Laying on their Back

[zazanomore]

I've noticed with a lot of users here that they have pictures of their fids laying on their backs. I really want to start training Einstein how to do this. I think it would make nail clipping a bit easier. I've noticed though that most of the parrots that lay on their backs are either pois or conures. I rarely see it done with cockatiels.

I've tried laying Einstein on his back before (gently and securely) but he really didn't like it. He started to flap his wings and try to get back upright.

Does anyone have any pointers for me? Or should I just not go there, since he really has no interest being on his back?

[captwest]

Hey Zana, i havn't tried this with the tiels but several of the amazons love to play on their back. You can train this placing your hand on their back and step by step roll them further back until they are upside down this may take weeks but don't roll them too far that they struggle to get away. just a little at the time.

[Michael]

I say get comfortable with grabs first. When you are at the point that the bird doesn't mind you grabbing it firmly, you are able to rotate it any which way. As you hold it in your fist, roll it around different ways while playing with it and keeping it fun. This gets the bird used to being in different positions. Then get it used to being on its back while in your hand. Most birds actually get very calm when they are on their back. After doing this many times, you can begin to loosen your grip to teach it to be on its back on its own. It's all a process.

[zazanomore]

I guess slow and steady wins the race...

[Michael]

Yeah. My philosophy has been that training can be quick but taming is best done through long term desensitization.

[footfoot]

Try transitioning from the bat trick.

[Anneke]

Maybe this will help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJpBPUtgpMY

Sorry for stealing your vid. Micheal!

[captwest]

I guess that works for a senegal, but i'd have to use 2 hands for my amazon.

[Munchy]

Disney head tucks his head off my hand into a roll onto my chest. Kind of like a summersault. It's so much fun and I play with his feet. Until he takes exception, lol, then he gets up and a few minutes later does it again.
It was pretty easy to get him to trust me. We just played from hand to hand and a few times when he stretched to reach the other hand by hanging and what ever else he realized he could trust me. That's the only way I can think of about how he learned to do this. Plus he was so great straight from his breeder.

[CheekyandMalolo]

Rory and my other half. Our conures came to us quite happy to be on their backs. When the breeders would feed them, they'd also flip them over to check leg bands/toes/bellies etc.