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Hello everyone-
Let's see, where to begin...

I recently made the decision to purchase a lovely 5 month old WB caique. Her name is Milla, and she is really starting to adjust well. I just had a few questions for everyone about training and behavior. I really want to be consistent with her and not make any mistakes, as I may have in the past with my Conures (unknowingly rewarding bad habits, letting them become dependent on me, etc).

She has been super-sweet so far, and quiet for the most part -- except for in the morning when she hears me getting up, while I'm in the kitchen preparing her breakfast, or generally anytime she can hear someone around she cannot see. I've read several different methods on how I should respond to this. For the past few weeks, I've been totally ignoring her loud contact calls. When I'm in the kitchen I will drop what I am doing and be very quiet for 30 seconds or so, and then continue what I was doing once she quiets down. Or if she calls as soon as I walk in her living room, I will turn around and leave her line of vision until she stops. I also read (in this forum) to come up with a whistle to use each time they contact call you, and sometimes they will pick up your whistles instead of using their loud call. I was wondering if anyone has used or had any success with these methods, or if I should try something new.

I have her out of the cage on and off throughout the day. I want her to get a good balance of alone time as well as play time out of the cage with us. She is probably out a total of 3 1/2 hours total per day (out of the cage for an hour, in the cage for an hour kind of pattern). It seems to be working because she is fine on her own, and doesn't usually beg and call for our attention much during the day.

One thing I have noticed is that she has not been too keen on her toys so far. I'm assuming she is still too young, and will develop more playful tendencies as she grows.

When Milla is out with us, she immediately wants to be on our shoulders, preening our hair. I have read not to let parrots do this, as they feel they are on the "same level" as you and may become aggressive when trying to get them to step up -- or may even nip your face. As of right now, I can tell she doesn't want to step off my shoulder, but she will without much of a struggle. I was wondering what everyone thought of this theory, and if I should not allow her up there anymore. She enjoys it so much, but I don't want to give-in to habits that may become problematic in the future. Does shouldering behavior vary in different breeds? Is it more acceptable to let Caiques do this?

Right now, she is still nibbly and experimental with her beak. At times she squeezes a bit harder than I'd like and usually stops with a firm NO. I was wondering what to do when she gets cranky and reckless with her beak. Should I take her straight to her cage so she will associate her bad behavior with being put away? Or should say NO and put her down for a moment?

Also, I keep hearing about the "Bird-Tricks" training videos. Has anyone used them? Would you recommend using videos? What are your thoughts on clicker training a Caique?

I am currently potty-training Milla, and she seems to be picking it up quite well! It's amazing just how intelligent these little guys can be. She is a wonderful little girl, and I really want to develop healthy habits with her at this influential age. Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated. I have also attached a couple photos for you!

Best Regards,
Krystal

Parrots scream for different reasons. Parrots, being individuals, also react to things differently, so what may work for one may not work for another.

With Charlie, my mitred, ignoring him does work to a degree. He also knows how to say "Hello" so we have "Hello" conversations back and forth, which is preferrable to his screaming. Sometimes I can get him to say "Hi Charlie" instead, although I "trained" him to use Hello to get a response from me.

If Milla isn't big on playing with toys, then you might want to play with her and the toys. If she seems uninterested, then have a blast playing with her toys!


In regards to dominance.. BAH! People expect for birds to be like dogs, behavior wise. Willing to please and do anything you ask. However, they are more like cats in that they have opinions and don't like to be forced into doing something they don't want to do. If you force them, then they'll complain about it. Birds often learn that it's fun to be up on the shoulder but may learn that when they are not on the shoulder they end up going back into the cage where-in it's not so fun. So, why come down?
Biting and Dominance: How one causes the other

If you are having issues getting her to step off your shoulder, then perhaps she doesn't have a good enough reason to come down. After she's off your shoulder, where does she normally go? Is it more fun or less fun than being on your shoulder?

In regards to biting, I'd recommenda firm No or "be gentle." Putting her in her cage where she has food, treats, toys, etc may end up being counterproductive. It's better to put her down somewhere safe where it's not so fun, or dedicate an empty cage with a perch as a 5-15 minute time-out spot.


As for the Bird Tricks DVD's, personally I don't recommend them. I haven't watched the videos myself so I cannot give a comment about the content them, however I feel as if they are overly priced for the information that they have, and I dislike themarketting techniques. You can find books and dvd's on clicker training for a lot cheaper than what the Bird Tricks dvd sells the same information for. I'm going to put some links in the second post.

Here's a few things that may be of interest...(an article and a couple of videos)
Parrot Biting and Dominance
Parrot Training Tips, What not to do
How to Train a Parrot : How to Train Parrots to Stop Biting (ExpertVillage has quite a few videos that may be helpful)

More information/articles/books/groups on clicker training
The Writings of Susan Friedman, Ph
Don't Shoot The Dog
Clicker Training for Birds
The Click That Does The Trick
Parrot Tricks: Teaching Parrots with Positive Reinforcement
TRICK TRAINING AND ITS BENEFITS
Clicking with your bird
Karen Pryor Clickertraining
Clicking with Birds
BirdClick Yahoo Group
Good Bird Inc - Books & DVD's
Bird DVDs
Bird Training Books & Videos
Bird Behavior & Training Books
The bird school: Clicker training for parrots and other birds
Clicking With Birds
The New Parrot Training Handbook
The Pleasures of Their Company
Bird-Click : Bird-Click

And also check this out... from the book Don't Shoot The Dog
The Eight Ways of Changing Behavior

Hey

So good to have a new poster here that is a Caique enthusiast. Ill try to address your questions using our boy Cisco as a "what I know". I believe you may have read some of my past posts - judging from your comments. If not- go back and read - read - read !!!!!!!!!!!

Cisco is almost three years old now and is so chock full of life its almost amazing to see. Like your new girl he is vocally active during the morning for a while and again at night when It is near his bed time. He does all his "jungle" noises and loud shrieks and whistles. And yes - those all get ignored by us. During the rest of the day he is relatively quiet, he practices his words and phrases he knows and spends lots of time whistling. We DO use a contact call. We taught him this while he was young and that is (most of the time) what he will use to contact us with.

Your attention time that you give her is l;most exactly what we gave Cisco as a youngster. So no new advice for that. Cisco does very well with that amount of attention. He ,too, only wanted to be on our shoulder when he was younger. But now its only after he is worn out or just wants to hang out and preen or be preened. Cisco has never even attempted to bite us while shouldered and indeed has only chomped one of us in a very bizarre situation. He knows exactly how hard he is biting or nipping and if he does start to get a little carried away we just put him in his house for a bit. When he does get exceptionally beaky it is usually because of something he wants and we wont let him. (fair warning - this will cause a cranky temper throwing tantrum - actually entertaining in a way)

As far as toys go. Cisco hardly played with toys at all during his first year or so. He much preferred to be on us or play with us instead. Now however he loves his toys, especially his foot toys. Anything he can pick up and chew or bang around is good in his world. As a caveat though - we are still his favorite play thing. I try to get his loads of exercise when we play. He fly back and forth from his house to where I sit at least 15- 20 time when he is out. Lots of good exercise and brain activity. He love to lays on his back and foot and beak wrestle. (you have already noticed they are beaky?)

There was a poster on her a while back that clicker trained her Caiques. Seemed to work pretty well - I just don't' have the patience.


Please post often and keep us updated on the little one progress.

Freddy

Monica-
Thank you for all the links! They are so helpful. I totally agree with "rationalparrot.com" on Biting and Dominance. There are so many absurd methods people have come up with to deal with their parrot's aggression. I'm so thrilled to talk with experienced individuals.

Anyway, I was thinking of teaching Milla a few words so we could have little conversations back and forth like you and Charlie -- That would be a bit more enjoyable than contact calls! I also started whistling at her when she calls and praising her for the good squeeks she makes.

I've actually seen a bit of an improvement in removing her from my shoulder. I started rewarding her with fruit or a sunflower seed when she comes down, instead of returning her to the cage or putting her down. I think I'm turning this into a positive experience for her! I'll update you on how it goes.

Freddy-
Thank you so much for your help! I can't tell you how good it is to speak with others who could relate. I've read several of your posts! So much great information. I feel so reassured about shouldering and using the contact whistle. Milla still hasn't really whistled back, but I know these things take time.

It's funny that they aren't more interested in toys until they're older. Has Cisco's behavior changed much in your three years together? Did you have a "terrible-two's stage? Is he cuddly at all?

Thanks again for making me feel so welcome.

Best Regards,
Krystal

Hey Krystal

Yes - he has changed since he has gotten older - just like we humans do - he has gained in confidence and strength. This had led to development in his personalty also. He is extremely self confident. Not afraid of any thing (except Turkey Vultures !!)
I think we can tell, even when they are young , what type of personality they will have - but age brings things to the front. He was sweet when he was a baby and he is still sweet now - only now it only on his terms. I guess what I'm trying to say is that his base personality has not changed but he has many new abilitys, and the will, now to express himself. He has recently started "dancing", if a song is on and we clap out the beat he starts bobbing up and down and thrusting out his chest. Absolutely hilarious !!! We are trying to get a vid of this.

He really has not gone through a "terrible two's" stage. We recognize that his hormones are sometime a little wacky but he has not taken it out on us. We keep him well exercised and we try not to vary the amount of attention he gets and I believe that has helped him.

Cisco is cuddly - again when he want to be. He will put his head down on my shoulder when he wants o good scritch on the neck and head, With my wife, however, he is a total snuggle butt. He crawls up under her chin with his head on her neck and will even lay on the pillow with her next to her neck (as long as one foot grips her shirt) cutest thing you ever saw.

Keep up your positive interaction and you will be wel rewared with a great companion !!!!!! Please keep us posted and as always feel free to ask questions. I love to talk and brag !!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Krystal,
How's the little one doing?

We taught our male WBC, Sparky, to whistle as a contact call and our female picked it up from him. It works pretty well but they bth get loud in the morning or if there are other loud noises going on like the dishwasher running. Sometimes they also get loud "talkin" to the outside birds and do a remarkable job imitating them, I really hate the blue jay call in stereo!

As for shoulder time, we've never had a real problem. Sparky is very attached to me and when he gets hormonal he doesn't like to get down and will bite if offered a finger, but I solve this by leaning over to a perch or the counter and telling him to get down. He does because he knows he'll get locked up if he doesn't. And a cage full of food and toys is no fun compared to having the whole house to wonder and us to play with.

We most certainly have had terrible twos to deal with with both Sparky and Mika. Sparky would go into this berserker trance, eyes pinned and screaming then flap and hover over his ladder and land again for a couple minutes, then back to hi sweet little self like nothing had happened. We basically ignored it and he got over it. Mika tried to be the leader of the flock. she even came after my face once. I caught her in mid air and gently pinned her to the floor while she gnawed on my hand. After she realized I wasn't going to let her up, she stopped and we've not had problems since. She wasn't even really bitting hard and if her beak hadn't had a sharp spot she probably wouldn't have broken skin. So be prepared, watch for the signs and realize it really isn't their fault, they have to learn to deal with the hormones just like teenagers.

lots of luck and keep us posted!

- Sandy