Creating a positive partnership with your parrot!

Cockatoo Downs Parrot Training Facility was founded with the belief that companion parrot caretakers have access to the training tools necessary to create successful, long-term positive partnerships with their parrots. Chris Shank at Cockatoo Downs will provide you, the parrot caretaker, with positive reinforcement training methods to successfully and responsibly train and manage your companion parrot.

Positive reinforcement is the key to creating a positive relationship with your parrot. Positive reinforcement training works with the understanding that we all (parrots included!) respond better to praise than punishment. Positive reinforcement means giving your parrot something pleasant or rewarding immediately after she does a behavior you want her to do. That reward makes her more likely to repeat the behavior in the future. Positive reinforcement training is a very powerful tool for changing your parrot's actions.

Check out our Events Page for the latest news on upcoming Workshops and Seminars!

FlyAbout 2008-A Soaring Success!

Speakers Dr. Susan Orosz, Barbara Heidenreich, and Chris Shank wowed people from as far away as Florida and Canada during the FlyAbout 2008. Participants had the opportunity to develop training skills under the guidance of Chris and Barbara. Chris' free-flying cockatoos put on spectacular flying displays for everyone to enjoy.

Introducing Our New Photo Gallery

Cockatoo Downs' new and exciting revolving photo gallery of our feathered friends doing what they do best: hamming it up in front of the camera. We'll be presenting original photos and photo art from Cockatoo Downs and from around the world.