Behavior Patterns

Behavior patterns can be super easy to develop with your bird. They can be desirable, or undesirable, like screaming or biting.

In order to create a behavior pattern, the pattern developed has to be rewarding enough to continue for the bird. For Maui, my attention is likely her main reinforcer (secondary reinforcer). For screaming, maybe the bird likes it when you “call” back when you scream at them to shut up, or you walk into the room and give them a piece of food to stop them from screaming. Both methods may work in the moment (bird gets attention from you vocalizing back, the bird gets a primary reinforcer with food and they stop screaming) but it only continues the pattern of screaming, likely making it increase or at least stay consistent. For biting, they learn it’s a very effective form of communication for you to leave them alone (fear), stop asking for them to do something they do not want to (avoidance), or maybe your reaction is stimulating and fun (us screaming in pain, maybe following it up with attention but scolding).

Behavior is communication. There is always a reason why it continues, or starts in the first place. Even abnormal repetitive behaviors, though have no purpose to the animal's survival, still have a psychological purpose for the animal to continue to rehearse them. It’s important to be in the right headspace about behavior to be able to modify it. Thinking analytically rather than emotionally can help you find the behavior patterns, the antecedent and consequences a behavior has for an animal, and develop a training plan or behavior maintenance plan for optimal success.

If you need help working with your bird’s behaviors, I have online training sessions available internationally where I give you the plan, education, and support to be successful!