This is a quick snap of Bowie at about two months old. We were still getting used to each other, but at about this time Bowie learnt the first trick. Using millet seed as a reward, I taught Bowie to turn around on my finger and get more millet as a result. I simply said the words turn around at the same time that I made a circling gesture around the birds body to attract that circular movement.
Two things happened as a result 1. It was fairly easy to give the verbal command to turn around when Bowie was in the cage and on the perch, this was a real achievement. 2. Even today, if Bowie thinks I'm being tightfisted on the millet front, or not feeding it fast enough, a spontaneous 'turn around is likely to result'. This makes me laugh, its so cute.
I have video somewhere of Bowie doing turn around, I'll try and look it up. Since that first trick, I have taught Bowie to ring the bell in the cage, on the command 'ting ting'. I genuinely believe that Bowie is a tremendously bright bird and is very quick to learn new things. More next time.
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