Parakeets, also known as budgerigars or budgies, are small parrots that are kept as pets by many people around the world. Their beautiful colors, playful nature, and ability to mimic speech make them popular companion birds. But are parakeets actually easy to train? Let’s take a closer look.
The Intelligence and Trainability of Parakeets
Parakeets are considered to be one of the more intelligent parrot species. They have demonstrated the ability to learn words, mimic sounds, and respond to training techniques like clicker training and target training. Their intelligence gives them good potential to be trained. However, they are not necessarily easy to train compared to other pet birds like cockatiels or larger parrot species.
Parakeets are active and easily distracted. Their intelligence can work against training efforts, as they get bored easily and may choose to ignore their owners. They need consistent training sessions with variety to keep them engaged. Parakeets are also prey animals by nature, so they can be timid and nervous at first. Gaining a parakeet’s trust is an important first step in training.
Training Techniques for Parakeets
There are some techniques that can make training parakeets easier:
- Clicker Training – Using a clicker to “mark” desired behaviors, then rewarding with a treat, is very effective for parakeets.
- Target Training – Teaching a parakeet to touch its beak to a target stick allows you to direct its movements and teach other behaviors.
- Luring – Guiding the parakeet towards a desired behavior with a treat until it learns the behavior.
- Shaping – Reinforcing gradual approximations towards the final desired behavior.
- Captive Audience Training – Blocking off the parakeet’s surroundings so it focuses fully on you during sessions.
Short, frequent training sessions work best for maintaining a parakeet’s interest and engagement. Keeping sessions fun with variety, praise, and treats is also important.
Behaviors Parakeets Can Learn
With time and consistency using positive reinforcement training, parakeets are capable of learning many behaviors, including:
- Step up onto a finger or hand
- Come when called
- Turn in a circle
- Retrieve a small object
- Kiss on command
- Ring a bell
- Wave
- Talk and mimic speech
- Put a ball in a hoop
- Go into a carrier on command
The intelligence and playfulness of parakeets allows them to be taught a wide array of fun tricks. But it does take time, patience, and persistence to fully train them.
Challenges in Training Parakeets
While parakeets can be trained, it is not always easy. Some challenges owners may face include:
- Overcoming parakeets’ naturally timid and easily spooked nature.
- Preventing boredom and lack of focus during training sessions.
- Teaching parakeets to come to you and interact on cue.
- Avoiding overly-frequent treat giving that reduces motivation.
- Training parakeets to go back into their cage when you want them to.
- Stopping undesirable screaming or biting behaviors.
- Teaching parakeets not to poop everywhere when outside their cage.
Additionally, parakeets that have not been handled and socialized properly as youngsters may be more difficult to train. Starting training early and building trust is key.
How Long Does Parakeet Training Take?
Parakeets can take weeks or months to fully train, depending on the behaviors being taught. Some simple behaviors like step up or turning in a circle may only take 1-2 weeks. But more complex behaviors like speech mimicry can take many months of repetition.
No matter what the behavior, it requires daily training sessions of just a few minutes each to make progress. Training a parakeet takes a lot of patience, as they tend to have short attention spans. Going at your parakeet’s pace and keeping training fun and varied prevents boredom. If you stick with consistent training, you will see results over time.
Tips for Training Parakeets
Here are some top tips to help make parakeet training as easy and successful as possible:
- Start training early and work gradually to build trust.
- Keep sessions short (5-10 mins) and frequent (daily).
- End each session on a positive note with treats.
- Use clickers and targets to reinforce behaviors.
- Focus on one behavior at a time during a session.
- Use captivating lures like mirrors or balls to gain focus.
- Break down complicated tricks into smaller steps.
- Be patient – progress can be slow but persistence pays off.
- Train before and after taking your parakeet out of the cage.
- Provide lots of positive reinforcement with treats and praise.
Conclusion
While parakeets are intelligent birds with good potential for being trained, they do require an experienced owner willing to put in plenty of time and effort. Their naturally timid personality and tendency towards boredom can pose challenges. However, through trust-building, short frequent training sessions, targeting techniques, and positive rewards, parakeets can successfully be taught many fun and interesting behaviors. With enough time and patience devoted to training, parakeets can be taught to step up, talk, do tricks, and more.