About Jennifer Expertise I can help with any parrot care, behavior, and training questions. I have worked and lived with many parrot species of all sizes, including (but not limited to) cockatoos, macaws, greys, amazons, budgies and cockatiels. I have extensive experience in working with behavior challenges. I am not a breeder. Questions related to breeding should be sent to other members on this site. If you have a question about a health concern my answer to you will be to take your bird to an avian veterinarian immediately. If you need to locate an avian vet let me know your general location and I can help. I am not an avian veterinarian. I cannot and will not diagnose any medical condition so please do not ask. I can guide you in what questions and tests to ask for from your avian veterinarian.
Experience I have 12 years experience working in wildlife facilities as an animal caretaker, manager, and educator. Most recently I worked as Zoo Education Coordinator for the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary. My past experience includes serving as the Education Manger of a local parrot rescue. As the Education Manager I developed and implemented a parrot behavior consulting program, a seminar series for parrot owners, and a workshop series for professional animal rescuers. I most greatly enjoyed the time I spent working one on one with parrot owners. Currently I work as a private parrot behavior and training consultant, helping people live happily with their pet parrots. I live with a Red Lored Amazon, cockatiels, and budgies. I have shared my home with many foster parrots that included a variety of species.
Organizations World Parrot Trust, The Amazona Society
Education/Credentials My educational background includes a degree in Exotic Animal Training and Management with a specialization in Wildlife Education.
Question Hello. I have a 1 month old Indian ring neck parrot. I brought it up from day 10. 1 week after which it started trying to fly in its cage. Please note then its cage is sufficiently large to flap its wings. It had a regular habit of getting out of the cage right at the evening ,play with me,climb on my shoulder and itself ,after sometime hurried to get inside the cage.One day i noticed that it was trying to take flight on our bed so i didn't force it to get back to the cage.This continued for some days ,while recently my bird simply refuses to get back to its cage. What should i do? I fear leaving it out will one day make it try to fly outside our house and being an amateur at flying might prove dangerous to it. Also I fear that it would poop all around the house(frankly speaking). Is there any way to get him occupy its cage where it was literally brought up?
Answer Hi Shourya,
Congratulations on your new pet!
The age of your bird does not sound right. At one month old ringnecks are not fully feathered, let alone able to fly. At ten days old they are still nestlings with very little feathers. I believe your bird is at least 3-4 months old. At this age your bird is going to test his boundaries, if there are no boundaries or bird rules for him to follow you are going to have a difficult time having him as a family pet.
You really need to start a training program with your bird. You are right that letting a bird have complete control of the household is not going to go well. However you can’t expect your bird to do what you ask (such as going back into his cage) if you have not taught him the skills he needs to understand you or taught him that behavior. It is good to let your bird fledge, this helps a bird learn confidence and independence. If you choose not to clip that wings then your bird must learn a “stay” command for his own safety.
First there should be several options of safe play for your bird around the house – playgyms, window perches etc. A bird that only has its cage to live and play in will become territorial of it.
Next you need to start a training program to establish a trusting relationship, communication between the two of you, and boundaries and limits for your bird. There should be places (such as playgyms) where your bird should be allowed to make his own choices. But you need to be the flock leader and give him guidance on what the bird rules are (such as only flying if asked to.)
Start by training the step up behavior:
1. Start your bird on a t stand. (The back of a chair can also work.) Start your sessions in a room that is away from your bird’s cage and unfamiliar territory to your bird. This will let your bird see as the most familiar thing in the room and he will look to you for leadership.
2. Place your hand (or a step up stick) in front of his legs and say ‘step up.’ Keep in mind – it is step UP. It’s natural for birds to want to climb up. If your bird doesn't understand what you are asking trying luring with a treat, or pressing your hand gently against him, just below his keel bone. This will trigger his natural instinct to step up.
3. When he does what you ask, give lots of praise and a treat.
4. Repeat this process by having him step up onto the t stand. And Repeat again.
5. Make your training sessions as long or as short as your bird wants. You don't want you or him to get frustrated. When things are going great – end your session. You want him to remember how much fun he had.
6. Once he has it mastered on the t stand, try different locations, the cage, playgym, tables etc. If he forgets what he’s supposed to do, go back to the beginning to remind him.
7. Have fun – training should be enjoyable for both of you and a way for you to bond and learn to communicate with each other.
I hope this helps to get you started. I recommend that you continue to learn more about training your bird. My website has some links to excellent resources for you. Take a look!
