Train A Parrot With Passive Games Birds Like to PlayWhen learning to train a parrot you will find out that some parrots communicate by imitating human speech. More frequently they learn to understand limited verbal communication from heir humans. The most dependable channel of communication with a parrot, however, is body language— nonverbal cues one individual gives mother. An astute owner learns to read a parrot's mood by the position of the bird's feathers. Depending upon the way they are held, ruffled head feathers may be an invitation to pet, in aggressive warning, or a sign of illness. The companion parrot also learns to read human body language. A well-adjusted pet may be drawn almost any personality type, but a vary new bird will more easily trust steady, placid people who don't move their heads or hands when hey talk. Active children or ani-mated conversationalists who punctuate words with gestures confuse and frighten shy birds. When you train a parrot you learn that successful communication with a new bird should not include objects or behaviors that create the feeling of being hunted or captured. Avoid gloves and sticks. Approach with games and passive interaction to gain the trust of a wary parrot. The following games include both verbal and nonverbal passive interactions. Different parrots will favor different games. Individual pets will learn to play the games in different sequences, but all types of parrots in all stages of lameness enjoy playful, passive interaction. Humans, however, must identify and learn the games birds like to play. Stage 1, Games for Shy Birds
I couldn't possibly look at you: Eye contact is threatening to a shy parrot, so one must mimic the bird's behavior. Look away if you catch the bird looking at you. Turn your head, cast your eyes down, or otherwise hide your eyes (not with hands) until the bird is comfortable looking at you and letting you look back. I can be shorter than you: With a puppy, you play fighting/domination games like "I am bigger and tougher than you!" One may also play roughhouse games with some
domestic hand-fed parrots, but when you train a parrot most new birds (particularly wild-caught ones) prefer to play more passive games. Because
a creature on a level lower than the bird is less threatening, situate yourself so your eyes are always lower than the bird's eyes. I am more frightened than you: You come around the corner quickly; the bird is startled, screams, and flops off the perch. Counter this reaction with body language that indicates you are more terrified than the bird (but don't scream). Make yourself very short, hide, or calm yourself by slowly rocking back and forth and by making cooing sounds. This will show that you are frightened while also calming the panicked bird. I don't have hands: Since you are trying to impress this feathered, fingerless creature with your similarities, prevent the bird from seeing your hands. Approach a parrot in the most non-threatening manner with your "wings" folded (hands in pockets or behind back). |
