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Featherdust
Just hatched
Joined: 08 Nov 2006
Posts: 32
Location: USA |
| Clicker Training! |
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Okay, I've never clicker trained anything before, so this is an experience I can't help marveling at--The little bird's brain at work, trying to figure out what I'm saying is just extremely...cool  Here's the goal, when I say "Eagle" I want him to go to the middle of his perch and spread his wings out. Yesterday, in one session of 5 clicks, he learned a click means food is coming. Today, in a session of maybe 10 clicks, he was hopping up and down in the middle of his perch, trying to figure out the next step for a click! |
Sunday September 23, 2007 4:10 pm |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7952
Location: Australia |
Hehe, sounds like you're having such a blast doing the clicker training.  I hope he gets the 'eagle' command. that would so cute to watch. |
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Tuesday September 25, 2007 3:54 am |
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Featherdust
Just hatched
Joined: 08 Nov 2006
Posts: 32
Location: USA |
 We're working on nailing "Target Training" where the bird follows the tip of a stick, to make its movements easier to direct later. I think the little eagle trick would be super cute though We'll probably work on it as soon as he gets the targeting down.
He's just sun-bathing here, but this would be what his little eagle trick would look like..if he were actually doing it on command.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com.....b1c6_m.jpg |
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Thursday September 27, 2007 6:34 pm |
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Fluffy Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10060
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| Re: Clicker Training! |
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Wow, cool that you've started clicker training! This is a wonderful way of having a great time with your birdy.
Iago & Zazu learned a lot of things with the clicker.  |
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Friday September 28, 2007 7:27 am |
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Fluffy Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10060
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I can't believe you actually have a starling! 
Never seen them as pet birds and wondering what their characters are like? |
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Friday September 28, 2007 7:30 am |
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Featherdust
Just hatched
Joined: 08 Nov 2006
Posts: 32
Location: USA |
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Well, I groom dogs for a living and starlings remind me of extremely active border collies--They are extremely affectionate and smart, but overflow with hyper energy! Nova spends his every moment searching for invisible bugs by probing and prying his bill into ever nook and cranny of my shirt, the couch, my hair..etc. or wherever his surroundings happen to be.
...Here's a short video clip of him playing with a cat toy, to give you some idea of his movements.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=aSJvEX7Kpfw
Nova volume level is low compared to a cockatiel I owned while growing up. He likes to sing and make chattery bugie-like whistles and clicks while the radio is on (especially if he hears electric guitar--No joke, he really prefers singing to electric guitar over other instruments!) They're mimicks too, like parrots, but I haven't heard him talk besides imitating smoochie sounds.
I think we sould find them in petstores if only their droppings were easier to contain while letting them outside the cage. Nova isn't as uncontrollable as maybe a finch might be, but he isn't content to sit still for long periods or chill out with his toys on a T stand.
He's a very sweet bird though, and he doesn't like being off by himself for long. He wants to play near or on me at almost all times. Even at night, I bring his cage into the bedroom because he thrashes around when everyone leaves the living room for the night.
...He also seems to enjoy manipulating me into giving him food, so I'm excited to see what he can learn with the clicker training. ^v^
I'll have to check out your bird journal--what did Iago and Zazu learn? (love their names!) |
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Saturday September 29, 2007 2:24 am |
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Fluffy Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10060
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Wow, thanks for your reply! If I read this, it makes me want a starling really bad. Though I don't think it's allowed over here as they're native birds.
I will continue to enjoy seeing them in the wild.
I also enjoyed the movie of Nova playing around. Thanks for posting it!
Zazu learned to put objects in a box with the clicker. He also learned other things but not all with the clicker.
Iago on the other hand learns quite fast with the clicker. Coins in a bank, objects in a box, puzzling, riding his 'bike', pushing a cart etc etc. |
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Sunday September 30, 2007 9:12 am |
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Featherdust
Just hatched
Joined: 08 Nov 2006
Posts: 32
Location: USA |
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quote:
Originally posted by Fluffy Sue
Wow, thanks for your reply! If I read this, it makes me want a starling really bad. Though I don't think it's allowed over here as they're native birds.
I will continue to enjoy seeing them in the wild.
I also enjoyed the movie of Nova playing around. Thanks for posting it!
Zazu learned to put objects in a box with the clicker. He also learned other things but not all with the clicker.
Iago on the other hand learns quite fast with the clicker. Coins in a bank, objects in a box, puzzling, riding his 'bike', pushing a cart etc etc.
It's too bad you can't keep them as pets. Where are you from?
Your birds sound brilliant and I'm sure you have a lot of fun with them
Nova is a charming creature, but he's also like a hyper toddler that needs constant watching whenever he's allowed out of his cage. It's sad, but he stays cooped up longer than he would be if he were a parrot who could hang out on a T-stand. He still gets to come out and peck the keyboard though  |
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Wednesday October 3, 2007 4:04 am |
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