Body Language – Parrots Speak Louder Than Words!

Some parrots have wonderful speaking abilities for the most part. Some can even converse in context! More is being discovered about the parrot brain by the likes of Dr. Pepperberg and a few others. Many go beyond just the ability to mimic.

I have found in my own home and through running the parrot rescue that bird’s can and do ask for many things they want by using words. I have over and over been asked for things by some of the parrots here at the rescue. Some can say “want a drink” or “water”. With some of the others, it can be a little more subtle and they will make the sound of water. I hear many others say “want a peanut”, “want a apple”, “wanna go outside” or many variations and have learned that they can see the item or feel thirsty and make a request for the item or ideas. I have taught several parrots how to differentiate colors and one of them knows 5 colors and would pick a particular color by random choice.

There intelligence can be astounding for those that take the time to find out what abilities their own parrot might have.

What I find just as intriguing is there body language. Parrots can and do communicate through the use of body language even more than they do with words!

Body Language

Parrots can show joy and fear and happiness without having to say a word! The use of body language plays an even more important part in understanding our parrots need then the use of words. They communicate using their bodies much more frequently than they do with words. Also for those parrots that do only speak to mimic or who have not “found their voice” they continue to communicate with us through their bodies.

I watch Oliver at Tim Horton’s if you happened to read that story on my Blog about my Blue Front Amazon that has his own addiction to Tim Horton’s. He runs to the window and his wings flap and his head leans forward in a begging motion. He is showing both excitement and begging for his food!

If we start paying attention to our birds body and learn to understand its little idiosyncrasies we will learn that they really ARE communicating with us.

I can walk up to almost any bird and determine if I am going to be able to step up the bird or get bit long before I reach my hand in the cage! Some will come running to the front seeking me out and some will cower to the back in fear. Some will also just sit there and observe for themselves. Mind you I don’t stop although I know I am going to get bit. Taking a parrot bite is part of the process and will teach the bird that I am not afraid of it. I do not show fear to the parrots as I am certain they read our body language too!

Anyone can learn to read their parrot’s body language by observing their parrot during the course of daily events. Parrots know when food is coming, you will see when they are hungry by a little flutter of their wings showing excitement that a treat is on the way. They will lean towards something they want and in some cases if we aren’t aware they will walk over and help themselves!

They show excitement not jus t with food but with excursions, baths, toys and play as well. Depending on whether they enjoy their bath or not you should be able to tell just by their stance. Some will try and run away even at the look of your spraying device, others show indifference by sitting there and not moving and some will flap around with joy and spread their feathers for the water to seep into every crevice of their bodies!

It is those times we know for certain when our parrots are either enjoying themselves or are not crazy for bath time.

There are still move subtle body language movements that can teach us to communicate with our parrots even more effectively.

Much can be discovered through play. You should observe your parrot during moments o f playtime and watch how they react to their toys. You can see a bird that is fearful of something as their body automatically moves away from it. Their feet may remain still but they lean away from the object. This tells us there is at least a sense that they are aware of this new thing but that they are leery of it.
At this time we should go a bit slower at introducing the item to give the parrot time to adjust to the new item. Let them touch it if they are comfortable and show it to them with your hands so they can see it doesn’t hurt you. Let’s use a toy as an example. You just picked up a little ball. You bring it to the parrot he backs away or leans back away from the ball. He is showing us that he is at least a little nervous of the new ball.

Take the ball and show him up close so he can see it. Roll it in your hand and make some happy sounds like you are enjoying playing with the ball. See if you can touch his beak with it. More than likely this small introduction to his new toy will change the stance of the body to curiosity and they eventual play!

Not all birds will communicate the same way using their bodies. It does take an observant eye to watch and learn what your bird is communicating to you through their body but you and he will be the better for it as it will open up an area of communication you didn’t know existed!

You relationship will improve as your parrot learns that you understand him and he will develop trust towards you and others. He will understand that new toys are not something to fear but to enjoy. I have found that once we communicate through body language and through context that biting also lessens. The parrot will be more relaxed and not so fearful of things he doesn’t know

The Importance of Socialization

One of the most common problems we run across in a household is a parrot that is unsocialized. The fact that a bird can not be handled by more than one person, or in some cases, not at all, is detrimental to a bird’s behaviors. I hear people say “Oh I wouldn’t touch him if I were you, he only likes so and so”, as the bird lunges at you in an attempt to remove some appendage or another. In other instances, a bird owner will tell you not to approach the animal, or it will crawl to the back of the cage and remain there, shaking and afraid.

One of the best things we can do for our pets is to socialize them. It will help them during times of stress or later in an emergency. There are many ways of doing this and the benefits are tremendous!

We see, and all too often, birds that will only go to one person and are terrified of others, which includes other family members, and strangers alike!

What will happen on that sad day when you are no longer able to keep your pet or God forbid something happens to you!

The bird suffers…….

The Art of Socialization

You new arrival

From the beginning of your pet arriving or even NOW after a number of years! It is never too late to start this process and your bird will thank you in the long run!

Make sure that when your pet first arrives that all family members spend time with your pet. Even small children can participate under the supervision of an adult. It can start with giving the new arrival small treats such as sun flower seeds or almonds. Try to find his absolute favorite food and save it as a treat! Make sure that everyone spends time with your parrot and once the parrot is comfortable with you try to pet him on the head. Not all parrots like to be petted so don’t feel too discouraged if this is the case. Hopefully he has already been taught the basic step up command. Let everyone in the home take turns stepping up the parrot.

If you find that he is becoming too attached to one individual, have that individual back off for a while and let the other family members warm up to him. That may mean you should leave the room as even the sight of the favorite person could get them excited enough that they won’t respond as well to the others.

Ouside influences

Take them out with you. Get them used to being in a carrier, in a car and handled by strangers.

You can walk around the block or down to the corner store. The more exposure to outside influences the less and less traumatic the experience will be!

It will make trips to the vet less traumatic. Have people come to your home and spend time with you bird.

Try trading with a bird friend for weekends with their birds. Over nighters are a good way to get your bird used to others and he will only benefit from it in the long run.

This will help later down the road for any traumatic events that might take place. In the event something did happen or you need to utilize a bird sitter for a vacation.

A bird sitter is another source for socialization. They work with many birds and can spend time with your bird. Without his comfort zone birds tend to respond well within a day or two.

The more we can help our birds adjust to a changing environment the easier it will be for them to adjust during times of emergency!

Join a bird club, and bring you bird with you. Others at the club are experienced and more than willing to lend a helping hand in holding your bird which will help the socialization process.

Just taking him out in the back yard or front yard will attract neighbours and can be a benefit as well. Exposing him to different environments and people will teach him to feel more comfortable with others. Just make sure they are respectful of your bird and go slow! Make sure there is only one or two people at a time.

I should also point out that it is always best to have people that are willing to work with your bird as not everyone is comfortable. I am giving many examples of places that could benefit you by their experience as well as inexperienced ways. Use what ever you have available to you. My best suggestion though it to join a bird club as these people do have the experience of working with birds and do not

**Most importantly that his wings are clipped! NEVER TAKE A BIRD OUTSIDE WITHOUT A WING CLIP! Remember some can still fly with a clip. You need to know your bird and his capabilities.

The Benefits

You parrot will start to feel comfortable around other people and will probably start to enjoy the company of others!

He will enjoy getting in the carrier for your next exciting adventure!

Trips to the vet or the bird sitter will be less traumatic and he will adjust much quicker upon returning home!

If there ever comes a day when you are no longer able to keep your parrot he will adjust that much easier to a new environment.

Having worked with many birds over the years I see the benefits of socialization regularly and how well the birds respond to it.

They are calmer, happier and well adjusted.

Bird Clubs – Great Places and Great People

I would like to discuss, in this article, the importance of ‘bird clubs’ and why it is a good idea to join your local club.

There are many aspects to bird clubs: they provide several resources to the avian community, through education, breeding, research, shows, and aviculture in general.

Education:

Most bird clubs, over the course of the year, put on educational events similar to ours.

The purpose is to bring awareness of the joys of parrot ownership and give people the opportunity to see, first hand, how wonderful avian companionship can be. They can meet parrots and possibly hold them, ask questions and take pictures!

It also informs the community, and parrot owners, that there is a club that can offer other owners help, guidance and support for them.

Meetings:

Typically there are monthly meetings which bring in new and unique guest speakers on a range of avian related topics. It may involve breeding, pet ownership, behaviour help, what’s new in the avian world and a host of other topics. It is also a wonderful social time to meet others of ‘like mind’ who are often more than willing to answer questions, give advice, socialize your parrot or allow you to brag about your wonderful avian companion!

It is a wonderful social evening with friends and usually there are raffles, snacks and a library of information to help everyone.

Breeding:

Although not my area of expertise, breeding is the main focal point for most bird clubs. It is a place for networking with other breeders, assisting in difficulties one may experience with some very knowledgeable help from some of the top professionals in the avian field. You may also find your next ‘pet’ through a club member. Some heavy discussions can be overheard on disease prevention, difficulties on breeding captive birds and almost any other topic related to breeding captive bred birds.

The Show:

The entire year is focused on this big event. This is the time when breeders and parrot owners alike can bring their best and show their birds in front of a panel of judges and their peers. Awards are given to the best in class. It is a wondrous time seeing birds that are rare and meeting some of the top in their field who are always willing to help and answer questions and possibly sell one of their prize winning birds!

All in all, it is a great place to meet new friends, gather information that you won’t find in books! Socialize your bird and learn new things.

Join your local bird club today!

The DAS Annual Cage Bird Show

Wow what a turn out for the show today! We ran in to many old friends and a few new friends and probably made some new friends today also!

It was great to see everyone and many of the birds that we have rehomed were there also!

It was so nice to see all those birds under one roof! 4 PASO Alumni won ribbons and trophies in some of the categories and at least 2 of those came in first place!

Congratulations to all the winners!

Nancy and Brett

Our Own Tim Horton’s Story