Socialization: Small Steps with an Eclectus and Rose-breasted Cockatoo

Does your parrot accept new things? Or does he/she freak out with the slightest noise or sight of a stranger? Mine are getting better at tolerating new things because we've been working on it! I expose my parrots to different people, sounds, objects, toy materials, foods, and varied routines to enrich their lives beyond their caged existence. And melodramatic as that might sound, as a parrot owner, it is my responsibility to ensure that my parrots are well-versed with inevitable change.

I've been working with introducing them to friends and family, and I go about it by asking everyone to ignore my parrots. No staring! No reaching out to pet them! No sudden movements! No fuss! Why? Parrots, being prey animals, are naturally weary of unfamiliar faces staring at them because in the wild, predators stalk their prey. Thus, the best initial approach is to be indifferent to the parrot. See how in both pictures everyone around is paying little attention to the parrot?

Another approach I've been taking is using positive reinforcement, specifically target training, to acclimate my parrots to new people. I start with having the person meet my parrots and ignore them a few times, followed by targeting my parrot to step onto the new person's arm or leg (if sitting down). This has been working surprising well with both Mr. Chaucer and Mr. Bubbles.

The green monster is sitting nicely on my friend's lap and shoulder. :) What a good boy!

He even stepped off his atom for her and onto another friend's arm. (He did bite her once when she reached through the atom to ask him to step up, but when she presented her arm outside of his territory, he stepped up willing.) In fact, he's becoming comfortable meeting most new people. Chaucer recently attended my grandmother's 100th birthday and allowed her to touch him. <3 

Even the most skittish parrots respond well to positive enforcement. Before training, my galah would freak out and fly away at the sight of Rob. With time and yummy treats, I was able to get him to step up on Rob's hand and eventually Rob's shoulder. 

Mr. Bubbles even steps up for Rob if Rob offers a sunflower seed. They've become quite buds, haven't they?