Parrot Training is one of the most rewarding parts of living with a companion bird. Proper training does much more than teach tricks — it helps build trust, provides essential mental stimulation, improves communication and can make everyday handling safer.

Whether you have a young hand-raised Parrot or an older bird with little previous training experience, positive reinforcement can help establish useful behaviours.

The most successful Parrot Training programmes are based on patience, consistency and understanding your bird’s body language rather than force or punishment.

Why Train Your Parrot?

Training provides several important benefits for both the bird and the owner.

A well-trained Parrot can learn behaviours that make everyday life easier, including:

Stepping onto your hand
Returning to its cage
Entering a travel carrier
Coming when called
Moving between perches
Accepting routine handling
Cooperating with veterinary care
Learning simple tricks
Participating in enrichment activities

Training also gives intelligent birds a constructive mental challenge.

For species such as African Greys, Amazon Parrots, Macaws and Cockatoos, regular mental stimulation can be an important part of a well-rounded daily routine.

The Principles of Positive Reinforcement

The foundation of effective Parrot Training is positive reinforcement.

The basic principle is simple:

When a behaviour produces a desirable consequence, the bird is more likely to repeat that behaviour.

For example:

Ask the bird to step onto your hand.
The bird steps up.
Immediately provide a small reward.
Repeat.
Gradually the bird learns that stepping onto your hand produces something positive.

Rewards can include:

Small food treats
Praise
Access to a favourite toy
Play
Attention
Scratching, if the bird enjoys it

The reward should be something the individual bird genuinely values.

Why Punishment Should Be Avoided

Physical punishment, shouting and intimidation can create fear rather than cooperation.

A frightened Parrot may become more defensive, avoid interaction or begin biting when it expects an unpleasant experience.

Instead of asking:

“How do I punish this behaviour?”

ask:

“Why is this behaviour happening, and what behaviour would I like to encourage instead?”

This approach creates a much more reliable relationship between bird and owner.

Learn Your Parrot’s Body Language

Before beginning serious training, learn to recognise when your Parrot is comfortable, excited, frightened or overstimulated.

Signs that the bird may be comfortable can include:

Relaxed feathers
Calm posture
Normal breathing
Willingness to approach
Taking treats
Exploring normally

Signs that the bird may need more space can include:

Moving away
Lunging
Tail fanning
Raised wings
Stiff posture
Open-beak warning
Excessive eye pinning combined with tense body language

Respect these signals.

Training should be cooperative rather than forced.

The Step-Up Command

The step-up is one of the most useful behaviours your Parrot can learn.

It allows the bird to move safely from a perch onto your hand or another suitable perch.

It can be useful for:

Moving the bird out of its cage
Returning the bird to its cage
Veterinary handling
Moving between rooms
Daily interaction
Emergency situations

How to Teach Step-Up

Start in a quiet environment where the bird feels comfortable.

Step 1: Present your hand

Place your finger or hand near the bird without making sudden movements.

Step 2: Give a consistent cue

Use a simple phrase such as:

“Step up.”

Step 3: Reward the behaviour

When the bird steps onto your hand, immediately provide a small reward.

Step 4: Repeat

Practice for a few minutes at a time.

Step 5: Gradually increase reliability

Practice in different safe environments once the behaviour is established.

Do not chase the bird around the cage attempting to force a step-up.

Target Training

Target training is one of the most useful foundations for Parrot Training.

The basic goal is to teach the bird to touch a designated target with its beak when asked.

A target might be a simple stick with a safe, easy-to-see end.

The process is:

Present the target.
Allow the bird to investigate it.
Reward interest.
Reward touching it.
Add a verbal cue.
Gradually increase distance.

Once your bird understands targeting, you can use the behaviour to teach many other skills.

Why Target Training Is So Useful

Target training can help you:

Move a bird without grabbing it
Teach tricks
Encourage exercise
Guide the bird back into its cage
Prepare for veterinary examinations
Introduce carrier training
Improve recall
Provide mental stimulation

It can be particularly useful for intelligent Parrots that enjoy problem-solving.

Recall Training

Recall means teaching your Parrot to come to you when called.

A reliable recall is an important safety behaviour.

However, recall should always be trained in a controlled environment first.

How to Teach Recall

Begin in a small, bird-safe room.

Make sure:

Windows are closed
Doors are closed
Ceiling fans are switched off
Other pets are secured
Dangerous objects are removed

Start with the bird only a short distance away.

Call its name or use a consistent recall cue.

Hold out your hand or another appropriate landing surface.

When the bird comes to you, reward immediately.

Gradually increase the distance.

Never Assume Indoor Recall Means Outdoor Safety

A reliable indoor recall does not guarantee that a bird will return if it escapes outdoors.

Outdoor environments contain unpredictable distractions, wind, unfamiliar sounds and other animals.

If a Parrot is ever taken outdoors, appropriate safety equipment and precautions are essential.

Never rely solely on recall to prevent an accidental escape.

Training Your Parrot to Enter Its Cage

Returning to the cage should not become a battle.

If every cage return ends the bird’s fun, the bird may learn to avoid returning.

Instead, make the cage a positive place.

You can:

Place favourite toys inside
Offer a small reward
Provide food after returning
Use a consistent cue
Reward calm entry

Practice returning to the cage even when you do not immediately close the door.

This prevents the bird from learning:

“Going into the cage always means playtime is over.”

Carrier Training

Carrier training is particularly important because every Parrot may eventually need to travel.

It can be needed for:

Veterinary appointments
Moving home
Emergency evacuation
Boarding
Transport

Introduce the carrier gradually.

Allow the bird to investigate it before expecting the bird to enter.

Place treats and familiar toys nearby.

Once the bird is comfortable, reward it for entering.

Training for Veterinary Care

Training can make veterinary visits less stressful.

Useful behaviours include:

Entering the carrier
Stepping onto a scale
Accepting gentle restraint when medically necessary
Presenting a foot
Moving to a specific perch
Remaining calm around unfamiliar objects

Cooperative behaviours can make routine care easier, although veterinary professionals may still need to use appropriate restraint when necessary.

Teaching Your Parrot Tricks

Once basic behaviours are established, you can introduce simple tricks.

Examples include:

Wave
Turn around
Touch a target
Retrieve an object
Ring a bell
Put an object into a container
Raise a foot
Dance
Fly to a designated perch

Choose behaviours that are physically safe and mentally appropriate for your individual bird.

Training an Older Parrot

Can an older Parrot learn new behaviours?

Absolutely.

Age does not prevent learning.

An older bird may simply require more patience, especially if it has never been trained or has previously experienced negative handling.

Begin with simple behaviours.

Reward small successes.

Build gradually.

A bird that has never been trained before may surprise you with how quickly it learns once it discovers that training is enjoyable.

How Long Does Parrot Training Take?

There is no universal timetable.

Some basic behaviours may develop within days or weeks.

More complicated behaviours can take months.

Factors that influence training include:

Species
Age
Personality
Previous experience
Motivation
Environment
Health
Training consistency

Training should be viewed as an ongoing activity rather than a one-time project.

How Long Should a Training Session Be?

Short sessions are generally more effective than exhausting your bird.

For many Parrots, approximately 5–10 minutes is a useful starting point.

Some birds may happily train for longer, while others lose interest much sooner.

Watch the bird rather than following a rigid clock.

If concentration decreases, end the session.

Always End Training Positively

Try to finish with something your bird knows how to do successfully.

For example:

Ask for a simple target touch.
Reward.
Give praise.
End the session.

This helps keep training associated with positive experiences.

Choosing Training Treats

The best training reward is one your individual bird values.

Possible options include very small portions of:

Walnut
Pine nut
Mango
Pomegranate
Banana
Other appropriate fruit
Healthy vegetables
The bird’s preferred high-value food

Treats should be tiny because you may provide many rewards during a training session.

The reward should be large enough to motivate the bird but small enough to avoid significantly disrupting its normal diet.

Training a Parrot That Is Not Food-Motivated

Not every bird is highly motivated by food.

Some may prefer:

Praise
Head scratches
Toys
Play
Access to a favourite activity
Social interaction

Experiment to discover what your individual Parrot values most.

Common Beginner Parrot Training Mistakes

Training for too long

Long sessions can cause frustration and loss of concentration.

Keep sessions short and enjoyable.

Training at the wrong time

Avoid training when the bird is:

Exhausted
Frightened
Overstimulated
Unwell
Distracted

Rewarding the wrong behaviour

Be careful not to accidentally reward screaming, biting or other unwanted behaviours with immediate attention.

Expecting instant results

Training develops through repetition.

Think in terms of weeks and months rather than expecting a complicated behaviour after one session.

Being inconsistent

Everyone in the household should use the same cues and reward the same behaviours.

What If My Parrot Refuses to Train?

Do not force the session.

Ask yourself:

Is the bird tired?
Is the environment too distracting?
Is the reward valuable enough?
Is the behaviour too difficult?
Is the bird uncomfortable?
Did I increase the difficulty too quickly?

Make the exercise easier.

Reward a smaller step toward the desired behaviour.

Then gradually build again.

Training and Parrot Biting

If your Parrot bites during training, stop and examine what happened immediately beforehand.

Possible causes include:

Fear
Overstimulation
Frustration
Territorial behaviour
Unwanted handling
Pain
Fatigue

Do not punish the bird.

Instead, identify the trigger and adjust the training environment.

Understanding body language is one of the best ways to prevent many bites before they happen.

Training and Screaming

Attention can sometimes unintentionally reinforce unwanted vocalisation.

For example, if a bird screams and immediately receives attention, it may learn that screaming produces interaction.

Instead, whenever appropriate, reinforce quieter and desirable communication.

Reward calm behaviour.

However, remember that vocalisation is normal parrot behaviour.

The objective should be appropriate communication rather than attempting to make a parrot completely silent.

Training as Daily Enrichment

Training should not be viewed only as obedience.

For intelligent Parrots, learning can be an important form of enrichment.

A short training session can provide:

Mental stimulation
Physical activity
Social interaction
Problem-solving
Communication
Confidence building

Even simple behaviours can keep a bird mentally engaged.

Frequently Asked Questions About Parrot Training

How long does it take to train a parrot?

Basic behaviours such as step-up and targeting can sometimes be established within one or two weeks of consistent practice. More advanced behaviours and reliable recall can take considerably longer.

Can older parrots be trained?

Yes. Older birds can learn new behaviours. Training may require additional patience, especially if the bird has had little previous training or negative experiences.

What is the best way to train a parrot?

Positive reinforcement, short sessions, clear cues, appropriate rewards and consistency are the foundation of effective training.

What are the best treats for parrot training?

Small pieces of a food your bird particularly enjoys can work well. Options may include tiny amounts of fruit or unsalted nuts, depending on the bird’s normal diet.

Can you train a parrot not to bite?

Training can help reduce situations that lead to biting, but biting is communication and should not simply be punished. Understanding the trigger and respecting body language are important.

Can you train a parrot to come when called?

Yes. Recall can be taught gradually in a secure environment using positive reinforcement.

Can you train a parrot to talk?

Some parrots naturally imitate human speech. Training can encourage vocal interaction, but talking ability varies considerably between individuals and species.

How often should I train my parrot?

Short daily sessions are often more useful than occasional long sessions. Even 5–10 minutes of focused training can provide valuable mental stimulation.

Explore Our Parrots

If you are researching a new companion bird or looking for suitable parrot-related products, explore the Parrots at ExoticsBirds.

You can also browse the current:

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For additional species research, you can explore our guides covering Amazon Parrots, African Greys, Macaws and Cockatoos.

Final Thoughts

Parrot Training is much more than teaching tricks.

It is a way to communicate with your bird, strengthen trust, provide mental stimulation and make everyday life safer.

Start with simple behaviours such as step-up and target training.

Keep sessions short.

Reward the behaviours you want to see repeated.

Respect your bird’s body language.

And most importantly, be patient.

A well-trained Parrot is not simply a bird that follows commands. It is a bird that has learned to communicate and cooperate with its human companion through trust and positive experiences.