Nora Caterino asked:

The "Up" command is the very first behavior you should teach your parrot. Whether you have a tame, loving, hand-fed baby that is just weaned or you have an older, untamed parrot, the process is still important. It's a question of good manners!

Of course, the process for teaching the behavior to a hand-fed, young bird is much, much easier and quicker than teaching an untamed bird. It is, however, nonetheless necessary.

When you work with a parrot that is untamed, you'll find it works best to use a spare perch or untreated wooden dowel which is rather long.

I like to work with the parrot outside its cage, but if that isn't possible, you can perform the process with the parrot inside the cage if you have a large door opening and can move the perch about easily. Be sure the selected perch is comfortably sized for your parrot species.

Place the perch just above the parrot's feet and just below its ****** while saying "Up" clearly. There is no need to be loud or sharp, just say "up".

Move the perch slightly toward the bird so that it will naturally step onto the perch. Once the bird steps on the perch, reward it with loving sweet talk, telling it what a wonderful smart parrot it is. Repeat this process for about 10 minutes per session with two sessions per day if at all possible.

The #1 Element You MUST Know About When Teaching Your Bird This Trick - Or Else You'll Ruin The Training Session!

Consistency is the key!

It is important that you do not allow your parrot to refuse to perform the behavior after it has stepped up the first time for you. You want your parrot to understand that this is something it must do when requested. In return, you will provide love, attention, foods and playtime.

As your parrot becomes comfortable stepping onto the perch, you can slowly shorten the distance from your hand to the parrot. I usually find that with untamed parrots, shortening the perch more than once a week can stress them and actually create a loss of the trust you've built.

==> Don't rush the process! Take your time and be certain your parrot is comfortable with each training level.

Eventually, you will reach a point that the distance from your hand to the parrot on the perch is very small. Once your parrot is comfortable with your hand being that close to it, begin the final step - offer your hand or forearm (depending on the size of your parrot) instead of the perch.

How Long You'll Take In Teaching This Bird Trick!

It depends on you, your consistency and your parrot. If the parrot has been stressed or made afraid through abuse or trauma, it can take a long time.

If your parrot is simply unfamiliar with you and you just have to prove to it that you won't hurt it, the process can occur quite quickly.

If you parrot was hand-fed, you can count on the entire process taking a very short time - in fact, you'll probably start at the final step with the parrot stepping right onto your hand.

I recently brought a budgie home that was just weaning. He was not hand-fed but very young and trusting; he was trained to the "up" command within a week and consistently performs the behavior whenever requested.

Be sure to watch your parrot's body language for clues to the level of trust and level of comfort with the activities you are performing with it.

The parrot will generally communicate to you their comfort level using body language - in the future we'll study parrot body language, teaching you how to interpret your parrot's body language!

To learn more about how to teach your parrot visit www.eliteparrotsclub.com

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Anna Hart asked:


African Grey parrots are not the most colorful among parrots of the world, as the name indicates. Whether your African Grey is of the Congo or Timneh subspecies, the bird will be predominantly grey in color. The Congo African Grey will have a bright, cherry red tail, while the Timneh African Grey's tail will be maroon.

African Grey parrots are very intelligent. It has been said that they have an intellect similar to that of dolphins and chimpanzees. African Grey parrots have the ability to mimic up to 2,000 different sounds. They can understand the use of many words they learn, and are known to be the best talking parrots.

Einstein, a talking African Grey, is living proof of this. Einstein has been talking up a storm in a Knoxville, Tennessee zoo. Einstein's trainer, Stephanie White, says that it is natural for African Grey parrots to enjoy mimicking sounds. Einstein, though, seems exceptionally good at mimicking. White believes Einstein can make more than 200 different sounds, many of which are English words.

"If she hears a sound that she likes, she'll start to repeat it over and over. Then we'll put it on cue," says White.

Is Einstein Male or Female?

African Grey parrots of both sexes look the same, so no one knows whether Einstein is male or female. The zoo's veterinarians could tell with a blood test, but the zoo has decided not to do it. Einstein lives happily with the name of a great male scientist, and a feminine pronoun.

Einstein - a Talking African Grey's Bio

Einstein, the talking African Grey parrot, hatched in California in 1987. He did not live in a zoo at first. He lived with a California couple. Not for sale, the Congo African Grey was donated to the Zoo in 1992 at age 5.

When Einstein arrived at the Knoxville Zoo, she soared from unknown African Grey parrot to star status. Einstein was an immediate hit in the zoo's new Bird Show. Visitors loved the show, which features free-flight, natural behaviors of about 14 birds and a few other animals. However, the African Grey quickly became the star.

Einstein does not stay at the zoo every day. Nor does she limit her vocabulary to words and sounds her trainers want her to learn. One day, the African Grey was riding in a car on the way to a school show-and-tell. Suddenly, she began to sing "Happy Birthday" to her shocked trainers. No one knew when and how she learned the song, but she knew it.

Einstein is not only the star of Knoxville Zoo's Bird Show. She is also a popular "spokesbird" for the zoo and for Knoxville tourism.

Although Einstein is about 22 years old as I write this (early 2007), she will never behave or understand as a 22-year old human. African Grey parrots have the intellectual capacity of a 5-year old child. Emotionally, they are more like a 2-year old human. Those who live with African Grey parrots are constantly reminded of this.

African Grey - the Right Pet for You?

Einstein, the talking African Grey is amazing. You should be aware, however, that not all African Greys are like Einstein. The Knoxville Zoo has another African Grey parrot named Allie. Allie has learned only a handful of words. Perhaps Allie is shy of talking because Einstein is so good. Perhaps Allie is just not motivated.

Certainly many African Grey parrots do learn to talk. A privately-owned, 10-year old African Grey in Texas - also named Einstein - is credited with knowing 122 words, 94 phrases, and 21 sounds.

If you purchase an African Grey parrot, and patiently work with it, you will probably be able to teach it to talk.

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Low Jeremy asked:


Among the parrot family, Macaw parrots are known to have the largest number of members. According to studies, these colorful, flamboyant, and captivating birds have inhabited the planet ever since and there are actually at least 18 species of macaws recognized today.

Characterized by their playful nature, Macaw parrots have earned a hefty reputation of being one of the most interesting birds because of their high intelligence and beauty. Hailing from South and Central America as well as from the Caribbean islands, macaw parrots have been legendary for possessing a unique personality and lovable characteristics, which makes them loyal and great companion parrots.

But, despite of its superb potentials, most people say that Macaw parrots are not good pets because they possess destructive tendencies, raucousness, demanding, and very noisy large birds.

Macaw parrots are not among those most favorite parrot pets because they screech so loud that most owners cannot tolerate. Aside from being creating loud noise, macaw parrots also have a reputation of being very demanding birds.

If you are planning to purchase a Macaw parrot for a pet bird, you have to have a great deal of knowledge and research about the nature and characteristic of macaw parrots species so you would have an idea how to take care of them. Although this parrot specie is not the most suitable parrot pet an owner can have, these large birds can live from 25 to 80 years and even beyond if taken care of properly.

Understanding Macaw parrots

Among the so many species of macaw parrots, the most popular include the Blue and Gold Macaw, Blue and Yellow Macaw which are the most available and popular kind of macaw parrot for being adaptable, playful, curious, and fun loving; Scarlet Macaw, Red and Yellow Macaw which are considered as among the top ten of the worlds most beautiful parrots; Greenwing Macaw, Maroon Macaw, Red and Green Macaw, Red and Blue Macaw which are extremely intelligent and inquisitive ones; Military Macaw that has fine talking skills and a pleasant behavior; Red Fronted Macaw, Red Crown or Crowned Macaw which are among the sweetest and amiable parrots; Hyacinthine or Hyacinth Macaw which is the largest among the parrot family; Hahn's Down which are full blooded Macaws which are talkative and thrive in attention; and Severe Macaw which is an uncommon pet bird because of its small size.

Here are some points to consider before buying a macaw parrot:

1. Talking Ability. These parrots are not considered excellent talkers but have high capabilities for speech and can be very good at language interaction.

2. Personality. Macaw parrots are among the most demanding pet parrots there are so you better make sure that you can spend enough time to interact with your parrot. Because of its violent tendencies, owning a macaw parrot is not advisable for parents that have little children.

3. Basic necessities. Since they can be quite demanding and destructive if not given the proper care, you must make sure that you can provide the things the macaw parrot might need such as toys, acrobatics and love ropes, big and secure cage and proper diet.

4. Biting and Taming. Because of its complex personality, macaw parrots can be extremely aggressive if not handled properly. Bear in mind that macaw parrots' temperament changes as time goes by so you better brace yourself for the best or the worst attitude this bird can exhibit.

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Parrot Talk Training 2 DVD set TigerBird Teaches Speech    US $12.95