Bryan's Angels - A Blog dedicated to my Companion Parrots, Kiki & Kermit » Kermit’s Tricks

Kermit’s Somersault Trick

bryan — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:04:33 +0000

I’m back again to share with everyone a new trick from Kermit. I’m proud to present to everyone Kermit’s very own Somersault Trick.

As Senegal Parrots are very acrobatic by nature, thus the trick shouldn’t post much difficulty to these african queens. Kermit learned the trick almost instantly.

Basically I used the similar steps and techniques that was used when teaching Kiki, my lovebird, the somersault trick. The only difference is that I used a wooden dowel pole as the hand perch, soon after Kermit was able to perform confidently under my hand and vocal cues, I replace the hand with perch with my right hand. Kermit progress really well during the trick training.

Any parrot owners interested in teaching this trick to your parrots, can refer to my previous post labeled Kiki’s Somersault Trick. The post highlighted the clear steps on how I guided Kiki into doing the somersault flip.

Related Post:
Kiki’s Somersault Trick

First Glimpse at Kermit’s Retrieval Trick

bryan — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 01:29:47 +0000

Finally got to showcase Kermit, my Senegal Parrot’s first prop trick, the Kermit’s Retrieval Trick. Compared to Kiki, Kermit took a longer time to understand and master the trick, but he didn’t disappoint me in the end.

In comparison, Kiki seems to be a fast performer in her retrieval trick whereas Kermit seems to be a little laid back, slow but steady. Overall I’m still impress with Kermit’s performance, it’s already a big step and great progress in his trick training.

This round, I used the usual training techniques and similar teaching concept that was enforced on Kiki, instead of using the clicker method. Initially, I planned to use the clicker method on Kermit for this prop trick, but I found it rather difficult to manage. Difficult as in, I will appear to be “handicapped” during the training. A use of clicker in the training means an additional hand required in the training, thus I decided to use back the usual training techniques I’m more familiar of.

Kermit’s First Basic Tricks Collection

bryan — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 23:29:51 +0000

After weeks of training with the help of the clicker, I’m able to get Kermit to perform several different kind of basic tricks. It’s a great improvement and I’m totally delighted!

Well, I didn’t expect Kermit to be like Kiki to be an ultimate performer in the future. I just hope with the introduction of trick training will help solving some of the behavior issues that start to surface as Kermit matures through his developmental stage.

The following command and tricks that Kermit performed in the video are:

Touch the Stick (Target Training) - Warming Up Session
Turn-Around Trick
Hand-Shaking Trick
Waving Hello Trick

In Kermit’s Tricks Collection, you noticed that I’ve included the touch the stick command (Target Training) as the warming up exercise for Kermit. It’s the usual habit that I exercised as a trainer. Even Kiki is not spared for the warming up exercises. Before getting her to perform any tricks or learning any new tricks, I will get her to perform some warming up exercise like touching the target stick or performing other basic commands like Step-Up or Step-down.

The purpose of the getting them to perform some this simple warming-up stints, will ensure that my angels (Kermit and Kiki) build up the training confident and the attention given to me. Usually after the a few exercises, Kermit and Kiki will be more attentive and sensitive to the cues. Try it and you understand the differences that I trying to elaborate.

The tricks that I taught Kermit were of the similar steps that was implemented on Kiki. The only difference is the additional presence of the clicker to help highlight the right behavior that Kermit does.

Anyone interested in teaching your companion parrots these basic tricks can refer back to my previous posts on Kiki’s trick performances. These posts highlighted some tips and simple steps in training the respective tricks. Good Luck! Like i usual like to say Patience is the key to success!

Kermit’s Turn-A-Round Trick

bryan — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:50:44 +0000

On my earlier post, I shared about Kermit undergoing a series of Clicker and Target Training with positive reinforcement. It was a huge improvement and it started to unleash Kermit’s learning capabilities. With the help of the clicker, it seems to make Kermit understand better what I want during the training. Furthermore, I find the sound of the clicker (partly because the clicking sound is always very distinct and consistent) as an effective stimulus bridge to the rewards - treats.

I taught Kermit the most basic trick, the Turn-A-Round Trick. It’s also the first basic trick that I taught Kiki. I’m sure Kermit should be able to master the trick like Kiki without much difficulty, but it’s just matter of time. Below is a short video of Kermit during a training session, performing the Turn-A-Round Trick. Apologized for the poor quality of the video due to poor lightings.

I used the similar simple steps that was used on Kiki, on Kermit, but with the additional help of the clicker. With a consistent training schedule of 2-3 sessions per day and 10-15mins each session.

After 3 days, Kermit is able to perform the Turn-A-Round trick upon my hand and vocal cue. I’m totally impressed with Kermit’s performance. I really hope with the introduction of trick training will help to improve and eliminate Kermit’s “one person bird” and screaming behavior. Wish me good luck!

Mites Colonized on Kiki’s feathers

bryan — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 07:55:05 +0000

Kiki had been preening and scratching excessively lately. I can see quite a few small feathers at the bottom of the cage. It’s not a good sign and this made me real worried for her. I can feel her itch and I’m suspecting she suffering from mites attack. I placed a white sheet overnight and morning i can see tiny red dots moving around.

OMG! I can feel the itch! So gross and my having goose bumps everywhere. I guess that’s the psychological effect. *Haha*

I went to the nearby pet store to buy the mite spray and i got the 8-in-1 Mites and Lice Spray for Caged Birds. Since the shop owner recommends using the spray, why not giving it a try. I do think Kiki’s condition can’t be delay. I also don’t want the infestation starts to worsen. I think there’s reasons to Kiki having mites on her feathers. Recently she has not been taking bath frequently, like what she usually does, dunking herself into the bowl of water. I guess the rainy weather also stop Kiki from bathing too.

But to stop the infestation, I have to force Kiki for bath. Hope she doesn’t hate me for doing so. I doing that for her own good. After the bath, I left her on the T-Stand to allow self preening process. Seriously I do enjoy looking at Kiki preening herself. So cute. I captured a short video clip, when Kiki’s preening happily.

Kiki preening after bath…

I got mum to help me hold Kiki and getting a towel to cover her head. This is prevent from Kiki fidgeting and also to protect her from getting mite spray solution into her eyes. I made a few short bursts of mite spray on her back and tail wing. Let’s hope Kiki will recover soon!