https://www.chewy.com/education/bird/training-and-behavior/training-your-older-or-re-homed-pet-bird
*Understanding your bird is key to a strong bond. The Bird Training & Behavior Education Hub dives into taming techniques, social behavior, talking and trick training, and how to manage common behavioral challenges with patience and consistency. Explore bird behavior, taming tips, and training methods in the Bird Training & Behavior Education Hub.
Training an older or re homed pet bird that has experienced trauma and learned to distrust people can be a slow and patient process.
Such birds often respond to fear and stress with defensive or aggressive behaviors like retreating, puffing up, screaming, or biting. However, with consistent, gentle training, it is possible to rebuild their trust and establish a healthy, cooperative relationship.
A good starting point is to offer the bird a type of seed or treat it especially enjoys to encourage it to come closer.
Using premium seed blends or special treats can create a positive association, while speaking softly and offering food with hands or forceps helps the bird feel safe.
Patience is key, as this trust building phase may take days or weeks, but gradual progress can be deeply rewarding.
Once trust begins to develop, the next step is to encourage the bird to step up onto a perch or stick held just above its feet, which helps the bird associate the perch with stability and your hand.
Holding the perch steadily and using a calm voice to give the command “step up” helps the bird learn this new behavior. Rewarding the bird with its favorite treat each time it steps up reinforces positive behavior, while practicing over soft surfaces prevents injury from fluttering.
After mastering stepping onto the perch, the bird can be gently encouraged to step onto a hand by gradually transitioning from the perch to the hand while continuing to offer treats and reassurance.
Training sessions should be short and end on a positive note, as trust takes time to build and patience is essential throughout the journey.
Though this journey can be challenging, it is also deeply rewarding. With patience and gentle training, you can help rebuild the trust of older and re homed birds, creating a strong, loving bond and a harmonious relationship with your new feathered friend.
To support you on this path, Chewy editorial team has gathered some helpful training methods to guide you and your bird as you begin this special journey together.
