Your All-in-One Guide to Clicker Training Birds

Did you know that Psychologist B.F. Skinner trained pigeons to perform complex behaviors using reinforcement methods?

What Does a Clicker Do?

Clicker training birds is one of the most effective ways to train your pet. First of all, it operates on science-backed positive reinforcement. (BirdSupplies.com - the home of Science-backed Parrot Wellness). Every time that your bird hears the unique click sound from the clicker, it gets excited because it knows it's going to be rewarded.

A clicker is a small handheld tool that makes a clicking sound when you press the button. You use it to train your bird by clicking and giving a treat when your bird does the right behavior. When your bird hears the click, it gets excited because it knows a treat is coming.

The click sound tells your bird exactly what it did right at that moment. It's like saying, "Good job! A treat is on the way!"

Just imagine how much quicker bird training will progress when your bird looks forward to training sessions and you're communicating effectively with it.

What Is a Clicker?

A clicker is a compact, handheld device that produces a sharp, recognizable click when pressed that is used in animal training. This simple tool is highly effective for training birds. Some clickers even come with a target stick, allowing you to guide your bird's actions more precisely.

By using the target stick, you can show your bird exactly what you want it to do, eliminating any guesswork. When you press the clicker, it sends a clear signal to your bird that it got the behavior right. This immediate feedback helps your bird learn faster and with more confidence.

Infographic by Diane Burroughs, 2021

Picture yourself holding a clicker, preparing to guide your bird through the ABC model for behavior. You give a cue, such as a clear “Step Up!” or a hand gesture—this is the antecedent, signaling the behavior you want to see. As soon as your bird responds correctly, you click to mark that success, followed quickly by a rewarding treat. This sequence not only reinforces the behavior but also strengthens the training process, making it effective and rewarding for both you and your bird.

Why Does Clicker Training Work with Parrots?

Clicker training works so well with parrots because it aligns with their natural flock mentality and sharp problem-solving skills. In a flock, parrots constantly learn from one another, and this social nature gives them the stamina to focus on training longer than other pets. Their intelligence and desire to fit into a group mean they are eager to solve problems and figure out what you’re asking them to do.

Parrots are amazing at learning new things quickly. Their intelligence lets them figure things out fast, and their problem-solving skills give them the stamina to keep going. Plus, with their natural flock mentality, they’re eager to fit in and be part of your "flock." 🦜 Start training today and watch how fast your parrot picks it up! Diane Burroughs, LCSW August 27, 2024

Clicker training isn’t just about teaching your parrot fun tricks—it's about helping them learn important life skills.

Parrots raised in captivity might not get a chance to learn things like how to eat healthy, search for food, or keep themselves busy. Without these skills, they can become nervous or anxious, which can lead to behavior problems.

Clicker training is a great way to teach your parrot these natural behaviors, making sure they feel confident, happy, and ready to thrive in their environment.

What Is The Trainers Role In Clicker Training a Parakeet?

Whether you're clicker training a parakeet or a macaw, the strategies are the same.

As a trainer, your role is to guide your parrot's learning experience with patience and positivity. To help you remember the key steps, think of the acronym 🦜 “P.A.R.R.O.T.”:

1. P - Positive Focus: Always focus on what your parrot is doing right. Reinforce positive behaviors and avoid reacting to unwanted ones.
   
   
2. A - Assess Body Language: Pay close attention to your parrot's body language. This helps you understand when they’re engaged, stressed, or ready to learn.
   
   
3. R - Reward Quickly: Timing is everything in clicker training. As soon as your parrot performs the desired behavior, click and reward immediately to reinforce the action.
   
   
4. R - Repeat Often: Consistency is key. Repeating the process helps your parrot understand and remember the behavior.
   
   
5. O - Observe Progress: Watch for signs of improvement and adjust your training as needed. Celebrate small victories to keep the training enjoyable.
   
   
6. T - Take Small Steps: Break down complex behaviors into manageable steps. This makes it easier for your parrot to learn and succeed.

By following these steps, you’ll create a positive and effective training environment that encourages your parrot to thrive. 

At What Age Can I Start Training?

You can start clicker training as soon as your bird is weaned. At this age, your bird is feeling a little more independent and is ready to learn. Clicker training is so effective that you'll find yourself using it even as your bird gets older.

Anytime that you want your bird to repeat a behavior, find ways to reinforce the behavior. Clicker training maintains a healthy, positive relationship between you and your bird.

Clicker Training Supplies

• Bird Training Stand
• Clicker or a Target Stick
• Treats
• Treat Pouch or Dispensing Cup (optional)

”You don’t have to wait until your bird is tame to start training. In fact, training is how you begin the taming process. By starting training early, you build trust and help your bird feel more comfortable with you. Diane Burroughs August 27,2024

8 Steps to Master Clicker Training for Birds

In this section of the article, we’ll go over the ten steps you need to follow to train your bird using a clicker!

It isn’t as complicated as you might think!

Step 1: Work On Your Timing

First of all, you need to prepare yourself to use the clicker. You need to work on your timing because timing is crucial when it comes to clicker training.

First, you’ll need to perfect when you click. Imagine that you’re trying to teach your bird to wave hello and you click when your bird is putting its foot down. Your bird is going to think that the behavior that it's being rewarded for is putting its foot down.

You’ll also want to deliver the treat reward in a timely manner, especially in the early phases of training. Start off by delivering the treat within one or two seconds and then increase the treat wait time slowly once the bird.

You can practice clicker timing by playing a simple game! Watch your favorite TV show and press the clicker whenever someone says the word “Yes.” Make sure you press the clicker at the precise moment someone says yes.

Step 2: Find The Right Reward for Your Bird

Now, you need to figure out the right reward for your bird. Most birds are motivated by food; however, some birds are motivated by toys or affection and praise. You need to choose what works best for your feathered friend.

I recommend buying a premium parrot treat mix like Golden feast blends. These blends contain numerous dried fruits, grains, and nuts that parrots love. Grab a stainless steel measuring cup and fill it with several treats. Then, show your bird the filled cup and allow it to choose a treat. Usually, the bird will pick one of its favorite treats. Try this several times and choose about 3 treats that your pet really goes for.

If you’re using a clicker but not following up with a reward, or if you mix rewards with punishment, you're not truly using clicker training. To get the best results and build trust with your bird, it's important to stick to the core idea: click to mark the behavior and always reward right after. This method is what makes clicker training so effective and enjoyable for your bird.

Step 3: Charge the Clicker (Form the Association)

You’ve got to teach your bird what the clicker is. We call this “charging the clicker.” Here’s how to do it.

1. Grab a cup of your bird's favorite treats, a T-style bird stand, and your clicker.
   
   
2. Remember that you’re not training for behavior just yet. Click the clicker and immediately offer your bird the treat cup.
   
   
3. Take a little break, as if the training session is about to end.
   
   
4. When your bird gets distracted and stops paying attention to the clicker, click again. This time work on having your bird look at you before you treat. Once your bird routinely looks at you to get the treat, you’ll know that your bird is making the association that the clicker is a signal that you’ll deliver a treat.
   
   
5. Practice charging the clicker twice a day for about a week. Keep the training sessions short, say, under a minute.

And, that’s how you associate the clicker with a motivating reward!

Step 4: Teach New Behaviors

Now that your bird knows that a reward follows the clicker's sound, you need to get down to business!

You can train your bird tricks or you can train your bird for new "manners." If you're not sure where to start, get the Clicker Training For Birds Book. It describes exactly how to train some pretty awesome bird manners for a lifelong companion.

Any training is a step in a positive direction in that your bird receives socialization, intellectual stimulation, and it is learning new replacement behaviors for problem behaviors.

Fun tricks include putting a ball in a birdie basketball hoop, putting coins in a bank, waving, making sounds or words, solving puzzles, and more.

Essential bird manners include:

• Stepping up & Stepping Down
• Staying Put
• Coming When Called
• Potty Training
• How To Forage
• Willingly Enter Cage or Carrier

Shaping Behavior

Shaping is a gentle training technique where you guide your bird to learn new behaviors by rewarding small, successive steps toward the final action.

Example: If you want your parrot to step onto your hand, start by rewarding it for moving closer, then for touching your hand, and finally for placing a foot on it. Each step builds on the last, encouraging your bird to keep progressing toward the goal.

Force-free Training

Force-free training focuses on letting your bird choose the behavior without any pressure or punishment.

Example: You give the cue “Step Up,” wait for your parrot to respond, and when it does, you immediately click and reward. This approach encourages your bird to willingly engage in the behavior.

Imagine what that does for the relationship! Your bird learns to trust you and actually choses to please you.

Let’s take an example. Say that you want to teach your bird to stay in an assigned area, an important safety skill to develop. It could be a new cage, a play stand, etc. When your bird knows how to "stay put," it is much safer.

I just got a new baby Green Cheek Conure and I’ve got pet dogs, so this is right up my alley.

My dogs have been trained to “leave it,” but a fluttering tiny bird still seems like a toy, so Kiwi really needs to know how to stay put.

I could force her to stay put by grabbing her up and placing her back on her play stand every time she gets off. That just turns into a battle of the wills, which never turns out well.

Instead, I decided to motivate her to want to stay on her play stand.

I’ve had Kiwi long enough that I know what motivates her.

• Food: Kiwi loves her veggies! She enjoys many of the ingredients in Goldenfeast Conure Blend. That’s not her regular food. She eats seeds, veggies, & Roudybush California Blend. I’ve chosen a few small grains and some favorite veggies to train her to stay put.
• Bathing In A Dish: This little girl loves to splash around in a shallow dish of water.
• Toys: Like most small birds, Kiwi loves chewing on natural, plant-based toys.
• Freedom: Kiwi wants to be out and about with the fam. Rather than being confined to a cage, she enjoys being in the living area and a part of the action.

Here’s how I used force-free training to help Kiwi stay put on her play stand:

1. I created a fun environment: I stocked the play stand with toys, food, and water to make it an inviting spot for Kiwi.

2. I set the stage: I placed the stand on small counter space and away from distractions that might tempt her away.

3. I clicked and rewarded: Every time I noticed Kiwi playing, perching nicely, or foraging on the stand, I immediately clicked and gave her a treat.

4. I managed the surroundings: I kept the area around the stand boring, so if Kiwi left, she’d naturally want to return.

5. I reinforced the behavior: If Kiwi got off of the stand, I'd ignore her. When Kiwi returned to the stand, I clicked and treated her again to reinforce that being on the stand was behavior that resulted in rewards.

Step 5: Take a Break and Reward Yourself!

Clicker training sounds simple and easy, but it is a lot of work. First, you’ve got to plan your strategy, then you’ve got to commit to observing the behavior that you want to reward, and do it consistently.

You’re doing a good job! Take frequent breaks between training sessions and reward yourself with your favorite TV show or a cup of coffee.

Step 6: Raise the Stakes

Once your bird has mastered a new skill, it’s time to up the challenge and keep things interesting. Instead of rewarding every single success, start mixing it up—sometimes give a treat right away, other times wait a bit, or even skip a reward here and there. This unpredictability keeps your bird on its toes, eager to keep performing the behavior, because they never know when the next treat will come.

This approach not only strengthens the behavior but also keeps your bird excited and engaged in the training process. It’s kind of like hitting the jackpot! And, it’s an incredibly motivating strategy.

Step 7: Raise the Stakes, Again

Once your bird knows that it’ll be rewarded if it is at a particular spot, change the starting point! Move further away from the bird’s assigned area and reward your bird if it stays in the assigned spot.

Soon, your bird will independently monitor itself to stay in its assigned spot.

Step 8: Try It Everywhere!

Make sure your bird knows to follow the cue under all circumstances! Try it when you have people over or when the television is playing in the background, etc. Make sure your feathered friend repeats the behavior at all times.

And that’s all you need to know! Wasn’t too difficult, right? Conclusion: Clicker Training for Birds

Did we help you out?

In Conclusion

clicker training is a powerful tool for building a strong bond with your parrot while teaching essential behaviors. The three key tips to remember are: focus on positive reinforcement by clicking and rewarding the behaviors you want to see more of, break down complex actions into manageable steps to make learning easier for your bird, and keep the training exciting by varying the timing and frequency of rewards. By following these tips, you'll create a fun, effective training experience that both you and your parrot will enjoy.

Related Posts:

Choosing Parrot Training Supplies

Bird Collar Training - 8 Steps

The Consequences of Confrontational Parrot Training Methods

References:

Best in Flock. (2008, September 11). Clicker training myths. https://bestinflock.com/2008/09/11/clicker-training-myths/

Blanchard, S. (1999). Sally Blanchard's companion parrot handbook: Using nurturing guidance to create the best companion parrot possible (Aka, the Happy Bappy Fun Book). Pet Bird Report.
ISBN 978-0967129808.

Johnson, M. (2004). Getting started: Clicker training for birds. Karen Pryor Clicker Training.

---

Diane Burroughs, LCSW, is a licensed psychotherapist trained in ABA therapy techniques. She specializes in avian anxiety disorders and is certified in Nutrition For Mental Health. Diane has written several bird behavior books and offers behavior consultations. She's developed a range of UnRuffledRx Science-backed Parrot Wellness Supplies.

Diane's products have been featured in the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery and at Exoticscon, a conference for exotic pet veterinarians. Her bird collars & supplements are stocked in avian vet clinics and bird stores throughout the US. With over 30 years in the field of behavior, Diane has created thousands of successful individualized behavior plans that help pets thrive.

TAGS: #ClickerTrainingBirds #BirdClickerTraining #BirdTraining

SHARING IS CARING! PLEASE SHARE ON YOUR FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA NOW!