How To Bond With Kakariki?

[IndianRingnecs]

So, I've had a buttercup kakariki for a while now. He's a bit over a year and I got him when he was around 9-11 months. One thing I realise I've been doing wrong is chasing him around with my hand. For example, when he's at the bottom of his cage and I want him to go into his cage, I'll chase him a bit with my hand so he gets out of there and into his cage. This works (most of the time), however I used to chase him a bit with my hand (For example, he'd fly from one corner of the room to the other corner and I'd try to follow him to get him into his cage.) The worst time was when we did this until almost 11pm when we finally gave up and he went in. He still can't do step up or more like, he doesn't want to do any training. He'll give up and just sit there or if by a chance he does step up, it's for a second to 4 seconds, never mind the fact that he absolutely refuses to do anything outside the cage. I can give him seed from my hand and he will contact call me if I leave the room. What can I do to improve our relationship, if I can at this point?
Btw, his name is cheese if you don't wanna type out kakariki every time.

 

[jh81]

Well first off, you have to start all over again forget what you did, its good that you came here asking for guidance! I’ll applaud you for that

For the next while i would simply leave the bird be. Open the cage when you can, and let the bird come out of its own! You have to give Cheese time to learn that you are trustworthy.. unfortunatly up untill now you have not given her any reason to trust you (from the birds point of view) but do not worry, they are resilient little beeings and you can still form that bond

Hang out with Cheese still in his cage, read out loud, dance, sing, have fun it is important Cheese learns that his cage is a safe haven. I really wouldnt stick my hand in the cage unless its needed for cleaning or anything. But certainly not to grab the bird.. this will in the future be the birds “safe place” where he can go to if he feels unsecure.

Then in time, when Cheese comes out, you can slowly start learning the step up thing. But right now i would suggest to leave Cheese be for a while, start training inside the cage, and let the bird come out of his own

 

[IndianRingnecs]

Well first off, you have to start all over again forget what you did, its good that you came here asking for guidance! I’ll applaud you for that

For the next while i would simply leave the bird be. Open the cage when you can, and let the bird come out of its own! You have to give Cheese time to learn that you are trustworthy.. unfortunatly up untill now you have not given her any reason to trust you (from the birds point of view) but do not worry, they are resilient little beeings and you can still form that bond

Hang out with Cheese still in his cage, read out loud, dance, sing, have fun it is important Cheese learns that his cage is a safe haven. I really wouldnt stick my hand in the cage unless its needed for cleaning or anything. But certainly not to grab the bird.. this will in the future be the birds “safe place” where he can go to if he feels unsecure.

Then in time, when Cheese comes out, you can slowly start learning the step up thing. But right now i would suggest to leave Cheese be for a while, start training inside the cage, and let the bird come out of his own

Alright. He trusts me enough to receive treats in and out of the cage though, directly by hand. I've never grabbed him. Since I do sit right next to him as his cage is next to my table, is it okay if I sometimes just give him seed casually or play music on speakers?

 

[jh81]

Its good you never grabbed him still, i would imagine he doesn't not like to step up because the hand equals force. Ofcourse you can play music and give him threats thats the general idea! The fact that hes next to your table is even better! That way you spend a lot of time together some people have birds rooms, thats why i suggested to go sit next to him!

 

[IndianRingnecs]

Its good you never grabbed him still, i would imagine he doesn't not like to step up because the hand equals force. Ofcourse you can play music and give him threats thats the general idea! The fact that hes next to your table is even better! That way you spend a lot of time together some people have birds rooms, thats why i suggested to go sit next to him!

Alright thanks.

 

[IndianRingnecs]

Its good you never grabbed him still, i would imagine he doesn't not like to step up because the hand equals force. Ofcourse you can play music and give him threats thats the general idea! The fact that hes next to your table is even better! That way you spend a lot of time together some people have birds rooms, thats why i suggested to go sit next to him!

Should I approach step up with my hand or a perch?

 

[jh81]

Thats the thing with these smart birds.. we have to do things on their terms
Its why i almost rehomed one of my parrots. She was so traumatized... we’re three years down the road and she still doesnt like hands but we’re getting there

 

[IndianRingnecs]

Should I approach step up with my hand or a perch?

??

 

[jh81]

Perch first once she does that 100% of the time, you can start with the hand ;-)

 

[IndianRingnecs]

Perch first once she does that 100% of the time, you can start with the hand ;-)

Okay, thanks!

 

[IndianRingnecs]

Perch first once she does that 100% of the time, you can start with the hand ;-)

Is there anyway I can get cheese more acclimated to the perch?

 

[jh81]

Can you attach the perch to the cage? So Cheese can get used to it?
Even better would bo to attach it to the inside of the cage door, then she can sit on it inside and outside the cage

 

[IndianRingnecs]

Can you attach the perch to the cage? So Cheese can get used to it?
Even better would bo to attach it to the inside of the cage door, then she can sit on it inside and outside the cage

err no not really. I took it out from a travel cage so it has nothing to connect to.

 

[jh81]

Then just keep it in sight, on the table let Cheese see the perch and learn that is nothing to be afraid of

Remember, parrots and the likes have only been recently in our houses. They are still wild animals at heart. Everything thats not in a forrest is scary

They are nothing like dogs and cats that have been domesticated for thousands of years

 

[IndianRingnecs]

Then just keep it in sight, on the table let Cheese see the perch and learn that is nothing to be afraid of

Remember, parrots and the likes have only been recently in our houses. They are still wild animals at heart. Everything thats not in a forrest is scary

They are nothing like dogs and cats that have been domesticated for thousands of years

I also have a ladder which I can put on the inside of the cage. Should I use that?

 

[jh81]

Sure, any tools and toys! Just not over-crowd the cage your bird need toys to play with, but also enough room to flap wings

 

[Leih]

You can also try target training. They learn how to target in literally a few minutes. My lovebird was doing great with step up mostly, but would bite often. So I started doing target training. If she'd bite no click, no treat, and i would turn my back to her for a few seconds. It's worked great.

I think also working on getting Cheese to not associate your hands with negative is something to work on too. My linnies are still terrified of my hands, but they've gotten much better. I will put my hand on their cage, slowly, and only close enough that they are showing slight discomfort. And then I give them a treat in their bowl. Over time the distance can close. My lovebird will now allow me to wrap my hand entirely around her and she is as feisty as they come! She took a very slow, persistent three months to ever sit on my hand. And when she did, it was to eat a treat, positive reinforcement.

I definitely think you can repair your relationship, but it may take what feels like forever.

 

[Ripshod]

The way I read it you've only had Cheese for a few months and he's still young. Anything that you've done wrong up until now can easily be forgotten.
@Lincee is giving great advice. All I can say is go slowly and be patient. Never let Cheese see that you're getting stressed. You have all the time in the world to make friends with him so set a routine with him and stick to it as best you can.

 

[Leih]

My lovebird seems to be fueled by my frustration, so I learned early to not show it!

 

[IndianRingnecs]

You can also try target training. They learn how to target in literally a few minutes. My lovebird was doing great with step up mostly, but would bite often. So I started doing target training. If she'd bite no click, no treat, and i would turn my back to her for a few seconds. It's worked great.

I think also working on getting Cheese to not associate your hands with negative is something to work on too. My linnies are still terrified of my hands, but they've gotten much better. I will put my hand on their cage, slowly, and only close enough that they are showing slight discomfort. And then I give them a treat in their bowl. Over time the distance can close. My lovebird will now allow me to wrap my hand entirely around her and she is as feisty as they come! She took a very slow, persistent three months to ever sit on my hand. And when she did, it was to eat a treat, positive reinforcement.

I definitely think you can repair your relationship, but it may take what feels like forever.

I don't have a clicker ; is target training still possible?