Essentials All Parrots Should Learn!

Parrots are not just pets; they're intelligent companions capable of learning various behaviours and tricks! Teaching your parrot essential skills enhances your bond and ensures their well-being and safety. From basic obedience to more advanced tricks, here are some fundamental behaviours all parrots should learn:

Regular weigh-ins are vital for monitoring your parrot's health. Training your parrot to step onto a scale willingly makes this task easier and less stressful for you and your bird. It's a good idea to keep a journal to track your bird's weight, and the best time to weigh them is in the morning after their biggest poop and before they have breakfast. 

In Episode 25 of The Parrot Podcast, Michael, The Parrot Wizard, shares how often we should weigh our parrots, what scale he recommends and why it's so important!⬇️

Towelling is an essential skill that can help during vet visits or grooming sessions. Teaching your parrot to be comfortable with being wrapped in a towel can reduce stress and make these experiences more manageable for you and your bird(s).

While syringe feeding might not seem like a trick, it's crucial for emergency situations or when your parrot needs medication. Training your parrot to accept food from a syringe can be a lifesaver in times of illness or injury. Many parrot trainers recommend practising with pure fruit juice (no sugars added), something tasty for our birds!

Step training involves teaching your parrot to step onto your hand or a perch. This behaviour is useful for handling and transportation and helps build trust between you and your parrot. With patience and gentle encouragement, you can train your parrot to step up onto your hand or a designated perch on command - don't forget to use treats as a reward for behaviours we want to teach!

Parrots can be sensitive to changes in their environment. Teaching your parrot to adapt and feel comfortable in new surroundings can prevent stress-related behaviours and help them adjust more quickly to changes in their environment. Do slow and gradual introductions, start with short introductions, and slowly increase the time to get them more comfortable. 

Parrots are social creatures and thrive on interaction with their human companions. Teaching your parrot proper socialization skills, such as interacting politely with people, is really helpful for their well-being and happiness, your family dynamic, having friends over, going to an avian vet, etc. 

Recall training teaches your parrot to come to you when called, which is crucial for their safety indoors and outdoors. With consistent training and positive reinforcement, you can teach your parrot to return to you reliably, even in distracting environments. Practice takes time, effort and patience. Be consistent with training!

Training videos or consulting with a bird trainer can be incredibly helpful in teaching these behaviours! Videos provide visual demonstrations and step-by-step instructions, making the training process.

Teaching your bird good behaviours and these essential tricks enriches them and strengthens your bond. By investing time and patience into training, you can ensure your feathered babies well-being and create a harmonious relationship built on trust and understanding. So, grab some treats and a clicker, and get started! :) xoxo