How do I Train a Nanday Conure?

A Nanday Conure is an intelligent bird that can develop behavioral problems if not properly trained. It's easy to unintentionally encourage bad habits in these members of the parrot family, and keeping track of your own behavior is just as important as rewarding or disciplining the conure's behavior. In the case of an older bird that has suddenly developed bad habits, the first step is to take a look at your own behavior.

It isn't unusual for individuals to unintentionally encourage bad behavior in their Nanday Conure. Screaming can be an extremely obnoxious and frustrating, and scolding the parrot, acknowledging the behavior, or letting the bird out of its cage to quiet it may simply be making the problem worse. Doing this teaches the bird that screaming not only gets it attention, but gets it what it wants. In order to end this behavior, the bird must learn that temper tantrums are not the way to get what it wants. Ignore the conure until it is quiet, and then reward it with attention for this proper behavior.

Biting is another habit that Nanday Conures can be known for, and the basis of training the Nanday Conure not to bite is establishing yourself as the alpha or leader. The bird should never be held above chest height to reinforce that the human, not the bird, is in charge. Similarly, perches in the bird's cage should be positioned so they keep the bird in a lower, submissive position to the people in the household. Biting can be a way to challenge the alpha, and should not be tolerated, although the conure should not be hurt. An easy to way get the bird to release its bite is to shake the hand or perch that it is sitting on, forcing it to scramble to get its balance back.

A Nanday Conure that persists in showing unwanted behavior may have another reason for these bad habits. Make sure that it is not bored, and acting out because it is frustrated with a small cage, lack of toys, or loneliness. Removing any of these underlying causes can help make training much easier, and result in not only a happier bird but a stronger bond between human and parrot.

Successful training hinges on becoming the flock leader. Once the Nanday Conure accepts the fact that its human is not only the primary caretaker but also the boss, it will realize that there are boundaries it must abide by. Training creates a trusting bond between bird and owner, helps shy or timid birds gain confidence and become comfortable in their environment, and calms aggressive birds.

It's ideal to start training a Nanday Conure when it's still young, typically around 3 to 6 months old. At this age, they are more malleable and can form bonds with their trainers, making the training process smoother. However, older birds can also be trained with patience and consistency.

Daily training sessions are recommended for Nanday Conures, lasting about 10 to 15 minutes each. Consistency is key in training, as it helps reinforce learned behaviors and keeps the bird engaged. Short, frequent sessions prevent boredom and maintain the bird's attention span.

When training a Nanday Conure, high-value treats that are not part of their regular diet work best. These can include small pieces of fruit, nuts, or special bird treats. The treats should be small enough to be consumed quickly so that training can continue without long interruptions.

To prevent biting, establish trust with your Nanday Conure through gentle handling and positive reinforcement. Never punish your bird, as this can increase aggression. Instead, use a firm "no" and ignore unwanted behavior. Reward calm behavior with treats and attention to reinforce the behavior you want to see.

Nanday Conures are capable of mimicking speech, although their vocabulary is typically not as extensive as some other parrot species. To train your bird to talk, repeat words and phrases clearly and consistently. Do this during close interaction times, and reward any attempts at mimicry with treats and enthusiastic praise.

If your Nanday Conure is not responding to training, assess the environment for distractions and ensure the bird is healthy and comfortable. Review your training methods to ensure they are consistent and that you're using the right motivators, such as favorite treats. Patience is crucial, as some birds may take longer to respond than others.