Training a Wild-Caught Bird
March 6, 2008This is a YouTube video I found of a woman working with a cherry headed conure (or possibly a mitred conure) who was originally part of a wild flock in San Francisco. Jasper came down with neurological issues and suffered brain damage and was then taken in by Mickaboo Rescue.
What I love about this video is the level of excitement in the trainer’s voice. This is very effective.
One of the take-aways from Jasper’s story is that even wild-caught birds can be trained via clicker training. So if your once-hand-fed baby turned into a handful - fearful and bitey - don’t despair. There’s hope for your little feathered terror.
Yingshiong is a wild caught white-rumped shama. He was 4 years old when he came to me.
The intermediate recall
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHebpK3_qOQ
Yingshiong intermediate recall II
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EN6ASq9Et3M
When I decided YS is to go back into his flightroom so Ivan the cat can be out, I just signal with my hand
and tell YS ‘ go back’. You can see this sequence here, where YS flew back to his flight room and into his cage at my
cue.
Yingshiong flies back on command
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVMbbxjjJqs
Shanlung