No, I am not using a clicker. I do own a clicker, but never got into it because it was hard to handle with a bird and a treat in hand. Would a clicker help in this case?
When I got him, I just went off of how I knew to train pretty much from instinct and working with horses. He responds to "good bird" and a treat.
Also, just to test him, he now has three tricks that start with the letter F. So I would just sit there and say "FFFF" and he would be off flapping and doing his F tricks. It's cute and definitely endearing. And I know that he is trying to please me. I appreciate it, but he is still completely missing the point.
I tried to hold off on the "good bird" for when he doesn't do the tricks, but I think that could lead to confusion in the long run, as I always thought the reward sound was supposed to be reserved for immediately right after he does it right. Also, I tried to extend the treat to him right after he does the right trick the first time, but I doubt that would be a good long-term fix, either, as I am essentially then doing the thinking for him.
See, with a horse, it's a lot easier. Because you just release pressure in terms of guiding them into what you want them to do. And they can't move as fast as a GCC.