Reptile & Amphibian Forums

About 2 and a half weeks ago I bought a parrotlet from a breeder. He is 6 months old. He's so smart and is wearing away at my patience. Guess that is his game. Not doing well with taming him. I have to chase him wherever he is to get him. This morning I decided to bring the cage into my small bathroom. Put the cage on the toilet seat, took him out. He then landed behind the toilet. I then put his cage outside the bathroom and partially closed the door. Darned if he didn't find a way to get away from me and back on his cage staring at me. So much for that.

How should I approach his taming/training? Should I be in a small room like a bathroom? It is a real pain chasing him in the living room. I need tips on how to train this smart son of a gun..... Being menopausal, my patience is tried.

Donna

A small room is definitely the best way to start. Parrotlets are smart and can try your patience so hang on, LOL! Once they are socialized they can make great companions though so it is worth it even if you question it at times!! It sounds like you are trying the right thing. Letting your bird out of its cage to come to you (in the smaller room). Hold a treat or toy to try and entice the bird over, try not to grab or confine it in your hands unless absolutely necessary as it causes fear and takes that much longer to calm them down. Some people suggest toweling the bird. Holding them firmly but not too tight wrapped in a towel while talking gently and as it calms and seems to be listening you can gradually loosen the towel and rub it gently on its head. I haven't had much luck with that method, it always seems to work better for me to dive right in and start with the cage open in a small room and treats but sometimes you have to experiment to see which works better for you personally.

He's way too smart for me. He still won't take food out of my hand. So much for giving him a treat when I teach him. He still won't come to me or step up on my finger. I take him in my bathroom and tame him in there. He will step up on a perch there or on my finger but no where else. I still end up chasing him or losing patience and putting the cage on the floor so he can get in himself. Decided to take out his birdie tent. Maybe that will help.

Should I just keep him in his cage until he starts to step up on my finger or when I take him into the bathroom for his training session?

Donna

As long as you are able to take him out daily onto your finger or else into the bathroom keeping him in the cage at other times is fine. This way he will eventually (hopefully sooner, LOL!) learn that getting out is fun not being chased and yelled at. Once he sees that you are calm and nice while working with him and not chasing him everywhere he should begin to see you as less of a threat. As far as the treats go keep trying. Many especially at first seem to have a Hand phobia and want nothing to do with the hand. If you find a treat that he really likes and never give it to him except by hand he will eventually start to accept it but it will take a lot of patience. Treats also don't have to be the only reward, a treasured toy or even just sweet softly spoken words or a nice happy sounding voice can be encouragement enough. Good luck and keep us posted!

Azul is coming along. I have been able to get him to step up on my finger and my neighbor's finger in the kitchen. Today he landed in the small bathroom and for the first time I didn't have to chase him in there. He stepped up again.

I can get him on my finger in the evening when I check on him after covering him, but I still have to grab him in the tent during the day if he's in his cage. On top of the cage, he won't step up at all and won't eat anything out of my hand- yet. He tends to "curse" me when I get near him when he's on top of the cage. It is quite amusing..... If I squeak back at him it seems like he attacks me sometimes. Other times he just backs off. Wonder what I am saying to him?

Am having fun with him and I do think he will come to me sooner or later.

Donna