Hi, I'm 14 and I volunteer at a zoo where Spec, a white-fronted Amazon with a shaky background, resides. He was stuffed in a toilet-paper tube in a suitcase with 24 other birds and was the only to survive being "imported." He was placed in the education department in the local zoo, then on display, and now he lives in the education department (again) where I volunteer. In the beginning, no one could pick him up except on a perch or else he flared his wings and "squeaked," defending his territory. I started talking to him about a week ago and have taken him out for long periods of time, just "hanging" with him. To my shock, Spec stuck out his foot to another docent (who's known him for years) and cautiously he stuck out his hand and Spec stepped up! Then, to my surprise, Spec stepped from the counter onto my hand! We rewarded him and talked to him but we came to a bit of a dilemma - once on, Spec doesn't want to get off. He runs up our shoulders and when we go near his cage or show him his old perch, he becomes a biting machine! I'd love to eventually be able to pick him up and not get bitten trying to put him up.

-- Codie, Millbrook, Ala.

IT SOUINDS LIKE Spec is finally coming out of his shell! Your problem is a pretty straightforward one. First, trade in your countertop for a T stand, which makes a better training station. To prevent Spec from running to your shoulder, hold your hand higher (in the same position it would be in if you were carrying a tray of food). Reward him with treats for sitting on your hand instead of your wrist or arm.

Spec is obviously happy stepping up onto hands; he just needs more confidence to step down. The key is to let him, in fact, step up where you want him to go. To do this, bring him toward the target perch at a slightly lower level so he will have to step up onto it the same way he has to step up onto your hand. Reward him for stepping up onto the perch, then step him back up onto your hand. Deposit him on his perch again, and pick him up again, each time rewarding him. Repetition builds confidence, so the more often you do this the faster he’ll learn it.

To prevent bites you’ll need to watch Spec's body language much more closely. It is our responsibility as trainers to try to be aware of what our animals are thinking at all times. When we're bitten it's because we have ignored or missed the warning signs.

It will help to teach Spec that going back into his cage is not a bad thing and that he won't necessarily be stuck in there for a long time. To do this, start by putting him in his cage, rewarding him with a treat, and taking him right back out. Once this is going smoothly, begin varying how long you leave him there - a few seconds, a few minutes, sometimes all day. Each time, reward him. Eventually he should look forward to going into the cage.

One last thing to consider is that since Spec is a zoo bird, you'll want to avoid building an exclusive bond with him. It's hard for us to do, but we must remember that these birds aren't our personal pets. If you are the only one who can handle him, Spec won't make a very useful education animal. After one person with the most experience in training birds has taught Spec the basics, others gradually should be introduced to working with him. To avoid confusion all the trainers should be consistent with their cues and criteria for behaviors. It only takes one person who thinks it's cute when he runs up a shoulder to get him started trying this with everyone!

Once Spec's primary trainer has met the initial goal of getting him to step up and down consistently, perhaps you can partner up to work on some new behaviors. It sounds like you are off to a good start, though. Keep it up and most of all, have fun!

ParrotChronicles.com

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