How to Handtrain a Parakeet

Parakeets are affectionate, intelligent and social birds. They are therefore easy to train, especially if handling the bird begins when it's a baby. They will perch on your hand, shoulder or head, do tricks and some can even be trained to talk. Hand-training your parakeet is necessary for bonding with the bird and will make it easier later to train it to do more difficult tricks. A trained bird is easier to care for and also a happier bird. Key to parakeet training is being patient and consistent.

Things You'll Need

  • Perch
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Instructions

    • 1

      Get the bird used to your hand. Slowly and gently stick your hand into the bird's cage when you change its food and water. Talk to the bird in a soothing voice. The bird may flap around at first, but within a couple weeks it should be used to your hand coming into the cage and will settle down. Be patient. The bird should remain calm when your hand enters the cage before attempting to handle it.

    • 2

      Perch train the parakeet. Take a perch from the cage in your hand and slowly move it toward the bird. Talk soothingly to the bird as you move the perch closer, eventually touching its stomach. If the bird gets excited, back off. Wait until it settles down and try again. It may take a few days to get the bird used to you approaching it with the perch.

    • 3

      Press the perch gently against the bird's lower chest, just above the legs. Push the bird back lightly with the perch so it will lose its balance and step onto the perch. Softly give the command "up" as he steps onto the perch. Go slow. If the bird becomes upset, try again the next day.

    • 4

      Move the bird from one perch to another. Once the bird will readily step onto the perch in your hand, move it to another perch. Continue moving the bird from perch to perch until he is calm and familiar with the process.

    • 5

      Place your finger on top of the perch in your hand. Move it toward the bird's feet so it will step onto your finger instead of the perch. Repeat the process until you can get the bird to step onto your finger without the perch. Don't attempt to take the bird out of the cage until it will readily hop onto your finger.

    • 6

      Train the bird to come out of the cage. Get the parakeet to perch on your finger, then slowly move your hand toward the cage door. Allow the bird to hop back into the cage or sit on the doorway. Continue moving the bird to the door for a few days until it gets comfortable with the process.

    • 7

      Slowly take the bird out of the cage on your finger. Hold the bird outside but near the cage until it feels secure. Gradually lengthen the time you hold the bird out of the cage. Once he will sit patiently and calmly on your finger out of the cage, gradually increase the distance away from the cage.