Station

Written By Isabelle Brinan, MSc

What?

A station is designated spot for your bird to perch or stand on such as play gym,
a cage, a perch, or even a clothes airer!

Why?

It helps to keep your bird off your shoulder, away from areas such as
doors, furniture or other places that may be unsafe for them as they will
have their own specified safe space. Having a specific perch in their cage
can also help when changing food or water bowls is difficult or even
allowing them to communicate if they want head scratches!

How?

Introduce the spot or area to your bird, give them time to get used to it. (If they lean or fly away, this is your bird telling you that you are rushing them and need to slow down.)

Use your target to help them! Remember to reinforce every time they are on the station, to make it desirable for them. Making the spot extra fun with foraging and other enrichment also adds to the value of staying on the spot. Repeat by reinforcing your bird for being on the station often and add enrichment/ foraging toys as reinforcers for longer duration on the station.