A bit of a somber post for you today as I just read this article on MSN about how the worlds best talking parrot has just died.

You can check out the article here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20723212/?GT1=10357

This bird was the entire reason I got interested in the process of teaching parrots to talk. In fact it’s what inspired me to create my talking course for parrots. My heart goes out to the caretakers of this bird, as it was a truly remarkable creature.

Why don’t we all give our birds a little more attention today… as you’ll never know if it’s the last chance you’ll get to spend some quality
time with them.

Sincerely,

Chet Womach

Stepping onto a person’s hand is an important parrot skill. However, even the most well-trained parrot, like my Macaw Tiko, gets fussy once in a while, and those that weren’t taught to step up when they were young may resist the idea when someone decides it’s time they learn.

Offering a hand to a parrot that has no intention of gently stepping onto it can be scary, but when you need to do it, what options do you have? Buy bulk packages of Band-Aids and pain relievers? Use falcon gloves? If you have a parrot that fights you rather than steps on your hand and you’ve reached a sticking point, your bird needs some stick training.

Stick, dowel, perch or hand preserver. Whatever you call it, it’s a way to pick up your bird without worrying about losing fingers. All parrots should be taught to step onto a stick even if they normally will get on your hand.

Not only does this give you some added control when your bird cops an attitude, but if other people need to pick him up they’ll be able to do so with confidence. Stick training can also help your bird learn to step onto whatever you offer him, even if it’s not his usual training stick.

My husband once had to get our blue and gold macaw out of a tree, and couldn’t let go of the branch he was holding onto, so he stuck out his leg and said “UP”! Bijou stepped onto the outstretched leg even though he looked a bit confused.

Stick training isn’t complicated, but you’ll need to handle the stick properly. Whether you’re teaching a bird that already steps up, or one that doesn’t, you can’t just wave a dowel around and expect him to hop right on.

If he’s new to the concept, he’s liable to freak out so badly that you’ll be lucky if you can get him to look at you, much less let you pick him up. Parrots have an attitude of “That thing is trying to get me!” and are sensitive about stuff coming at them, especially when they don’t know what to expect. If you don’t start out right, you’ll probably have to make up for some bad experiences.

Choose a stick that’s not too thick so your bird can get a good grip, and a length that you can manage easily (anything longer than eighteen inches may be too awkward). Eventually, you can use more than one stick and vary the size or style but at first I recommend just one.

Having several around the house is a good idea. When your bird is being naughty and you want him to step up, you don’t want to have to hunt around for a perch. If they’re handy, you’re always prepared. To keep one by the cage, consider attaching a strap to one end and hanging it on the wall. Your bird can get used to seeing it and you’ll be able to get it easily.

At first, just let the stick hang around near the cage for a few days so it becomes something your parrot is used to seeing. Casually carry it around a little, too, but don’t bring it towards him at this point. The next step is to allow him to touch it.

During your play time together, put the stick on your lap, the couch or wherever you’re playing, along with some of his toys. Set it flat on the surface with everything else and treat it like the other toys. Let him approach it on his own timetable. He can nibble and push at it, but mainly encourage him to touch it with his feet.

At some point, slide the stick over to him, still keeping it level on the play surface. When that goes well, begin to lift and move it a little. Once you see that he’s not nervous about that, you can add the “up” command and use the stick as you would your hand, pressing gently at his legs with a little lift. It’s usually better to come at him from underneath and from the front—don’t bring it down upon him.

It can take some birds longer than others to get over their fear of the stick, but most take to it pretty well. And for parrots that aren’t comfortable stepping onto hands, this can be a good way to start—let them get used to the stick first.

Even if they’re biting it, they’ll learn that biting doesn’t scare you off. They’ll learn that the stick, and eventually your hand, offers a secure and trustworthy method of transportation and that being picked up isn’t so bad.

“This article was written by professional parrot behavior specialist Kim Bear who consults for Birdtricks.com”

Well for all of you who purchased my brand new course on how to stop a parrot’s random biting behavior… as promised, I’m going to be holding a follow up interview to that course to answer any of your questions that I didn’t specifically address in the first interview.

So here’s how it’s going to work:

If you have a question about the first part of the biting seminar we recorded, then make a comment on this blog, I won’t publicize the comment, but I will read them. I’ll look them all over, and then schedule a second follow up call to go over any questions you might have in more depth.

So if you have a topic you’d like me to give more details on, and you’ve purchased my random biting seminar already, then comment below, and I’ll be in touch very soon to let you know when I’ll be holding the call.

Cheers!

chet womach

P.S. If you don’t own a copy of my ‘How To Stop Random Parrot Biting Course’ You can pick up a copy at http://www.birdtricks.com/random-biting

I wanted to let you know that my seminar on how to
stop parrots from randomly biting you is now online,
and you can pick up a copy for yourself here:

http://www.birdtricks.com/random-biting

This recording covers stuff like:

>> How to handle normally well behaved parrots who
suddenly turn mean.

>> Stopping your parrot from randomly biting at your
face while on your shoulder

>> Techniques for getting your parrot to stop attacking
your feet or shoes.

>> Why your parrot lets you pet him for a few seconds
and then visoucily bites you… and how to stop this

>> What to do with a bird that only bites you when
strangers come near you

http://www.birdtricks.com/random-biting/

If you’re parrot bites you for no apparent reason,
and you’re looking for a solution to stopping this
behavior, then make sure you check out the below
page for more details:

http://www.birdtricks.com/random-biting

Enjoy!

Chet Womach

P.S. I’ve giving away a special bonus on this page
that expires in 1 week so make sure to check it out.

This next week I’m going to be conducting a telephone seminar and providing a recording of that seminar, on the topic of how to stop random, freakish biting habits in normally nice parrots. And to make sure that call goes as GREAT as possible, I want your feedback!

So please share with me the challenges you’re having with your parrot’s random biting challenges, give details, and when I record the call I’ll try to include answers to as many of your questions as possible. Look forward to reading your questions and getting you back some EXTREMELY helpful advice on getting these issues fixed with your birds.

Chet