Westerners tend to increasingly treat their parrots and other pets as family members by including them in family holidays, outings, even weddings, and sometimes in their obituaries, should the pet outlive their owner, or in memorials when the pet dies. As nonhuman family members, scientific research demonstrates that animal companions may provide important social support. By elevating the pet to the status of a quasi-human, they may have access to the latest consumer trends in animal care products and veterinary medicine, their own designer clothing, and other attributes to which the well-meaning pet owner may have access. However, isn’t much of this anthropomorphism? Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human traits to animals or to objects. Parrots are charismatic, intelligent, sentient beings who are susceptible to being anthropomorphized by their owners. First words, potty training, bipedalism—really, aren’t they little people in feathers? Many pet owners might think so, and that is a problem.

Anthropomorphism is a trigger word in the sciences because it historically has been used to deny the scientific credibility of any animal cognition research. It has been assumed, that to anthropomorphize is to lose one’s objectivity, and to be seen as naïve and sentimental. We are reminded of the cautionary tale from 1904 Berlin of the Orlov Trotter horse, Hans. “Clever Hans” was credited with mathematical capabilities, until an observant scientist noted that Hans was responding to his owner’s body language instead of solving equations. Researchers are cautioned to make certain that they don’t fall prey to the “Clever Hans Phenomenon,” as did others duped by the horse’s alleged abilities.

We can take two lessons from the Hans case: We have to be careful not to read too much into the behavior we are observing, and secondly the animals we work with are very keen observers of human behavior. They are always learning from us, and we need to be conscious of subtle changes in their behavior and how our behavior may affect them. As verbal primates, it may be difficult for us to focus on what we see, instead of what we hear. And with parrots, because they have the ability to mimic human language, it is even more complex.

Do parrots have the ability to use human language cognitively? According to Dr. Irene Pepperberg’s studies, the answer is yes. Many parrot owners I surveyed during my research anecdotally state that their companion parrots use human language meaningfully, to request certain items, places, actions or people. As scientific research brings greater insight into the avian mind, we find that birds are capable of many complex behaviors thought to originally be limited to humans, including tool use, a system of communication (language?), regional dialects, and the use of unique vocalizations for conspecific family members (naming?). Although that is a different discussion, it is important as behavior consultants to note that many parrot owners do believe that their birds can use human language contextually.

In the past, researchers have been so concerned about the possibility of anthropomorphism and loss of scientific objectivity, that many extremists, in a Cartesian anti-mentalism, denied animals thoughts and emotions. However, more recent scientific research has demonstrated that animals are capable of having thought and emotion. But what they think and feel may be very different from what we imagine.

And this is where anthropomorphism can be problematic, especially when owners misinterpret their birds’ behavior and wrongly attribute human motives or emotions. These pronouncements are issued in the familiar labels against which Dr. Susan Friedman warns: “vicious”, “mean”, “hormonal”, “dominant”, and others. Studies of parrots, and other captive animals, suggest that most aggression is based in fear. Our companion parrots are not plotting to take over the world, beginning with us! Rather they may fear something the owner has done, the owner misses the communication that the parrot is uncomfortable with what the owner is requesting or has done, and are bitten as consequence.

Parrots have a different view of the world, because their senses are different and even superior to humans in some respects. As behavior consultants, we need to be mindful as new research emerges that may provide added insight into how these differences may affect their behavior and welfare in captivity.

Diet, is another concern, regarding anthropomorphism. Human obesity and pet obesity seem to go hand in paw or hand in wing, unfortunately. According to Dr. Laurie Hess, DVM DABVP (Avian) in a recent vetstreet.com post, parrots are the number one exotic pets prone to obesity. As members of our human families companion parrot owners may share foods that they routinely eat. Of greatest concern is the feeding of foods that may be harmful, or detract from parrots receiving proper nutrition from their standard diets. Quantity is another concern. A 100-gram (3.53 ounces) Quaker parrot is far smaller than the average 180 pound human! Obesity can lead to many serious health issues including a shortened life span.

In summary, anthropomorphism may potentially be positive, and welfare improved when the parrot is a cherished family member who provides important social support to their owner. However, anthropomorphism may also potentially lead to a misunderstanding of behavior, the feeding of an inappropriate diet, and its consequences: impaired avian welfare and damage to the human-avian bond.

References

Anderson, Patricia K. 2014. Social dimensions of the Human-Avian Bond: Parrots and their Persons. Anthrozoös. 27(3): 371-387.

Hess, Laurie. 2016. Most Common Obese Exotic Pets: No. 1 Parrots. http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/most-common-obese-exotic-pets-no-1-parrots?Wt.mc_id=facebook

When an inquiry came through last spring from a cockatiel owner, I flew at the chance to dig deeper into her concerns to assess if I could be of help. Collaboration is a must to help with team success. My client was referred via her veterinarian to the IAABC website after expressing concern about how stressful medicating her cockatiel had become. This stress was not only being observed in her bird’s response to the restraint process, but generalized to their relationship at other times, as well. Hearing that her avian veterinarian supported a learning alternative to restraint through a positive approach, was music to my ears. Our collaboration had begun!

Upon hearing that Larry Bird was developing generalized avoidance to his caregiver (flying or walking away from when she would approach for feeding, play, habitat cleaning, and enrichment time) it become critical to problem-solve some creative solutions. A relationship that had a history of trust (enthusiastic approach behavior) was now compromised. The owner was heartbroken. Her 15-year old cockatiel is demonstrating fear behaviors in her general presence.

We know the saying: “A picture is worth a thousand words.” I say that video is worth a million. I requested baseline video of what the current towel restraint technique to administer medication looked like. Boy, it was really hard to watch. Larry Bird showed every possible stress response a bird could offer contingent upon needed to be medicated. My client actually ended the video early, because SHE was upset. Good for her.

Current procedure

The towel restraint always happened when Larry Bird was closed off in his cage.

• Caregiver would approach with a towel
• Larry would fly to the back of the enclosure
• Caregiver would open the enclosure door
• Larry would vocalize, lunge forward and bite the towel
• Caregiver would wrap the towel around him
• Larry would vocalize with increased stress
• Caregiver would move him out of the enclosure
• Larry would bite the towel
• Caregiver would insert the medicated syringe into his beak
• Larry would swallow medication
• Larry would vocalize more
• Caregiver would move him back into the enclosure
• Caregiver would release him from the towel wrap
• Larry would fly away while vocalizing
• Larry would avoid her and refuse treats

She knew there had to be a better way. So did I.

A teaching approach that I find helpful is to ask a client what their final goal looks like. What does medicating Larry Bird in the ideal scenario look like to her?

Her response:

• Larry would voluntarily approach her
• Swallow the medication from the syringe
• Eat a treat afterward
• Remain relaxed through the process.

That sounds like a great plan to me! Plus, there are a lot less steps than the current procedure.

Goal one: to remove the towel restraint procedure.

Training games

Our next goal: building trust again with Larry Bird and his caregiver.

Having animals in our lives is a conscious choice because of the mutual joy they bring us.

We needed to bring back the “fun factor” into their day-to-day relationship. My client had already heard about clicker training, and was eager to integrate training and play time back into their relationship.

Since providing Larry Bird the option of climbing in and out of his enclosure was possible, my client began to open the door, and let him choose where he wanted to be. We also increased enrichment options at various locations, and kept an empty syringe casing nearby as a general prop while supervised.

I had the pleasure of showing my client some clicker training basics. Larry Bird was onboard, too. Highlights included that their teaching sessions should be short. 5-10 click/treats a few times per day. His reinforcers of choice were millet and small cereal treats.

Changing our behavior!

No one can blame Larry Bird for behaving in a stressed manner when a person walks directly toward him. I respond the same way when a person that I do not know makes a direct approach at me. How do I respond? I take a few steps away from this person. I might even cross my arms, clench my fists, purse my lips, cock my head, lift my chin, and brace myself in an attempt to increase my odds of feeling safe.

Goal two: teach the owner about bird body language.

We introduced the clicker while seated comfortably next to Larry Bird.

Stationing

We clicked the behavior of Larry Bird standing at the top of his enclosure.

Our success is about going as fast as his body language remained calm

We want to teach that hands coming toward him have safe, positive associations again.

Success!

He readily ate the treats.

We videotaped our first session, and I emailed her the baseline training video for her library.

Our initial homework goal had begun.

1. Short clicker training sessions each day.

2. Increase enrichment activities (her approach toward his enclosure equates positive outcomes).

3. Provide more opportunities for Larry Bird to walk/fly in and out of his enclosure when she was home to supervise his safety.

4. Empty syringe casing placed on a table next to her during clicker training sessions.

Targeting

Our next session focused on the introduction of the empty syringe as a target. Larry Bird quickly caught on that if he chose to move toward the syringe, he would receive a click (syringe removed after the click), and then be offered a delicious treat.

This bird is a brilliant learner, given solid teaching procedures

Capturing a mouth open on the empty syringe

At first, his mouth-open behavior toward the syringe showed Larry’s discomfort with the syringe and we wanted voluntary, cooperative behavior. So, we slowly shaped for less intensity of his biting toward the syringe, and more toward opening his beak gently.

All the while, in every session, Larry Bird could walk or fly away from the syringe. Giving him the control to leave made it more likely he would stay. Some sessions were planned when the syringe was not present. We would vary post-session activities with adding enrichment, misting with water

(a favorite) for bathing time, and being able to choose to spend time inside or outside his enclosure.

Variety is the spice of our success!

Just a spoonful of medication

The referring veterinarian approved reducing the medication being offered during our successive approximations toward teaching voluntary swallowing of the medication.

We added small amounts of medication to the syringe, and offered it at various locations such as, near a perch by the windows that he enjoys, or outside his enclosure.

Before we knew it, this little bird and his caregiver made huge progress.

What I learned

Having the immense honor of working with various species of animals, I can say that helping to build the relationship between a bird owner and her cockatiel brought more joy that words can say. Listening to a client, hearing her concerns, validating her frustrations and gut instincts, brought me the ultimate reinforcer. Seeing the joy in her relationship with her bird return.

Let her feedback speak for itself

“Laura Monaco Torelli has been a lifesaver in restoring the trust between my adopted pet cockatiel Larry Bird and me! Larry Bird tested positive for avian bornavirus (possible cause of PDD disease) and had to be given medicine orally under restraint. With those stressful medicine experiences, Larry Bird stopped trusting me and would try to run away from me whenever I came near his cage. Laura taught me some great techniques for restoring trust through positive feedback, and Larry Bird can now take his medicine orally without my need to restrain him. He also has made major improvements at slowly trusting my hands and fingers. The training is not just one-way though—I have learned to stay calm and read his body language and respect his choice to enter into training time. It’s been wonderful because I can tell that Larry Bird really enjoys our practice sessions. From the beginning, I could tell that Larry Bird trusted Laura’s gentle approach. It’s great having Larry Bird under the care of a great animal behaviorist specialist like Laura, and I look forward to continuing to work with her!

Diana W. with Larry Bird”

Thank you, IAABC

This partnership would not have happened had this bird-loving owner not found me through the Parrot Division. It is an honor being a part of the IAABC team!

Laura Monaco Torelli is the founder and director of training for Animal Behavior Training Concepts in Chicago, Illinois. She serves as faculty with the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior; is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, and Certified Parrot Behavior Consultant; and holds a TAGteach Level 2 Certification. She also collaborates with veterinary behaviorist John Ciribassi at Animal Behavior Partners and is a staff trainer with Dr. Ciribassi’s practice, Chicagoland Veterinary Behavior Consultants. Laura began her career with more than a decade in the zoo and aquarium community, working as a senior lead trainer for the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and then as a supervisory keeper at San Diego and Brookfield zoos. Her interest in birds started with the care, management, and training of rockhopper, gentoo, and Magellanic penguins at the Shedd and continued with birds of prey and psittacines in San Diego and Brookfield. Ongoing education under the excellent mentorship of Ken Ramirez and Dr. Susan Friedman has enhanced her passion for spreading the word about applied behavior analysis and building relationships between birds and their human families. Laura has presented at ClickerExpo, the Chicago Veterinary Behavior Symposium, and the conferences of the Animal Behavior Management Alliance, the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association, the Interdisciplinary Forum for Applied Animal Behavior, the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, TAGteach, and the Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians.

She particularly enjoys sharing her experience with future veterinarians. She has spoken at multiple American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association symposia and given seminars for the behavior clubs at Ross University, Purdue University, and University of Illinois veterinary schools.

She is honored to be involved with the IAABC Parrot Division, among such talented colleagues.

When teaching behavior and training, getting students to give up control over the animal they are working with is one of the more difficult concepts for new trainers to embrace. Unfortunately when one says “training” to most people the mental image that comes to mind is a person having control over their training subject, indeed the majority of the general public thinks in terms of “commands” and not “cues.” Not getting and maintaining control over the training subject somehow conjures up images of “animal anarchy!” This is pervasive in our society … from a very early age.

At the end of our free-flying bird shows we try to do a “meet-and-greet” encounter with one of the show birds for people to get up really close, take photos, and ask questions. Many, many times over the years a small child will approach us and ask “can you make him fly again?” Aha! A teaching moment for us to explain that we allow our birds to make the choice to engage with us so we don’t “make them” do anything. Control is deep-rooted in our society indeed.

The challenge for everyone teaching training and behavior is to gently guide our students away from this deeply ingrained concept.

As an example of removal of choice and control I use the following behavior that almost everyone wants to train, the step onto the hand. If the technique that you use does not allow the bird to make the choice to step onto your hand and it has no escape from the “pushing” hand it may well, having already sent a bunch of visual cues to the owner to back off, reach down and bite that hand. The hand is then withdrawn and the bird begins the process of learning that biting gets hands away when they are not wanted. Incidentally, repeated “back-off” signals is probably an indicator of a poor relationship between the owner and the bird and this should be addressed first.

So, how do we give choice to the bird in this situation? Firstly we need to be observant; when the bird first signals it does not want to step up by what may be quite subtle changes in posture we need to back off. What the bird is now learning is that it has control over the situation using its natural body language; the same way it would communicate with its flock members in the wild. What the owner can then do is to carefully watch the body language and note how far the hand was from the bird when it “said” back off. In the future, just before the hand gets to this position bridge (click or say “good”), reinforce and take the hand away. Gradually the hand may be brought closer; the bird will learn that the approaching hand is a good thing. Plus it still retains the right to “say” back off with its body language, the owner should always comply with that request unless this is an emergency situation. With time, patience, and good observation the bird will learn to step onto the hand. Note that if the bird is clipped it is a good idea to begin this training on a perch that allows the bird to walk safely away from you. One piece of bad advice I have seen is to work the bird on a small perch so that it can not get away … now ask yourself, where is the control of the situation for that bird?

Sid Price is the owner and founder of Avian Ambassadors based in Tijeras, New Mexico. Sid presents Avian Ambassadors’ Flights of Education programs and is a frequent invited speaker at conferences and meetings around the USA and Europe on the subject of the ethical application of behavior science to bird training.

A life-long involvement in the entertainment industry as a designer has enabled Sid to design and build show production and animal release systems in use at major facilities across the USA.

Sid is the chairman of the International Avian Trainers Certification Board (IATCB), a past-president of the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE) and served on the board of directors of IAATE from 2003 – 2013.

Elaine Henley, who lives in Scotland, is a companion animal behavioural counsellor who has been working with humans and their pets since the establishment of the Animal Behaviour Clinic & Take the Lead Dog School in 1997. Elaine received an Honours-Level Degree, Certificate of Applied Animal Behaviour, and later a Post-Graduate Degree Diploma, Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling, from the University of Southampton. Elaine is a Full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC), a Registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC), and a Certified Parrot Consultant with the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC). Elaine provides training and behaviour service to caregivers and their companion pets, dogs, parrots, cats, and rabbits, using a variety of methods including home visits, group classes, and SKYPE/Telephone consultations. Elaine also conducts a range of Continuous Professional Development to veterinary practices, local & national governments, Guide Dogs for the Blind (UK), Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals, and re-homing organizations. Further, Elaine worked with the Scottish Government on the implementation of the Control of Dogs Act (Scotland), 2010, by co-authoring and delivering a training package to local government officials throughout Scotland.

Elaine has been contracted by courts and animal welfare organisations to contribute her expert opinion in legal cases involving dog behaviour working with cases involving dog bites under the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991) and the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act (2010) as well as noise abatement orders. Elaine does the aforementioned by providing assessments of dog temperament and risk posed by dogs as well as her opinion regarding prior aggressive events and all aspects of dog training and behaviour. In addition, numerous adoption and fostering agencies - for both humans and pets - have asked Elaine to undertake risk assessments on a variety of species of pets in homes.

Elaine is passionate about educating caregivers as well as those seeking to work with companion animals, and she has lectured extensively on the subject of animal behaviour and training. Elaine was invited to chair a special session on Animal Abuse at the ISAZ conference in Niagara Falls, Canada, to give a presentation at the 2^nd International Animal Trainers Conference, Twycross Zoo, UK, and most recently, she presented at the ABMA conference in Denmark. Elaine will be presenting at the National Conference for the Association of Pet Behavioural Counsellors, UK in September 2015. An external reviewer for the Journal Companion Animal, Elaine has also written articles on breeding puppies for the APBC and the very popular “Myths/Tips of the Day” articles on parrot behaviour.

Elaine is a “hands on” trainer - skilled at applying modern methods of training to a variety of species (not least dogs and parrots) and, most significantly, demonstrating and explaining those techniques to caregivers. She continues to run dog training classes - from puppy to advanced level - and in the past has trained her own dogs to the level of participation in many dog sports and events.

Living with 3 African Grey Parrots (2 CAG’s and 1 TAG), 4 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, 3 human sons, and her husband, Elaine enjoys breeding dogs and helping them become socialised and habituated to the world that they will be living in as adults. Breeder accountability and responsibility is something to which Elaine is passionately committed.

This blog was first published at http://www.birdchannel.com/parrot-training/iaabc.aspx on May 31, 2015.

So your avian veterinarian wants you to weigh your bird on a regular basis, but the little scamp won’t get on the scale and you keep ending up with chunks taken out of your hand. You asked for advice from three of your favorite bird lists but everyone has a different opinion, and let’s face it … some of those suggestions were downright scary. You’re not sure you can handle another bite like the last time.

Jackie loves those videos of parrots doing tricks and has been trying to get her macaw to play basketball. Only now the bird lunges at her whenever she gets near. Jackie doesn’t understand why her bird hates her all of a sudden.

Meanwhile, Bob has just inherited an African grey from his favorite aunt. He promised her he’d take good care of the bird, only he doesn’t know the first thing about parrots. He talked to the cashier at the local pet store, but she just tried to get him to buy some ridiculously expensive pellets. If any of this sounds familiar, it should. Most of us have to rely on our own guesswork or well-meaning advice from other bird owners in order to help our birds learn how to live successfully in our homes. If only there was a place to get help you could trust, advice from someone who really knows what they’re doing.

Well, there is, though you may not have heard of it. It’s the parrot division of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). Started in 2004, the parrot division of the IAABC is made up of people who are experienced in working with parrot (and human) behavior and are committed to using best practices, consulting with clients and educating new members.

A certified parrot behavior consultant (CPBC) can help you teach your parrot desired behaviors by using LIMA (least intrusive, minimally aversive methods of modifying behavior). She can help you train your parrot. He keeps up with the latest behavioral research and advances in avian medicine, and conducts himself according to a code of ethical and behavioral standards. She most likely knows five veterinarians in your state and the contact information of that person who makes those cute little birdie toys. Best of all, she loves parrots even more than you do, which you didn’t think that was possible.

Most associate members are working toward certification and can also provide consultations. They’re being mentored by seasoned CPBCs while stuffing their brains with knowledge and wisdom and experience.

Consultations

Here is how a typical consultation works. You locate a CPBC near you from the IAABC.org’s website (https://iaabc.org/consultants). You make an appointment for either an in-home visit or a telephone/email consult. You explain the problem and what you’d like to happen. The CPBC will teach you to how to evaluate the bird’s environment and how it accounts for how the bird behaves. He will then offer suggestions to help improve things and explain the reasoning behind those suggestions. She will teach you any needed teaching strategies such as targeting or stationing and discuss other environmental changes. You may or may not have a follow-up visit.

Each CPBC is different since they’re all individuals (just like your birds). For example, I like to do a home visit that can last anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours, and I usually also assign reading homework. I include free email and phone contact for three months after the home visit in my fee. This is because changing behavior is a process and a process usually takes time, and because I like to know how a person and parrot are doing as time passes. It’s also helpful to catch any mistakes or clear up any misunderstandings before they get worse.

Other CPBCs like to do phone consultations. They will usually send you a long questionnaire to fill out and return to them. Then you will call the CPBC and talk through the issues and possible solutions.

Still other CPBCs love video consultations when they are too far away for a home visit. This type of consultation requires a fast Internet connection and compatible software such as Skype or FaceTime. Video consultations allow the CPBC to actually see the problem behaviors, just like a home visit.

New Directions

With the retirement of Kashmir Csaky as chairperson of the parrot division at the end of 2014, Dr. Susan Friedman took over the leadership in 2015. A major membership drive was completed by March 2015, bringing the number of fully certified parrot behavior consultants to more than 50 professionals. Additional people are joining every month as supporting or associate certified members.

Friedman said, “I am thrilled to help build a community of highly qualified, professional bird behavior consultants using contemporary science-based principles and practices that are both effective and humane. When we teach people how behavior works, we empower them and their parrots to live successfully together. Parrots retain their homes and people retain healthy loving relationships with the animals in their care.”

Joining IAABC

There is room for just about everyone in the parrot division of the IAABC. Supporting memberships are for those in fields related to animal behavior consulting and for others who support the IAABC’s mission and values.

Associate certified members are those who already have some experience and education in parrot behavior consulting and are working toward becoming fully certified. They are required to maintain a certain number of CEUs and prove proficiency in a number of core competencies.

Certified parrot behavior consultants must meet higher standards of expertise, prove proficiency in more core competencies, and maintain more CEUs.

Once our friends Jackie and Bob learned about the IAABC, they met with CPBCs and successfully learned training techniques and basic parrot care. They are happy now because their parrots are happy, and what’s better than a happy parrot?

Pat Anderson is an anthropologist, anthrozoologist, and archaeologist who has been studying the human-avian bond since 1999. Pat completed her PhD in anthropology at the University of Chicago (1998). She annually teaches a senior/graduate level course in Anthrozoology, the study of human-animal relationships, to students in the Zoo & Aquarium Studies Program and others at Western Illinois University where she is tenured as Associate Professor. Pat has presented her research into the human-avian bond both nationally and internationally to organizations such as the Annual Parrot Lover’s Cruise, the American Federation of Aviculture, the International Society for Anthrozoology, Midwest Sociology Annual Meeting, Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association, and the Midwest Fur Fest. This research has resulted in a number of peer-reviewed conference presentations, peer-reviewed articles, a scientific book chapter, and book reviews. Pat is a co-editor of the peer-reviewed journal, Anthrozoös, which is published by the International Society for Anthrozoology.

Pat established a background in animal behavior and training through successful completion of courses with Dr. Susan Friedman, Steve Martin, Wouter Stellaard, Cassie Malina and other training staff at Natural Encounters, Inc., in Winter Haven, Florida, and Lara Joseph at the Animal Behavior Center, Sylvania, Ohio, and Ken Ramirez at the John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL. She maintains and improves her knowledge of animal behavior through reading professional journals, attending workshops held by the IAABC and Karen Pryor Clicker Academy and other organizations, and through work with her own birds and the animals of clients. Pat is a member of the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators, the American Federation of Aviculture, the Avicultural Society of America, the Quaker Parakeet Society, the International Association of Anthrozoology, the American Anthropological Association, and the Society for American Archaeology. She has owned a parrot since 1998 and currently lives with three Quaker and two Pionus parrots, and her very patient husband, Steve Monger. The careful arrangement of the antecedent environment and the thoughtful application of positive reinforcement have led her to a much stronger and more positive bond with her own parrots, and she is eager to help others develop and maintain more positive relationships with their birds.

Animals have always been a part of my life. Especially parrots and other birds are a large part of my family and my profession. After my degree as M.Sc. Biology I continued learning more about the human – animal – bond. Since 1996 I have been publishing articles about parrots and parakeets, writing books about these wonderful birds and joined the editorial staff of the German WP-Magazin. In 2006 I joined the IAABC where I have the privilege to work with the most experiences behavior consultants. My work includes research about the human – animal – bond, especially the human – bird – interaction and phone and inhome consultations. During these consultations I try to sensitize the owner for the pet he keeps. It is my first and main goal to make sure that the dignity and the feelings of the owner are preserved and that the owner obtains the skills he needs to work with his pet and build a trustfully relationship with the animal. With a team of veterinarians and biologists we regularly offer workshops and seminars about parrot keeping. One of our special events is a monthly training session in a http://www.papageienpark-bochum.de”=”“>parrot park in Germany where parrot pet keepers meet with their birds to train and get in contact with each other. My work as a behavior consultant has shown me that human can have a wonderful relationship with animals and that both parts benefit from this friendship. Living a life as a pet owner is a unique and fulfilling experience. Please visit me on Facebook and online

But Barnaby’s vocalizations were not always among my favorite sounds. He is a typical Timneh African Grey after all who finds great fulfillment in repeating what has value to him. Unfortunately, when he was the new kid in the household, he figured it was pretty cool to mimic the occasional screams he heard from my other two birds. And he liked projecting his voice to ear piercing decibels.

I was beside myself. I followed the advice I had heard from others or read online like giving him the evil eye, covering him, ignoring him…but the problem only got worse, not better. How could that be? When I look into his eyes now I can’t imagine that I was once at a point of needing to find him another place to live but that is exactly where I was. I know there are a lot of bird owners out there who can relate.

What happened next not only solved our issue, it strengthened our relationship and enhanced Barnaby’s quality of life in my home. In fact, it convinced me to spend the next 13 years wanting to learn about behavior – why it happens and how I can change it in the most positive, least intrusive way.

I stumbled upon Dr. Susan Friedman, a psychology professor at Utah State University who has pioneered the application of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to captive and companion animals.

What Susan teaches is that we’ve got to stop looking for answers by labeling behaviors or birds, or species generalities. It serves no purpose in helping to get at the root of the problem. The bottom line is that ALL behavior has function. No matter what the behavior is – whether it is biting, not stepping up, chewing on furniture, or screaming – something occurred immediately prior to the act (antecedent) that may serve to “lead to” it, and something occurred immediately after the act (consequence) that impacts whether or not the behavior will be repeated in the future.

As our pet’s teacher, we can influence its behavior simply by changing the environment including the antecedents and consequences.

All of my earlier attempts, I learned actually reinforced Barnaby’s screams instead of discouraged them. There’s a scientific word for what I had been doing. It’s called “intermittent reinforcement”, meaning, sometimes I gave him attention for screaming without even realizing it. Intermittent reinforcement make a behavior more resistant to change (think of the addiction of the slot machine in a casino).

So what did I do differently?

Well, in short, I developed a plan to provide him a more enriching and satisfying alternative to his screaming. Here is a summary of my strategies.

1. Ignore all screaming. Period. That means if I was in the room, I calmly walked out with the other birds. If I was out of their room and he screamed, I would become a statue or walk downstairs. Most definitely I would not walk past his line of vision and I would not go into their room. With this step, I had to be prepared for an “extinction burst” where he screamed even louder to try to get my attention. Under no circumstances could I give in and go to him during this, or his problem would only worsen. The contingency I wanted Barnaby to learn was, “When” I scream “Then” the room is evacuated or “When” I scream “Then” the house becomes silent and my favorite person ignores me.
2. DRA or differential reinforcement of an alternative behavior. Each and every time Barnaby would make a chosen sound (at first it was a whistle, then changed it to “mommy here”), I was immediately there with reinforcement. The contingency I wanted Barnaby to learn with this was “When” I make this sound “Then” Lisa gives me attention. Eventually I got to where I didn’t need to come each time but just acknowledge him with a voice contact, and came in occasionally (remember the value of intermittent reinforcement for building strong behaviors).
3. Thoughtful arrangement of the environment. I needed to make sure Barnaby had enough activities that HE was interested in to keep him busy. When I left his room, in the beginning, I would give him something to keep his mind occupied until I was out of sight. If he wasn’t interested in what I had given him, it meant that his gift wasn’t as stimulating to him as calling out to me, and so I had to find something else that was.

People ask me how I got Barnaby to talk so much. (He and I have conversations all day long.) Well, it is because he knows if it is me with whom he wants to communicate, the only way I will hear him is if he speaks human.

I can’t tell you that he doesn’t ever scream now. He is a bird after all. But I am diligent every single day to be aware of watching that I never reinforce a scream. Since talking gets him lots of feedback from me, guess which choice he chooses to make by default if he wants to communicate *with me*.

There are times when I am not the source of his reinforcement for screaming (although most of the time I am). On occasion Dreyfuss, my pionus, will scream and he will react to her, so I am also diligent to know her precursor noises she makes just prior to a loud scream that I can interrupt (prevention is always good).

And there are those occasions where I can’t catch Dreyfuss in time and she screams but Barnaby wants to communicate with me, not her. That is when I hear him tell me, “Barnaby is a good boy.”

Yes Barnaby, you are. And thank you for reminding me of that.

And this is why I love using positive reinforcement and science for modifying and managing behavior.

Lisa is the proud parront to Barnaby, a Timneh African Grey, and Dreyfuss, a Maximillian Pionus; and aunt to her family dog, Sam. She is a long time student of using Applied Behavior Analysis and positive reinforcement strategies as they relate to setting pets and their caregivers up for success. Lisa writes about behavior and offers one-on-one training consultations for pet caregivers in the Cincinnati, Ohio area.
Want to learn more about Lisa? Visit her website: http://www.SoMuchPETential.com.