Kiki’s back again with her new trick. Although it is not possible for Kiki to drive a car, but I’ve managed to teach her how to pull a car instead.

It’s definitely fun watching her so into doing this. It’s like Kiki cruising around with her own Formula 1 Race car.

How do I teach?
The Pull a Car Trick is rather a simple trick, that any parrot owners can teach their parrots. The trick share the similar principle of a Retrieval or Fetching trick, the only difference is the prop. Kiki easily understand the whole concept mastered the whole trick after 2 sessions in a day.

First Step, like I always do for a new trick training, props introduction for Kiki. Kiki totally had no issue of accepting the red ring, but I met some problems with the purple race car. Kiki was totally fearful and frightened by the Purple Race Car, perhaps due to the irregular dimension of the object.

With the help of the target stick and treats, I managed to get Kiki to overcome her fear factor. She soon willing to touch and play with the 2 new props.

I moved on with teaching Kiki on how to retrieve the red ring only. She had no difficulty in achieving the task, because she had learned the Retrieval/Fetching trick some time ago.

As she had achieved on the retrieval of the red ring, I then tied the string to the red ring and the purple car. I began the training with a short distance right in front of the prop. Upon my “Fetching” cue, Kiki retrieved the red ring and place back on my hand. I praised and rewarded her immediately. I repeated the sequence several time.

I slowly add-on the distance at every session to add challenge to the training. Now, Kiki is able to perform and retrieve the car that is few inches away. It’s definitely exciting enjoying the sessions.

I’ve highlighted the breakdown of the steps below on how I guided Kiki on to accomplishing the Pull a Car Trick:

The Breakdown Process of the Cups Stacking Trick

1. Introduction of New Props (The Red Ring & Purple Race Car)
2. Learning How to Retrieve the Red Ring only
3. Learning How to Retrieve the Red Ring tying with the Purple Race Car
4. Continue training Retrieval of the Red Ring with the Purple Race Car

I probably going to teach Kiki on how to flag raise on her next trick training. Good luck to me and Kiki!

Related Post:
Kiki’s new F1 ride

The first ever Formula 1 night race will be held in Singapore at the late quarter this year. The Formula 1 fever is rising, and everyone is excited!

Kiki is also looking forward for the race too, so I got her a new ride! It’s a purple race car, and Kiki loves it so much!

In fact it’s not really only a new “toy” for Kiki, and a prop for Kiki’s new trick. I’m planning to teach Kiki to “drive” a car, or should rephrase it as pulling the car!

Lately I haven’t manage to teach Kiki a new trick, partly because I’m running out of ideas of new tricks and she’s undergoing a molting for the past weeks and months. I wouldn’t want to stress her too much either.

With the new trick being introduced to her, I’m sure it will once again unleash her deep passion and enthusiasm in learning new things. I will say the trick is of not much difficulty to Kiki, as she had learn fetching, the retrieval trick.

The Car Pulling trick is of the similar concept in the retrieval trick, the only difference is the retrieval object is used as a pulley to car. Whenever Kiki is cued to fetch the retrieval object which is the red ring, the car will be pulled along during the fetching process. It’s gonna be fun and entertaining.

I’m looking forward to share the Youtube video with everyone real soon! Stay tune!

I wonder any of the parrot owners owning african parrots like African Grey or Poicephalus like Senegal Parrot, notice an eccentric behavior that the parrots have when they are young. Perhaps owners that only taken in the parrot at the age of one or two might not have notice it before.

Usually young African Parrots in their juvenile age, tends to build up a habit of scratching vigorously on the cage floor or kicking madly (similar like what you see a hamster does, kicking off the bedding). It may sound a little abnormal for a parrot to behave in this manner. My Senegal Parrot had this behavior for quite sometime, he started since young (even when he’s a baby in the brooder, he did that almost everyday and make a mess with all the beddings) but until recently he stopped.

I’ve ever read about an article from a parrot book addressing the issue. The experienced trainer reviewed it as a normal behavior for all parrots from the African genus referring those like Greys and Poicephalus (Senegal Parrot, Red-bellied, Jardines), and these parrots will grown out of doing it. Generally the habit will fade off as they start to mature. However, the habit can be discouraged by placing in more toys to keep them busy.

Like what most people always say:

“A Busy Bird is a Happy Bird!”

The frequency of Kermit saying “Peek-a-Boo” has gradually increased a lot. Every morning, he will say “Peek-a-Boo” with his low volume cute little voice, expecting me to remove the cage cover.

Although the increasing frequency of hearing Kermit’s “Peek-a-Boo”, but he still hesitate to perform the amusing mimicry in front of other family audience. He’s indeed a shy performer.

Below is the video clip taken in the morning. Kermit appears to say “Peak-a-Boo” at video time 0:08, 1:05 and 1:14 respectively.

Kermit is so motivated into saying “Peek-a-Boo” this days. The increased frequency of these words might be the results of a game that I play with Kermit everyday. Like what Kermit says, “Peek-a-Boo” is the name of game.

How to play the “Peek-a-Boo” Game?
I will cover Kermit’s head with a small handkerchief and gently removing it, surprising him with my version of “Peek-a-Boo”. Sometimes, I do surprise him with my “Peek-a-Boo” when he’s quiet and behaving well in his cage. That’s my way to let him understand that whenever he’s quiet, he can expect to play a game of “Peek-a-Boo” with me.

Whenever I start playing “Peek-a-Boo”, Kermit’s pupils will dilate, pining in and out, that’s a sign of an excited parrot. He definitely enjoys and looking forward for this game and stimulated him in saying “Peek-a-Boo”.

I noticed from the day I introduced the “Peek-a-Boo” game, the problems of notorious screaming and contact calls from Kermit seem to improve.

Related Post:
Kermit’s Mimicry: Peek-a-Boo

Many of friends asked me how do I train Kiki and Kermit to be an ultimate performer? There’s no secret on how train them to be like one. Many parrot owners will suggest best to start training since young. Does that mean if I have a adult bird, the bird will never be an ultimate performer?

Many experienced trainers and even parrot books suggested to start off training from a young age. Frankly speaking, age is not the key issue to parrot training. Even an African Grey which is in its mid-20s is still learning new things. But it’s always good to start training early, as it’s one best method to prevent and eliminate behavioral problems.

When I got Kiki and Kermit, I started basic training as soon as they get settle down to the new environment. To date (based on 18th April 2008), Kiki had already mastered 14 parrot tricks and Kermit mastered 4 basic parrot tricks. That’s an achievement! Both of them are still learning new things, so I expect the figures to grow!

So start off quickly with some simple training like step-up command. This is the first basic command, that I introduced to my parrots when I first go them. Then from there, add-on with other basic tricks like Turn-A-Round. Always be consistent with your training and train daily.

It’s always good to allocate a specific time when to conduct training session. Both of my parrots have their own specific time for training, once in the morning and the other at the evening. I always try to allocate 2 training sessions per day, although the morning slots are usually optional. You can have training sessions as much as 3 per day of 10-15 minutes, but no longer that.

Conclusion, the golden words to the success in parrot training:

1. Start training early
2. Be consistent in training
3. Train daily
4. and Patience!

Good luck and happy training your parrots!

Related Posts:
Kermit’s First Basic Tricks Collection
Kermit’s Turn-A-Round Trick
Introducing Clicker Training
Clicker & Target Training for Kermit
Introducing Target Training
Kiki performing the Turn-A-Round Trick

During lunch, I was lucky to capture a sound clip of Kermit saying “Peek-a-Boo”. It’s so fun hearing Kermit repeating “Peek-a-Boo” and his voice is indeed cute. Although there are some limitation in clarity of Kermit’s mimicry.

Sound Clip of Kermit saying “Peek-a-Boo

Kermit started to utter “Peek-a-Boo” just weeks ago. He’s still mumbling and imitating funny noises like the telephone ringing. I’m very sure that his vocabularies will continue to grow!

Lately I managed to capture a short sound clip of Kermit’s contact calls. In the following sound clips, you will hear Kermit starts to make the annoying contact calls when I sounded “Be Right Back” and left the room.

Sound Clip of Kermit’s Contact Calls

It still a normal and acceptable vocalizing by Kermit, but just imagine and multiply the volume by 3 times. It can be quite piercing to human ears. Definitely you are bound to get complaints from neighbors. Luckily, I haven’t got to hear Kermit lunging at that volume for quite some time. I’ve yet to capture the sound clip of the notorious scream. Hope I never had the chance for that!

Related Posts:
Curb that Kermit Scream

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:

1. Touch the Stick (Target Training) - Warming Up Session
2. Turn-Around Trick
3. Hand-Shaking Trick
4. 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!

Related Posts:
Kermit’s Turn-A-Round Trick
Introducing Clicker Training
Clicker & Target Training for Kermit
Introducing Target Training
Kiki’s Basic T-Stand Tricks Collection
Hellooooo! Kiki’s Waving Hello Trick
Kiki performing the Turn-A-Round Trick

Many behavior problems start to float out when young parrots in the developmental stage start to mature. It’s the greatest fear to see turning from a nice cuddly baby into a notorious monster once after sexual maturity. No doubt, my Kermit, the Senegal Parrot is also no different from any other parrot. He starts to pick up screaming whenever I disappear from his sight, from this he’s more likely to become a “one person” bird very soon.

Among all behavior problem, parrot screaming is always the primary issue among all parrot owners. Owners usually ended feeling upset and angry over the unwanted loud vocalization. Many time ending up affecting the good relationship and bond between the parrot and the owner, but also driving into many other unhappy scenarios like:

• Increasingly loud and consistent noise within the household
• Unhappiness between family members (lots of complaints from parents or siblings)
• Complaints from neighbors (often happens when staying in an apartment)

I’m sure do not want to see their feathered friend vocalizing excessively everyday and been labeled as “naughty boy” in the household. The fact is we can’t totally eliminate these screams, but we can fine tune and minimize the unacceptable excessive noise.

Before we can try to eliminate the problem, we have to discover the reason behind, understanding the possible factors that lead to this problem.

I’ve been reading up precious articles about parrot screaming issues written by the experts (mainly the editors from bird magazines, experienced bird trainers & aviculturists) and concluded a list of the possible factors to the problem.

Factors leading to Screaming Problem:

1. Contact call for out-of sight owner
2. Stress & fear
3. Noisy household environment
4. Attention seeking
5. Communication with other birds
6. Response to certain sound
7. Basic demands not met (like food bowl is empty)
8. Boredom

As for my dear young Kermit, he falls under the “Attention seeking” and “Contact call for out-of sight owner” category.

What makes me so certain that Kermit fits well into the category?

Whenever I’m out of Kermit’s sight, he will start off with these continuous contact calls and ingeniously constructing into annoying squawking. He couldn’t let me off for a short toilet break.

Seriously he appears to be a much happier and quiet angel whenever I’m around with him, glued to the chair next to his cage. I can’t really blame him for so overly bonded to me, as he gets to see me most of the time at home compared to other family members.

Furthermore, he still a juvenile still in his post weaning stage. Like other young parrots, Kermit needs a secure, unchanging environment.

Recently I have been researching for the possible methods to curb or to minimize such loud screams from happening. I’ve also put up some methods on for a trial for a couple days to a week.

Method #1 - Insanely ignore the calls & with Positive Reinforcement

All the while I’ve been practising this method, insanely ignore any unwanted loud calls and reward my dear Kermit whenever he quiet down over a period of time. It’s a consistent effort. Whenever Kermit start make the unacceptable noise, I just leave him alone. Not even enter the room and showing up in front of his cage, this is to ensure that I won’t reinforce the unwanted behavior due to my presence. Furthermore, Kermit’s usual scream is his way to demand attention. By doing so, this is to let him understand that screaming will not do much help, in bringing me back and showing in front of him.

Once Kermit start to quiet down for quite a while or whenever he behavior quietly doing things on his own, I will go over to his cage to give my attention like talk to him, give him some nice treats and even a nice head rub. Continuing in this similar routine, will more likely to make him give up the habit of screaming. I must admit that this method is the best way to eliminate the start of the screaming habit and proved to be effective in a long run, as all the reinforcements are positive.

Although it maybe the perfect method to help cure screaming behavior, but is usually difficult to execute especially it also involves other people in the household. Why is fail most of the time? Because other family members in the household might not be doing the right stuffs (like ignore all unwanted calls, and reward when he is quiet) that you advised.

Like my family member sometime tends to be annoyed by the scream, usually went up to Kermit’s cage immediately and gave Kermit a nasty look or scolding. By doing so it further reinforce the unwanted screaming behavior. This it’s so important that you need full cooperation from all family member so they do not break this positive cycle.

Method #2 - With Negative Reinforcement

Another method which possible to help tackle screaming problem is with the use of negative reinforcement. Negative reinforcement is more like a form of punishment which usually tends to leave an unpleasant impression and experiences for our feathered friends. But there are reports that quite a number of parrot owners have great success in improving some of the behavior problems (like screaming) with negative reinforcement.

What makes negative reinforcement so effective, almost immediately eliminating the unwanted behaviors? Basically it involve instilling the right amount of fear into the parrot which serves to decrease the frequency of the behavior. Usually “instant remedies” with negative reinforcement is never recommend by many experienced bird trainers because it usually results in side effects like counter aggression, escape behavior, fear and also jeopardizing the relationship of the owner and the parrot.

No doubt of the possible risk, I decided to devise a method with negative reinforcement but do not place my close relationship bonding of Kermit and me into jeopardy. In order to archive this, I have find a way to execute the punishment that instill the correct amount of fear in Kermit, but possible of execution without my presence (when Kermit doesn’t see me executing the “punishment”, this ensure our relationship bond is not put at risk).

What makes clicker training so effective, it’s because of the distinctive sound of the clicker. Thus I decided to use the similar theory on my negative reinforcement method.

In clicker training, the clicking sound represents rewards or treats. In the “punishment” that I specially devised, I have to locate a sound that Kermit is fear of, in order to make this method effective. I soon shortlisted a desk bell as the distinctive bell sound tends to frighten Kermit. It’s an accidental finding. I was then packing and arranging stuffs in my room and when Kermit was next to me on the parrot stand. I accidentally ringed the desk bell, and which cause Kermit to panic and flew a distance away from the room.

Soon I tried using the desk bell whenever Kermit scream. It’s pretty effective and instantly as the distintively bell sound mark at the moment when Kermit scream. By doing so, Kermit will understand whenever he scream the desk bell will ring and it’s scary to him. The best part is I sound the desk bell anywhere without executing this “punishment” within Kermit’s sight.

It can be effective at the moment, but what if Kermit no longer is afraid of the bell sound, this “punishment” will be totally useless and no longer able to modify the unwanted behavior. Thus use it’s wisely and not so frequent. Like what all experienced trainers mentioned always use positive reinforcement.

Personally I will like to recommend two great books that I’ve read before and I will like to recommend to everyone interested in learning more about parrot behaviors:

1. Why does my Parrot by Rosemary Low
   
2. The Parrot Problem Solver by Barbara Heidenreich
   

Both books highlighted issue on screaming, I’ve learned a lot through these books. I do hope these two books will provide better understanding on the excessive vocalizing problems and other parrot behavior issues.

Kermit is now 5 months old now and it has been a difficult task in training him up. I’ve tried just using positive reinforcement training as soon as he was fully weaned, but the results weren’t that satisfying. Kermit is totally different from my talented lovebird, Kiki. I’m forced to adapt a different way of training from the usual method executed on Kiki.

I have great luck in training Kiki just only with the use of positive reinforcement training. Kiki can easily pick up the new tricks and behaviors through the training. Kiki is truly talented, a Smart Alec that I will use to describe her as.

Based on my daily observations on Kiki and Kermit during their training sessions, here are some of the findings of the 2 comparisons:

Kiki during a 15 minutes training session

• Better attention span
• Proactive
• More enthusiastic and easily excited
• Responsive to human vocal commands

Kermit during a 15 minutes training session

• Poorer attention span (Tends to looks elsewhere)
• Doesn’t seem to be proactive
• Not enthusiastic nor easily excited
• Less responsive to human vocal commands
• Less confident

You can see the vast differences among the two species. It’s never surprise to see Kiki mastering a new behavior or tricks in less than 10 minutes. She’s more of the hyperactive and more enthusiastic participant as compared to Kermit. Kermit has a much shorter attention span as compared to Kiki.

I’m able get Kiki to perform all the behaviors and tricks that she learned over 20- 30 minutes continuously, and after 30 minutes (although not recommended as it can easily possible leads to fustration if the parrot failed to perform the correct act) she still has the attention on me. As for Kermit, his mind start to wander of after 8-10minutes. I will say it’s definitely difficult to maintain the attention from a Senegal Parrot as compared to a African Lovebird. Furthermore, the slightest sound or motion of an object (including a fly flying around the vicinity) will instil fear in Kermit, diverting his attention and disrupting the whole training session.

There are a few factors that contributed to the unacceptable results in Kermit’s Training session. I have to admit the failure of shaping the new behavior, partly the fault lies on me. At certain part of the training, when Kermit suddenly performed the right behavior, I wasn’t able to reinforce and treat immediately at that moment.

Next, there’s also disadvantages of using positive reinforcement training with treats, you have to offer the treat immediately when the parrot performed the right behavior at that very moment. By doing so, the parrot will then understand and link the right behavior with the treat. Thus the parrot will know that everytime he/she performed that behavior he/she gets the treats. But many times during Kermit’s training session, I committed the mistake of not offering the treat immediately at the split second when the right behavior is performed. Any time later than that, Kermit will not be able to link the right behavior with the treat. It’s definitely one stressful task!

Two weeks ago, I started introducing Clicker and Target Training along with positive reinforcement. The results were really amazing, and Kermit was able to perform the his first trick, the Turn-a-Round trick after the 3rd day of Click and Target Training. Kermit had learned to associate the clicking sound with food. With this great advantage, I’m able to sound the clicker at the very right moment when Kermit performed the behavior that I want him to do.

I’m truly amazed, the clicker training does enhance the training experience. I’ve yet to explore more on the clicker training and unveil the power of clicker training for new tricks and behavior training. Hopefully I will be able to get my brother to capture a full motion clip on Kermit performing his first ever trick, the Turn-a-Round trick. So do stay tune!