Man that's cute, she really is a smart one
We have the same issue with Lurch but he gets pissy and aggressive when he knows we're trying to work him into his house. That treat trick worked a few times then he wised up and gives me the same look she did. Anymore we just wait him out as he eventually gets tuckered out and goes in. If not he stays out and gets bothered when we turn on the lights and goes in to hide and sleep.
If we think he needs to go in we use a pillow and herd him kicking and screaming in. He has learned when the pillow comes out he wont win so he fights a bit for show and heads in.
Thank you! I think she is cute too.
She actually is better about going back then the video shows. It was trying to show more how you might start working with a bird but the video was funny so I shared it
What you are saying about Lurch is very interesting and I think that many people have the same issues you do. I had them before as well. Chasing birds, trying to outsmart them and becoming frustrated.
What I try to do with my birds now is not to trick them or coerce or force them or try to outsmart them. The goal is for them to learn to go back voluntarily. They always have a choice to stay out but the always choose to go back with in minutes, usually seconds.
If you watch the video of Quacky
here, you will see that he is a completely willing participant. I ask "do you wanna go back" so he knows what we are doing, I didn't show him the treats, he stops eating, turns around, climbs on my finger, allows me to carry him straight to his cage and then steps off my hand onto his perch, turns around for his treat and doesn't rush the door when I go to close it. And the thing is he does it this way every time.
With six fully flighted caiques who come out on a daily basis this is really the only way it can work (and we all keep our sanity).
We all come out winners. So much better than towels and pillows and so much more fun!
I started with trying to trick them with the treat and close the door quickly but they got wise real quick. The solution was actually to require more of them and at the same time they had to become a more willing participant. By letting them be in control they are more happy and eager to cooperate. New rule was when the feet hit the perch they get the treat. Two of them will step off my hand onto the perch for me and the other four climb in to their cage on their own.
When they are all out I stand by the cages and call "treats" and they come flying over and start jumping into cages. I just have to make sure they jump into the right cage. Often there will be on straggler.
My favorite way to get the straggler is to give another treat to the birds who went in to the cages and pretty soon the straggler comes along and wants their treat too.