How to Get a Parakeet to Spin

Training a parakeet to spin on his perch takes time and patience, but parakeets are intelligent birds and will catch on if you are persistent. Make sure the parakeet is comfortable sitting on your hand, and is accustomed to being out of her cage before you attempt to teach the bird any tricks. The parakeet must also be used to sitting on a perch outside of her cage.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Take the parakeet out of his cage and put him on his perch. Remove the shell from a sunflower seed and divide the seed into halves.

2. Grasp the sunflower seed half in your fingers and hold it in front of the bird's face. When he begins to reach for the sunflower seed, spin him slowly around his perch as you repeat the command, "Spin."

3. Offer the parakeet the sunflower seed once he has completed the spin, and praise her profusely. Keep practicing the trick for a few minutes a day, and the parakeet will soon spin when he hears the command.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't overdo the training. If the bird is frustrated or tired, the time will be counterproductive. Stop the session and try again the next day.

[jmarvin]

on 5/3/2009 GREAT JOB ON GIVING BENEFICIAL TIPS... MAY I ASK why does my female parakeet never fly down to the floor of her cage unless she is disturbed...even her food is placed below her nest