How to target train a bird [3 Easy Steps]

In this article, I’m going to show you how to target train your bird, so let’s get started. If you’ve never trained your bird before then this is the perfect way to start introducing them to training and teaching them how to work for a reward.

Target training is super easy and it’s something that your bird can pick up right away, but if they don’t just be patient because every bird is different and they will learn at their own pace.

The goal of target training is to basically teach your bird how to touch a target.

What all do you need to target train a bird?

So all you’ll need are your bird’s favorite treats and it has to be something that they don’t eat as often, just so they are willing to work for the treats.

You’re also going to need a wooden chopstick or a skewer and also a surface to train your bird on and a clicker is completely optional.

With any training that you do with your birds you always want to start slow and work in baby steps.

3 Easy steps to target train a bird

1. Teach them to touch the tip of the chopstick

So the first thing that you want to teach them is to touch the tip of the chopstick or the target stick.

The next thing that you want to do is to hold the treat in one hand and with the other hand, you’re going to hold your chopstick or the target stick and hold the clicker along with it if you are using one.

And you want to point the tip of the chopstick right in front of your bird so that they would have to reach over a little bit in order for them to touch the chopstick.

As soon as they do that you want to praise them right away or click your clicker if you are using one and then reward them with a treat.

Sometimes your bird may not want to touch the chopstick right away because they might be scared of it so if that does happen then you want to take a couple of steps back and start even slower.

You can start off by showing them the chopstick and reward them for just looking at it and being in its presence.

So you are going to have to repeat this a couple of times until you notice that your bird isn’t as scared of the chopstick anymore.

And then you can place the very tip of the chopstick right in front of your bird so that they would have to reach over to touch the chopstick.

And then like I said before you want to praise them right away or click your clicker as soon as they touch the chopstick and then give them the treats and then of course you want to repeat these steps as necessary until you see that your bird understands the concept of having to touch the tip of the target stick or the chopstick in order for them to get the treat.

So you can move on to the second step as soon as your bird understands the idea of touching the target stick.

2. Move the chopstick a little bit further away from your bird

The next thing you want to do is to move the chopstick a little bit further away from your bird so that it would need to take a couple of steps in order for them to touch the chopstick.

And then like you did in the first step as soon as they do touch the chopstick then you want to praise them right away or use your clicker and then reward them with a treat.

As you are working through the second step you can, of course, take the chopstick and put it on either side of them so that they would have to walk back and forth in order for them to touch the target stick.

And of course, repeat these steps as necessary until your bird understands that they would have to take a few steps to touch the target stick in order for them to get their reward.

So moving on to the third step, your birds should already understand the whole objective of target training.

3. Moving them onto a much larger surface

So now you can start moving them onto a much larger surface so that they would need to go a little bit farther in order for them to touch the target stick.

You can also train them on their cage so that they would have to walk back and forth across the outside of their cage or you could also have them hop from perch to perch to get a treat.

You can also use target training to teach them other tricks like how to step up and how to spin.

So it seems pretty easy, right? Target training is really great and it is one of the easiest things that you can teach your bird. I highly recommend it as basic training that your birds should know.

It’s also something that you can fall back on or go back to restart the training process especially if you are training them on a more difficult trick. Have fun target training your birds.

FAQs on how to target train a bird

How long does it take to target train a bird?

Only 3-5 minutes should be spent in a session, according to recommendations. Do not rush the session’s conclusion, and be careful not to go too far or your bird may lose interest. Instead, aim to end it successfully.

What is the purpose of target training for birds?

Target training is a simple and enjoyable method for motivating your bird to engage in desired actions. In a nutshell, the purpose of this training technique is to teach your bird to go to a “target” voluntarily in expectation of a reward.

What is target training a parrot?

Target training involves teaching the parrot to make a specific touch when instructed.

Can you train older birds?

In order to form a positive, cooperative connection with your new pet, training can assist older and rehomed birds regain their trust.

Is it ever too late to train a bird?

Never assume it’s too late for a bird to learn; whether it’s learning to stop screaming, stop biting, fly for the first time, trick train, or just walk up on a stranger. Don’t give up on your bird by never giving it the chance.