Steping Up

[eagle18]

How does one get a bird to step up? I got my bare eye cockatoo, Bandit, five months ago. He is eight years old, has had one owner and then was returned to the breeder where he lived for the last four years. The breeder told me that she got him to step up by offering a treat. When I first got him he would step up at first for a peanut but then the peanut trick didn't cut it. I then had him step up on my hand to get him out of his cage. He was very cooperative at first, (for a few months) but then started holding back. Now he will step up for an almond but only returned to his perch right away. He loves to be petted by my hand and take treats from my hand but not too keen to step up on it. He is more of a shoulder guy. I honestly wonder if he is playing me.

 

[JohnH]

I inherited a total basket case cockatoo just over a year ago. She's approximately 18 years old and spent her entire life locked in a cage in a basement prior to coming into my life. I could not get her to step up. After all the treats i could offer and countless bites to my hands, arms and face i finally figured out what the issue was. She will only step up to my hand if she is below my head or shoulder height. She has no feathers and cannot fly. She does not like being low to the ground. She always wants to be at the highest point. It's a security issue. She steps up every time now without hesitation or biting as long as i am reaching down for her. Maybe your bird has similar issues. Try having bandit step up from a position that is lower than your head or shoulder. Let us know if that works.

 

[eagle18]

Thank you! Never thought about that. I am very sorry that your bird went through such horrors but I am glad she found you. I will try the different height approach.

 

[Mindy]

You may have accidentally trained him not to. I would go back to basics, act like you just got him today and you are trying to gain his trust. I have accidentally trained mine to do some odd things over the years. Recently Finnegan throws things when I hand them to him even when he wants them because I laughed when he threw something a couple weeks ago that he didn't want.

 

[eagle18]

I wouldn't doubt it since I know zip about birds. Thank you for your helpful advice which I intend to put to use. So Finn made you laugh and now he wants to keep making you laugh. Sounds awfully smart.

 

[Mindy]

Yes, of course I still laugh because he is trying so hard to throw HARD. I got a book for amazon kindle that's good so far, The Perfectly Trained Parrot. If you know nothing (which I doubt) it might be a good read for you, or I'm sure members have favorites they can recommend.

 

[BirdMama11]

I put a perch in front of my bird, and had them stand on that for 15 minutes a day. After about two weeks of that, I inched my finger closer and closer to their feet until they stood on my finger (that was holding the perch). After a few days of that, I slowly inched the perch away, and they got used to my finger.

 

[eagle18]

Thank you! I will go out and buy and perch and give it a try. Right now all I am getting is bites.