Taming Your Parrot

Parrots, and other Psittacine Birds, have beenobtained at a young age, 2 to 6 months.
kept as pets for centuries; since the days ofOffering a tidbit from the hand (not candy or
ancient Rome, Greece and other civilizationscake), or scratching their head for them gently,
before them. The African Grey Parrot was theare winning suggestions. Various nuts, grated
best known in Europe during those times, andhard-boiled egg yolk, celery stalk, a small piece of
was brought in by the merchant galleys. In Indiafresh corn on cob, etc., make tempting offerings
and China, which had older civilizations, thefor the large Psittacines.
Alexandrine and other Asiatic Parrakeets wereTreats with very strong appeal to Hill Mynahs,
kept by the natives. Back in South America, theMagpies, Crows and English Starlings, which they
Incas and other Indian nations kept Macaws andwill take from your fingers, are red colored fruits
the various species of Amazon Parrots.such as cherries, a piece of tomato, various
The most recent and most beautifully coloredberries, and they love a drink of milk from the
Psittacine Birds known to man are the Parrakeetsbottle cap. Grapes are irresistible and some go for
and Cockatoos of the Australian Continent, ofmealworms. Fruit cake is the only kind that should
which 59 species are known to science. Australianbe offered, dipped in milk for an occasional treat.
Birds were introduced in Europe only about 200Hunger, one of the strongest instincts, should not
years ago. Some of these Parrakeets are nowbe overlooked as a good method to use in taming
rare and in danger of extinction due to theany animal.
encroachment of civilization.Another way of taming a wild bird, is to place the
The best method of preventing the extinction ofcage right beside you while reading, writing or
birds would be to encourage aviculturists to breedsewing. A nervous bird will eventually take your
and sell them. In their native habitat governmentpresence for granted. Birds kept alone, tame
protection should be given, with a specifiedmore readily than when in company of other
number permitted to be trapped and sold to birdbirds. Some of the larger birds enjoy a little
breeders and fanciers each year. Between thisroughing up from their owner as they like
natural and artificial breeding, a species' continuedattention. This doesn't mean teasing, which would
existence would be assured. Another aid would bemake a bird vicious. They do enjoy having their
artificial insemination of birds, which has beenhead scratched and back stroked.
practiced with success by scientists on small birdsWith the larger Psittacines, a towel or glove should
like the Canary and the Pigeon, as well as onbe used at first in handling them till they get used
Finches.to their master. They will eventually expect this
Before training a bird to talk, it is first necessaryattention from persons they know who are near
to tame it by winning its confidence, and gettingthem.
your presence and that of others acceptable toWith a bit of time and perseverance, you will be
the bird. The larger Psittacine Birds, Hill Mynahs,able to tame your parrot and then to enjoy his
and the Crow Family, become very tame andcompany. Good luck!
attached to their owners, especially when