09 Oct Trainer’s Corner – Balancing Training for Multiple Birds and Managing Behavior Dynamics
This week in “Trainer’s Corner,” we’re diving into a common challenge many bird owners face: managing the dynamics of training multiple birds at once, each with their own personality and pace.
Our case focuses on an energetic parrot, Kaiko, who tends to dominate training sessions, and his quieter brother, Cocos, who struggles to keep up. Their owner is seeking help to balance their training so both birds can thrive.
Understanding the Situation
Kaiko, a dynamic and eager parrot, is always the first to offer behaviors—whether it’s giving kisses, shaking his head, or stepping up. Meanwhile, Cocos tends to be slower, requiring more time and patience during training sessions. The challenge? How to manage Kaiko’s energetic nature while giving Cocos the attention and time he needs to learn.
Adding to the mix are two other parrots, one of whom, Figa, is hesitant to train with the boys and shows signs of nervousness when they are too close. Another, a recent rescue, has no training experience and only responds to the owner’s male partner, making her difficult to engage in training.
Key Behavioral Challenges
- Hyperactive behaviors: Kaiko’s eagerness makes it difficult for his brother to keep up and can lead to frustration.
- Shy, reserved sibling: Cocos requires more time to process and respond, creating an imbalance during group training.
- Nervous bird: Figa is uncomfortable around the boys and avoids close proximity during training.
Our Approach
To manage these dynamics, Hillary suggested focusing on training for patience while ensuring that Kaiko remains engaged but not disruptive. This involves giving Kaiko something to work on, like a foraging toy, while working with Cocos. For Figa, creating a training environment where she feels safe is key to building her confidence.
Training Strategies Used
- Training Patience: Kaiko is given a small foraging task or treat to keep him occupied while the focus is on Cocos. This prevents him from interrupting and reinforces calm behavior.
- High Reinforcement: For Kaiko, using a high rate of reinforcement for calm behaviors helps balance his history of offering too many actions during training.
- Safe Spaces for Nervous Birds: For Figa, training is done in a space where she feels safe and isn’t overwhelmed by the presence of the other birds.
Progress So Far
Through this approach, both Kaiko and Cocos are making progress. Kaiko is learning to wait his turn while staying engaged, and Cocos is receiving the focused attention he needs to build confidence. Figa’s training will involve creating an environment where she feels secure enough to participate without anxiety.
Takeaway: Balancing the training needs of multiple birds isn’t always easy, but breaking sessions down into manageable steps and ensuring that each bird has what they need—whether it’s time, space, or a little extra patience—can lead to successful results.
For more tips on managing group training sessions, we invite you to watch our Training Multiple Birds course in the Avian Behavior Lab! You can dive into these courses by joining the Lab FREE for 2 weeks! Use the code: AVIAN at checkout.
Interested in a consultation with Hillary to solve your bird problems? For a limited time, get 10% off – book a consultation!
Happy training!