Earning your birds trust can be hard depending on your birds situation. One of my favorite behaviors to train is based on trust and that is getting your parrot to lay on its back; whether its on a hard surface or in your arms. Its important to get your bird used to being touched all over when you first get it. Handling it in all sorts of different ways and touching all over its body is a great way to get your bird used to being handled and touched. Some birds dont like their tails being touched, or their backs, but if you get your bird accustomed to being touched everywhere, they will think nothing of it and it will become easier to handle your bird yourself as well as allow others to handle your bird, too. The first steps to getting your bird to lay on its back comfortably and willingly is to create a bond with your bird to where he enjoys being loved and showed affection from you. Once you have this relationship and your bird is comfortable with being touched all over, you start by getting it used to your hand being placed on its back. I hold the bird close to my chest and slowly tilt forward with one hand holding his feet and acting like a perch and the other supporting his back. Its important not to just fling yourself forward with your bird as this will startle him and most likely result in you getting bit. You want to make sure to ease into it very slowly and at the pace of your bird. I always use the reward of being cuddled and held, but a food reward can also be given if that is what your bird responds best to. Eventually, you get to the point where you are completely parallel with the floor and your bird is comfortable as he is close to your body. When your bird is comfortable with this stage, this is when you begin slowly moving your body away the same way you eased down to become parallel. Slowly but surely your bird will become comfortable laying on its back in your arms without your chest having to be there for support.
This process needs to be worked over days and days. I did little by little with my blue and gold macaw, Chayko. I worked it every day until it morphed into the behavior I was looking for.
Its also a process of finding out which position is most relaxing for your bird. Some want to be facing you straight forward, others want to be to the side, others need to be cradled like a baby.
The last step is removing your hands which are playing the role of your birds perch. This can be difficult as sometimes hanging onto your hand is the only reason your bird is comfortable on his back in the first place. This must be done very slow! Ive found that taking away one finger at a time works best with getting the bird use to holding onto less and less. The last finger will be the hardest but if you can get him down a finger every training session, youre doing amazingly well. Remember to always go at the pace of your bird and do not force him into moving too fast. This needs to be a positive experience and turn into a behavior he enjoys doing. Praise and affection are great rewards for this type of behavior.
Eventually, your bird will easily ease into this. When I went to visit Chayko at Davids place, I handled him and talked to him. It had been months upon months since I had seen Chayko last and I was nervous he wouldnt remember me. Sure enough, after about 5 minutes of reuniting with him, he went on his back for me and laid in my arms. It meant the world to me to know he still loved and trusted me as he always did.
Article by Jamieleigh Womach. She has been working with parrots and toucans since the age of 17. She isnt homeless but is home less than she prefers to be. She travels the world with her husband, daughter, and a flockful of parrots whom she shares the stage with.
Article by Jamieleigh Womach. Since she was seventeen years old, she has worked with parrots and toucans. While not homeless, she spends less time at home than she would like to. She travels the globe accompanied by her spouse, daughter, and a large group of parrots that she performs on stage with.
This process needs to be worked over days and days. I worked with my blue and gold macaw, Chayko, little by little. I worked on it every day until the desired behavior emerged.
Eventually, your bird will easily ease into this. I spoke with and handled Chayko when I visited him at David’s house. I was afraid that Chayko wouldn’t remember me because it had been so many months since I had last seen him. As expected, within five minutes of getting back together, he laid down on his back in my arms. Knowing that he still loved and trusted me as he always did meant the world to me.
Its also a process of finding out which position is most relaxing for your bird. Some want to be facing you straight forward, others want to be to the side, others need to be cradled like a baby.
Earning your birds trust can be hard depending on your birds situation. One of my favorite behaviors to train is based on trust and that is getting your parrot to lay on its back; whether its on a hard surface or in your arms. Its important to get your bird used to being touched all over when you first get it. Handling it in all sorts of different ways and touching all over its body is a great way to get your bird used to being handled and touched. Some birds dont like their tails being touched, or their backs, but if you get your bird accustomed to being touched everywhere, they will think nothing of it and it will become easier to handle your bird yourself as well as allow others to handle your bird, too. The first steps to getting your bird to lay on its back comfortably and willingly is to create a bond with your bird to where he enjoys being loved and showed affection from you. Once you have this relationship and your bird is comfortable with being touched all over, you start by getting it used to your hand being placed on its back. I hold the bird close to my chest and slowly tilt forward with one hand holding his feet and acting like a perch and the other supporting his back. Its important not to just fling yourself forward with your bird as this will startle him and most likely result in you getting bit. You want to make sure to ease into it very slowly and at the pace of your bird. I always use the reward of being cuddled and held, but a food reward can also be given if that is what your bird responds best to. Eventually, you get to the point where you are completely parallel with the floor and your bird is comfortable as he is close to your body. When your bird is comfortable with this stage, this is when you begin slowly moving your body away the same way you eased down to become parallel. Slowly but surely your bird will become comfortable laying on its back in your arms without your chest having to be there for support.
Birds, depending on their species, may sleep standing up, lying down, floating on the water, and even upside down. (Listen to Bird Note: Hanging Parrots http://birdnote.org/show/hanging-parrots ) While asleep, some species of waterfowl can even sense the vibration in the water caused by predators swimming towards them.
Opening photo of Seagull by Akex.m.Hayward, Attribution License https://www.flickr.com/photos/cgranycome/ Photo of Sleeping Swan by Stephengg, Attribution License https://www.flickr.com/photos/stephengg/ Mallards Sleeping by Jeffrey Peeden, Attribution License https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffreypeeden/ Photo of the Eurasian Siskin by Jarko_ , Noncommercial-Attribution License https://www.flickr.com/photos/jarko_/ Sleeping Barred owl by ebjazztgeej, Attribution License https://www.flickr.com/photos/zenjazzygeek/ Mallards in a Row by Whitney H, Noncommercial-Attribution License https://www.flickr.com/photos/backyardbirderwa/
Birds frequently fluff up their feathers to better cover their bodies while they sleep, which helps to maintain a high body temperature. A bird may turn its head, tuck its beak into its back feathers, and pull one leg up to its belly if it is standing before dozing off. The bird will be better protected from cold weather if these exposed areas are tucked under the feathers.
Small songbirds need to stay hidden from nocturnal predators like owls in addition to staying off the ground to better defend themselves against ground predators. These birds frequently locate brush and foliage to sleep beneath.
Tendons in the legs of birds that sleep on perches cause the feet to unconsciously clasp the perch when the bird is squatting. These tendons will prevent the bird from waking up and straightening its legs by preventing the feet from slipping off the perch.
FAQ
Do birds like to lay on their back?
What to do if a bird is lying on its back?
Can birds lie down?