How You Can Start Teaching Parrot Tricks

Copyright (c) 2010 Kaye Dennan

Teaching parrot tricks has now something you want to do because you have your new parrot home and settled in. Well done! That is not an easy task in itself. Parrots cannot be cuddles and soothed as you can with a kitten so settling a parrot into his new home can sometimes be quite difficult.

But have you been faced with a lot of noise and fuss yet? Most probably! That is how they will react until you can start bonding with it.

It now becomes the time to form a relationship with your parrot where it is comfortable with you and with you moving around it and putting your hand in its cage.

They make a lot of noise and fuss because that is their defence system for frightening predators away so until he gets used to you he will probably keep on with all the racket. Don't be afraid though. As long as you don't go too near he most likely will not bite. He is just telling you he is not happy!

So let's make him happy and gain his trust.

Gaining his trust is being able to move closer and closer to the bird without him feeling threatened.

To start gaining his trust it is good if he is outside the cage, but if not that is OK too. He will come out eventually.

The best approach is to slowly walk towards the parrot until such time as it starts to look wary of you. Stop there for about 10 seconds and walk away. Repeat the process every 30 seconds. Once you have managed to get within 3 feet of the bird stay at that distance and raise your arm towards him with the palm and fingers down. Again keep repeating this motion until the parrot stops its squawking and you can comfortably move a little closer.

The parrot is going to remain cautious for some time but eventually it will let you get closer. When you are allowed to get closer, use the same technique and hand motion but putting it near its feet this time. The idea is to eventually get him to step onto your hand.

To entice him to step forward onto your hand you may need to hold some food out in front so that he steps forward to take it. Once he has stepped forward let him have his treat because he has done well. And so have you!

It is not easy walking towards a large parrot that is squawking and flapping his wings at you, especially when he has that large beak open.

How quickly you are successful will depend on how confidently you can betray yourself to the bird and also on his past experiences. But do persevere as it will be well worthwhile and a strong bond will be forged.

Just a tip here, if the bird is looking alarmed before you even start this initial training, leave it until you and he both are feeling and looking relaxed. Teaching a parrot tricks requires both the parrot and the owner to be relaxed.