How old is too old to tame?

[Jottlebot]

Hi Everyone, I've been planning to get a parrot for a while now and plenty of research has lead me to believe that an Alexandrine would be a good match. I was looking at eclectus for a long time, but had to accept they need a more experienced owner than me. I had an orange winged amazon rescue for a few years until she sadly died of a hernia and liver disease (seed only died for many many years before she came to us) and I have a 2 year old mynah.

I'm looking at getting a young bird, but it appears that few are hand raised. So I was hoping to ask for your opinions on age and taming. Real life experiences of taming would be great too. Am I right in thinking that as young as possible would be most likely to tame? What about an 8 month old or 12 or 18 months? All feedback welcome.

Thank you

 

[SailBoat]

Well my wife states that she has given-up 'nearly' all efforts of training me, something about being 'Older than Dirt' or something like that!

That said, we have only worked with older, Adult Amazons and find that working with them is more an issue of just lowering expectations, dumping timelines and working at their pace! The end results have always been the same, an Amazon who Loves us for who we are and we Love them for who they are! At the end of the day, that's really what everyone whats, right.

If you are looking for a Circus Performer, a younger Parrot is likely a better choice.

 

[Jottlebot]

Thanks Sailboat.

No, not after a performer, but I'd like to be able to harness train so we can go outside.

 

[SailBoat]

Thanks Sailboat.

No, not after a performer, but I'd like to be able to harness train so we can go outside.

Harness training can be very difficult regardless of age! Most parrots just do not like 'stuff' being on them! We live in the center of a Red Tail Hawk training center, so outside is just way to dangerous for us. So, first verify that you do not live in a like area!

I have read the accounts of many members regarding Harness Training, all the way from no luck to not a problem. Understanding, that I have never done it, so this is just my look at this type of training. Most people seem to start with the harness and I am not that sure its the best way to proceed. I am thinking that getting the Parrot comfortable with something on its back is a better starting point.

Our Adult DYH Amazons likes to find places to hide under. This is common for many Parrots and is part of their normal nesting practice. Find a dark place and move in! WARNING!!! A Parrot that is 'in season' and is Hormonal, this would be like adding Gasoline to a Burning Fire!!! So, take care that your trainee is not 'in season!'

Start with a light cloth material that has very little weight. Set in up like a small tent in an area that you're training your Parrot. Set a treat just at the edge of the tent and with time work the treat provided deeper into the tent. Normally, the light material will give way and lightly come down on the Parrots back. With time, the Parrot sees the cloth as not dangerous and you can work to a bit heavier material. When this 'game' is part of your Parrots 'bag of tricks' than more on to harness training!

Once again, I have never Harness Trained, but it seems like it would over-come the Parrots fear of something on its back.

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Enjoy!

 

[GaleriaGila]

Hello, and welcome!
I really like the way you're researching and reaching out.
Whatever your decision, I have a feeling you'll be a great bird owner.
I look forward to following your adventure.

 

[maverickbull]

Congratulations... Alexandrines are brilliant... Gentile... Destroyer of toys
A younger bird is good because it'll give time to both the birds & us humans to adjust to each other.
3-month old baby if you can get... Is good.
Training them is fun...

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[Jottlebot]

Hmm... SailBoat very interesting! When I have rapid and flawless success (which obviously I should expect with parrot training right!) I shall be sure to call it the 'SailBoat method' and then write the book and make my fortune obviously...

I've read about clicker training and watched videos etc and I had wondered about the approach. Only because I'm a (trainee) psychologist and am aware of behaviour shaping so I wondered how an intelligent creature like a parrot would respond to getting a treat for having the harness on it's head, but then at some point not getting a treat until it's over it's body. Your method seems more like desensitisation to the procedure/sensations of the harness rather than the harness as an object? Probably a combo of the 2 would effective?

Thank you GaleriaGila, that's a lovely thing to say and I hope it's true!

Also maverickbull, I'll do my best to go for a young bird then. Thanks so much for your help.

 

[Carl_the_Alexandrine]

I got Carl as a hand raised baby. He promptly bit my husband when he tried to pick him up. Since then we have taken a back to basics aproach with Carl, who is nearly 7 months old now. So when I am home his cage door is open and he's free to do what he wants, which usually results in him hanging out ontop of his cage. More and more frequently though he is starting to want to hang out with us while we watch tv and will come down and walk over. Ive started carrying a few pine nuts in my pockets (in one of those little pill holder things) and he gets one when he comes over on his own accord. We're getting there. He's started calling when I leave the room so I'm hoping its a sign of him starting to bond.

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