Animal Diaries Archive

Watch and learn as we train our Show Birds

22 November 2007

We often get asked how we train our birds to not fly away and perform their impressive free flying routines in the Crocoseum. Well there is no short answer although you can safely say it is a long process and comes down to the keepers and birds having a strong bond and trust in each other and a lot of very small steps gradually increasing with confidence and ability along the way. We use what is known as positive reinforcement where the birds are rewarded for the correct behaviour. These rewards include favourite foods as well as verbal and physical rewards in the form of a "good bird" and a cuddle or scratch. We endeavour to make every experience an enjoyable one and only what the bird is happy and comfortable to do. There is no point forcing a bird to do something it does not want to, as ultimately the bird will not enjoy flying in the Crocoseum each day.

Every day after the 11am daily show we undertake a training session with all the birds that are not quite ready to be in the free flight show. These birds include Macaws, Black Cockatoos, water birds and even a Curlew. Recently we have placed an experienced bird trainer out in the middle of the Crocoseum with a microphone explaining all the techniques and processes we use as well as commenting on the progress of each individual bird as it comes out and undertakes its daily training. These training sessions can be as short as 15 minutes or up to an hour (or longer!!) depending on the birds... and the trainers.

Another important aspect of bird training is record keeping and we do a lot of this in bird show (and not enough if you ask the boss)! After every show and training session we do, we write an individual account of exactly what that bird did, note behaviours, obstacles etc. This is an extremely important part of the job for us so we can communicate with each other about what we have done with each bird and even more important so that we are not trying to do something different the following day which would result in a very confused animal.

So when you come to the zoo make sure you hang around after the 11am show to watch us train our beautiful birds and also answer any question you may have. See you there.

Rebecca - Bird Show