Apologies if this has already been covered. I searched the site, but couldn't find any threads covering this.
I have a 5 month IRN, which I have just recently got and have started basic training (step up, wave, potty etc). Although he is tame and happy to set up on my hand and sit on my shoulder, he doesn't like to be touched at all. If I place my fingers near anywhere near his body, he growls as a warning - then if I ignore this he will bite. I have heard mentioned that IRNs aren't a "cuddly" bird, however I have seen that some can be trained to be touched (for nail clipping or vet inspections).
Can anyone provide information on how to train an IRN to be touched by hand?
Training to touch
Moderator: Mods
Re: Training to touch
firstly I wouldnt be letting a bird with that size beak on my shoulder if you cant touch him her.
Bear in mind that some birds dont like to be patted ect. some things to try would be trying to touch him/her after a spray bath when they are relaxed and preening. Taking them into a quiet place where there is minimal distractions and focus on getting the bird to see your hands arent going to hurt. When you do get to a point with your bird where you can reach out to it to touch it talk and say scratch scratch ect so the birds eventually realize when you say scratch scratch what you are about to do and it doesnt look to the bird that your hand is just coming at it. when teaching things like step again tell them what you are about to do. With my boy Mika sometimes when I say scratch scratch he growls before i get a chance to pat him but he eventually has come good and it helps that he has never learnt how to bite. It will take time but it pays off.
Bear in mind that some birds dont like to be patted ect. some things to try would be trying to touch him/her after a spray bath when they are relaxed and preening. Taking them into a quiet place where there is minimal distractions and focus on getting the bird to see your hands arent going to hurt. When you do get to a point with your bird where you can reach out to it to touch it talk and say scratch scratch ect so the birds eventually realize when you say scratch scratch what you are about to do and it doesnt look to the bird that your hand is just coming at it. when teaching things like step again tell them what you are about to do. With my boy Mika sometimes when I say scratch scratch he growls before i get a chance to pat him but he eventually has come good and it helps that he has never learnt how to bite. It will take time but it pays off.