How to Make Friends With Your Parrot

Making friends with your parrot can provide years of enjoyment.

Making friends with a parrot is much like making friends with any other pet. Providing good care, spending time with it, knowing some of its likes and dislikes and respecting its space are the cornerstones for this friendship. While true friendship will not happen overnight, the time spent in establishing one will be well worth the effort as your parrot will provide you with many years of enjoyment.

Instructions

1. Allow your bird to become familiar with its new surroundings and your household routine over two or three days. Slowly introduce any necessary changes in food and feeding times.

2. Spend extra time with your bird, perhaps reading a book or newspaper to it. If your parrot has a favorite food such as a particular type of seed, give one or two of these in its dish when you pass by. By doing this, your bird will begin to look forward to your visits as well as become more familiar with you.

3. Place your finger in front of the bird and give a command such as "up." If it is a large bird, you might want to place your whole hand in front of it. Encourage him to step on your finger or hand by pressing it against the bird's abdomen. Once the parrot has stepped up, you may pet it and feed it a favorite food.

4. Remove the bird from the cage while it is sitting on your finger or hand. Continue petting and feeding it a favorite treat.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not rush our bird into accepting the friendship you offer. Anytime the bird seems to become frightened, back up to the last step at which the bird felt comfortable, then slowly repeat the steps. You will also have more success if you remove all distractions while working with it. That means turning off the television and radio, and if necessary, going to another room.

• Do not make any sudden moves toward your bird that it might perceive as a threat. Do not have other pets, such as a dog or cat around, while you are working with your bird. Avoid leaving the bird alone with other pets even after you and your bird have become friends.

References

• Parrot Chronicles: Frequently Asked Questions--How Do You Tame a Bird?
• Parrot Talk: Why Does My Bird Do That--Undoing Abuse of Pet Bird Will Take Time
• Bukisa: How To Train Your Parrot

Resources

• San Francisco Gate: Making Feathered Friends: Bird Basics 101