Teaching a parrot to step on and off something other a human hand – be it a hand-held perch, a basket, a pillow, etc. This enables an owner to transfer a recalcitrant parrot safely from one place to another without the risk of aggression or bloodshed.
All parrots should be stick-trained, as well as trained to step on and off the hand. Owners should not wait until they need to have a parrot perch-trained, such as when a pet parrot begins to mature and becomes excessively territorial around its cage. Parrots are most easily trained when they are still youngsters; they are more malleable and eager to please. This is not to say that adult pet parrots cannot be trained, but it will take a bit longer.
Disclaimer: BirdChannel.com’s Bird Behavior Index is intended for educational purposes only. It is not meant to replace the expertise and experience of a professional veterinarian. Do not use the information presented here to make decisions about your bird’s health if you suspect your pet is sick. If your pet is showing signs of illness or you notice changes in your bird’s behavior, take your pet to the nearest veterinarian or an emergency pet clinic as soon as possible.