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Updated 2026-09-29

Indoor flight recall for parrots

Teach a flighted parrot to fly to your hand on cue — a safety behaviour as much as a trick.

Birds2–3 short sessions of 2–5 minutes
Calm reward-based training setup for birds

Four-stage reward-based training progression: set up, mark, reward and progress
Set up an easy success, mark the wanted choice, reward promptly and add only one small challenge at a time.

Step by step

  1. Step 1

    Start at arm's length

    Hold your hand just beyond stepping distance with a visible treat. Cue 'come' as the bird hops or flutters to you.

  2. Step 2

    Increase distance gradually

    Move a little further each success so short flights grow into across-the-room recalls.

  3. Step 3

    Practise from different spots

    Recall from perches, the cage top and different rooms so the cue generalises.

  4. Step 4

    Add a second person

    Recalls between two people build enthusiasm and reliability.

  5. Step 5

    Keep it unpredictable and rewarding

    Always reward; occasionally offer a jackpot. Never use recall to do something the bird dislikes.

Troubleshooting

  • A bird that will not fly to you may be unfit, clipped or unsure — shorten the distance and raise the reward value.
  • Never chase a reluctant bird; it teaches avoidance.