One of the most common problems we run across in a household is a parrot that is unsocialized. The fact that a bird can not be handled by more than one person, or in some cases, not at all, is detrimental to a bird's behaviors. I hear people say "Oh I wouldn't touch him if I were you, he only likes so and so", as the bird lunges at you in an attempt to remove some appendage or another. In other instances, a bird owner will tell you not to approach the animal, or it will crawl to the back of the cage and remain there, shaking and afraid.

One of the best things we can do for our pets is to socialize them. It will help them during times of stress or later in an emergency. There are many ways of doing this and the benefits are tremendous!

We see, and all too often, birds that will only go to one person and are terrified of others, which includes other family members, and strangers alike!

What will happen on that sad day when you are no longer able to keep your pet or God forbid something happens to you!

The bird suffers.......

The Art of Socialization

You new arrival


From the beginning of your pet arriving or even NOW after a number of years! It is never too late to start this process and your bird will thank you in the long run!

Make sure that when your pet first arrives that all family members spend time with your pet. Even small children can participate under the supervision of an adult. It can start with giving the new arrival small treats such as sun flower seeds or almonds. Try to find his absolute favorite food and save it as a treat! Make sure that everyone spends time with your parrot and once the parrot is comfortable with you try to pet him on the head. Not all parrots like to be petted so don't feel too discouraged if this is the case. Hopefully he has already been taught the basic step up command. Let everyone in the home take turns stepping up the parrot.

If you find that he is becoming too attached to one individual, have that individual back off for a while and let the other family members warm up to him. That may mean you should leave the room as even the sight of the favorite person could get them excited enough that they won't respond as well to the others.


Ouside influences

Take them out with you. Get them used to being in a carrier, in a car and handled by strangers.

You can walk around the block or down to the corner store. The more exposure to outside influences the less and less traumatic the experience will be!

It will make trips to the vet less traumatic. Have people come to your home and spend time with you bird.

Try trading with a bird friend for weekends with their birds. Over nighters are a good way to get your bird used to others and he will only benefit from it in the long run.

This will help later down the road for any traumatic events that might take place. In the event something did happen or you need to utilize a bird sitter for a vacation.

A bird sitter is another source for socialization. They work with many birds and can spend time with your bird. Without his comfort zone birds tend to respond well within a day or two.

The more we can help our birds adjust to a changing environment the easier it will be for them to adjust during times of emergency!

Join a bird club, and bring you bird with you. Others at the club are experienced and more than willing to lend a helping hand in holding your bird which will help the socialization process.

Just taking him out in the back yard or front yard will attract neighbours and can be a benefit as well. Exposing him to different environments and people will teach him to feel more comfortable with others. Just make sure they are respectful of your bird and go slow! Make sure there is only one or two people at a time.

I should also point out that it is always best to have people that are willing to work with your bird as not everyone is comfortable. I am giving many examples of places that could benefit you by their experience as well as inexperienced ways. Use what ever you have available to you. My best suggestion though it to join a bird club as these people do have the experience of working with birds and do not

**Most importantly that his wings are clipped! NEVER TAKE A BIRD OUTSIDE WITHOUT A WING CLIP! Remember some can still fly with a clip. You need to know your bird and his capabilities.

The Benefits

You parrot will start to feel comfortable around other people and will probably start to enjoy the company of others!

He will enjoy getting in the carrier for your next exciting adventure!

Trips to the vet or the bird sitter will be less traumatic and he will adjust much quicker upon returning home!

If there ever comes a day when you are no longer able to keep your parrot he will adjust that much easier to a new environment.

Having worked with many birds over the years I see the benefits of socialization regularly and how well the birds respond to it.

They are calmer, happier and well adjusted.

Labels: behavior, behaviour, parrot rescue, socializing parrots