Question about Training

Hello,

I'm just wondering if anyone out there could give me advice on training my Scarlet Macaw to lay on his back?

When he was just a baby he would with no problem but then at around 5 months old I took him to be DNA tested and they laid him on his back while they took the blood, since then I can't get him to lay on his back any more. It's almost like he's scared too (which is understandable, I hate needles too).

Thanks for the advice in advance!

Aww, the poor guy . They used to towel Salsa when they would do his nails (before he came to live with me) and at times he'll start violently screaming and flapping if I merely bring a white paper towel near him too quickly. I've been working on that issue with him and he's gotten much better about it.

It seems clear that you need to somehow desensitize Phoenix to the trigger (i.e., moving him onto his back) in order to reduce his fear and anticipation. Does he ever roll onto his back by himself?

Here's something to try...If Phoenix lets you pet him softly under his wing that's a good starting point. I would do a lot of that with him while calmly speaking to him (in baby talk) and/or singing to him. If you're able to do it while he's standing on your lap, on the couch, on your bed, or on the floor it would be helpful to his fear situation. He should become more comfortable enjoying the moment the more frequently it occurs. Once he begins looking forward to this experience it can graduate to him leaning over on his side - it might take a while to reach that point though. If you continue doing this with him, he may eventually become trusting enough to once again roll onto his back while he's leaning on his side enjoying scratches and caresses under his wing.

Why do you want him to lay on his back?

I could imagine it's not a normal position for a bird... I have some conures, who love to hang up-side-down, and sometimes roll onto their backs in my hand... None of my larger birds do this...

lene1949 said:

Why do you want him to lay on his back?

I could imagine it's not a normal position for a bird...

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Unless you're a Macaw . Quite a few of them love doing it

lene1949 said:

Why do you want him to lay on his back?

I could imagine it's not a normal position for a bird

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Many many bird LOVE lying on their backs, it's their relaxation position.

I had two Grey's who lay on my lap, them lying on their backs, they loved it.

yes like plax said, some love it.. fargo will climb onto my lap and play upside down

but yes, just work slowly with him and hopefully he will think it's fun again!
you could try scratching under his wing and see if he leans over, fargo basically rolls onto his side when i rub the soft part under his wing ! haha

good luck!!

tab_xo said:

yes like plax said, some love it.. fargo will climb onto my lap and play upside down

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Awwwww just like a human mother giving her baby a lovies

Niko LOVES playing on his back...as does my DYH Sam.

Niko playing on the couch:

And Plax has given you some AWESOME advice on how to slowly work with your Scarlet.

Does he like running around on the floor and/or play on the couch? If so, you could try giving him a foot toy. Sometimes Niko gets SO carried away with playing, he literally throws himself on his back, feet sticking straight up in the air.

JerseyWendy said:

Niko LOVES playing on his back...as does my DYH Sam.

Niko playing on the couch:

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I love that pic of Nico Wendy

Yes Phoenix will roll onto his back on his own while in his cage to play with his toys and he loves me scratching under his wings, sometimes I can get him to roll onto his side while he's on my lap. It's just the thought of a human rolling him onto his back I think that he doesn't like.

Thanks for your advice I'll try the whole slowly working with him thing!

Doves1 said:

Yes Phoenix will roll onto his back on his own while in his cage to play with his toys and he loves me scratching under his wings, sometimes I can get him to roll onto his side while he's on my lap. It's just the thought of a human rolling him onto his back I think that he doesn't like.

Thanks for your advice I'll try the whole slowly working with him thing!

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That's a very good foundation to work with then. Try to work into getting him to feel as comfortable as possible rolling onto his side and remaining there while you scratch him for prolonged periods. I bet he'll gradually feel less and less apprehensive and eventually take the chance to go over further and ultimately onto his back again.