds have very subtle cues that are easy to miss. If you get a bite do not react, no screaming no yelling, I know it’s hard but otherwise, you scare the bird and it takes you back in your training.

Target Training

Target training gives you and your bird a way to communicate without your hands being involved so there is less of a chance of you being bitten.

Hold a chopstick and allow the bird to just touch not bite or be aggressive just touch the tip of the stick, you will click the moment they touch the end of the stick. Over time you will be able to get the bird to take steps to touch the stick for the treat. This can lead to you eventually being able to move the bird further and further without having to touch them. Target training does also lead to a lot of other things.

target out to training stand; once you can successfully target your bird around you want to target them to their training stand. Over time your bird will learn what the training stand is and will freely go to the training stand when it wants to interact or communicate with you.

Step Up

Step up is a trick all on its own so please remember that. If your bird is nervous around hands, I would start by just offering their favourite treat in your hand (do not move your hand). Over time they may start to stand on your hand. Once your bird is comfortable with your hand you can start your step-up training where you offer your hand in front of them and a treat on the other hand that they would have to step onto your hand to get to. If the bird doesn’t immediately start moving around with the intent to stand on your hand bring the treat a bit closer. If the bird is standing still with no intent to do anything take your hand and treat away, walk away. Failure teaches just as much as success. Try again a few minutes later with a different treat.

this is the basis

additionally, I would

Towel Train

Towel training is very useful for vet appointments as that is how vets handle birds so that both the bird and handler are safe. I would recommend watching a video on how to do this as it is something that needs to be done correctly or the birds won’t be able to breathe. Do not touch the Keel bone ever. Or ask your vet to show you at your first vet appointment.

Syringe Training

Once your bird is towel trained the next important thing to teach is syringe training. It is very common for a bird to get sick during its life. To take away the added stress when the bird is sick of introduce them to a syringe the first time train your bird early on so oral medications aren’t as scary.

Steps

Towel your bird
In a syringe with just a bit of water and maybe a very little bit of apple juice syringe a few drops onto the side of their beak (gravity will draw it into the mouth)
Give your bird a treat for being such a good bird
Do this a few times each day until your bird takes syringes no problem.

*Too much sugar can be very bad for birds so if you can avoid using it. Apple juice is ideal but if you need to just dilute it a ton*