Help with new Indian Ringneck parrot.

[jaixion]

Thank you for that. I have tried teaching my parrot the 'step up' command using a smaller perch, but whenever it gets close to him he runs away. I am trying to be patient although I'm not sure I'm making much progress. Excellent tips though, I'll keep them in mind. Not to be a bother, but what would/do you use as treats for your birds?

[Polarn]

it depends for the budgie and cockatiel (wich isnt my birds but i hang out with them frequently) i use millet spray (bird crack) with the amazon that is slightly bigger and slighlty more motivated by food it seems, I either use fresh fruit, I know he goes crazy about red peppers (not the hot ones, although I hear you can actually feed your birds these) and if he didnt get red peppers in his fruitbowl a day I can easily motivate him with it as treats, sometimes i go for small peices of peanuts or safflower (dunno if thats the correct spelling/name) seeds, or banana, the banana is great for getting him todo something I know he is unconftible with, couse he really goes crazy over it, and that he never gets except as treats, a messy treat tho and there is banan smudge to clean up everywhere when doing recalls or something oh small peices of appels seems to motivate him a lot as well. just place 5 of each possible treat on a trey or something and see wich one runs out first, should give you an idea about his favorite.
But basicly patience will help you the most, dont expect your new bird to be stepping up within a week or two, some birds are more curagious than others. Some birds that stepped up for their previous owner wont step up when relocated and you will need to build the trust before it does...

[donald1954]

I try to figure out what my birds like most, preferably something dry, that I can keep in my pocket. Any kind of seed, that I reduce from there normal daily ration. What I found to be well working is, I always have a couple of different seeds in my hand. When I reinforce my birds, I offer their reward on the flat hand, so they can choose. Not easy at the start of training, but when your bird is starting to trust you, a good alternative. The bird has the choice, and you can see what he likes best.

rgds Karin + Don

PS. Yes, Marnie is a real sweetness!! I love her talking!

[Polarn]

when I use fresh fruit as rewards i always wear a little training purse thingie that clips onto the belt, then i place a plactic cup in it to place the fruit in to not stain the little bag thingie too much. when im using seeds i usually just hold a bunch in my hand and dont wear the clipon thingie on my hip... the only thing I've figured he wont take as a treat so far is carrot for some reason, he eats it in the bowl (might say he saves it til last tho) but if i present a peice as a treat he runs away from it... so... I dont use carrots as treats hehe. still want him to eat some so I usually add a few peices into his bowl and whenever i run a mixture of pellets, fruits and veggies in the mixer I make sure to add some carrots as well. hopefully he will figure out it is quite tasty in the end. but overall he isnt too picky, anything that comes from my hand is considered a treat for him (even if he has never got to taste anything except what I actually wants him to eat).

[donald1954]

3 of my birds like any kind of juice or tea out of a syringe. One of the parent raised birds too. When I do training, they always get a little bit. It is a great treat. Carrot juice is their favourite. I do it, just in case I need to give medicine one day. Much easier this way.

rgds Don + Karin