Picture location: New Mexico, Shown: Capri, Jamieleigh and our Blue Throated Macaw Jinx
A parrot's age varies depending on what you are specifically wanting to train it. However, I view training as something that is unavoidable. To me, every interaction with your bird is a training session whether you like it or not, or are even aware of it being so, or not. Because training does not require a food reward in every case for every action, I believe training can start when parrots are simply babies.
Simply having positive interactions with your bird (rewarding your bird's gentle baby behavior and wantness to be around you with things it likes ie; petting on the head, sweet words/tones and quality time and games is positive training to me. When my birds were about 4 months old and were at the age to fledge, yet still hand fed a bit, I'd allow them to fly short distances (1-6 feet) to me to get their formula.
This eventually graduated to a completely weaned, adult bird doing the same behavior at greater distances for treat rewards like sunflower seeds, almonds or pine nuts (or whatever your bird's preference is). As birds get older they will likely expect a food reward along with a secondary non-food reward.
For instance, some birds bond closer with some members of the household and simply flying to that person to BE with them is reward enough for the bird. We use that a lot. You could use a perch or toy your bird loves being with as its reward, and that can happen at any age. On the same token that a baby bird can train very basic interactions, older birds are never too old to train. Parrots are so very capable and clever.
The only times I would refrain from training is when it's an older bird whose circumstances have had its muscles severely atrophied to the point of pain when trying to build the proper muscles for flight training. In those circumstances, which I have sadly seen before from a bird being kept in too small a cage most its life, it's better to train that parrot behaviors that will not cause pain in the muscles.
Behaviors like talking on cue, waving, and retrieving. Running, hopping and climbing can usually be incorporated for birds who for whatever circumstances cannot fly. In conclusion, you can train a bird of any age but how you do it will vary.
Article by Jamieleigh Womach. She has been working with parrots and toucans since the age of 17. She isn’t homeless but is home less than she prefers to be. She travels the world with her husband, daughter, and a flockful of parrots whom she shares the stage with.
9 comments
I have African grey 6 months old. When hungry he is just screaming for the food when i feed him, target training time is over as he is not interested anymore …how to get him interested in target training, without him screaming for Food ?
Hi I have an African ringneck parakeet that seems to have issues trusting us,as we are unsure how he was treated before we got him,we’re lead to believe he or she is between 1 an 2 years old ,how do we gain it’s trust ,many thanks
I just purchased a 3 month old yellow sided green cheek conure I have watched all your videos then watched again even the ones on certain training that I’m no where near ready for but I still feel like I can learn from each video I almost have them all memorized 😂 I never knew there was so many ways you can go wrong with parrots alot more than what I had anticipated so I’m counting on you guys to help me through each step to make sure he’s healthy an happy so plz keep it coming I would love to see a video on green cheek conures an how to read their body language as I have been bit twice pretty bad but hoping I did nothing wrong an he’s just a baby exploring 🤷
Googling how young can conure training begin brought me here. I love your observation, “To me, every interaction with your bird is a training session whether you like it or not, or are even aware of it being so, or not.” This totally reframes how I interact with my birds. Intention is everything. Thank you!
Hello I have 5 birds a cockatiel around 3-4 yrs old, a sun conure a year and a half old, a Quaker parrot that is around 3-4, umbrella cockatoo that is 10 who had been trimmed to short and I’m also fostering a 22 year old macaw. The macaw does not know how to fly and I’ve been working on his yoga for building wing strength. I would love to see him free flight but not sure if I’m following proper procedure.
My parrot is 6 months old, I got him few days back! He is scared if any go close to him! When I get close to him , he is turning other side! How do I train him. Thanks
I just my quaker parrot, he is only 8 weeks old. What tricks can I start training him
Hi I just ordered your entire training course and I went through the one day Miracles already my bird is only about 10 weeks old now but he doesn’t want anything to do with me he will allow me to pick him up using a perch but will not sit on my hand only my head he’s an Indian Ringneck and I know it you would said that you can start at any age but for whatever reason one I cannot get him to eat from my hand two he was supposedly hand-fed and when I got him I had given him a couple Comfort feedings he will allow me to cuddle um if I have him wrapped in a towel which I feel I’m forcing him that way and well in a tell if you will let me scratch his head I’m hoping your training site does not come in all download forms because I would really like to have physical CDs and all the other items that it shows in the pictures for the 79.99 for the complete set which is what I had purchased I had sent an email to Wendy and spoke with her about my issues about with the downloading of the information so hopefully you can speak with her and you guys can both figure something out thank you
Hi Jamieleigh! I can’t find the signup form, could you kindly direct me in the right direction? Thanks! Maayan
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