Preschool - Developing Balance and Coordination

One German roller is perching in the swing while another is about to perch in it. Note their small swing is attached to the ceiling.


This most recently weaned German roller is perching in a fantastic singing position, on his very first day with a swing!


The larger swing, for Borders, Staffords and Colorbreds, has holes that are 3 1/2 inches in diameter and width of 1/2 inch. The smaller swing for German rollers, has a diameter of 2 1/2 inches and a width of 3/4 inch.


The narrow width encourages birds to stand upright while the wider width encourages them to lay down while they perch.


Hooks can be added to adjust the swing lower in the cage so that the Borders, Stafford and Colorbred are encourage to stand upright while they perch.

Learning to Land and Perch on a Swing Teaches Balance and Coordination - Fifth Principle

Coordination and balance skills are important acquired skills for birds whether for our enjoyment, for grace in the show cage, or successful mating. Some birds seem to develop these qualities naturally but all can benefit from some developmental training. The goal is for the bird to fly to a moving swing and perch while keeping its proper position even when the swing moves.

Birds that win shows distinguish themselves by keeping their confirmation even when they move. The more comfortable they are with movement and form the better they will show!

To begin, start with the swings being stationery so that they do not move when the bird perches in them. The smaller holed one for the German roller should be attached to the ceiling while the larger one for the other birds should be hung just above their regular perches. Place some additional perches strategically so that the birds are close enough to initially hop to the hole.

After a day or two when they are filling the holes and comfortable with perching on the stationery swing, free it so that it will swing easily. Then after they love the swinging movement, move the additional perches further from the swings until they are flying to the swing.

Once they are comfortable with flying to the swing remove the extra perches so that are flying upward to the swing. The Borders, Staffords, and Colorbred should then be introduced to a single occupant swing that will move even easier, even moving as they are landing. After mastery of this skill, the Borders should have perches replaced so that they are again encouraged to hop to the swing so that they will keep their confirmation while hopping.

Typically, smaller sized birds master swings and balance/coordination must quicker than larger ones. It is so impressive to watch a particularly clumsy Border develop grace in their movement with some swing training!