Potty Training Your Bird

One of the less pleasant aspects of sharing your life with a bird is dealing with the droppings. When the droppings land on the paper at the bottom of the cage, that's fine, but nobody likes cleaning droppings off the floor (especially if carpeted) or off your shirt if you've been holding your bird when he lets one fly.
With patience and consistency, you can teach your bird to relieve himself on command, in a place of your choosing. Young birds seem to pick up the skill most quickly and reliably, but you can teach an older bird new tricks, too.
Start by observing your bird — the times of day he's most likely to relieve himself and the body language he uses just before, such as tail wagging or stepping back. Pick your desired command — "Go potty" or "Hurry up" will do, as will anything, just as long as you're consistent.

When you see your bird getting ready to go or you know it's the usual time he does (such as first thing in the morning), ask him onto your hand (or finger, if he's a small bird) and hold him over a wastebasket, newspaper, toilet, or other "poop zone" (some people use paper plates). Give your potty command and praise him when he obeys — even though the response is just a coincidence at first, of course. Praise and stroking are the rewards for correct behavior.

The larger the bird, the longer the time he can "hold it." Budgies and cockatiels aren't good for much more than 15 to 20 minutes, tops, while large parrots can wait for several hours or more. In emergency situations, some larger birds can even hold it a day or more, but asking them to do so is hardly fair.

Remember:
And even so, it's a rare bird that's that reliable, so keep paper towels and other cleaning supplies at hand.

good stuff liquidice is your parrot potty trained??

I will have to try this...Thanks Ice!

i have one bird that will fly off me to the top of her cage, poop, and fly back. I also had a male who, just one time mind you, was running around on the bed... he climbed back onto his travel perch, pooped, and hopped off again.

Birds are so crazy! Potty training is very worth it though. But they can only hold it so long - so if you aren't keeping track, you may have a few surprises on your shoulders!

i have my b/g pottie trained but she sort of learnt this on her own since she was a baby..she would never go on us..she climbed down or as you say we watch her body language and she lets us know to let her down..she goes on her own pottie area under her tree..but i have read alot on how to do it just as you said..it can work but not always..my cag is so hard to read..i am still working on it..yeah..i always have my trusty spray bottle and paper towels handy with her..HA...

potty training is such a good idea, and very easy to teach as well. during the summer months i take my bird with me on weekends and when we're out in public having her "do poop" on command makes life much easier (and cleaner) ... and it always amazes people to see a bird go to the bathroom upon bieng asked!

cool tips, luckily my bird was trained when i got her, although we get accidents, she is really quite good, sometimes it think the accidents might be punishment, seems she does it more if things are a bit different in the evening, which is when we usaualy let her out.

I'll have to try this! Very good idea thanks

Oh man, I need to try this. Thanks a ton!

I worked with a guy whose golden conure wouldn't poop until he came home from work and held the bird over the toilet so he could go. It is indeed very effective.