When recall training meets hormones: the joy and sorrow

[chris-md]

So you wanna train recall? There’s a dark side of ambition!

What happens when a wildly hormonal parrot intersects with flighted recall training?

Beautiful, joyful, BIG leaps in training. And one big pain the the @$$.

Now that he’s hormonal he is DESPERATE to be with us, and has energy for days. I’ve harnessed this to increase Our flight training, and he’s doing stuff now he’s never done, lots of descending flights, farther flights than he’s ever done. big leaps Hormones have created amazing motivation I haven’t been able to otherwise create.

Until now he flies to me because I tell him to, but otherwise had no Added interest. but I’ve created a monster! He’s discovered his wings, and has begun to realize he can use the wings for his own means, not just for training. So he now has some moderate stationing issues, flying off his main stand about 1 out of 3 times we put him there hoping he’ll chill.

Why can’t he just stay put :headwall:

So you wanna train flighted recall? In the immortal words of the *****cat dolls, be careful what you wish for cause you just might get it, and then some. Cause they will discover their wings and it’s a whole new ball game.

 

[texsize]

I am going through something like this with my youngest amazon Merlin.
He is young and everything is new and he has to go there now, now, NOW.
Merlin is also dive-bombing me...or perhaps he is buzzing me. he Drops from on high (death from above) and swoops down low over me. He is even doing this to a lesser degree to Bella who does not appreciate it.
He can't be much over 2 years old so hormones aren't the reason.

texsize

 

[chris-md]

Jeez, you’re being dive bombed?! If he’s not doin it over hormones, I’d bet he gets some self reinforcing reward from it, the thrill of it. I hope he gets over it quick!

 

[noodles123]

I have always wished Noodles would fly more (she isn't clipped and I am not sure that she ever has been) BUT, this is my fear lol. She is a sponge for attention and she too is hormonal at the moment---a more-than-constant desire to step up and the inability to settle (depending on the time of day). I imagine that is a giant pain--I guess at least you know it is normal and healthy lol!

 

[chris-md]

Glad to know I’m not alone, I’ve been terrified of this stage too. And given that it took 3 years to get here I was actually hopeful it would never come. He’s just never been interested.

My only...saving grace - if you can call it that - is that in a month or less he’ll barber his primary and secondary wings like he always does this time of year and the flying will go away for another year.

Have you had no interest in teaching noodles to fly? How does she do with sudden fright flights? Crash landings?

 

[noodles123]

She CAN fly---she chooses not to...and she isn't that great at it, but it isn't due to muscle tone or anything. She can fly across a room but usually glides downwards (in a larger space, like a gym, I am sure she would be fine). I have watched her hover in one place, so I am pretty sure it is a motivation deficit OR wing-span-to-house issue--vet thinks it is motivation. Lots of cockatoos are weird about flying inside (or so it seems).
She is content and she flaps on my arm etc (so she does work those muscles)...she just would rather walk or be carried (unless there is no other option lol).

 

[chris-md]

I feel you. I think it’s likely it’s a larger bird issue, I’ve noticed many bigger birds just prefer to walk indoors, and others have noticed it as well. I know I have to bend over backwards to keep Parker off the floor (bad habit since we dogsit all the time).

Though hovering in place, that’s special. I’ve only ever heard of red fronted macaws do that. Very cool!

 

[noodles123]

I feel you. I think it’s likely it’s a larger bird issue, I’ve noticed many bigger birds just prefer to walk indoors, and others have noticed it as well. I know I have to bend over backwards to keep Parker off the floor (bad habit since we dogsit all the time).

Though hovering in place, that’s special. I’ve only ever heard of red fronted macaws do that. Very cool!

She did it once because she was very excited that my mom (who we were visiting) came out in a white bathrobe with her hair in a towel/turban (also white)...Looked just like a cockatoo! HAHAHA

It was a Looney Tunes moment lol! Like the wolf with his tongue out, or...something lol