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Door-clinger can be taught to perch
Since we moved a few months ago, our green-wing macaw has started clinging to the front of the cage instead of sitting on her perch. One problem with this is she poops on the bars and sometimes on the floor. We have tried moving the perches, but she still prefers the door of the cage. Any suggestions?
-- Karen Lindquist, karen.lindquist@worldnet.att.net
You've already changed the bird's perches, which would have been my first suggestion, in case there was something about them that bothered him. It's important to provide different types and sizes of perches to exercise a bird's feet and prevent pressure sores. I also like to change out the perches every week or so to keep the environment interesting. It may make a bird a bit nervous in the beginning, but ultimately will prove to be very enriching.
The next thing I would suggest is turning the cage so that the door faces a different direction. It's possible that the bird is hanging on the door to be closer to a particular area, or to get a better view of something. It is also possible he's trying to get away from a certain area or object. If he sits on the perch after you turn the cage 90 degrees, you might discover the source.
You can also use positive reinforcement to teach the bird to go to the perch each time you come into the room. My birds know that I will not open their cage door unless they are perched.
To teach your bird to perch, say the word "perch" and hold a piece of apple or other favorite treat just outside the bars near the perch. When he steps on the perch, give him the treat and open the door.
After only a few repetitions he should learn to move to the perch when you say the word and wait for you to open the door. Then you can give him the treat after he steps onto your hand. Soon after this, you should be able to change the reinforcement to a scratch on the head or verbal praise, if he considers those treats. You can also reinforce the bird any time you see him sitting on the perch when you enter the room.
Once your bird has learned he must be perched before you open his cage, he may begin spending less time hanging on the door.
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