Q: What are the advantages to training your bird?
A: There are several reasons why you might want to consider training your bird to perform tricks. First, training forges a strong bond between a bird and its owner. It helps build an attitude of mutual respect and trust. Second, it gives birds something to look forward to, helps relieve their boredom, and can reduce the stress of their being alone for long periods. Training stimulates the birds mentally so they are a lot happier.

Q: Is training birds cruel in any way?
A: There are always those who question the ethics of teaching a bird to fetch, roll over or play dead. They feel that it is an affront to the independent avian nature. First, understand that you will never get a bird to do something it does not want to do. Second, the fact is that all animals, including birds, learn many behaviors that are not instinctive, but instead unique to their environments, mainly through conditioned response. You taught your bird to step onto your finger, to take food from your hand, to allow you to scratch its head. Why not expand your bird's behavioral repertoire by teaching it to wave or shake hands, thereby expanding its intellect?

Q: I've never had any training experience. Can I still train my bird?
A: Yes, with the praise/reward system, or as some call it - positive reinforcement - anyone can train a bird.

Q: What are the best birds to train?
A: Many people think that the larger parrots are the only birds that can be trained to do tricks, but the smaller birds like cockatiels, conures, and caiques have been found to be just as smart, and can be taught an amazing range of behaviors. Just take a look at Video #1 and you'll see what I mean!

Q: Can older birds still learn tricks?
A: Sure. While it is ideal to work with younger birds, even older birds that have never had training before can be taught a variety of tricks and can often be helped to correct unwanted behaviors through this training.

Q: Will it take a long time to train my bird?
A: Obviously, the more complicated a behavior is, the longer it will take for your bird to learn it, but basic tricks can be learned in as little as one session! Video #2 will give you a good idea of the training basics.

Note: For specific questions on training
techniques, please refer to the videos.