Cheeky monkey

Bandit

New member
Mar 9, 2013
45
0
Bathurst, Australia
Parrots
1 normal grey cockatiel, 1 green cheek conure
So, Bandit's touch training has boomed. He'll do just about anything to be able to touch that stick haha.

I'm trying to use it to coax him to step on to my fingers. Still not happening. He'll do anything he can to touch the stick without having to step into my fingers. He'll hang upside down if he has to lol.

It's probably gonna take a while but I think he's STARTING to get it.

Slowly but surely!
 

MonicaMc

Well-known member
Sep 12, 2012
7,960
Media
2
43
Parrots
Mitred Conure - Charlie 1994;
Cockatiel - Casey 2001;
Wild Caught ARN - Sylphie 2013
Great progress!

At this stage, it doesn't matter if he touches your fingers or not, reward him for coming closer to you! Once he gets comfortable with that, you can then work on him touching your fingers with his feet!


Keep it up!
 
OP
Bandit

Bandit

New member
Mar 9, 2013
45
0
Bathurst, Australia
Parrots
1 normal grey cockatiel, 1 green cheek conure
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #3
I've got him to the point where he'll lean over my hand (which results in him pressing his body against it) to touch the stick so that's excellent. He's fine with that, he'll even do it without the stick if he thinks i've got a piece of apple waiting for him. I don't think it will be too long before he gives in and steps up, even with just one foot, to give himself a little extra length haha.

He's so good. He's fine with just about everything except fingers at the moment so for now it's just about teaching him that fingers are okay. I've only had him a week today and he's come a long way since he came home, I am thrilled with his progress.

Oh, before I forget, I do have a question. Sometimes when he's deciding whether or not he wants to come closer to my fingers, he'll lick them or lightly nibble/beak them. Is this his way of checking them out? I've been rewarding him for it because I figure the more he touches my fingers and gets rewarded for it, the better it'll be, but i'm not ENTIRELY sure what he's doing.

EDIT: Oh he's a cheeky thing. He was on top of his cage, so I rested my hand on his cage in front of him and offered some millet if he came closer. He came a few steps closer, then licked my pinky finger and put his head down. All he wanted was to be pet. Cutest thing ever.
 
Last edited:

MonicaMc

Well-known member
Sep 12, 2012
7,960
Media
2
43
Parrots
Mitred Conure - Charlie 1994;
Cockatiel - Casey 2001;
Wild Caught ARN - Sylphie 2013
As long as the beaking/licking doesn't turn into biting, it's ok, but it's possible to accidentally teach it, too.

Sounds like he'll come around quickly! Can't wait to hear of an update in a few days time!
 

Most Reactions

Latest posts

Top