Redirecting Negative Behavior



The following information has been provided by Dr. Jill M. Patt, DVM practicing in Mesa, Arizona. She has been keeping and raising exotic birds for years, providing her a unique knowledge and understanding that goes beyond that of a regular vet who does not have the benefit of daily interaction with birds / parrots.


Redirecting Negative Behavior through Training (info above) and by Providing an Enriched Environment:

  • Foraging avoids destructive behaviors

  • Teaching your parrot to talk will redirect their wild calling vocalizations into agreeable human talking. This website will provide you with guidance to teach your parrot to talk. Or try the "Teach Your Parrot to Talk" Training Course.

  • Provide fun "Activity Centers" to keep your bird challenged & entertained. "Treat & Popsicle Dispensers" are highly recommended by avian professionals. They enhance your bird's environment by challenging them and keep them entertained.

  • Rotate toys frequently and introduce new toys regularly

  • Leave the radio or the TV on - they love bird / nature videos

  • Parrots enjoy audio tapes with bird / nature songs, or recordings of your bird or you talking

  • Call and talk to the parrot via answering machine

  • Locate your bird's cage near a window and attach a bird bath near or a window bird feeders to the outside of the window, where your bird will be able to watch the wild birds come and eat during the day. My lovebird loves to be "face-to-face" with the outside birds and this has become his favorite hang-out place.

  • Provide lots of willow, fruit tree, or birch branches

Other Helpful Resources:

Taming your New Bird .... Foraging ... Optimal Cage Location & Related Information

Biting ... Screaming ... Feather Picking / Self-mutiliation ... Chewing ... Sexual Behavior in Birds ... Phobic Birds ... Cage-bound Birds ... Jealousy in Birds


Training and Behavioral Guidance:

  • Pet parrots generally present challenges, such as excessive chewing - especially at certain stages in their life. They do discover their beaks as method of "disciplining us" once they are out of the "baby stage" and they can generally be somewhat naughty, and it really is important to learn to understand them and to guide their behavior before an undesirable behavior has been established. Undisciplined parrots will chew on electric wiring potentially causing house fires. They regard anything in your home as a "toy" that can be explored and chewed on; destroying items that you may hold dear or are simply valuable. Even a young bird that has not been neglected and abused requires proper guidance; this becomes even more challenging when it involves a rescued bird that may require rehabilitation.

    • Web Resources: I put together web resources for you to help you understand your pet bird and properly direct him. Please visit this website for valuable tips on parrot behavior and training.

    • If you are, as I am, a visual learner and prefer step-by-step instructions to train your pet, I recommend:
      • the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
        • Stop Biting
        • Perform Tricks &
        • Tame ANY SIZE bird you could possibly own
      • and/or try the "Teach Your Parrot to Talk" Training Course.


High Quality Species Photos, Videos and/or Articles Contributions are welcome! Click here to upload articles and images.

Please Note: The images on this page are the sole property of the photographers (unless marked as Public Domain). Please contact the photographers directly with respect to any copyright or licensing questions. Thank you.

The Avianweb strives to maintain accurate and up-to-date information; however, mistakes do happen. If you would like to correct or update any of the information, please send us an e-mail. THANK YOU!



Avianweb LLC:© Copyright Policies| Disclaimers | We respect your privacy: Site Privacy Policy | For questions or comments, please contact Website Administrator: Sibylle F. Johnson

Any content published on this site is commentary or opinion, and is protected under Free Speech. It is only provided for educational and entertainment purposes, and is in no way intended as a substitute for professional advice. Avianweb assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of any of the published material. Your use of this website indicates your agreement to these terms.

Google+Tweet

Listing of Parrot Species

Bird Breeding




Popular Bird Species

  • African Greys
  • Amazons
  • Budgies
  • Caiques
  • Canaries
  • Cockatiels
  • Cockatoos
  • Conures
  • Eclectus Parrots

  • Finches
  • King Parrots
  • Lories and Lorikeets
  • Lovebirds
  • Macaws
  • Parrotlets
  • Pionus Parrots
  • Quaker (Monk) Parrots
  • Ringneck Parrots / Parakeets
  • Rosellas
  • Senegal Parrots

The Most Extensive Library on Parrot Communication & Behavior on the Net!

Bird Health Books - Conventional to Alternative Treatments

The Highest Rated Educational Games & Brain Teasers


View Your Shopping Cart

Avianweb EB Store

Favorite Pet Products

The Percher Bird Perch - Portable Perch, Bird Stand and Training ToolDoor SkirtSmart Bird Hut


Index of Bird Diseases / Health Problems and Research ... Bird Emergency Care

Bird Nutrition - the Key To Avian Health


Aviator Harness

Books and Movies for Kids

  • Home
  • Pet Bird Web
  • Breeder's Web
  • Wild Bird Web
  • Products
  • Contact / Uploads