First time recalling outside...

[StephenAndKyleigh]

So, today I decided to finally take Kyleigh out on her new flight line! You never realize how many distractions are outside until you try to cue a bird to fly to you outside. The entire time was pretty much "Kyleigh, come!"....."Did you see that dragon fly dad!"...."Kyleigh, come!"...."One second let me poop in the grass for a change!"...."Kyleigh, come!"....."Airplane!"

Goodness.

We got a few flights in, but I practically had to show her every treat in my pocket at the same time. We didn't get much distance, longest was maybe 15 feet. But there's always tomorrow.
What's the word?
Patience.

A buddy of mine suggested a whistle so if something happens one day she will be able to hear me.

Someone also suggested to train her when she is hungry. I know that gets results, but A) she is took young for a "training diet" and B) I want her to fly to me based on our bond and not hunger.

Of course you want pictures...

 

[Birdman666]

The biggest thing to worry about during this kind of training is exposure to Startle stimulus...

Startle training goes a long way to preventing impromptu fly-offs, and the nerve wracking searches that follow. (Found Sweepea on the top of a three story building once, while I was training her. In a tree by a school down the street, another time.)

With my birds, it's the Tarzan whistle... THAT MEANS I'M HERE LOOKING FOR YOU RESPOND TO MY CALL LET ME KNOW WHERE YOU ARE.

I ALSO DO A RECALL SIGNAL IN ADDITION TO VOICE COMMAND. (TWO FINGERS TAPPING ON AN ARM OR A SHOULDER WHEN THEY ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO SEE. THAT ONE COMES IN HANDY WHEN THEY ARE UP IN TREES...)

Where I screwed that one up, is I used the same recall signal for all three birds that are recalled. So, unfortunately, now when I give you never quite know WHICH bird will be responding to you. Sometimes I get more than one.

Even though I may look like an idiot doing it, it's distinctive... they know immediately that I'm coming. They either stay put and squawk back (Sweepea), or fly back to me... (Sally)

I honestly don't know what Maggie would do, as she has never once flown off on me, and nothing seems to phase her when we are out and about.

Sally generally doesn't fly off on my BUT she does really big laps around the park... occasionally stopping to explore an interesting tree.

RECALL, I find is more about the bond anyway, especially with a big mac...

 

[StephenAndKyleigh]

The biggest thing to worry about during this kind of training is exposure to Startle stimulus...

Startle training goes a long way to preventing impromptu fly-offs, and the nerve wracking searches that follow. (Found Sweepea on the top of a three story building once, while I was training her. In a tree by a school down the street, another time.)

With my birds, it's the Tarzan whistle... THAT MEANS I'M HERE LOOKING FOR YOU RESPOND TO MY CALL LET ME KNOW WHERE YOU ARE.

I ALSO DO A RECALL SIGNAL IN ADDITION TO VOICE COMMAND. (TWO FINGERS TAPPING ON AN ARM OR A SHOULDER WHEN THEY ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO SEE. THAT ONE COMES IN HANDY WHEN THEY ARE UP IN TREES...)

Where I screwed that one up, is I used the same recall signal for all three birds that are recalled. So, unfortunately, now when I give you never quite know WHICH bird will be responding to you. Sometimes I get more than one.

Even though I may look like an idiot doing it, it's distinctive... they know immediately that I'm coming. They either stay put and squawk back (Sweepea), or fly back to me... (Sally)

I honestly don't know what Maggie would do, as she has never once flown off on me, and nothing seems to phase her when we are out and about.

Sally generally doesn't fly off on my BUT she does really big laps around the park... occasionally stopping to explore an interesting tree.

RECALL, I find is more about the bond anyway, especially with a big mac...

You are very correct sir! Startle stimulus is a big key in flying these guys outside!

So I had a brilliant..or really stupid idea. Whenever we train inside...I have my wife make as much noise as possible lol. She does the dishes..drops books...plays music...Just noise in general..Kyleigh gets rewarded for staying focused and for performing.

And its funny watching my wife be silly around the house lol

 

[RavensGryf]

Good job Stephen! I had to laugh, Dad wait... "One second let me poop in the grass for a change!"

 

[Birdman666]

You are very correct sir! Startle stimulus is a big key in flying these guys outside!

JUST A LUCKY GUESS... I'VE NEVER ACTUALLY DONE THIS BEFORE, BUT I DID STAY AT A HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS LAST NIGHT, SO I FEEL LIKE AN AUTHORITY ON THE SUBJECT...

So I had a brilliant..or really stupid idea. Whenever we train inside...I have my wife make as much noise as possible lol. She does the dishes..drops books...plays music...Just noise in general..Kyleigh gets rewarded for staying focused and for performing.

And its funny watching my wife be silly around the house lol

AND IT'S EVEN FUNNIER IF YOU GET IT ON HIDDEN VIDEO... THAT IS, OF COURSE, UNTIL SHE FINDS OUT THE VIDEO EXISTS...

 

[Birdman666]

Good job Stephen! I had to laugh, Dad wait... "One second let me poop in the grass for a change!"

Mine actually liked to get down and roll around in the grass for some reason.

 

[Birdman666]

We got a few flights in, but I practically had to show her every treat in my pocket at the same time. We didn't get much distance, longest was maybe 15 feet. But there's always tomorrow.
What's the word?
Patience.

Way better than the alternative, OFF SHE WENT, maybe 15 miles...

Hopped in the car and chased after her, hoping she would land somewhere safe, where I had a decent shot at getting her back...

But I haven't lost hope. I put up 100 or so lost bird posters around the area where she landed, and tomorrow morning, I'm going back at first light, when they vocalize...

(HA! NEVER DONE THAT ONE EITHER! Okay, I have. More than once. With more than one bird.)

 

[Anansi]

Might just be my cellphone, but I can't see the pics, Stephen.

Congratulations on the outside flight training! That's great! As for the training while hungry thing, I personally don't believe in the whole withholding food for training thing. It indubitably yields results, but for me the ends do not justify the means.

That said, I do like training my birds midway between meals. Treats become a bigger incentive, but they're not "performing" out of desperation to eat. So the results aren't as fast, but I believe the bond is better served. Know what I mean?

Stephen, I love the progress you and Kyleigh are making. The building of the relationship between the two of you is pretty much textbook in terms of how it should be done. I'm happy for both of you!

 

[JerseyWendy]

I don't see any pics either. Neither on my PC nor laptop.

 

[StephenAndKyleigh]

They were there I promise! As soon as I get back from church I'll figure out what Wendy did with them, then I will repost. Wendy has a bad habit of hiding my pictures that I post. I've always told her to stop.

 

[StephenAndKyleigh]

 

[Anansi]

Hahahahahaha! Hot pink?!? I didn't even know those came in that color!

Beautiful pics! Well worth the wait. Does she give you any trouble getting the harness on?

 

[StephenAndKyleigh]

Hahahahahaha! Hot pink?!? I didn't even know those came in that color!

Beautiful pics! Well worth the wait. Does she give you any trouble getting the harness on?

It eliminates the amount of times people ask me if she is a boy or girl haha.
Her and I made a deal...if she relaxes while I put it on, she will get those expensive pine nuts she likes and a spray bath when we get back home lol.

 

[Anansi]

Yeah, those pine nuts are ridiculously expensive, aren't they? Sounds like a great deal, though. I'm sure she thinks so! Hahaha!

You know we'll be needing some video, right?

 

[Blueridge]

Cool! I'm too scared to take my parrot outside LOL!

I love your Macaw though, he's BEAUTIFUL!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hahahahahaha! Hot pink?!? I didn't even know those came in that color!

.....?

It eliminates the amount of times people ask me if she is a boy or girl haha.
Her and I made a deal...if she relaxes while I put it on, she will get those expensive pine nuts she likes and a spray bath when we get back home lol.

Cool! I'm too scared to take my parrot outside LOL!

I love your Macaw though, he's BEAUTIFUL!

:54: :54: :54:
Stephen, I guess her harness isn't pink enough.....HAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!

LOVE the photos! Kyleigh looks so grown up already. WOW!!

 

[StephenAndKyleigh]

Hahahahahaha! Hot pink?!? I didn't even know those came in that color!

.....?

It eliminates the amount of times people ask me if she is a boy or girl haha.
Her and I made a deal...if she relaxes while I put it on, she will get those expensive pine nuts she likes and a spray bath when we get back home lol.

Cool! I'm too scared to take my parrot outside LOL!

I love your Macaw though, he's BEAUTIFUL!

:54: :54: :54:
Stephen, I guess her harness isn't pink enough.....HAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!

LOVE the photos! Kyleigh looks so grown up already. WOW!!

Haha I guess not! I'm ordering her a flight suit to emphasize the girliness lol

 

[Birdman666]

"actually, it's a boy. My bird is just very active in the local chapter of breast cancer awareness." :d

 

[StephenAndKyleigh]

"actually, it's a boy. My bird is just very active in the local chapter of breast cancer awareness." :d

Lol this made my day

 

[GreatBlue320]

Great photos, as always! Love the pink!

Saw Kyleigh on Parrot Wizard's FB page!! She's a star!