How to Find a Bird Behavior Consultant

Avian Behavior International’s Best Practice Guidelines

for

Finding a Qualified Parrot Behavior Consultant

Objective

To be able to source an evidence-based, force free parrot behavior consultant who understands the lived experience of coexisting with parrot.
To provide resources for companion parrot owners, aviculturists, veterinarians and related practitioners for key components of a humane, science based parrot behavior consultant.
To provide source material for those looking for guidance in how to assess bird behavior information and how to parse trustworthy, well-intended counsel from self-promotional marketing tactics.

Discussion

With the amount of information available to companion parrot keepers in the modern world, there is no lack of accessibility to behavior advice when confronted with the need for behavior solutions and foundational training. Unfortunately, with accessibility comes the challenge of a low barrier to entry for self professed bird behavior experts, behaviorists, and ad hoc behavior advice. This creates a difficult medium for parrot keepers to find and apply solutions that are evidence-based. This means that the solutions backed by science, incorporate the values of the practitioner, and take into account the unique environmental circumstances of the problem scenario.

Generally speaking, while there can be many insights and sense of community gained through social media, there are are some glaring drawbacks to the “hivemind” paradigm that is shaped by seeking solutions through social media posts. These shortcomings are revealed in short answers that rarely ask or can reach for more detailed information about the questioner’s environmental conditions or the bird’s learning history. The response is often guided by the conditions unique to that responder’s environment and empirical rigor in the sustainability of the solution. Many remedies offered in this way can lead to more problems than positive outcomes, leading to further dilution of the integrity of the collective understanding of parrot behavior and the inquiry of such.

The proposed guidelines are suggested procedures to find the right behavior consultant for the companion parrot keeper, how to vet the appropriate resources, and why trustworthiness in behavior consulting matters.

The following guidelines are to help companion parrot owners find a parrot behavior consultant who is committed to force free, science based methods and can match their training plans to the experience level of the client.

Directives

Research the Trainer’s Philosophy

Look for consultants who explicitly state they use force-free, positive reinforcement, or science-based training methods.

Ask for Recommendations and Reviews

Word of Mouth: Ask for recommendations from vets, friends, or parrot adoption facilities who advocate for choice based methods.
Online Reviews: Read reviews on platforms such as Facebook, Google, or the consultant’s website. Look for feedback on the trainer’s effectiveness, methods, and the experiences of other parrot owners. Avoid a website that doesn’t have the consultant’s name on it.
Social Media: Many consultants have social media profiles that showcase their work. Watch videos of their training methods to ensure they align with choice based, force free principles.

3. Inquire About Training Methods

Ask for Specific Methods: Ask the consultant about their specific training techniques. They should primarily use reinforcers (treats, toys, opportunities) to encourage desired behaviors.
Red Flags: Be cautious if the consultant uses terms like “flock leader,” “dominance,” or makes the bird do anything through restraint. These terms often indicate the use of aversive or punishment-based methods. Hierarchical strategies that prioritize principles are generally avoided as they focus on what is “good and bad” rather than providing pet owners with options that are individualized.
Other catchphrases and terms that are often repeated or trademarked can take on a cult-like jargon can also raise red flags for their marketing impact over substance.
Behavioral Science: Trainers should understand and explain how behaviors are shaped through reinforcement and not rely on punishment as their main tools. These can have long term fallout consequences.

4. Commitment to Long-Term Learning

Ongoing Support: Choose a consultant who offers follow-up support after the sessions have ended. Behavioral issues can arise at any point, so having a trainer who offers continuous advice or refresher courses is a plus
Client Education: The committed consultant teaches you how to maintain and reinforce the training at home, empowering you to continue the positive progress.

General Guidelines

Indicators for further assessment in a parrot behavior consult are the following:

Longevity/breadth of experience How long a practitioner has shared their lives with parrots and their experience with different species in the parrot family is a strong indicator of comfort and knowledge of body language. While this indicator is not a standalone metric, for instance being self-taught can lead to rehearsing problem techniques, it is nevertheless one is a strong component for expertise and facility with science based methods. A practitioner that has not lived with a parrot long enough to experience the life stages from adolescence through sexual maturity has limited understanding of coexisting with the myriad variables that impact the bird’s behavior under these conditions.

Lived experience Parrot behavior practitioners that share their homes with parrots understand the limitations and stressors that come with coexisting with parrots in ways that many professional animal trainers cannot. Signs that can indicate a lack of strength in this area are those that have a more controlled relationship with parrots, such as those who keep parrots outside or in a working environment.

Sample size A professional parrot behavior consultant must be very clear about the sample size that they are basing their specific suggestions off of. There are procedures that work well for some species and sexes that do not generalize well for others, and in some cases some procedures, such as potty training and flight training, are dangerous for some birds of certain life histories. A professional parrot behavior consultant that does not express awareness of the limitations of their experience is one that could provide dangerous, long-lasting outcomes.

Mentorship Practitioners who are invested in their growth are those that seek others to grow from. An animal behavior practitioner does not need to have a mentor, but referencing their growth strategies points to a strong desire to continue learning. Mentorship can include apprenticeships, professional work, internships, long-term volunteering, professional references consisting of significant length of time.

Citations Science based practitioners are committed to citing their sources, including pictures and videos that are not their own. The information that they put out should have a healthy mix of cited sources as well as their own unique thoughts and ideas.

Transparency In this age of highly curated videos and highlight reels, a professional behavior practitioner needs to be specific, clear and transparent about mistakes and shortcomings. Offering information, including null values such as “we tried this and it didn’t work” provides the community with important data points to continue elevating our collective body of work. Mistakes are a natural part of growth and the conveyance of such is a critical component of the science of animal training and behavior.

Ability to offer alternative resources It may be in the best interest of the client or potential client that the practitioner is not the best fit. An experienced practitioner is one that can lead the client to more affordable or accessible resources or who will make an attempt to find another practitioner if possible. A practitioner who disparages all other sources of information or products is a practitioner who is often looking out for their bottom line over the best interest of the bird.

Certification Certification in bird behavior and training is not well established in this community. Most certifying bodies are assessing knowledge (hence the initials “KA” for Knowledge Assessed). While certification can be an indicator for commitment to growth, it is not a proper substitute for applied practice and should include practical experience with guided mentorship.

Guarantees Training does not come with guarantees about behavior or results. Marketing gimmicks that include guarantees about a specific behavioral outcome within a specific outcome should be met with skepticism.

Sources and further research also include

Heidenreich, B. E. (2024). From confusion to clarity: choosing trustworthy sources for animal training. AnimalTrainingFundamentals.com. https://animaltrainingfundamentals.com/courses/you-be-the-behavior-consultant-from-confusion-to-clarity-choosing-trustworthy-sources-for-animal-training/

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