Taming your new pet bird can seem like quite a daunting task, but with time and patience it can be achieved successfully.
Most pet birds can be tamed, that is they can learn to trust you and allow you to handle them without being too nervous.
A lot of patience is needed on your part to achieve this, and the taming process needs to begin whilst the bird is still young and has not yet learned to be afraid of people. It can be done with an adult bird but is usually much more of a challenge.
Some bird breeds however do tend to be a little more difficult to tame (finches for example), they'll sit on your hand or finger ok but would often rather get away from you, and are less likely to take food offerings (unfortunately I don't know why that is so) but my findings are based on my own personal experience with these birds so if you'v had better luck or you get better look with this then good for you! (Please let me know how you'v managed it, I'd love to learn where I'm going wrong). Most parrot-like species (budgies, cockatiels etc) however are a different matter and will readily take to hand taming as long as this is approached in the correct manner.
Remember that whilst trying to tame your pet bird sudden movements or loud noises are a no no, you don't want to frighten the poor thing, talk softly, move slowly and don't shout at your bird, even if it does misbehave.
Whilst your bird is still very young, has only very recently flown the nest, and has not yet gained enough confidence to fly away is the best time to start the taming process.
Take your bird in hand or use your finger or hand as a perch and allow your bird to step onto it. Talk softly to your bird all the time as you are doing this, tell him or her what a good boy or girl they are for example. Give your bird time to get used to this and gradually move your hand around the cage and hopefully your bird will stay put. Offer some food stuffs and if your bird takes them it's a sign that at the moment it is putting its trust in you. After a while, say 5 minutes, return it to its normal perch and then leave it there and talk to it again from the outside of its enclosure for a minute or two, your bird will need to learn to trust the sound of your voice. Say goodbye then go away and leave your pet bird to its own devices for a few hours.
Do this several times a day, every day, until you feel it is confident enough to stay with you outside its cage. Your birds cage is its home and is the place where your bird feels at its safest, so if you try to take your bird out of its cage it may just jump off your hand or finger back into its safe place. Be persistent but be patient also, remember your bird has already learned to put its trust in you and it will only be a matter of time before it feels safe enough for you to remove it from its home. Learn what is your birds favourite food treat and use it as a prize for being good (much like taming or training any animal). Again you must interact and try these methods regularly throughout each day, but don't overdo it, your bird will need to rest awhile between its taming sessions.
Soon you and your bird will have enough confidence in each other to allow you to perhaps walk about your home with your bird on your shoulder for example (pieces of eight), or your bird will follow you about. Eventually it will look forward to its daily human interaction and so will you.
Remember to be sure that if removing your bird from its cage not to give it any means to escape outside; close windows, doors and curtains, turn off the ceiling fan (don't want chopped bird do we), and try and restrict your taming to one room that your pet bird cannot escape from. Eventually you may be able to allow your bird the run of the house but you must still be sure to not leave any escape routes.
Be sure to do some bird taming every day, don't put it off, because if you miss your sessions then after a while your bird will lose its trust in you.
Be persistent and confident and do these things very regularly and sooner of later your pet bird will be fully confident with you and not nervous.
More information available in my new ebook now available, email me to get yourself a copy or to ask any bird keeping related questions. I will try and answer as soon and as honestly as possible.
For more bird keeping related issues please email me with your questions.
More information available in my new pet bird keeping ebook available now, visit http://www.myebook.com/index.php?option=ebook&id=80653 to get your copy or paste the above url into your web browser.
My pet bird keeping blog is now online at http://www.stanton-birdman.blogspot.com/, please take a look at it!
Pete Etheridge
Nottinghamshire, UK
Keeper and breeder of pet birds for 10 years.
Offering information and advice on all aspects of bird keeping.
stanton.birdman@gmail.com
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