Quick Tricks

[iknowwhatiknow]

I've been a bit neglectful of Rory for the past few weeks, work's been insane as it finishes up for the break, and then on top of that, Christmas festivities and such, so the training of new tricks has pretty much come to a halt over the busy season. We've still been practising his tricks at least twice a day, but I haven't been able to introduce anything new into his repertoire.

I've been on holidays since Monday however, and in that time, have taught him to nod, hang like a bat, and crawl through a tube. Each one in about ten minutes.

It's interesting to me, because we've been working on getting the wings trick right for months (I need to go over Michael's post on perfecting the trick again - because I'm sure I just need to concentrate more). We've also been working on 'play dead' for over a month, and it's still a slog.

I guess it's because some are more natural behaviours than others, and he's more inclined to do stuff that's safe and easy and comfortable.

Anyone else found certain tricks particularly taxing, while others are almost immediate?

[Becco Lunatico]

Yes yes yes! Currently working with Jimmy on laying on his back which at this point which really translates to basic hand taming (?) since there is still enough trepidation on the bird's part that he feels compelled to grip me with his feet. The book 'Parrot Tricks' by Tani Robar and Diane Grindol has a great 10 item pre-trick tameness scale. Jimmy is a third hand parrot and while he was fast to learn basic tricks, his step-up was/is met with verbal protest and nips. I skipped the step up opting for a perch stick, something he was immediately comfortable with. Right or wrong my approach with Jimmy has yielded great results in our bonding and continued success with a basic trick routine. Time and quality attention are on our side thus far (who knows where the Nanday mind and emotions can go?) . At any rate I suggest you continue what you are doing, using as much finesse and insights into your bird's reactions as you are already demonstrating (:

PS To the above...I am currently working informally with Jimmy on a modified step up. The verbal cue is a calm 'come' (which he is familiar with since learning to fly to me ) along with a gesture cue - palm up. He is responding very nicely to this thus far...

It is still magic, this relationship we have with these beautiful creatures. What an honor to have earned even a drop of their trust and devotion...

[idlepirate]

The wings trick and play dead definitely!
For the last few weeks ive been trying to get some wing action going along with taming Loro to wear his harness. all connected. Some birds like cockatiels might have their wings up more natural.
Playing dead i can get him to lie on his back in my hand comfortably but have no idea how to get him to do it by himself. hes not keep on flat surfaces, im trying to just lower him more and more to the bed or somewhere and hope one day to just slip him off. green cheeks are maybe easier as they go onto their backs naturally even by themselves. i would have thought the same for bluethroats as they're very similar but no....
wings you can tell how far i am from michaels thread about it. They are i think very advanced tricks, its hard for a bird used to simple tricks and getting them so fast to have to concentrate so much on these.

One i really dont get is "shake" haha.i have blowed till out of breath daily and he wont budge!
he actually either doesnt seem fused or he gets p-d off and starts getting agrevated. seems so easy to just blow onto the birds face but what if they dont get affected by it.