This is a YouTube video I found of a woman working with a cherry headed conure (or possibly a mitred conure) who was originally part of a wild flock in San Francisco. Jasper came down with neurological issues and suffered brain damage and was then taken in by Mickaboo Rescue.

What I love about this video is the level of excitement in the trainer’s voice. This is very effective.

One of the take-aways from Jasper’s story is that even wild-caught birds can be trained via clicker training. So if your once-hand-fed baby turned into a handful – fearful and bitey – don’t despair. There’s hope for your little feathered terror.