cute things to teach?

rowdy

New member
Jul 28, 2015
59
0
FL, USA
Parrots
Rowdy -Blue and Gold Macaw (I miss him :''''(, ?-10/18/15)
Luna- cockatiel (deceased:'()
Hey so what are some cute things you can teach your macaw (like speaking and trick-wise)
My baby already does a few things (vocally)
He:
•says "ow" whenever he hits his beak on something
•says "what?" whenever I look at him for a few seconds but dont say anything
•makes a kiss noise whenever i either ask "can I get a kiss?" or if i make the noise
•he started picking up on me and yesterday asked me twice "can i get a kiss?" (luckily i got the first time on video and i havent been able to get him to say it again after the second time)
•whenever I leave the room he will start to meow, making me think i locked a cat in my room or something
•he barks too, sometimes we bark back and forth and sometimes he goes off on his own
•he also dances to disco music with me

anything else cute i should try to teach him to say/ask? Any tricks to try when i start handling him?
(link is to the video i got of him asking for a kiss the first time, he also barks, kisses, and says what in it) [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osZyphEo1jk"]Filler vid, I'm so sorry - YouTube[/ame]
 

Ann333

New member
Jan 8, 2015
1,119
0
New Mexico
Parrots
--PUMPKIN - male YS GCC. Hatched Halloween Day 2014. Came home Jan. 4, 2015. Started talking in July '15!

-BUTTERNUT- female TYS GCC Hatched in late Jan. 2016 and came home March 14, 2016
One of my favorite tricks for any bird is to wave. I don't know why but a waving bird melts my heart. Other tricks I love are dancing and playing/saying peekaboo.
 

Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
Parrots
1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
Trust me when I say this- it is adorable when they do little tricks, but tricks and cute noises mean nothing when the bird isn't a good companion. Does it really matter if he waves when he hasn't been bite pressure trained and occasionally takes a chunk out of your arm? Or that he spins in a circle when he won't step up on your hand? Or that he says hello when you walk in the room, when he isn't potty trained and poops all over your clothes and furniture and floor (and macaw poops aren't like parakeet poop that some people ignore/tolerate!)?

There are certain things you NEED to teach/work on first before the fun stuff. You should be building trust and focus on "basic training". That would include stepping up (to your hand and a stick), potty training, indoor recall (if flighted), harness training and bite pressure training. Of course, you'll be laying the groundwork for fun, trick training later on, but you have to do the "boring" stuff first. Again, I strongly suggest you start by following a training program step by step.... Bird Tricks, Parrot Wizard, Goodbirdinc.... Lots of programs by lots of different trainers available. It is (IMO) the BEST investment you (or your parents) can make right now for you and your birds long term relationship. Your bird is essentially a toddler with wings. Never forget that comparison, because you need to treat him like a toddler, which includes teaching him basic skills before moving onto more advanced skills. He needs to learn his ABC's before he starts writing novels;)
 
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JerseyWendy

New member
Jul 20, 2012
20,995
24
Here, have a look at our Tab's Fargo....:D

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y7hr3ZQojc"]Fargo the blue and gold macaw incredibly smart bird tricks - YouTube[/ame]
 

Mariar

Well-known member
May 9, 2014
1,021
169
Clearwater Florida but grew up in Wisconsin
Parrots
Doolie,Yellow nape amazon(r.i.p.03/10/15)
Sissy,severe macaw(rescued on 03-16-15) chirpy,sparrow(beak less) jack,Jill,chase,fiona,finch, and tiger,sulfer crested(rescued 04/15/20
I was the same way with sissy..wanted to just dive in and teach her tricks and to say things. She talks on her own and because I slowed down ..she will now come to me and let me pet her..touch her feet ect. We even put her harness on without an argument and took her outside ( pix posted under training) baby steps first ...glad I stopped rushing things.
 

Kalel

New member
Jan 2, 2015
473
8
Canada
Parrots
Sun conure named Lemon (nickname Moonie) hatched August 28, 2014, BFA Professor Green hatched August 22, 2014, Macaw Flash hatched Sept 15, 2007
Wow, JerseyWendy! Thanks for sharing that amazing video! What a beautiful, smart bird!
 

Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
Parrots
1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
Ok, that's boarderline animal abuse making them listen to Katy Perry.

It's borderline human abuse when Kiwi gets to listen to his all time favorite music (which is....90's boys bands:eek::52:).
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Trust me when I say this- it is adorable when they do little tricks, but tricks and cute noises mean nothing when the bird isn't a good companion. Does it really matter if he waves when he hasn't been bite pressure trained and occasionally takes a chunk out of your arm? Or that he spins in a circle when he won't step up on your hand? Or that he says hello when you walk in the room, when he isn't potty trained and poops all over your clothes and furniture and floor (and macaw poops aren't like parakeet poop that some people ignore/tolerate!)?

There are certain things you NEED to teach/work on first before the fun stuff. You should be building trust and focus on "basic training". That would include stepping up (to your hand and a stick), potty training, indoor recall (if flighted), harness training and bite pressure training. Of course, you'll be laying the groundwork for fun, trick training later on, but you have to do the "boring" stuff first. Again, I strongly suggest you start by following a training program step by step.... Bird Tricks, Parrot Wizard, Goodbirdinc.... Lots of programs by lots of different trainers available. It is (IMO) the BEST investment you (or your parents) can make right now for you and your birds long term relationship. Your bird is essentially a toddler with wings. Never forget that comparison, because you need to treat him like a toddler, which includes teaching him basic skills before moving onto more advanced skills. He needs to learn his ABC's before he starts writing novels;)

WELL SAID!

This bird will probably be with you for the remainder of your life expectancy. There is no point in rushing with the tricks training...

GOOD TRICK TRAINING FIRST REQUIRES A SUPER BOND WITH YOUR BIRD. DO THE BONDING WORK FIRST...

Tani Robar's trick training series is the best one I know of. There's virtually nothing you can't teach a bird to do, if you break it down into steps and take the time to teach them.
 

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