Birdman666
Well-known member
- Sep 18, 2013
- 9,904
- 263
- Parrots
- Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
I was asked to post something on this topic.
Startle training is nothing more than progressively exposing the bird to stimulation that would ordinarily spook it, until the bird is used to it, and doesn't spook.
Sally used to be terrified of brooms. (Her former owner beat her with one!) At one time, I used to have to cover her before sweeping up.
At first she couldn't even see one, without freaking out. So I left it outside on the balcony, at first. Then I left it just inside the doorway. Then I moved it about half way across the room towards her cage. Then, I left it leaning up against her cage...
By the end of it, they didn't freak her out anymore.
Same thing with progressive exposure to things like unexpected loud noises, eventually you can set a cannon off next to them and they don't even flinch.
Maggie, for example, sat and watched the fourth of July fireworks with me. Her eyes were going the entire time. Did I mention she was fully flighted at the time?!
This is a basic foundation for don't fly off on me in a panic when we are outside.
Here are some example training threads that explain it:
https://wingsnpaws.wordpress.com/ta...ion-first-bird-introduction-behavior-step-up/
https://jamiesparrothelp.wordpress.com/tag/desensitizing/
Counter conditioning and desensitization | Animal Humane Society
Fear of Thunderstorms, Fireworks and Other Noise Phobias in Dogs and Cats
Startle training is nothing more than progressively exposing the bird to stimulation that would ordinarily spook it, until the bird is used to it, and doesn't spook.
Sally used to be terrified of brooms. (Her former owner beat her with one!) At one time, I used to have to cover her before sweeping up.
At first she couldn't even see one, without freaking out. So I left it outside on the balcony, at first. Then I left it just inside the doorway. Then I moved it about half way across the room towards her cage. Then, I left it leaning up against her cage...
By the end of it, they didn't freak her out anymore.
Same thing with progressive exposure to things like unexpected loud noises, eventually you can set a cannon off next to them and they don't even flinch.
Maggie, for example, sat and watched the fourth of July fireworks with me. Her eyes were going the entire time. Did I mention she was fully flighted at the time?!
This is a basic foundation for don't fly off on me in a panic when we are outside.
Here are some example training threads that explain it:
https://wingsnpaws.wordpress.com/ta...ion-first-bird-introduction-behavior-step-up/
https://jamiesparrothelp.wordpress.com/tag/desensitizing/
Counter conditioning and desensitization | Animal Humane Society
Fear of Thunderstorms, Fireworks and Other Noise Phobias in Dogs and Cats
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