Training a bird?

Question

Ok lets try this again, for some reason its been a half an hour and the question I already asked is not showing up

We have had this bird for quite a while, but havent trained him.
My main goal is to get get him to let humans handle him, casue he gets all mad if there is a hand in his cage. So really I would like to teach him to step up on my hand, and stay there. So any ideas? Ive tried food in my hand, but he wont go anywhere near it unlike out other bird.
If it helps, he is a red rump parakeet.

Oh and one more thing, how long do red rumps live?

I cannot email through here

Answer 1

The first order on the list is to gain his trust. You can do this by gently toweling him out onto a T-stand or the back of a dining chair.


I tell you to work with him away from the cage because typically, if a bird spends all his time in his cage, he becomes very territorial over it. So, it's really best if you can take him to a room away from his cage where he can't even see it.

Begin by calmly, gently, speaking to him. Baby talk, I find, always works best.

To get him hand tame, you will start by lifting your hand up in front of him, and getting as close as he will let you. Keep talking to him, keep a confident air in your voice.

Your goal here is for him to allow you to rest your hand gently on his beak. From experience, I find it's easiest to get him to let you touch him with the back of your hand first.

Once you've got him allowing you to touch him, you want to work on the "up" command. Put your hand out in front of him and gently sweep towards his belly. He will almost automatically step up. If he doesn't then you will need to show him how. Just keep working at it.

The key ingredient throughout all of this, however, is trust. If you lose his trust, you'll start all over.

As far as the person who's saying "email me" and that he's a "Bird Consultant" Um...I don't know if he is or not. But, my advice to you is check out anything by Sally Blanchard or Bonnie Munroe Doan and read those before investing a cent into behaviorists. I fancy myself a "behaviorist" too. But, that doesn't mean I have a degree. It means that I volunteer my time to work with families who are having problems with their birds. I've worked with well over 300 families and I personally am the mommy of two macaws, one of which was a rescue who hadn't been physically touched (other than poked, prodded and pretty much tortured) for 4 years. My macaws are my world.

Anyway, good luck, and if you should need more information, you may email me. My email is my screen name plus @yahoo.com

Answer 2

Hi there. First separate the birds to two different rooms. Next put his favorite treat in your hand and offer it with you on the outside of the cage and say a key word. Repeat this many times and he should accept the treat. If he is a little hungry, it helps.Next open his cage door, offer the treat and the key word. Let him come to you. This may take many tries over 4-5 days. After he accepts the food move on to a hand held perch, the treat and the keyword. Repeat until he gets on the perch. Gently put it next to his lower abdomen. After many repetitions, offer your finger, the key word and treat. Time and patience. It will seem forever. Limit training sessions to 10-15 minutes.Parakeets live for up to 10 years but some have lived longer. have a tweet year and e-mailing involves changing the setting on your profile. Your e-mail address is not revealed to others when you allow e-mail. Click on your image and take it from there.

Answer 3

Also, keep in mind that your bird's cage is his space, don't stick your hand in it to get him out. I have a Lovebird who knows me and allows me to pet him and play with him but still gets annoyed when I put my hand in his cage, except to feed him or change his water.

Answer 4

email me.