How to Teach a Parrot to Go Through a Tube

It's a hamster! Oh wait! It's a bird! It's super birdie!

This is actually a very simple trick to train. All you need is one appropriately sized tube (either PVC or bagel tube in this case) and one clicker-trained parrot, plus an ample supply of treats.

The first step is to introduce the tube to your parrot.It might take some time (and treats) before your parrot is relaxed around the tube so be patient; you don't want your parrot to fear the tube. Once your parrot is comfortable, start to target him/her towards the opening of the tube.

Next, begin to target the parrot to enter the tube opening by placing the target stick through the tube. Slowly encourage your parrot to enter the tube by keeping the target stick inside the bagel tube. Your parrot might not understand at first, but if clicker-trained, he/she will eventually get the concept.

It took Mr. Bubbles a few training sessions before he would run through the tube unprompted without the target stick. I'm currently working on transitioning from directing him with my fingers to using a verbal cue. 

Have fun training!