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So......I've read so much on how petting your bird is very stimulating to them. And that once they reach sexual maturity, you shouldn't really pet them as you can get into heaps - o - trouble.

So I can't pet my bird? I guess that's my only question.......I know it's a little silly.

Hi!

I've seen so many 'toos with problems related to people petting/stroking them like dogs or cats. I'm not going to tell you not to pet your 'too but I would suggest limiting any stroking and also get to know what your bird can handle and what may be too overly stimulating. The hardest part of not stroking a 'too is stopping the human These guys are 'toos....they're busy with things and they will find other activities if given the chance. Instead of stroking sessions maybe consider ways to enrich your relationship even more by taking strolls around the house, look out windows together, play games, clicker training...birds love clicker training.....let them help out with chores....they're real good at helping you fold laundry...as long as you want to continue folding it over and over and over again ;-0

Down time....best spent getting some head scritches while sitting on your lap or knee. An occasional hug, occasional stroke....

Problems I have seen associated to stroking that stimulates a 'too is overbonding, screaming, biting, plucking, excessive egg laying and in the case mostly associated with U2's...cloaca prolapse.

Shauna

Thanks, Shauna.

Could you refer me to some sites or maybe a book or two on clicker training for birds?

My dogs are 'marker' trained (I say that because instead of a clicker, I use 'yes' as a marker). So I'm assuming it would be similar, but wondering what type of behavior you mark for a bird.

Thanks!

Hi!

Clicker training is a coined word....and to help make it easier for you....I have never used a clicker and when I heard a trainer speak at AAV and she said she never uses a clicker with birds I thought......COOL! LOL

Teach a bird to target your hand. It only takes a few minutes. First you need to find something that is reinforcing for them. I have birds that like banana chips, some like almonds, others sunflower seeds...whatever it is cut or break it into small pieces such as sunflower seed can be halfed (make sure any seed or nut is shelled). Put whatever it is in your hand...show the bird and if the bird touches your hand with its beak...bridge by saying good! or whatever....and give them the goodie. Next have them follow your hand...within minutes most birds are targeting. After that the skies the limit! What I like to do is use one specific perch outside of their cage for training. This way they know what we're doing and are very eager....they appear to enjoy working and learning and hey...can't beat the treats! And those treats are not given any other time. Those special treats are reserved for that one on one time of training.

Any easy one to start is a turn around....as you teach them to target your hand while you go under the perch and around in the circle. Start out with them following so far....reward....once they have that start asking for a little further. Another easy one is to wave.

So...to your question...there's actually a good video out by professional trainer Barbara Heidenreich. Not clicker books but two good books both written by Barbara and were edited by Susan Friedman are Good Bird and also Solving the Parrot Puzzle. There is also a clicker list for birds that is familiar with ABA (applied behavior analysis...stress positive reinforcement) I've been told ....at http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/clickbirds

Shauna