Activities to do with Kiwi?

So Kiwi is definitely displeased about my husband going back to work and in less than a week he's acting out a little. I am going to be home all day with him from now on, and while he tolerates me and trusts I won't hurt him, I'm not his favored person by a long shot. He steps up to me about 80% of the time, but he does refuse occasionally and needs the stick. I am so scared this change is going to make him regress on his progress we've worked so hard on since we got him. Especially since it's my husband who is going to be gone all day (his favored person). I am looking into a carrier so he can go on walks and short errands with me, but I'm wondering what other fun things we can do together during the day?

Kiwi isn't a young bird, he's about 16, maybe older and more "set" in his ways. He likes being around us and is comfortable with us but he's not super interactive (does his own thing). Prior to us, I don't think he was ever trained to even step up really, but of course we trained him to do that and he kind of potty trained himself. There are a couple other things we phased out of his behavioral patterns with positive reinforcement (biting, screaming and touching/chewing outside his cage/perch) We haven't ever pushed real training beyond stepping up though, and he's never really seemed all that interested in trick training. He responds to verbal praise (good boy) and a kiss on the beak as "rewards", but we've never used a clicker or treats. I'm not actually sure if a bird like Kiwi can learn tricks, or if he would enjoy it. I would love to work with him in that way, but I also don't want to force him into things he doesn't like. What does everyone think? Can you teach an old, ornery parrot new tricks Especially if you aren't his favorite person? What other activities could I do with him besides trick training and walks?

Perhaps this post was a bit much "run on explanations" and not enough question.

Maybe I should've asked- what is a very simple "trick" to try to see if Kiwi is at all interested in trick training/able to learn?

Edit: Also how to best approach it seeing as he's in between being totally feral and actually listening to us:09: He's pretty much been allowed to "do his own thing" since we've had him, so long as he steps up when we ask?

What about wave, shake or fist bump? All small kind of tricks but simple.

Bundiibird said:

What about wave, shake or fist bump? All small kind of tricks but simple.

Click to expand...

Where would we start with something like that? Target training? And will doing "frivolous" fun training interfere with the things he already knows like stepping up and not screaming because he will begin to expect a treat? Or can I just give a kiss in lieu of a treat (he loves kisses)?

Especially when i'm around her alot, my hen nape will occasionally tell me "NO" and refuse to step up or turn her back. It happens. Of course ,if i insist , she'll begrudgingly step up. 80% of the time, is pretty good.I wouldn't complain about that. Besides doing things like taking her outside, try dancing,singing,be out going. Make her think, hanging out with you would be great fun. Don't press her too much for her attention, have fun doing what your doing, and wait for her to show some interest. Wendy has "dance parties" with her birds and they love it. Teaching simple tricks also helps ,like the others have mentioned. Rewards don't have to be a treat,"giving kissies" is fine as a reward, what ever they enjoy. Vocal interacts are another way to bond. "Stimulus/response" like you see the trained parrots do on TV. ie, "what's the cat say?" , "Meow,meow" the parrot says. It's like when they learn to say "Hello" when the phone rings. With my hen nape, if i tell her "there's a squirrel in your yard" , she'll start barking like the dogs, because that's what the dogs do. Just making the efforts you are, will bring results. She'll come around.

I'm in the same boat...Tater LOVES my partner, and he likes me fine and generally cooperates with me, but I'm not "the one." That said, I've discovered that Tater finds me A LOT more interesting when his dad isn't around. Maybe Kiwi will be the same way? Maybe it will help you guys get closer together!

Tater really seems to enjoy loud, dramatic tv shows like the Walking Dead and ridiculous adventure movies. I like to put stuff like that on while I'm cleaning and bustling around and tater will sing/jabber/scream along. He seems to think that's a lot of fun, so maybe make some of the day "loud fun time" if Kiwi likes it too?