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Updated 2026-09-21

Voluntary parrot step-up

Teach a parrot to step onto a hand-held perch or hand by choice for safe movement.

Birds1–3 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

    Approach comfortably

    Present the perch below chest level at a distance that keeps body language relaxed.

  2. Step 2

    Reward investigation

    Mark looking at, leaning towards or touching the perch.

  3. Step 3

    Shape one foot then two

    Reward one foot on the perch, then wait for both feet only when the bird is confident.

  4. Step 4

    Add movement

    Move a few centimetres, return to the original perch and reward.

Troubleshooting

  • Lower the perch and reduce movement if the bird leans away.
  • Never push into the chest or chase around the enclosure.