Posts tagged Bird Training
Socialization – a Vital First Step When Training Your Parrot – Part 2
Jun 29th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. In Part I of this article we discussed the importance of socialization – the process of familiarizing your parrot with the people and things that make up its world. Wild parrots are socialized by their parents, mates and flock members, but most or all of these important individuals may be unavailable to captives. Un-socialized parrots generally live stress-filled lives and remain fearful of people. Today we’ll take a look at some simple and effective socialization techniques. More >
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Loading ...Socialization – a Vital First Step When Training Your Parrot – Part 1
Jun 8th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Budgerigars, Lovebirds, Amazons, Macaws Cockatoos and other parrots are so intelligent that it is tempting to train them to speak and perform tricks right away. However, socialization must come first, as un-socialized birds are virtually impossible to work with.
Socialization is the process of introducing the parrot to the world around it, so that the bird will accept its surroundings and react positively to the people and things that come in to its life. Socialized birds also accept reasonable changes in their environment without experiencing undue stress. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Sleep – the Key to Teaching Your Parrot New Words and Tricks?
Feb 16th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Like many parrot owners, I’ve tried just about everything possible to teach my birds to speak – repetition, “mentor birds”, training CDs, begging and pleading, and so on. A recent article in The Journal of Neuroscience (Jan. 2010) has added a new technique – a good night’s sleep! More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Parrot Bonding – Will my Budgie be a More Responsive Pet if Kept Alone?
Nov 3rd
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. I’m often questioned on the pros and cons of keeping Budgerigars (parakeets) and other parrots singly as opposed to in pairs or groups. Most folks are aware that parrots housed alone tend to form strong bonds to their owners, more so than birds that have others of their own kind to interact with. While this may be true to some extent, there are other considerations. A recent question from a bird owner who planned to give away one of her budgies, in order to make a “better pet” of the other, has prompted me to post some thoughts here.
Social Life in the Wild
Parrots, including budgies, almost always fare best when kept in pairs or appropriate groups. Those I have observed in the wild (and this is echoed by all careful parrot-watchers) are in almost constant contact with their mates and flock members. Even in large flocks, and during flight, it is usually quite a simple matter to spot paired birds…they remain, literally, within touching distance of one another.
Solitary Pets
A great many of the problems experienced by pet parrots are related to their being kept alone. The agitated “dances”, displays and attacks on toys exhibited by solitary birds, and which are found amusing by those unfamiliar with parrot biology, are actually born of frustrated urges to mate and defend a territory. Several parrot interest groups have now published position statements to the effect that housing a parrot alone is, in most cases, considered by the group to be animal abuse.
Filling in for a Missing Mate
I advised the afore-mentioned budgie owner that while the bird may indeed form a strong bond with her if kept alone. However there would be no way to predict such, as her pet had already been housed with another bird (this will affect its reaction to being kept alone).
But above all, the most important consideration to bear in mind is that spending a few hours each day with a budgie would not be adequate; parrots kept alone need the near constant companionship of a person if that person is to be considered a “substitute” for the missing mate. This is difficult to arrange for most people.
Further Reading
Parrots that bond with people may make wonderful pets but sometimes raise a host of unexpected problems. For more information, please see another article I have written, Parrot Bonding: Positive and Negative Aspects.
Please write in with your questions and comments.
Thanks, until next time,
Frank Indiviglio
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