Is Your Bird Really as Smart as a Toddler? Part 2

Posted on April 16, 2016 by Hillary

Second and final part of an article exploring the popular myth of parrot intelligence as it relates to human intelligence and how it effects their behavioral success in our homes. Continue reading →

Is Your Bird Really As Smart As a Toddler? Part 1

Posted on April 4, 2016 by Hillary

Part 1 of a three part series on how treating parrots like we traditionally treat human children can lead to complicated behavior problems. We start with an exploration of the use of the word “NO” Continue reading →

Parrot Behavior Myths: Is that a phase?

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Hillary

In this second installment of parrot behavior myths, we take a look at how some constructs such as the Terrible Two’s and the Honeymoon Phase can become self-perpetuating and in fact lead to an increase in behavior problems. Continue reading →

Parrot Behavior Myths: Building Trust

Posted on September 8, 2015 by Hillary

There are many people out there eager to give advice when we ask for it from a variety of venues. How can some of the information out there help – and hinder – efforts to build trust with your new bird? Plus, tips to help us gauge the quality of methodological advice we receive. Continue reading →

Exciting new ventures

Posted on August 5, 2014 by Hillary

While I have your ear, I’d be remiss in losing the opportunity to introduce the passion project I embarked on in 2013, Avian Behavior International (ABI).  ABI is designed  as a vehicle to bridge the art of training birds with the sensitivity … Continue reading →

So you want to train your pet parrot for freeflight….

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Hillary

A brief look at the risks of free flying companion parrots, this article is meant to highlight some of the variables that dangers that amateur trainers may not be aware of but is not an all-inclusive list. Continue reading →

Training other animals: Stewie gets a haircut!

Posted on October 12, 2012 by Hillary

Following the same principles of training birds, I was able to teach my dog, Stewie, how to lay calmly unrestrained while I gave him his first summer haircut. Continue reading →

Working with Fearful Parrots: A Study in Videos

Posted on October 12, 2012 by Hillary

Building relationships with parrots that show extremely fearful behavior can be a challenging problem. Much of the information out there is based on the one-way transmission of information from human to bird. By allowing a bird to use body language to change our behavior and using positive reinforcement to reward desirable behavior, we can achieve sustainable pathways to closer, more trusting relationships. Continue reading →

Success Stories: The taming of a wild amazon parrot

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Hillary

An injured wild amazon parrot succeeds with positive reinforcement through a loving foster home with PEAC. Continue reading →

Biting parrots

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Hillary

Joining the World Parrot Trust’s “Ask an Expert” forum and why there is no quick one-size-fits-all solution to a biting bird. Continue reading →

Use your words: Conditioning Sam to a new environment

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Hillary

Moluccan cockatoo Sam has a lot to teach about preventing and replacing problem behaviors! Continue reading →

Anatomy of a happy afternoon

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Hillary

A warm winter afternoon brings about a rare lazy, goof-around freeflight session. Continue reading →

Cockatoo training…. with a little help

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Hillary

In my busy household, I squeeze in training sessions whenever I can. Sometimes, it means working with my birds in less than ideal situations with many distractions. Not something that makes for effective teaching. This is a clip of me … Continue reading →

What TO do

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Hillary

When looking at behavior challenges, looking at what we want the bird to do to be successful will help train our brain to look for behaviors we want to see continue and increase, and thus, reinforce. Continue reading →

Part II: R+ needs a strong supporting cast

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Hillary

My formal introduction to positive reinforcement was not exactly early on in my bird-owning career, but the concept was so effectively delivered that in one fell swoop, my quest for knowledge took a sharp turn in a new direction, leaving … Continue reading →

Back from the IAATE conference!

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Hillary

IAATE 2011 Conference hosted by the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Continue reading →

Part I: On positive reinforcement

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Hillary

First in a series about positive reinforcement: Why don’t we use it more? Continue reading →

Meet the feathers

Posted on December 29, 2010 by Hillary

Introducing the four feathered individuals who have been my most influential teachers. Continue reading →

Welcome bird nerds and behavior addicts!

Posted on December 8, 2010 by Hillary

Learning Parrots first blog post. Continue reading →