> I have to ask: why would you need to clicker train a parrot? Parrots have > the intelligence of 3-5 year old kids.
Because my parrot loves it. I think you underestimate the intelligence of a parrot. My parrot certainly has language above three years . He has a vocabulary of over 1000 words some of which he has invented. He has an incredible sense of humor. I didn't clicker train him to play catch, sing, or dance or do all the amazing things he does that's true. However he lost all his joyfulness when we moved house. Clicker training has brought him back to me. I don't think there would have been a problem if he was 'bridge' trained before. Why clicker train? I feel that it is good for any relationship to give clear 'yes' signal when something pleases me and follow up with a reward sometimes. Many parrots are unwanted because owners have not found a way to relate to the parrot resulting in displacement behaviour. In the wild parrots are trained by their parents. Who's to say they don't use a bridge signal. In an unnatural environment any animal is likely to produce a displacement behaviour ie crib biting or windsucking in the absence of patterned natural behaviours. If we are going to take on animals as companions we owe it to them to find any means possible to give them the opportunity to learn patterns of behaviour which are acceptable to us and fun for them. 'I have to ask .Why would anyone want to clicker train a horse?' Is a question most asked of me at this time. Because it works for us? Sue Lincolnshire UK
