When should I start training?

[chewynum]

Just got my baby boy today (he's my avatar ) and want to know when to start training? Or teaching him tricks?

I'm not sure how to even start or if this is the way to start bonding with him... he's tame and will let me approach him but i cannot pick him up without either gloves or a towel. I've only picked him up to put him into his sleep cage for the night. He's a very smart bird and very alert so i'm hoping he will pick up training rather quickly

If anyone could point me in the right direction that would be great!

and anyone know what treats to use for training that would get his attention?

Many Thanks.

[avinet]

From your comments it would appear that he has not learnt to step up on a hand yet - all baby parrots should learn this at a very young age, while still being weaned, before being sold by the breeder.

So, learning to step up on command is the first thing to start with - and a parrot is never too young to learn this. Using a towel or especially gloves should be avoided - gloves especially can scare a bird away from hands for life - they can develop a real phobia against a hand near them if gloves are used regularly. If a bird has to be restrained then a towel is a much preferred way to do it.

A video of teaching a macaw to step up is at and another clip at

Your bird is no longer being hand fed, but you can use any food treat that he likes as the training reward. I suggest you have a look at buying the DVD by Barbara Heidenreich at www.birdkeeper.com.au/bird-dvds/dvd88-parrot-behaviour-and-training-an-introduction-to-training This is one of several DVD's Barbara has produced, and they are all excellent value bu the one linked to is the first one to get. She also has excellent books available at the Birdkeeper web site.

cheers,

Mike

[chewynum]

The guy I bought him off sadly wasn't the breeder. His parents breed them and he weans them off onto seed that's it...

I managed to get him on my hand for a moment when he was stuck on a window sill, he then flew onto the bed... He doesn't have an issue with my hands being near him, he can sit on them when I put them on his perch just getting him to step on them, he'll give a nip that will leave leave a dent in my skin but that's it... I want to get him to step up as quickly as possible but at the same time I don't want him to become scared of me or training...

And he will take treats but throw them on the ground and ignore them.... I've tried dried pasta, nuts from his food mix and some fresh apple.... guess it's a trail by fire in a way, haha...

Just got to keep trying!