How to make a parrot tame? Practical advice. What to do if a parrot has flown away How to set a parrot

Most keep cats or dogs at home. Parrots, especially large ones, are still considered exotic, despite the fact that caring for them is much easier, and they are just as enjoyable. Our family decided to have a large parrot, as we had heard about their intellectual abilities and already had the experience of keeping birds - budgerigars. Since then, for nine years now, our Eva breed noble parrot, or eclectus, pleases us with her company.

The parrot as a pet has not so little merits.

1. Parrots do not have hair

Instead of wool, like dogs or cats, parrots have “powder”. These are the smallest horny particles of down feathers, which resemble talc in their properties and are needed in order to repel water if the bird gets wet. But certain species of parrots (eclectus are among them) do not produce any powder, but have sebaceous glands. Such birds are suitable even for those who have feather allergies.

In addition, parrots do not smell as much as other animals. A healthy, well-groomed bird smells like honey or a sun-dried feather pillow.

2. Parrots can learn to talk

Parrots are great imitators. They are able to reproduce the hum of a washing machine, a telephone melody, the sound of a doorbell. If you show patience and work with the bird, it will learn not only to pronounce individual words and phrases, but also to repeat sentences in the desired sequence. Our parrot, for example, knows how to tell a fairy tale about Ryaba Chicken and laughs very contagiously.

The talkativeness of a parrot largely depends on its species. The first place is rightfully taken by the African gray parrots, followed by the Amazons. Cockatiels and budgerigars can also learn to pronounce up to a hundred words or more.

In order for a parrot to learn to talk, it is better to keep it alone, without other birds, so that there is a lack of communication, which will induce the bird to make contact. The secret of training is simple: you need to practice regularly, pronounce the words emotionally and do not forget to praise and cheer your pet up with his favorite treats. Sometimes the best reward for a bird is to scratch the top of its head against the feathers.

3. Distinguished by intelligence and ingenuity

The most capable is rightfully considered to be a gray parrot, or African gray parrot. This species can even analyze and reason logically at a basic level. Parrot Alex (in the first letters Avian Learning EXperience), one of the representatives of this breed, was specially selected for the experiment by Dr. Irene Pepperberg. The psychologist aimed to prove that parrots are able not only to imitate sounds, but also to make informed decisions.

Jacot could identify up to 50 different objects and describe their colors, shapes and materials. Alex had the ability to be aware of more, less, the same, different, above and below. His vocabulary was about 150 words, but his main feature was not even that.

The parrot was able to understand what he was saying, could ask a question, make a request and ask again if he was not given the promise, or even complain of fatigue.

Alex had reached the intellectual level of a 5-year-old and an emotional level of a 2-year-old, and according to the researcher, this was not the limit. Alex died at the age of 31. The last words he said to the hostess: “Be good. See you tomorrow. I love you".

4. Parrots are social animals

Parrots, like people, are very fond of communication and try to avoid loneliness. If deprived of company, a bird can develop depression, which can lead to self-plucking syndrome. That is, stress forces the bird to pluck out its feathers.

At the same time, parrots are able to occupy themselves, for example with the help of mirrors and baby rattles, and do not require much attention. When you leave for work or are busy with business, the feathered friend can be placed in a cage.

If educated, a parrot can be no less affectionate and loving than a dog or cat. There are many examples when birds miss their owners and cannot even imagine their existence without their own family. And our parrot is no exception: Eva is always sad when we go on vacation, and rejoices at our return.

5. Easy to maintain

After the parrot, you need to remove feathers and droppings. Daily cleaning of the cage is much easier than endless litter box cleaning and hour-long walks on the street. To keep the parrot healthy, it is enough to bathe it once a week and trim its nails in a timely manner. The birds themselves monitor the cleanliness of the feathers, regularly putting themselves in order.

Eating a balanced diet is not difficult either. In addition to quality commercial feed, the bird's diet should include fresh fruits and vegetables (except for avocados). Some parrots, especially large ones, benefit from sprouted grain: wheat, buckwheat, oats, mung bean.

For our family, feeding the parrot has become an incentive to start germination: seedlings are useful for humans as well, since they contain minerals, vitamins and enzymes.

6. Take up little space

The parrot cage can be placed on a table, on a bedside table, on a stool, or even suspended. The bird does not take up much space and can be the best choice for those who want to save money.

7. Give aesthetic pleasure

The parrot gives your home or room a special touch. Their appearance very attractive, and the fun way of playing and communicating not only allows you to admire your pet, but also helps to reduce stress. If the bird is tame, you can always offer your guests a photo in the role of a pirate. Or even dance with a parrot.

If you decide to buy a parrot, get it from experienced breeders. When buying a large parrot, ask for the bird's passport.

Parrots brought from other countries can be psychologically and physically traumatized, and it may not be so easy to tame them and find a common language with them. In addition, hand-fed chicks perceive humans in a completely different way and, as a result, consider themselves a full-fledged part of the family flock.

A parrot can become your real companion and friend, but you shouldn't buy an exotic animal just for beauty. A beautiful "toy" will quickly get bored, and large parrots live for 30 years or more. Like others, birds require attention, love and affection, and in return give their owners a lot of positive emotions.

Why do you choose birds? Share in the comments.

Instructions

When you bring your new pet home, allow him to enter the cage from the carrier himself. Never let the parrot fly into the room. Otherwise, he will experience a lot of stress when you try to catch him and put him in place.

Let the bird look around your new house. In the first days, do not strain it with increased attention, do not clean the cage, change water and food very carefully. The parrot must get comfortable, understand that his home is safe, that no one wants to harm him. At the same time, don't leave your pet all alone. You are somewhere nearby. Talk to the bird in a gentle and gentle voice. When changing water or giving food, use a soothing tone to say.

The bird usually takes 2-3 weeks to adapt. If at this time you did everything right - did not frighten the parrot, communicated with him at a distance, then he will eventually show curiosity and want contact himself. One day you will come to the cage, and the pet will come closer to you, moving along the perch. Don't miss this important point, be sure to reward the parrot with a treat by carefully pushing it through the bars.

When the bird begins to take the treat quite boldly, proceed to the next stage of taming - offer to take the treat from your hand. To do this, you need to very smoothly and slowly push your open palm into the cage. Soon, the parrot will not only take food from the hand, but also sit on it. Then you can gradually train him to sit on you outside the cage. Carefully remove your hand with the bird out. If she does not show concern and does not fly away, walk around the room a little, then put her back in the cage. Very soon, the parrot will learn to leave his home and come back himself, will fly around the apartment and land on your shoulders and arms. You just need to be patient, be affectionate, and regularly treat your pet with goodies.

The result of taming largely depends on the age of the pet. The younger the bird, the easier you will find a common language with it. On average, this business can take you from 2-3 weeks to several months.

Of all types of poultry, the easiest to tame. In the wild, these birds live in flocks, so in the house a sociable pet will intuitively seek communication and establish contacts. The upbringing and training of the budgie is a fascinating process that the bird perceives as a sign of attention from the owner.

Taming new pets should be done in stages, adhering to the following rules:

  • The first time after acquiring a parrot, try not to disturb him, which means that you do not make loud sounds, do not make sudden movements and generally approach him as rarely as possible. The pet must get comfortable in an unfamiliar environment. The same rule applies to your household and other pets.

  • After a couple of days, you can begin to take the first steps: approach the cage smoothly, quietly and affectionately talking to the bird. Try spoon-feeding or holding the food with two fingers. If all goes well, you can offer the seeds from the palm of your hand. Manipulation is best done in the evening when the bird is relaxed. In case of failure, do not despair: after a while, the pet will definitely get used to your presence. Please be patient: it can take from several days to several weeks to complete this stage.

  • Next, we try to let the parrot fly around the room and study the situation. To do this, stick your hand into the cage and wait for the pet to sit on your palm. Then slowly pull your hand out of the cage. If the parrot resists, it is better not to insist. Over time, a curious bird, he will still overcome his fear and fly out of the cage. At this stage, also communicate affectionately with the parrot.

  • The process of education and training continues. If the bird is comfortable in the room, we try to lure it to our arm or shoulder, offering food. Perhaps this trick will not succeed right away, but after a couple of days the bird will still dare to take this step. Try to be quiet by stroking your pet with your finger. Now we can congratulate you - the bird has become tame!

The Basics of Successful Parrot Training

When the process of taming your bird has already been completed, you can proceed to more complex tricks. Surprisingly, poultry birds can easily learn a wide variety of things: they can, sing and dance, bring objects, choose colors and shapes, make certain movements, and more. etc. Training will be successful if you follow simple rules:

1. Training should begin with the selection of your favorite delicacy, which is given out only for the correct behavior, the right step. Interestingly, sometimes parrots prefer affection over food.

2. The reward must be given for any, even the most insignificant, attempt to execute the command, until the bird begins to confidently perform the stage.

3. Training should always be broken down into small steps. The smaller they are, the faster the training will progress.

4. The lesson should be about 10-15 minutes long. It is advisable to spend no more than 2-3 lessons a day.

5. Reward the bird for any actual "parrot" tricks and actions, for example, playing, dancing, etc.

6. For training parrots, you can use the clicker method, where the correct step of the pet is reinforced by the click of the device.

Raising and training a parrot can be a pleasant pastime, help you find a common language with your pet and make it unique.

In the article we will tell you how to make a parrot tame.

It is difficult to imagine a person who would be indifferent to the representatives of the animal world. But if a large space is needed for cats or dogs, then a bird can be got in any apartment. The main thing is to create suitable conditions for her.

How to make a budgerigar not be afraid

Budgerigars are the best choice for beginners. These are very funny, gentle little birds that give warmth and fun mood to their masters. Breeding and caring for a budgerigar is an interesting activity, especially for children. It develops in them kindness, hard work, and respect for all living things. The budgie can melt the heart of even the most callous person.

But how nice it is when the bird does not just sing in its cage, but also communicates directly with you, sitting on your shoulder. How to tame a budgie? Now you can find many books about parrots, how to care for them, how to tame them, and so on.

Firstly, age is very important, since an adult bird is very wary and distrustful of its owners. While a young bird still does not really understand where the danger is and where it is not. But if you already have a bird at home, and she is more than six months old, do not despair. By following my advice, you can tame it, only it will take longer.

A young bird is very easy to choose. Tips are found in any book on parrots. And here are some of them. Pay attention to the plumage first. It doesn't have to be bright. It is pale. The month-old bird is not so shy and will easily be given to the owner (seller) to transfer it from his cage to your cage. The parrot's eyes should be a solid black bead. The older the parrot, a light halo appears around the black pupil. And the older the parrot, the smaller the pupil becomes.

Of course, it is important to choose not only a young bird, but also a healthy one. In a healthy parrot, the feathers should fit snugly to the body, it should be clean without bald patches. Feathers should also be clean under the tail. Also, he should be cheerful and not sleep all the time. Look for a caged parrot among many others. Consider it carefully, do not rush to buy it right away. Observe him, his character, his behavior. And only then buy.

I will not tell you how to choose a cage, where to put it, how to feed a parrot. You can read about all this in the book. I will tell you how to make a parrot tame. So, when you brought the parrot home and put him in a cage, he, of course will be scared. On this day, it is better not to touch it and not to approach the cage again. Let him sit there, get used to his home, consider the situation in the room. Choose one person who will take care of the bird and tame it for the first time. It is better that it was a girl (girl, woman), since parrots react to a female voice the most. But the male gender is also fine. Only this person will have to feed, give water, tame this parrot, i.e. take in hand. Other residents can simply communicate through the cell, observe the process, but nothing more.

The person who will take care of the parrot, on the second day, let him come to the cage and speak in a gentle voice, preferably monotonous. And so during the day, you can come up several times. It is very important not to let the parrot out of the cage for the first time in days, let him get used to the house, to the place where it stands. Communicate with the parrot every day, let him get used to your tone of communication.

When a couple of weeks have passed, you can start taming directly. At first, you can simply open the cage door - let him fly around the room, examining the territory. If he did not fly into the cage during the day, then wait until darkness and, turning off the light, catch him and put him in the house. If he himself flew in, then just close the cage. So let him out every day until he learns to find his own cage among the rest of the furniture. If you see that he cannot find his house in any way (which happens very rarely), then catch him in the evening and put him not in a cage, but on a cage. Let him find the door himself. And keep doing this until it starts to fly into the cage.

After my parrot learned to fly into the cage by itself, I no longer closed the door during the day. But this is provided that there are no cats in the house or an open aquarium. Otherwise, it cannot be left unattended. The windows must be closed.

The next stage is direct domestication to a person. It is necessary to do this in the evening. When can you turn off the light. Take the parrot in your hands, turn off the light and put it, for example, on a sofa, on an armchair, or on your shoulder and turn on the light. Of course, he will immediately fly away to his cage, or to the cornice. (I must say right away that cornices are favorite place for parrots, and I did not like this most of all, so I advise you to purchase ceiling cornices). On this day, do not touch him again, let him move away, as it was a great stress for him. You will see progress every day.

The parrot will not immediately fly away, but will remain in the place where it was planted for a few seconds, or even minutes. When he will remain on the hand a little longer, you can do the taming procedure every other day, but you need to talk in a calm voice every day. At least take a minute or two. The process of getting used to you can take from a month or more.

You will need a lot of patience. But believe me, it's worth it. Nothing can replace those sensations when one day, you will sit on the couch, and your beloved pet will fly to you and sit on your arm or couch. These feelings of joy cannot be conveyed in words. The main thing at this moment is not to scare him off with a sharp movement. You need to talk to him in an affectionate voice, praise him. You can even smoothly stretch your finger and try to touch the beak.

I hope that my advice will be useful to you, and your parrot will delight you. My Tisha plays with us on the floor with toys, sits on my shoulder. When he is sad in a cage, it is enough to call him to you and show him by hand how he immediately flies to me. It is a very joyful and wonderful feeling.

I wish you to experience them too.


Sooner or later, any bird owner needs to take the bird in his hands, sometimes just to examine the pet, sometimes to perform any manipulations. And here it turns out that it is not so easy and simple: it is also necessary to be able to hold the bird correctly in your hands.

Bird fixation consists of three stages:

1.catching a bird
2.retention of the bird
3.bird release

Let's take a closer look at these steps one by one.

Capturing a bird

The easiest way to catch any bird is in the dark, while you need to get as close to the bird as possible and ask the assistants to turn off the lights. When you cover the bird with a net or a towel (or other handy equipment), ask your partner to turn on the light. Then carefully remove the bird, immediately trying to limit the mobility of the head and legs.

If you are catching a bird in a cage, then it is easier to do it again indarkness, using small terry towels or thick leather gloves. At the same time, it is also important to protect yourself from the beak as soon as possible, for this you need to throw a towel over the bird's head, the moment is very convenient when the parrot, leaving the catching hand, moves along the lattice, grabbing it with its beak.

At the same time, the bird cannot grab you, but you can press its head against the grate.

photo Romanov R. / and ./

Catching small birds in a cage containing several birds, it is necessary to cover the door opening with your free hand to prevent the birds from flying out of the cage.

Bird holding

When fixing the bird main task fixing is the limitation of the mobility of the head and legs of the bird, since it is with the help of its beak and claws that a bird can inflict the most serious injuries on humans.


The head of small and medium-sized birds is fixed with three fingers. Big and the middle fingers are under the cheekbones, the "cheeks" of the bird, and the index finger is placed on the crown of the bird's head, fixing it from above. In this position, the bird cannot move its head, and you get free access to all physiologically important "points" located on the bird's head.


If you keep a small bird (budgerigar, Karella, canary), then the body of the bird is in the palm of the same hand, the legs, tail and wings are pressed with the little and ring fingers, the second hand of the holder is free and can be used for the necessary manipulations.

If you are holding a medium-sized parrot (amazon, gray, small cockatoo), then the head is fixed with one hand in the same way as in small birds, and the legs, tail and wings are held by the other hand like a bouquet of flowers.

It should be noted that if a bird's feather is clipped, then holding the wings can be quite problematic, while it is better to use a different grip to fix the legs, tail and wings, while two legs in the sting area are clamped between the index and middle, and middle and ring fingers. The retainer assistant pulls the bird's wing, located above the retainer thumb, and inserts it between the thumb and forefinger in an extended position. With the other wing, a similar manipulation is performed, but only the wing is inserted and clamped between the little finger and ring fingers. With such a capture, the bird is practically immobilized, and even a large parrot can be held by one person who does not have outstanding physical abilities.

You can also wrap a towel around the bird's body, then pinch it under your armpit, while holding the head.


The head of large birds of parrots and predators is held under the cheekbones, since not all people can grasp the head of a large bird with a "classic" grip, a person may not have enough fingers.

By acting in this way, you will not harm your pet and will not suffer yourself, it is extremely difficult to strangle a bird or break something while holding it.

If you feel that you are losing control over the bird's head, and for some reason the partner cannot help you to intercept the bird more comfortably, then, having warned the partner, at the same time release both the head and legs of the bird, slightly throwing it away from you, since some birds in rage may try to attack a person.

Bird release

When releasing a bird, you must simultaneously let go of its head and legs, while holding the bird at the same time on outstretched arms, if you free the head of the bird without freeing your legs, then you run the risk of being bitten. If you let go of your legs, holding the bird's head, then it can hurt you with its claws (this is especially true for large parrots and predators).

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