New to Forum

[Monty]

Hello all, I am new to the forum and to birds in general. My wife is very interested in birds and I have left their training to her. I feel like I need to step in and really get the birds aclimated to us and really start trying to train them. Our parakeet Maddy, seemed to be making great strides in getting adjusted to us, she was very friendly and then my wife purchased a cockatield (Spike) and she just seemed to backslide in her training. Now she is skittish and doesn't come out of the cage on our finger and often I have to chase her around when she comes out of the cage to get her on my finger and then she often wants nothing better than to go back into her cage. Their cages are about 2 1/2 feet apart and the parakeet often chatters to the cockatiel but the cockatiel wants nothing to do with talking back. We recently went out and got another parakeet for company for Maddy (Geddy is still in his own cage but right next to Maddy's cage now) and they talk up a storm all day long. I am hoping to keep progressing with her and keep working with her outside of the room where Spike is in hopes that perhaps it is him making her nervous and threatened when she is out.

Spike has always been a biter, when I stick my hand in his cage he immediatly opens up his mouth to bite me even if I am not close to him. He has gotten a little better, I am a bird training NOVICE in the worse way, so I am resorting to videos and online information to try and train myself before I try and continue to train my birds. Now we are planning on adding and additional member to the flock and getting a black cap caique after christmas. I know the bird has a strong beak and is very trainable so I would like to make sure I get as much training time with the other birds in before we add another one so any tips on training parakeets or cockatiels or even with the caique is quite welcome. I hope to get some pictures posted soon.

[Roger P]

Welcome to the Forum. The best resource I can suggest for you is to look through the Taming & Basic Training category, and especially Michaels taming post. The key is to work in the bird's comfort level, don't go too fast or too far or it won't work properly. The bird has to want to work to be successful. Start with really short sessions (5 minutes) and build if the interest is still there. After that, it is about consistency from you and anyone else working with your bird. The training begins with you being consistent so the bird knows what to expect from you and what you expect from him/her.

Merlin has realized that his portable perch is the "training centre", and will go to it when he is wanting treats and attention. He now tells me when he wants to work. Good luck, post your questions as they come up. There is a vast level of experience here, and I have found everyone more that willing to help to the best of their ability. Keep us posted on your progress.

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Welcome!