How to Get a Scared Parrot to Target | Fearful Timneh African Grey

This video reminds us:
1. Always be re-testing your treat test! Don’t know what a treat test is? Learn about it here: birdtricksstore.com/collectio...
2. Teaching birds to overcome fear is super important! Do not enable your birds to avoid fear.
3. Working with scared birds can look different with smaller wins to get to the end goal.
4. Allow failure.
5. Remind your bird what it’s working for! Hopefully a worthwhile treat if you’ve done your treat test correctly! But try not to use luring long term.
As always, a big thank you to our clients who allow us to film and share their experiences with us!
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217 CEDAR STREET #401
SANDPOINT, ID 83864
MY BIRDS (Oldest to Youngest) 🐦❤
BONDI 💗 Galah | hatched 2005
CRESSI 💗 Congo African Grey | hatched 2007
BANDIT 💙 Galah | hatched 2008-2019 💔
JINX 💙 Blue Throat Macaw | hatched 2008
COMET 💙 Yellow-Dominant Camelot Macaw | hatched 2008
TUSA 💙 Blue-Green Dominant Camelot Macaw | hatched 2008
ROCKO 💙 Toco Toucan | hatched 2011
LILY & PHOEBE & DETKA 💗 Sun Conures | hatched 2011
BLUEBERRY 💗 Budgie | hatched June 2019
😍 ABOUT US 😍
BirdTricks is a husband-wife team; Dave and Jamieleigh Womach specialize in parrot training and companionship.
#birdtricks #birdtraining #parrottraining

[@divyagupta1561]

The grey looks scared yet adorable I wish it becomes a brave bird soon♥️

[@BlueEternities]

I love how well you train humans. = D

[@suzithewitch]

One really cool thing about a clicker (over using your voice with a word) is that the clicker doesn't convey any emotion, and your voice does. So even if they do something "good", if you're stressed, it will affect the way you say the word. The clicker takes emotion out of it, which really helps stressed/fearful animals.

[@emmahmm5591]

My budgie was cared of target stick (chopstick) so i taught him target trick with a chickens feather

[@BlueEternities]

Great idea!

[@AdmiralShinee]

Lol that's awesome!

[@jamssnana4084]

That's really creative!! 👏👏

[@juliusroman8616]

You have chickens?

[@emmahmm5591]

@@juliusroman8616 Yeah i recued a few 😃

[@thedragonlair2797]

Ah my sun conure is so phobic! I’ve been desensitizing him and it’s working so well! He’s started to be more curious instead of afraid! ❤️

[@danielpereira1532]

mine is so sweet, shes adorable. How is yours a year later???

[@citizenearth71]

The bird's owner has such kind eyes! I'm sure he senses her kindness.

[@Loveofpets]

Very interesting. I am going to try this with my Senegal. Thanks for sharing your wonderful knowledge 😃

[@BirdTricks]

Thanks for always watching and commenting!

[@bereal8253]

I finally got a pineapple conure (18 months old) after years of waiting, the breeder told me he'll be extremely hard, if not impossible, to train. He was terrified of hands when we were at his shop. I tried target training him on the first day and he's so enthusiastic! It's amazing, he even let me touch his beak without biting or getting scared. Thank you birdtricks for all the valuable information you have shared. I've been so excited i couldn't sleep all night. We've had an amazing first day all because of your videos Jamie, Dave and Capri! ❤

[@arab6745]

Probably he wasn't comfortable with the environment at the shop, and you did it right. I hope he's progressed so much by now

[@marcos13vinicius11]

I really needed this video!! I have a budgie who is afread ofeverything. I’m trying to teach him something and don’t know where to start. Maybe this is the way I must try...

[@abdirahmanmahamud1094]

My best feeling is when I successfully teach my bird new tricks. I have an African ringneck she was untamed and very aggressive, I took me 1 year to tame her and teach her some tricks. Am so proud of her.

[@franchescamadden442]

Love you guys!!! I finally took my bird to a free fly camp! Heaps of us went out to the bush with our birds for 5 days and we free flew them as a flock but my bird couldn’t keep up.

[@sandraraituma]

I love your sweater! Looks like multiple parrots (or just Jinx alone) worked on it very hard. Very on brand! :D Should borrow that idea for merch :D

[@jamssnana4084]

This was a great video!! I love the "pause" that you use till you can see him visibly relax. He did so well for a bird that was so frightened. I think she's going to be able to really help him now. That must be a really good feeling for you guys. ❤

[@divyagupta1561]

Look how happy she is when she found its a grey instead of a cockatoo!! You should try interacting with one though (maybe it changes your bad experience 😅) However love your birdiful videos ♥️

[@BirdTricks]

Haha, I have videos with the wild ones in Oz and of course my galah loves so there's plenty of cockatoo interaction happening, no worries! I just like giving them a hard time ;)

[@imaginecorona4924]

You should really try training an Umbrella or Moluccan they’re really fun parrots!

[@c8459]

This video is reminding me of an African Grey named Dolly, who belongs to my mother's friend. Poor Dolly has been locked in her cage for over 20 years now because she has bitten the owner in the past. It break my heart. I've considered taking Dolly home to care for her myself, but I am not sure of I would be able to help her or not, as I don't have a lot of bird experience and she seems like she would need someone very experienced to help her.

[@dohraime140]

That is sad. Could you tactfully ask Dolly’s owner if they have put her in a Will? If not, it might get them thinking about the future and start to make some changes now.

[@lisaneff5297]

I needed this video. My newly adopted 7 yo blue front Amazon, Loki, is scared of everything! Ya’ll have taught me so much about parrot behavior and training that I’m supporting you through your store and Patreon. It’s given me the courage to adopt Loki... a parrot who needed a home, instead of looking for a baby. Thank you both so much!

[@rosiegirl2485]

I wanted to see more! I know that handsome guy had it in him to learn. It would be awesome to see how far he came. 🌷

[@kaisengyong3028]

The second i see an African Grey. Without hesitation, clicked on it ❤

[@mariahb3107]

I've been watching your videos for a couple years. I don't have a bird! Lol But I've decided to try to target train a lady's birds. A few are fearful so I'm excited about this video!!

[@conniemuttart8601]

Such a cute intro. Jamie, you are so cute. No cockatoos! Thank you for all you do

[@MyJAG12345]

Maybe Jamie needs the power pause with a cockatoo!😂😂😂 JK!

[@high-bi-password]

This was such a great example video of what you’re talking about!! Love Dave’s calm energy throughout and the way he sets up the human for success by walking her through the process before she tries it with her bird.

[@amandacovington2548]

You guys make me laugh & smile

[@umairidrees7291]

So helpful!

[@hpeterson10579]

Very very helpful!

[@picothegrey1919]

Love these kind of video’s

[@AnnaMishel]

Amazing!

[@phoenixgreener1618]

Love you guys also love that Dave is in more videos 🥰

[@monicap1717]

Gonna be a great one!! 👏Cant Wait!

[@Falcon-ug5sk]

Awesome info. Been working on target training with my Congo...He doesn’t like the stick either. Never though to reward calmness to get past the fear..💯👍... We will get it!!!

[@harmony9020]

Thank you for this video!

[@artglue2]

This was so interesting! You guys are awesome!

[@AndrewAguilar805]

The videos are so helpful

[@frededward6176]

Thanks for these.

[@janellabaxter8372]

I have been doing capture training with my cats to get them to walk on their exercise wheel with much success. I learned the skill from BirdTricks!

[@lorencewinchell7829]

This training works!!

[@kayleewebster9335]

Thanks for the videos... love you guys 🌻🌼🌿

[@findlay2404]

I just got an African grey two days ago there such amazing birds and now my Indian ring neck who I got 8 weeks ago is now coming on my hand for the first time because it wasn’t hand raised

[@jamssnana4084]

Congrats on both points!! Just keep working with your IRN several times a day. They take a lot of work when they're not hand fed, but they can be the greatest birds!! What color is yours? I have a blue make and a Lutino female.

[@findlay2404]

@@jamssnana4084 my ring neck is green I think it’s a male because it’s got a really light ring on its neck but idk yet but it’s also still hard to get him back in the cage but I get there eventually

[@Fynn]

This video helped so much, thank you! I have two Kakarikis, they're with me for three weeks now. Progress is slow because they're very jumpy and like to fly all over the place. It's not that they're scared, but they're just so energetic. I will try the power pause and try to reward them for the little things like even looking at my chopstick and such. Right now, they're not even interested in it...

[@TheBatman2120x]

Absolutely love your content! I already like birds and watching this is so relaxing for me but also very informative. Thank you :-)

[@joshserrano6692]

I got my female cockatiel last Sunday and because of this channel I have already gotten her to fly to me using target training and I couldn't thank you enough! It was the best feeling the first time she flew because I didn't think it would happen for quite awhile. However, because of your permission based training she has been so willing to interact with me the last couple days and we have made leaps and bounds.

[@rachelg9873]

Side note: that's an awesome sweater!

[@mouse92964]

Thank You so much for this video! I just adopted a Sun Conure that is very skiddish about everything!!! This came at the perfect time 😀

[@kaylarose1992]

I don’t own a bird and they are not common house animals where I live, but I love watching your videos!! ♥️ My family & I owned a bird when I was a little girl that was always in a cage and escaped our home and we never seen him again. In my recent years I have thought about getting another one, as an owner of three dogs as well, but watching your videos remind me of how hard it is to work for what a bird owner should look/be like! Thankyou for making videos! Don’t ever stop or change!! ❤️💕

[@lovelycienna5]

Yay, I got the poll right ☺️ but I actually just love African Grey’s 🖤

[@birdbrain3594]

This was the perfect video released at the perfect time! My Linnie is scared/ aggressive towards the target stick. I'll try the power pause and see if it helps :).

[@fctvgvtv1602]

Love yall

[@Dreamerlilly]

This was very helpful. My husband and I just adopted a couple of bonded female grey's in thier 20s they've been at the rescue 10+ years. Apple takes treats ok. Barbie as scared to. Both are afraid of target training. Thank you for this video.

[@ingridcoy5448]

Thank you for the video. I have a Grey

[@pujakarambelkar]

Hi, just got a baby grey! Against all advice, but I feel prepared, thanks to your vids. Have binged watched so many in the last month, before taking the leap.

[@pujakarambelkar]

All the way in India btw.. so u knew the reach u have. :)

[@philmein121]

Jamie 👍 Love your channel 💖.. Just saying X .. sending love and hugs from Manchester UK X

[@mangoandcoco3312]

This helped me lots and I have 2 little birds and now they know how to bite the target yay

[@bored8254]

I was hoping it was about cockatiels. Please make a video about cockatiels in future. Ps: love your videos and there are lot to be learnt from you :)

[@artblast4742]

Hey awesome

[@chichutitu123]

Hi guys pls make more African grey videos as I love them Love you Cressi (though it is not a cressi video still a lot of love to cressi

[@Ashley.Michell22]

Amazons make me feel like cockatoos do you lol I've heard so many horror stories about them when those yellow eyes start pinning at me I'm like oh gees NO lol

[@artblast4742]

Yeye!😊😊

[@Aurelija-Or_EL_Ya]

Jamie! It looks like your sweater has seen a few chewy birds! =D

[@tehKnocker]

I would love for you guys to be in my country - We just got a sweet pair, a lovebird and a Yellow Indian Ringneck, they've lived together throughout their 4 living years, lovebird is tame to the bone, but the ringneck is afraid of everything. He'll get out of his cage by himself, but if we come too close, he's gone! His first flight (He didn't really fly at his old home, deceased elder man) so he ran out of air pretty quickly and ended on a bed. Even at that point, he fought to not be picked up, no matter how softly we tried. I'm going through all of your training videos, like the ones with target training and all I can think of is: "How do I even get to this part?" - He won't come near, no matter what kind of treat I have. It has to be fixed on the bars and he'll go look at it, when we are at a safe distance. It's going to be a long journey, but we'll get there eventually, we refuse to give up ;)

[@aubrey_hash255]

Dang I was close to what bird and J was gonna pick scared for the pole. But good.job with this bird 😉

[@kaylee4705]

The people who disliked are upset they don’t have such amazing children like Capri!!!!

[@BlueIdiotPie]

I can't tell if he's chubby or fluffy but what a cute puffy boy

[@soniyaata]

I have my African timneh for almost 10 years now he is a amazing bird he is happy with us and very attached to the family ESPECIALLY ME but we have a problem which is (plucking feathers), so first when I got him.... his head was the ONLY part that had feathers he recovered soon but he kept plucking its feather not like before (only his chest) and later he stopped plucking them for about 2 years and now he started plugging them again I mean him whole body just like the first time when I got him, I'm super worried about him.. I dont know what the problem is but I was thinking about his new cage he gets scared of it so I gave him his old cage back but still he is plucking feathers. Most doctors told me he is just like that because nothing was working and this month I showed him to another doctor and he said that my parrot has mental issues which I believe because he didn't had a good past, he had alot of owners before me and they treated him very bad, ONE OF THEM EVEN TOLD ME THAT HE GIVE MY PARROT ALCOHOL MANY TIMES, I feel so horrible he's been through alot in the past. If there is anything you can tell me to do or give me some advice it would be very helpful for me and my little boy.

[@kayleajenkins4460]

I'm not sure if you've ever answered this but would you ever take on an apprentice sort of thing for someone wishing to learn to become a bird trainer?

[@AbrahamCherian]

I bought a umberlla cockatoo recently but after watching your videos, i feel so scared and made me question my own decision, have i done something wrong?

[@THEE.apples]

All of us that wanted an aggressive gcc vid 😭

[@jesusivanmorenovalencia6006]

Hey bird tricks 😁I love your videos. I wanted to ask how to teach a parrot to fly. I have a 5 year conure that can fly but I think it’s afraid of flying. He only does in when accidentally startled. Maybe he associates being scared to flying? Wel hope you read this, saludos desde México😃

[@torvawkkasato6885]

I watched another on this bird. The owner, she comes in with the stick much lower than Dave and Capri did. Does that have an effect?

[@joybreegaming8781]

I wonder how this would work on wild birds, like could you train wild birds to be used to you or even target you through a similar process

[@jameshalford4699]

I have my bird a week now but i cnt move her as she’s aggressive but want to start target training how doni approach her without her being on her cage

[@distanceofastorm5703]

What kind of target trainer do you use?

[@kathreya1072]

Any ideas as to why my grey bites my finger when it’s perched on my hand other wise it’s a very friendly

[@graylyweevil4709]

Bird tricks I need your help I have a new bird and I have cocktail they are scared of each other mostly the cocktail and the new bird is soooo scared of my hand an.

[@purpleunicorn5310]

I just got a senegal that steps up when hes not near his cage. He never steps up coming out or off his cage. Is that normal? What tips can I use for a bird whose cage aggressive but engaging when not near his cage?He also doesnt accept treats as after touching the target for target training. But accepted treats for nothing.

[@Roksana502]

Thank you very much for the video,it is very informative and helpfull.I jave a question,people say that whenever you want to train a parrot it should be hungry,is it true?So,it is better to train a partot in the morning time when it is hungry and and he will do everything in order to get a food.But i feel it is kind of inhumane,i looove my parrot African Grey,he so cute and i do not want him to be hungry,as a an animal that depends on me he can't get food by himself.Could uou okease advice if it is right to keep partit hungry before training?And what is the best daytime to train yhe parrot.Thanks in advance.

[@joebean3615]

I don’t know if you question still stands but, no I wouldn’t make your bird hungry (or even skip a meal) to train all birds are different and train better different times so just seeing what work for your own individual bird

[@zep411]

My wife keeps loosing our clickers!! Thinking about buying a bulk supply!!

[@sandyklegman4276]

what web cam are you using?????

[@lallagkhankhang5362]

Sir i have grey parrot pair but the are samey tame .when i tried to take on hand then they dont and scared soo .sir what should i do?

[@turtlegamer2039]

Hey you probably won’t see this but I recently got a cockatiel and I’ve been working on getting him to step up and bond with me and he’s gotten a little better I’ve had him for about a month but he’s started to be a little uninterested do you have any recommendations so he bonds with me really well?

[@cassiemciver8543]

What are key signs to look for in calm or relaxing body language, especially in unfamiliar birds/new birds?

[@dragonflamess0154]

I’ve just gotten a second alexandrine parrot, so I have some bird experience but not a lot and have not yet encountered a problem like this before . The place we got her from said she was step up trained, however she is not and is very scared of people. I would love to begin target training with her so we can begin a common language of training, however she refuses to take any sort of treat from my hand. She is even too scared to eat the treat if I leave it in her bowl and walk away. I have only observed her eating from a distance long after I’ve left, so no connection between the target click and treat was made. Does anyone have any idea of how to convince my bird to eat treats? I have tried several different types of treats but she hates them all.

[@artblast4742]

I want a video with cockatiel Do you don't like small birds or something Just asking

[@Yusuf-hi8nj]

She loves all parrots but she doesn’t have a cockatiel.

[@Yusuf-hi8nj]

She has a budgie named Blueberry

[@Yusuf-hi8nj]

I’m also assuming not many cockatiel owners ask her for help.

[@artblast4742]

@@Yusuf-hi8nj maybe😁😊

[@Yusuf-hi8nj]

Hi Jamie and Dave, I love your channel and have been following some if your videos. You guys produce such beneficial videos to help parrots and I really appreciate that. I am having trouble with my two Australian budgies. They are around 6 months old. They are usually alright in their flight cage, they come to my hand for treats and one of them steps up, but when they come out they sometimes get really scared and start flying around everywhere terrified. They go really high so I can’t get them and don’t come down for a looooong time... I have an adorable cockatiel who is around the same age as well, he loves me, but he isn’t very responsive to target training. I want to ask you guys if you have any tips for me...

[@lizziehn5928]

Maybe try different rewards for your tiel? Different types of treats it doesn't normally get, praise, scritches, or getting the bird where it wants to go.

[@Yusuf-hi8nj]

@@lizziehn5928 I guess you're right, my cockatiel and budgies eat a little too much seed. My cockatiel doesn't really take millet as a rare treat. Maybe I should convert them to a pelleted diet. I just don't know what is the best diet for my birds. My budgies sometimes are responsive to me, but only one steps up and they only stay for like a second unless they get millet right away...

[@spiritmatter1553]

@@Yusuf-hi8nj Birdtricks has a nutritional guidebook with seasonal recipes on their website.

[@Yusuf-hi8nj]

@@spiritmatter1553 thanks, I will think about purchasing that book.

[@spiritmatter1553]

@@Yusuf-hi8nj Happy to help, they have all sorts of resources on their website, and you can even book a Scype or FaceTime consultation.

[@yousefali4166]

Hi! I have a 6 months old double yellow headed amazon . So how do I say this she is scared of hands and aren't. Sometimes if the hand is really close to her she don't mind at all. Sometimes she bite really bad. The thing is, she also step up on my fingers. Sometimes she bite it while stepping up. She always fly to me when I come into the room. She like to sit on my shoulders, my arms(like anywhere on my arms) back of the hand and she enjoyed but then suddenly, she bite bad and hard. Like I am picking up something and she is playing with her toy, she will leave the toy to bite my hands, other times my hand can be touching them and they are fine. She don't fluff up or constrict her pupil or growl or anything. Just normal. I really want to train her and tame her a little like poop training, step up(without the bite) and come and go(not just random, but when I say so). I even limited the exposure of my hands to her. So whenever my hands come, there is always food, treats and toys, all the thing my parrot love. If her toy falls I pick it up, they see my hands and give( which is now becomes a habit, since whenever she drop her toys, she come to me and sit on my shoulder and scream for me to pick it up).

[@keigotakami8205]

Do y’all do home visits for budgies?

[@spiritmatter1553]

Don’t see why they wouldn’t as they have a budgie named Blueberry.

[@rekhanagar6016]

i want to train my plum headed parakeet but he bites me when i take my hand forward

[@alexanderwright4218]

Keep your hand out of reach

[@nymphetamineboyrash767]

Can you do Indian ringnuck

[@graylyweevil4709]

So can you give me tips

[@SpyroFanGirl]

My cockatiel is too sedate, he just sits there chilling and ignores the stick when it's centimetres away from his face. He's also indifferent to treats or scratches. I tried the gradual approach, but it didn't make him receptive. He also seems to be both relaxed and on high alert. So, how can I make him feel safe enough to do ANY behaviour I can reward him for?

[@divyagupta1561]

Try using different treats to see which one he likes the most Try some luring for starters Place him at a certain height(many birds feel comfortable at a little high place as it feels similar to trees in the wild) where he is calm and try training the step up or the handshake. Hope it helps😃

[@graylyweevil4709]

It’s hard to explain to make it shorter .how do make a new not be scared of you an other bird

[@DorisEasley]

I just got a grey a month ago and he has decided I am his mate. Whines and regurgitates and toes the mating dance I call it every time I go around him. He started about 2 weeks of my ownership of him. How long will this last? What can be done to stop this behaviour so that I can work with him and enjoy him. Please I need advise!!!!

[@lizziehn5928]

A lot of actions can trigger hormonal behavior. Typical triggers can include : - Petting anywhere besides the head / neck - Nest-like areas - Mushy food - Encouraging regurgitation or other actions Certain triggers can be unique to some birds. Specific people, for example. Their hormonal seasons are around the fall and spring, though it's best not to encourage these actions at any time of the year.

[@alexanderwright4218]

They have a guide to dealing with hormones on their website

[@LeeThompson-pu6xf]

I have a Timneh that I've had for 25 years. He'll fly and land on my hand, he'll lie in front of me on the settee and let me cuddle him and touch him all over for an hour sometimes BUT even after all this time he won't step up onto my finger. If I offer my finger to him he'll just "go for me" and becomes more and more stressed if I persist. Anyone any ideas as to why this may be and a solution to it?

[@parrot_sunday]

How do you target train a bird that is unhandleable? He is so scared that if I even enter the room he gets worried and I've tried to feed him a treat out of my hand he won't have it.

[@jaybaby4490]

Can you come help me train my old Yellow naped Amazon. 😭

[@artblast4742]

How i get my bird to stay still at a place for teaching target training or etc

[@BlueEternities]

Try using the same concept as they show here. Reward for staying in one place a few times. If they fly off, let them. Give them a minute or 2 before trying again. Make it clear that you have food while doing it.

[@jamssnana4084]

I have this exact problem with my Indian Ringneck. He just won't stay in one place for very long. He's not that food-oriented; I just have not found the treat that he flips out for. Very frustrating.

[@naylak5718]

Maybe he doesn't see food as a reward? Maybe he'd prefer attention or a toy or something?

[@cari2214]

I have a question:Are sun conures as friendly as they say like a dog with wings.

[@lizziehn5928]

It really depends on the bird, they each have different personalities.

[@cari2214]

@@lizziehn5928 okay thank you also are they parrots?(sorry for all the questions

[@lizziehn5928]

@@cari2214 Yes, sun conures are parrots. And no worries

[@hashem5512]

Early

[@Alan_Aguilar]

I am early

[@elliotsmithson7836]

My budgie is scared of vegetables, he won't touch them he won't eat them. Maybe he's scared of being healthy. Either way I'll try this with it and see if that helps.

[@jamssnana4084]

Grind them up into almost a mash so he doesn't even recognize what they are. You can see if he'll eat them like that, but if he won't, use sweet potatoes to sort of bind everything together. He'll eat the sweet potatoes, but he'll be getting bites of the vegetables along with it. As time goes by, just make the chunks bigger and bigger until he's eating his broccoli like a big boy! Lol Good luck!!

[@elliotsmithson7836]

I'll try the mash, but he is scared of sweet potatoes too, even mashed up.

[@THEE.apples]

If u have a good bond with ur budgie maybe try eating the food in front of him and maybe he will be interested.

[@niki.ktronsgard8507]

Timmeh? Is that from Southpark?