Bird talk

Lonely? Reem Leila suggests you court the feather-clad

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Safwat bathes and blow-dries her birds every morning (above); in conversation with her pet

It was in 1989 that Amal Safwat, the only woman bird trainer in the Middle East, decided to set up a bird house. "Immediately after my mother's death," she recounts, "I was extremely lonely. Already I was thinking of doing something unusual, anything to get me out of that mood. Of course the birds were initially untrained; for three days they were fluttering all over the place. And since I was spending so much time with them anyway, it occurred to me to train them. Since then we've never parted," she says. "And I've never been happier."

Indeed, Safwat implies, if you are looking for companionship you may well consider this novel option: "Birds are intelligent creatures, capable of enriching your life in so many ways. If you take the time to understand them and treat them gently, with compassion and love, you will be more than adequately rewarded, with love, trust and sheer fun -- an unforgettable relationship." Her method is simple, and has not only withstood the test of time but spanned a range of species from the "talking" African grey parrot to the cockatiel, the sparrow and love birds: "I cast myself in the parental role, dealing with my birds with consistency and fairness, and always gently." Each and every bird was trained separately for over six months. It is the parrot, Koko, that leads the entire chorus, repeating his mistress's orders as they go about their business: "Koko built up his vocabulary while I was sick, for he was with me all the time."

Relationship with a bird should start when the bird is no older than three weeks, Safwat says: "In the first three weeks you must proceed slowly. Hold the bird gently, every day. Clip off the claws and clean underneath the wings. The cage must be kept clean, too, which generally requires daily attention. Talk softly, reassuringly, and make frequent eye contact. Never approach too fast; even when anxious or in a hurry, take a deep breath and let it pass first. Never show impatience or discontent. Birds are very sensitive creatures, and they will sense it and be affected by it." Following this "settling-in period", Safwat reveals, the bird will begin to enjoy perching on your hand: "A bird needs to understand what is expected of it, what it can expect of its keeper. Once it accepts you as a kind of paternal figure, you can both be comfortable in the space you share." Once the rapport is established, the bird could be offered the opportunity to depart the confines of its living space, into a small, dimly lit room, to avoid an initial, debilitating shock.

"It is at this point," Safwat explains, "that the training can begin. For example, you can teach it to jump using an 'up' command while pressing gently on its belly. This," she goes on, "is how I have trained my 55 birds to kiss, ride on my shoulders and brush the edges of the prayer rug after the morning prayer, which we all do together." All of which is by way of preparation for taking the bird outdoors, eventually -- only to bring it back home, a move with which it will no doubt happily comply, if all has gone well in the relationship.

The daily routine does take place inside, however: after a morning "happy meal" of cake and tea sweetened with honey, the birds are treated to a "funny bath" in a bathroom set aside for the purpose, involving both mirror and shower: "I bathe the big birds in a plastic bowl with warm water and shower gel. And all the while I'm reassuring them, telling them what fine brave birdies they are." Safwat believes it is important to expose the birds to new foods, new tastes, new shapes and colours: "try offering them a carrot stick or a piece of lettuce. Allow the bird to share a piece of toast or an egg. Toys are very important too, but they must be in the cage before the bird arrives there. If a toy is added while the bird is already there, it will never be interested in playing with it." The bird trainer stresses the importance of vet visits, finally, for weight measurement and blood calcium tests; the latter should be checked every year, she insists, since low calcium is life-threatening for birds. "And you don't want to lose your dearest companion, do you?" she says with a besotted smile, "a companion, trust me, that is for life..."