What bird is best to train?

Choosing the right bird to train can be a difficult decision. With so many different bird species to consider, it’s important to understand the unique traits and behaviors of each to determine which is best suited for training. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most popular pet bird species and what makes them good candidates for training.

Small Birds

Many small bird species like budgies, cockatiels and lovebirds make excellent pets for first-time bird owners. Their small size and quieter nature is more manageable than larger parrots. Additionally, their lifespan of 5-20 years is a better fit for those who want a shorter commitment. Small birds are intelligent and social, making them great candidates for training.

Budgies

Budgies, also known as parakeets, are a top choice for those new to bird training. They are inexpensive to purchase, easy to care for and their small size makes them suitable for apartments or small homes. Budgies are naturally tame and become comfortable with consistent gentle handling. They can be clicker trained to learn tricks like flying to your finger, ringing a bell or placing objects in a container.

Cockatiels

Cockatiels are slightly larger than budgies but are still considered small birds. They have sweet, affectionate personalities and bond strongly with their owners. Cockatiels are eager to learn tricks through clicker training. With time and consistency, cockatiels can be taught to retrieve objects, turn in circles and fly short distances to a desired location.

Lovebirds

Although small, lovebirds have big personalities! They are intelligent, active birds that thrive on interaction with their owners. Lovebirds can be taught to perform fun tricks like rolling over, spinning on command and more. Due to their strong bond with their mates, lovebirds may prefer one-on-one training sessions.

Medium Birds

Medium sized birds like Quaker parrots, Pionus parrots and Caique parrots offer the best of both worlds. They are larger and have more advanced speaking ability than smaller birds, but are not as demanding as the large parrot species. These medium parrots make responsive trainees when handled consistently from a young age.

Quaker Parrots

Quaker parrots are excellent mimics that can imitate noises, household sounds, songs and words. Their median size, long lifespan and cuddly nature makes them good options for training. Quakers enjoy learning tricks like fetching objects or playing hide-and-seek. They are decent talkers and can master a vocabulary of 5-10 words.

Pionus Parrots

Within the medium bird category, Pionus parrots like the Bronze-winged parrot and White-bellied parrot are smart, laid back companions. They are not inclined to vocalize loudly like other medium parrots. Because of their docile nature, Pionus parrots take well to training. They can master climbing ladders, ringing bells and mimicking noises.

Caique Parrots

The Caique parrot has an energetic, playful personality. They are very social and acrobatic. Their goofy antics and responsiveness to people makes training them a fun experience. Caiques enjoy learning tricks and flying back and forth between handlers. Their medium size makes them a good fit in typical homes.

Large Birds

Large parrot species like Amazons, African greys and macaws are incredibly intelligent, which allows for more advanced training. However, their size, long life span and complex care makes them better suited for experienced bird owners. With proper time and handling, large birds can master impressive language skills, agility tricks and more through training.

Amazon Parrots

In the large parrot group, Amazon parrots like the Yellow-naped, Blue-fronted and Lilac-crowned are popular options. They are excellent talkers and can develop a vocabulary of 100+ words. With clicker training, Amazons can learn a variety of verbal and physical commands. Their strong social bonds facilitates training.

African Grey Parrots

The African grey is renowned as one of the most intelligent parrot species. Their ability to associate words with their meanings and mimic human speech is unmatched. Through dedicated training, greys can master expansive vocabularies of up to 1,000+ words and sounds. They also excel at learning tricks and demonstrating their cognitive skills.

Macaws

Macaws are large, long-tailed parrots that come in a rainbow of colors. They are very active and require significant daily interaction. With proper training techniques, macaws can be taught to speak, play games and perform both mentally and physically stimulating tricks. Their longevity of 40-60 years is a major commitment.

Key Considerations for Training Birds

When researching birds to train, there are some key factors to consider that impact trainability:

• Social nature – Birds that are highly social and eager to bond with people make better trainees. Shy, independent birds may be more resistant.
• Intelligence & communication – Smarter bird species that mimic sounds or talk tend to be more responsive to training.
• Activity level – Moderately active birds are best so they aren’t too laid back or too high energy.
• Diet – Birds that aren’t too specialized in diet are simpler to provide food rewards during training.
• Size – Large parrots are brilliant but require more experienced handlers. Small birds are better for novices.
• Noise level – Loud vocalizations may be a nuisance. Quieter bird species can be better apartment pets.
• Lifespan – Shorter lived birds like budgies require a smaller commitment of time.

Training Techniques

The most effective approach to training pet birds utilizes positive reinforcement and target training:

• Positive Reinforcement – Reward desired behaviors immediately with treats or praise. This strengthens the bird’s response.
• Target Training – Train your bird to touch a target stick. Then use targeting to guide your bird through tricks.
• Clicker Training – Click sound right before giving a reward to mark correct behaviors.
• Modeling – Demonstrate a desired action so your bird can mimic it.
• Shaping – Break down difficult tricks into small incremental steps.

Patience is key, as birds learn at their own pace. Keep training sessions brief and engaging with varied activities to maintain interest. Consistency will lead to the best results.

Best Birds for Training

Based on their temperament, trainability and care needs, here are some top birds to consider:

Conclusion

When choosing a bird for training, it’s important to select a species naturally inclined to socializing and bonding with people. Opt for a bird that is moderately active, relatively quiet and fits your experience level. Make sure you have adequate time to dedicate to necessary daily interaction and training sessions.

With the right bird for your lifestyle and proper training techniques focused on positive reinforcement, you’ll be rewarded with a feathered companion eager to show off their cool tricks and abilities!