Flight training advice?

[zandperl]

Since Kappa (dusky conure) has taken her first purposeful flight earlier this week, I want to help her practice steering, landing, etc. "Everyone" says the way to do this is to toss your bird into the air. Well I've got a problem with that: Kappa holds on. She just won't let go of my hand. No matter how hard down I drop my hand, she clings on

Comments

Try not to force a parrot off or on a perch

[wolfdancer]

In the traing that I have seen, it is better to reward steping up. Or down, with like a sun seed or nutraberty. Get your baby used to steping up and letting go with rewards, like a nutrabery to start with for a perch so that she he will want to stay there for a bit, or short term rewards like seeds.
for flying try the back of your arm, over a sleve (after she has goten the nack of letting go) and just bounching her up and down on your arm. see if she can learn to hover. This is what Snuggles will do sometimes.
I call her my Grey humming bird.

[spazzy444]

I know this may sound weird, but as far as the perch, I've found poking thier butt/tailfeathers usually keeps them from leaning too horizontal, might be worth a try.

I don't suppose she will let you grab her?

[zandperl]

Hee, now I've got images of poking her buttfeathers... She'll let me put my hand around her back, especially when preening her, but she doesn't like me lifting and will start biting. It's something worth working on though, so thanks for the idea.

[spazzy444]

I hate to say grab and toss (some people do, but they really seem to dislike it), but I found grabbing is an awesome way for me to adjust WHERE they were standing on my hand. Generally speaking if I grab (in a slow, gentle way) they let go with thier feet and can place them on my palm, or get a toenail out of my cuticle, etc.

[spazzy444]

Oh and I forgot to say, my favorite method of the toss and fly is doing the cupped hands that open up as you lift - think sterotypical movie dove release. They tend to be more confident in that release.

[rumorofrain]

In answer to the thing you're not really asking about: Instead of thinking in terms of "How can I better force her to do what I want," try thinking, "How can I make this more worth her while?" Is she afraid of the perch, or does she just not want to get off of you

[rumorofrain]

If you want to see this in action, I'd be happy to lend you my Training Your Parrot For The Veterinary Exam DVD.

Also, I have some Bird Talk magazines I want to get rid of. Do you have any interest in them?

[zandperl]

Since my semester's about to start up, I doubt I'll have time for the video unfortunately, but I'd be glad to take any Bird Talk magazines off your hands. Thanks!

[rumorofrain]

Okey doke. If you ever want to borrow the DVD, just ask. It can certainly be watched in snippets. (But I totally understand the "ack school is starting back up" craziness.)

[hrafn]

I don't (usually) try to force it, because there is no winning for anyone this way. Either the bird relaxes so he/she can be gently tossed cageward, or I carry them back to the cage to step off

[greenanimal]

I would say use positive reinforcement (her favorite treats) and baby steps whenever possible. Consider clicker training :)