The idea of a bird trainer may seem far-fetched to some. After all, birds are wild animals, so how could someone possibly train them? However, the truth is that bird training is very real and has been practiced for centuries. From falconry to bird shows, humans have long worked with birds to harness their impressive natural abilities. So yes, bird trainers absolutely exist. But what exactly do they do? Let’s take a closer look at the fascinating world of bird training.
What is a bird trainer?
A bird trainer is someone who teaches birds behaviors and tricks. Their goal is to establish a close working relationship with the animals under their care. Bird trainers may work with a variety of avian species, including parrots, falcons, owls, crows, and more. The specific techniques used will vary depending on the unique traits of each bird. But in general, bird training relies on positive reinforcement and target training.
Positive reinforcement means rewarding desired behaviors and ignoring unwanted ones. For example, a trainer may give a bird a treat when it successfully performs a spin or stays on a perch. This encourages the bird to repeat actions that earn it praise or food. Target training involves teaching a bird to touch its beak to a stick or other object. Once established, this can be used to guide the bird’s movement in different directions. Patience is key, as it may take many repetitions for a bird to understand what is being asked of it.
History of bird training
Humans have been working with birds for thousands of years. One of the earliest examples is falconry, which dates back to 2000 BC in Mesopotamia. Elite falconers captured wild falcons and hawks and trained them to hunt prey and return on command. Falconry spread across Europe and Asia over centuries, cementing raptors’ status as prized hunting companions. Pigeons have also been used for communication purposes throughout history. Homing pigeons can find their way back over incredible distances, making them ideal messengers.
More recently, bird training became popular as a pastime and public entertainment. European bird keepers began training parrots and other exotic birds to do tricks in the 1800s. Canaries were also taught behaviors like pulling carts and ringing bells. In the 1900s, large scale bird shows rose to prominence. One pioneering trainer, Hubert Graves, produced an elaborate show featuring macaws riding bicycles, cockatoos drumming, and more. This established birds as performers capable of captivating crowds.
Today, birds continue to be trained for purposes like conservation, education, and entertainment. From movies and TV to zoos and theme parks, talented trained birds can be found wowing audiences worldwide. The time-honored practice of falconry also endures as both a hunting sport and method of raptor conservation. So while our understanding of effective training techniques has grown, the basic concept goes back thousands of years.
Types of bird trainers
There are several main professional paths for bird trainers today:
Companion bird trainers
These specialists work with pet parrots and other birds. They use behavior modification strategies to curb problematic issues like excessive screaming, biting, and feather plucking. Well-trained companion birds are happier, healthier, and easier to care for.
Avian zookeepers
Nearly every modern zoo has trainers dedicated to their bird collection. This allows animals like flamingos, penguins, and condors to voluntarily participate in their own care. Trained behaviors may include moving between enclosures, receiving vet exams, or standing on scales to be weighed. Proper socializing is critical for breeding rare species.
Raptor rehabilitators
Rehab centers use training to help rehabilitate and release wild raptors. For permanently injured birds, training fosters natural behaviors and can enable educational work. Falconers’ expertise is often utilized to gentle rescued birds.
Film/TV animal trainers
From commercials to blockbuster movies, trained birds are in high demand for their on-screen talents. Complex behaviors like interacting with actors must be built up through many careful repetitions. Safety is the top priority when working with exotic species.
Performing bird specialists
These experts showcase birds’ abilities via public shows and private events. Parrots that talk and do tricks are favorites. But all manner of species from owls to doves can captivate crowds when properly trained.
Hunting bird trainers
While less common today, there are still those who train birds of prey for small game hunting. Harris hawks are sometimes used in lieu of falcons. Training focuses on solid recall and delivering prey to the falconer.
Common trained bird behaviors
The variety of behaviors bird trainers can teach is truly impressive. The limits depend on a species’ physical and mental capabilities. Here are some of the most frequently trained actions:
Step up/step down
This basic skill teaches a bird to voluntarily step onto and off a hand or arm on cue. It establishes human hands as safe perches.
Recall
Having strong recall ensures a bird will return to its trainer or enclosure reliably. This is crucial for animals allowed free flight.
Target training
Birds learn to touch their beak or claw to a stick. This allows guiding to specific locations and maintaining attention.
Speech
Some birds, especially parrots and mynas, can mimic human speech to an extraordinary degree. This is learned through patient repetition.
Naming objects
Smart birds like African grey parrots can be taught to vocally label dozens of objects on request. This indicates advanced cognitive skills.
Doing tricks
From pulling carts to dunking basketballs, performing physical stunts captivates audiences. It also engages the bird mentally and physically.
Preening
Birds trained to remain relaxed on a perch or hand can allow grooming and tactile interaction. This builds trust with trainers.
Benefits of bird training
When implemented correctly using modern reward-based methods, bird training has many benefits:
- Enriches the bird’s environment
- Provides mental stimulation
- Reinforces natural behaviors
- Enables better veterinary care
- Gives the bird more control through choice
- Creates closer bonds with caretakers
- Allows self-directed exercise
- Reduces stress and frustration
The precise gains depend on the individual and species in question. But in general, working one-on-one with humans provides birds with welcome cognitive challenges and interaction. Handled properly, training is enriching versus stressful.
Challenges of training birds
While bird training can be immensely rewarding, it also poses some unique challenges:
- Very light bones prone to fracture
- Often noisy and easily excitable
- Beaks and talons can inflict serious wounds
- Many species are naturally neophobic
- Specific nutritional requirements
- Messy with food and droppings
- Prone to respiratory illnesses
- Long potential lifespan of decades
Additionally, parrots and corvids rank among the world’s most intelligent species. This intelligence enables complex training. But it also means birds prone to boredom, frustration, and neurotic behaviors if not properly stimulated. Bird trainers must continuously adapt methods to satisfy both rambunctious parakeets and mellow doves. Patience is mandatory when working with these highly reactive animals.
Common training techniques
Modern bird trainers employ force-free techniques based on the science of animal behavior and learning. While specific details vary, some main principles include:
Positive reinforcement
This involves providing desired stimuli like treats or praise immediately after the bird displays a target behavior. Done correctly, it increases the frequency of that behavior occurring again.
Targeting
Training a bird to touch its beak to a stick allows directing movement. Targeting fosters focus on the trainer and reduces fear.
Shaping
Breaking down complicated tricks into many small, achievable steps lets birds learn at their own pace. Each step is reinforced before moving to the next.
Capturing
Waiting for the bird to naturally perform a movement, then marking and rewarding that, takes advantage of the bird’s own instincts. This is especially helpful for shyer animals.
Luring
Tempting the bird to follow a coveted treat or toy guides it through the motions of desired behaviors without force.
Chaining
Chaining links individually trained behaviors together into sequences. This enables performing multi-step tricks.
Proper training equipment like lightweight leashes, perches, and flight suits also helps ensure safety. Attention to cues birds naturally give makes the process as seamless and positive as possible. Harsh methods or punishment have no place in modern bird training.
Famous trained birds
Some individual birds have become so proficient at learned skills that they gained worldwide fame. Here are a few of the most renowned:
Alex the Parrot
This renowned African grey parrot worked with researcher Irene Pepperberg to demonstrate astonishing cognitive abilities. He could label dozens of objects, understand categories, and grasp concepts like bigger/smaller.
Puck the Parrot
A YouTube celebrity, this green-winged macaw has a vocabulary of over 400 words. He asks questions, combines words creatively, and performs dozens of fun tricks on video.
The Von Trapp Family Singers
This group of performing blue and gold macaws sings rock, opera, and holiday songs with a band. They have appeared on America’s Got Talent.
Olly the Parrot
A blue-fronted Amazon parrot, Olly holds world records for bowing on cue and identifying the most colors. He performs regularly before crowds.
Mr. Pokee
With over 15 million Instagram followers, this adorable Giant African Grey is likely the most famous pet bird online. His silly antics and babyish personality delight fans.
Skeeto
This little yellow-naped Amazon wowed TV audiences by correctly picking game winners on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He made promotional Super Bowl predictions annually.
Famous bird trainers
Some professional bird trainers have gained celebrity status in their own right thanks to exceptional skills and showmanship. These include:
Bob Bailey
Called the father of modern animal training, Bailey pioneered force-free techniques for the military and marine parks. He trained the first bottlenose dolphins for open ocean work.
Karen Pryor
Pryor introduced clicker training to the masses through her book Don’t Shoot the Dog. She co-founded the organization Chicken Training Camp teaching people how to clicker train their pet chickens.
Gary Wilhelmy
Known for working with raptors, Wilhelmy trained the owls in the Harry Potter films and the eagles in The Hobbit. He runs the nonprofit Hollywood Animals.
Mark Harden
With over 20 years experience, Harden has trained dolphins, sea lions, penguins, parrots and countless other species. He serves as Director of Animal Training at SeaWorld.
Dave Taylor
Head trainer at Steve Martin’s Working Wildlife, Taylor presents free flight bird and reptile shows. He also works closely with Taylor’s Rescued Racers racing pigeon adoption.
Bill Nye
Famous as “The Science Guy” television host, Nye also knows birds. He trained his pet cockatoo Newton many fun tricks including playing fetch and rocking out on the piano.
Bird training as a career
For the right person, bird training can be a deeply fulfilling vocation. There are several potential career paths:
Companion bird specialist
Training pet parrots and consulting with owners on behavior issues. May involve owning a specialty bird shop.
Zookeeper
Caring for avian collections in zoos or aquariums. Includes training, husbandry, and educational outreach.
Raptor education
Training birds of prey for educational programs about conservation. Often associated with nature centers or rehab facilities.
Entertainment
Training birds for television, movies, commercials, performances, and other public appearances.
To be successful requires extensive animal experience, training knowledge, business skills, and networking. There are no university programs specifically for bird training. Most trainers study animal science then get hands-on training under mentorship of pros. Joining associations like the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE) provides invaluable education and connections. Dealing with unruly parrots takes patience – but the right person will find working with these clever companions incredibly rewarding.
Conclusion
Bird training is a real, viable profession dedicated to establishing effective communication between humans and avians. Though the specifics vary by species, the consistent use of positive reinforcement enables even exotic birds to cooperate in husbandry, perform on cue, and showcase their natural abilities. When undertaken with care, working one-on-one builds trust and mentally stimulates both parties. There will always be a need for skilled trainers of companion parrots, performing exotics, and conservation raptors. So while interacting with birds poses unique challenges, the time and effort is repaid by gaining an insider perspective on the world from a bird’s point of view.