If you're wondering why your bird doesn't understand how to forage, that's because they've never been taught! Birds in the wild are taught to forage by observing other birds (this is called social learning).
These cockatoos learning to open trash bins from observation is an excellent example of social learning.
(Image credit: Barbara Klump/Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior)
Why is foraging important?
a) Parrots (in general) are contrafreeloaders, this means they prefer working for food rather than obtaining it for "free".
b) In the wild, parrots spend 4 to 8 hours of their day foraging.
c) Parrots who spend little time foraging are more prone to behavioural disorders such as bar chewing or feather destructive behaviour.
So what do we need to get started?
Well that depends on what kind of foraging activity we would like to teach our birds! Throughout this course we will provide step by step instructions for a variety of activities. What will stay consistent is the reinforcer we will be using, treats!
What better way to reinforce foraging when the consequence is eating the best snacks.