Parrot training
As with any animal, training birds also requires patience, time, and commitment with several short sessions each day.
Teaching can be achieved through the science behind operant or classical conditioning and is what is currently accepted by the major AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums in the US.
If a parrot is exposed to an unusual or mildly aversive stimulus on purpose, such as a new toy or a hand it can create a fear response very easily in a prey animal such as a bird.
Training is at a comfortable pace so the bird accepts the object via small approximations in behavior.
[1] Tricks commonly taught to pet parrots may include targeting,[2] approaching on command, retrieve,[3] shaking "claws", opening wings, bowing, riding bicycles, flying through hoops, flying free outdoors, talking and singing on command, and roller skating.
Harnesses can be a great tool when used properly as a rarely used backup plan to keep the bird safe.
But if the trainer heavily relies on a harness to keep the bird safe, then it is an obvious sign that the training methods used were not positive reinforcement and negative punishment.
[1] It is not suggested to use positive punishment or negative reinforcement when training, such as spraying a parrot with water or flicking its beak as a way to modify behavior.
Negative reinforcement is commonly used with parrots and involves removing something aversive from the environment that will increase behavior.
As a rule it is easiest to identify a positive punisher and negative reinforcer by the response given by the subject.
Training a parrot with positive reinforcement techniques uses rewards to strengthen or increase the frequency of a behavior.
[12] Another example would be for a trainer to wait until a screaming parrot is quiet for a very short time, and then immediately reward it with praise and attention.
The owner would then gradually increase the amount of time the parrot must be quiet to receive the extra attention.
With this type of positive reinforcement approach to training (see shaping), the parrot is only rewarded for behaviors that bring it closer to the final desired outcome.
For this technique to work effectively, it is common to have to reward a parrot several times for making very small amounts of progress.
Instead of biting, the parrot will learn to accept the approaching hand because it is coupled with positive reinforcement.
Parrot harnesses are available commercially in a range of brands and sizes, fitting small birds such as budgerigars and cockatiels, all the way up to the largest macaws and cockatoos.
