Working with shy/ scared birds (358 views)

[Shelly]

This sticky is for people who have shy, timid, or scared bird. Having one myself (Butch) i have gotten used to working and training him. The first rule with shy birds is not to grab them With any bird you do not control when your bird is ready to do something new and 'scary'. When training you have to go at the birds pace, and when they have mastered what you are doing with them you can move on to something else.

When i am training Butch i first show him that i have millet before opening the cage, and i dont directly bring the millet to him. You want to go towards them at a speed that they are comfortable with, while not going directly to them. Body language is the key. As i move my hand in, i pause and look at him to make sure he is comfortable. Still keeping the millet in front of him and to the side, i stop. At this point he know what i am doing and goes to me* to eat the millet. voice commands can also help. when i am letting him eat millet just for a snack and not for a training reward, i use the command of "you want some?" this way he knows it is ok to eat and i am not asking him any thing.

* HE goes to ME to eat the millet- with scared animals you never want to approach them, they should always approach you when they are ready and trust you.

[Casey]

excellent sticky!! i have a shy bird too and he is a lot different than my other birds, not one you want to push too far!

[Shelly]

i was going to add more but got sidetracked and forgot i will add more as i work with butch