Birds are intelligent and social creatures. While not all species are super-friendly, many come to adore their human companions. If you show them the right out of affection, you’ll be able to form a strong bond for life.
While birds can be naturally affectionate, there are many tips and tricks that can make them even friendlier. If you follow these suggestions, then you’ll soon have a charming friend that you can play with every day.
1. Spend Quality Time Together
When it comes to forming a bond, there is no substitute for time. You need to spend some quality time with your bird, and this goes beyond simply being in the same room. You want to engage with them and the activities they enjoy.
There are games you can engage with them such as peek-a-boo and hide and seek. Plenty of out-of-cage time is also vital as this can enhance their trust in you. While you do want to interact with them, simply being in the same room will provide them with comfort.
2. Establish a Routine
Birds find comfort in routine. Not only will this help with your bonding, but it will help to reduce stress and anxiety. Having a well-structured day will allow them to be at their happiest, so try to do things at roughly the same time.
The first thing to do is give them consistent feeding times to give them a predictable pattern. You can link this to your own routine, and the same can be said for cleaning their cage. Finally, it’s good to have a scheduled playtime at specific times in the day when they get your full attention.
3. Positive Reinforcement Training
Positive reinforcement is the act of rewarding positive behavior with a positive action. Simply put, if they do something you want, you give them a treat. For birds, you can do clicker training whereby you use a clicker to mark desirable behavior and reward them for it.
When training, you should start with basic commands, such as “come here” and reward them. Eventually, you can try out more complex tricks. Along with treats, giving them verbal praise along with gentle petting will help to solidify that strong bond.
4. Handfeeding
Handfeeding will not only help with that bond, but it’s also fun to do. It will help foster both trust and intimacy and is usually easy to do. Many social birds will do this right away, but there are a few tricks if they’re a little shy.
It’s best to start small and use a bird’s favorite treat. If hesitant, you can place the treat slightly away from you, allow them to take it, and gradually reduce the distance over time. With regular practice, they’ll soon associate your presence with positive feelings.
5. Talk and Sing to Your Bird
Many people talk to their pets. While they never fully understand what we are saying, your voice can be a source of comfort. Consistently talking to your birds will help them recognize some words and allow them to better communicate with you.
A lot of bird species love to sing, and singing right back to them will help to form a bond. Of course, there are many species that may even mimic your words. This two-way communication will become highly engaging for your bird.
6. Provide Mental Stimulation
Some small pets don’t need much mental stimulation, but birds do. They can get bored and stressed out if their active little minds aren’t being engaged. They’ll love you for providing them with endless entertainment.
This includes introducing varied toys that you should rotate regularly. Include puzzles and also challenging ways for them to forage for food. You can make many of these toys yourself and they’ll love the challenge of working them out.
7. Respect Their Space and Boundaries
Interaction is vital in forming a strong bond with your bird, but it’s also important to respect boundaries. For example, if they aren’t feeding from the hand, let them do it in their own time and don’t force it upon them.
Check out their body language for any signs of discomfort or stress. Make sure they are always handled gently and if they retreat to their perch or cage, give them a break. Be patient as you learn your bird’s behaviors and try to work out when they need some alone time.
8. Grooming Sessions
Grooming of a bird needs to be done gently and carefully, but it can be a great bonding activity. For bathing, you can offer them a shallow dish of water or alternatively, use a misting spray to lightly dampen their feathers.
Something they may enjoy is gently scratching their head and neck, as these are areas they can’t easily reach themselves. Make sure they feel secure during these grooming sessions and don’t force it upon them.
9. Create a Safe and Enriching Environment
For creating a great bond, you want your bird to feel as safe and secure as possible. This starts with the cage setup and is the most important first step for new bird owners. It should be spacious enough for your bird to move freely about while also giving it plenty of enrichment toys.
The cage also needs to be in the right spot. It should be placed where there is regular human activity, along with being away from any fumes, drafts, and excessive noise. You want to create a setup for them that is both safe and mentally stimulating.
10. Be Patient and Consistent
Every bird has its own unique personality. Even in the same species, some may be immediately affectionate, whereas others may take their time. Patience and consistency are both key to building a strong bond with them.
The bond will develop over weeks and months, so don’t try and force it. They may have negative prior experiences they need to overcome. As long as you give them regular interaction and celebrate their progress, you’ll form a strong and ever-lasting bond.
