Not All Reinforcers Are Created Equal
Just the Right Treat
My bird doesn't like treats!
My bird doesn’t like treats! They just aren’t food motivated. When I offer them a sunflower, they run away. My bird loves me but doesn’t really like any treats!
Now is the time to look deeper
Sit with a note pad and write down everything your bird does when he is most active. What is he doing? Playing? With what? Preening? Singing? Eating? What's that cute little bird up to? Set a timer for 5 minutes and write it all down.
Next, take a look into their daily food bowl
What is actually being eaten?
Scatter a bit of the food on a piece of paper. What's being eaten? Only the yellow pellets? Only the safflower seeds? Only the millet or oats?
Take a close look at the top 5 things in your bird’s every-day food bowl, and note which items disappears first. Add this to your notes.
Look Into The Chop
What's in your chop? What's being eaten? Only the corn pieces? Only the grapes? Only the sprinkled seeds?
Take a close look at the top 5 things in your bird’s chop, and note which items disappears first. Add this to your notes.
Test It!
Once you have a list of things your bird does and things your bird eats, you can start testing.
Place small piles of options on one spot
Use a bowl, plate, or neutral surface. Allow your bird to explore on their own.
Note Which item is eaten first
Be a good observer! Watch carefully. What item is eaten first? What is eaten second or third? Write it down!
Keep an eye out for additional reinforcers
Anything your bird is willing to work for is fair game.
Everyday Foods
If they eat it, it's reinforcing
'Illegal' foods
Foods that are "illegal" can be modified for bird training. Bird wants to
dive in your coffee? Try warm water in a mug. Bird wants your gummy bears? Try
an organic fruit leather cut into teeny pieces. Bird loves peanuts? Try organic
almond butter licked off a spoon.
Modify for health
The allure of cooked pasta, fruit leather, warm tea, or potato chips could be options depending on the food item and bird health. Refer to your veterinarian for safe alternatives!
Non-food Reinforcers
There are MANY non-food reinforcers, such as touch, toys, attention, dancing, singing, mirrors, companions, etc. That's the topic of the next blog post! Follow for part 2!
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In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, we honour and acknowledge Moh’kinsstis, and the traditional Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3 within the historical Northwest Métis homeland. Finally, we acknowledge all Nations – Indigenous and non – who live, work and play on this land, and who honour and celebrate this territory.
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