OP
nyspy
New member
- Nov 5, 2013
- 157
- 0
- Parrots
- Pretty Birdy (BG Macaw)
Duke (BG Macaw)
- Thread Starter
- Thread starter
- #41
MikeyTN: You're right! lol.. I never really did an introduction. I wouldn't call myself a trainer so much as someone who loves birds. I rescue a bird when time and finances permit. Been doing it for 5-ish years, but found that I was good at working with birds in general. I don't know what it is with animals and me, but they seem to just "trust" me... even the most ornery / dysfunctional ones.
Much of my knowledge came from doing research and adapting what I've read on the internet / books / speaking to other owners / watching others do things that birds either like or dislike.
I discovered that psychology is the most important aspect to dealing with a bird. I try to put myself into the bird's head (based on their history). My assumption is they are all abused and mistreated and work from there.
Fear mitigation tactics (learned from being a corporate consultant for so many years) and adaptation / translation to the animal makes a world of difference. If you've ever seen a person terrified of the consultant that comes in to fire people (that WAS me in a former life), you learn how to calm them down and work with them to feel confident in their position. It's basically what I do with birds. I try to instill safety, stability, and comfort in the bird.
Add some affection and attention and even the most untrusting animal (or human) will eventually come around when they realize all you want to do it just help them. I see many people make mistakes (for some odd reason, it is common sense to me) and I just started helping people to understand their birds and provide a safe environment for them.
Fast forward to today and my vet calls me the "macaw whisperer" (which honestly kind of creeps me out), but I know it's meant as a compliment. As for learning to socialize birds, I love children and I just started taking my bird to the park whenever I had my daughter (on a weekend). I could always sense when a bird was getting stressed with attention and would manage the little tykes and their interaction with bird(ies).
For some odd reason, getting a bird to do something has never been difficult for me, but it all starts with getting them to realize that not all humans are bad.
I just met someone today with a baby macaw (7 weeks) who had smoke inhalation at the vet. The poor guy was mortified and about ready to break down into pieces.. We spent 2 hours just talking about baby bird care / safety in the parking lot afterwards. I pointed him to this forum and I'm pretty sure he's going to be a new member in short order! For some odd reason, that's how I ended up helping people with their birds / working with birds. I just feel horrible for how they're treated and karmically, I'd like to think I'm doing the right thing.. to make up for past transgressions (in my corporate life)..
So now, I'm a strategic business / technology consultant by trade, a full time father to a 3.5 year old little girl and 2 macaws!
That's pretty much me in a nutshell.. I'm not a full-time avian professional, but from what I've seen, I seem to know a fair bit and believe shared knowledge can only help to improve the lives of birds and their owners.
Much of my knowledge came from doing research and adapting what I've read on the internet / books / speaking to other owners / watching others do things that birds either like or dislike.
I discovered that psychology is the most important aspect to dealing with a bird. I try to put myself into the bird's head (based on their history). My assumption is they are all abused and mistreated and work from there.
Fear mitigation tactics (learned from being a corporate consultant for so many years) and adaptation / translation to the animal makes a world of difference. If you've ever seen a person terrified of the consultant that comes in to fire people (that WAS me in a former life), you learn how to calm them down and work with them to feel confident in their position. It's basically what I do with birds. I try to instill safety, stability, and comfort in the bird.
Add some affection and attention and even the most untrusting animal (or human) will eventually come around when they realize all you want to do it just help them. I see many people make mistakes (for some odd reason, it is common sense to me) and I just started helping people to understand their birds and provide a safe environment for them.
Fast forward to today and my vet calls me the "macaw whisperer" (which honestly kind of creeps me out), but I know it's meant as a compliment. As for learning to socialize birds, I love children and I just started taking my bird to the park whenever I had my daughter (on a weekend). I could always sense when a bird was getting stressed with attention and would manage the little tykes and their interaction with bird(ies).
For some odd reason, getting a bird to do something has never been difficult for me, but it all starts with getting them to realize that not all humans are bad.
I just met someone today with a baby macaw (7 weeks) who had smoke inhalation at the vet. The poor guy was mortified and about ready to break down into pieces.. We spent 2 hours just talking about baby bird care / safety in the parking lot afterwards. I pointed him to this forum and I'm pretty sure he's going to be a new member in short order! For some odd reason, that's how I ended up helping people with their birds / working with birds. I just feel horrible for how they're treated and karmically, I'd like to think I'm doing the right thing.. to make up for past transgressions (in my corporate life)..
So now, I'm a strategic business / technology consultant by trade, a full time father to a 3.5 year old little girl and 2 macaws!
That's pretty much me in a nutshell.. I'm not a full-time avian professional, but from what I've seen, I seem to know a fair bit and believe shared knowledge can only help to improve the lives of birds and their owners.
