Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sdd.hp.com!hp-pcd!hpcvnb!steveg
From: steveg@hpcvnb.CV.HP.COM (Steven_Grant)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: Behavioral Problems - Macaws
Message-ID: <21560012@hpcvnb.CV.HP.COM>
Date: 1 Nov 90 17:10:36 GMT
References: <1990Oct31.174425.13520@cs.ucla.edu>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Co., Corvallis, Oregon
Lines: 20


>Patti brought him to *bird school* over the weekend and the
>*teacher*, who has been training birds of all types for years,
>suggested "THE BLACK BOX" routine for him.  A wooden box, painted
>black on the inside, no holes, large enough to deposit the bird
>so he cannot turn around, was recommended.  When the screeching
>starts, pick him up, deposit in the box and leave him for
>3 minutes.  If he screeches after he is deposited, he stays in
>3 minutes from that time.  In her experience, it should take
>no more than 1-1/2 weeks of constant *in the box sessions* to
>cure him of this bad behavior.  When Patti was in her house, which

I use(d) a similar technique to curb unwanted behavior in my conure.
Not surprising, screaming is one of those unwanted behaviors :-)
Instead of the black box I just use a cage in the back room with a
blanket over the top of it.  NO toys, food or anything fun in it!
 
I find it very affective!  He still screams once in a while, but if it
gets out of hand 5 minutes in the birdie prison takes care of the 
problem for a long time (at least the rest of the day).