Question:
: Tally spends 2/3 of her day outside the : cage. The only times she’s in it are when I’m cooking, doing laundry, or :actually : leaving the premises. The rest of the time, she’s sitting on Cheryl or :I, watching : us work, or roaming around the apartment. Not a vet nor a professional behaviorist, got birds. While it’s admirable that you’re able to include your bird so much in your daily life, you may want to consider that her lack of cagetime *while* you’re in her line of sight is contributing to the behavior problems (screaming when she can’t see you) that you mentioned in your first post. Parrots are flock animals, and it is normal for them to call to you when they can’t see you. My Blue-Crowned Conure, Madison, uses a specific high-pitched (and ear-shattering!) call to contact me when he can hear me but not see me. If I call Hello to him, or engage him in a game of "Uh-Oh!", then he usually settles down pretty quickly to what he was doing. It is not normal nor desireable for them to call for you frantically when they can’t see you, or when they’re in their cage and you’re in the room with them, otherwise occupied. To me, that indicates a bird that doesn’t have enough of a sense of independence. I’m not trying to be rude by saying that, or intimidate that you’re abusing her or beating her, but that she just needs a little help from you to learn to feel more secure on her own. Basically, I suspect that Tally’s screaming will dwindle and cease if you teach her that cagetime is her time to eat and play independentally by herself. I think that one of the best ways of doing this is to start by setting a certain time period every day when she’s in her cage. You can start off with a small amount of time, say, five minutes, when Tally is in her cage. Whether or not you’re in the room is up to you and your judgement, but I’d suggest being in the room. Don’t give in to screaming or carrying on, but talk to Tally quietly and reassuringly from across the room (try to be involved in something else at the time). Giving her a favorite treat or a new toy can stiumlate her interest in doing something in her cage. Make sure that she is petted, loved, and reassured at the end of her cagetime. As she becomes more secure and stops carrying on as badly, increase her cagetime. When you leave the room, talk to her until she can no longer see or hear you. Keep in mind that it can take parrot a long time to change their behavior, so it may be weeks or months before you see huge amounts of improvement (cherish each small step!). Parrots thrive on routine. This isn’t to say that you need to block off your day in 15 minute intervals and follow a rigid schedule, but try to keep Tally’s days somewhat routine, with time out of her cage, time in her cage with you present, time in her cage without yuo present, and sleeptime occurring at expected times every day. This will teach Tally that she isn’t being abandoned when she’s in her cage, but that it’s just part of her day and will be followed by time spent with you. This also, will help to increase her security about being in the cage. My best recommendations for modifying behavior are patience, keeping in mind that some problems appear to get worse before they get better, and education. I highly recommend _My Parrot, My Friend_ by Bonnie Munro Doane and Tom Qualkinbush. It’s a lengthy book and seemingly aimed at large parrots, but the information is just as applicable to small birds and learning about parrot psychology can only help to cure behavior problems and increase the satisfaction that both you and your parrot get out of the relationship. Good luck, and let us know how she does. — Jennifer Mullen
Response:
I took in an abandoned cockatiel a number of years ago and kept him for the rest of his life. If I left him and went out to eat or whatever then came home and talked to people out in the car port he would call so loudly we could hear him out there through the walls of the house. He just wanted to be with the flock. Once I came inside he was fine. He had problems landing, if he tried to fly indoors he would try to land on pictures and end up flat against the wall and so on. I found when he flew to me if I simply held a finger up in the air horizontal like a perch he could land fine. Of course most of the time he was on my shoulder and cool and calm as long as I did not pick up a broom. He was afraid of broom handles. He just had to have anything I was eating. If I offered him something he might refuse it but if I pretended to eat it it was worth its weight in gold to him. Roger
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Well said Lou. > — > Jake (Cag….Boss!) > Cassie (Mum’s girl dobie) > Holly (Dearly Missed….reunited with Amy…waiting at Rainbow Bridge) > Amy (Missed Alway’s……waiting at Rainbow Bridge) > 2 Mad Moggies > The Fab Four Ratties. >> My wife and I made the purchase, in May, of a 5-month old cockatiel, >> promptly named Taliesin (Tally for short). Tally is a very sweet bird, >> but she has one problem: she’s very emotionally dependent. I suppose > this >> is natural for a young bird, but Tally has taken this to an extreme. >> Whenever Cheryl (my wife) or I leave the bird alone and disappear from > her >> line of sight, Tally starts squealing VERY loudly. If she’s out of her >> cage, she comes flying after us. The moment the bird can see us again, >> everything is fine. At first, this was cute; now it’s an annoyance. We >> live on the third floor of a complex and when Tally is carrying on, she >> can be heard on the first floor. I hate to think what the neighbors must >> think. >> My initial solution to this was probably unfair, but it worked: I simply >> threw the cover over the cage. Now, of course, she’s figured out that >> cover + daylight = flock is leaving Tally alone, and the squealing and >> squalling continues. >> I’m sure this is a fairly simple problem, but I can’t find a way to solve >> it without just ignoring the squeals; that doesn’t work either (I’ve > known >> her to squeal for twenty minutes at a time). Has anyone else figured out >> a good way to solve the dependent-bird problem? >Your bird is acting normally. Birds are flock animals. They want (and >need) companionship. You took her into your home and away from other >birds, so let her be with you. On your shoulder will do fine. You >could get a mate. Then they will both squawk loudly and eventually you >will have lots of birds squawking loudly. >I have four macaws. The two younger ones will frequently fly and land >on my head or shoulder. They don’t land well. It’s part of having pet >birds though. Sure, you can lock them in cages and ignore them and >cover them up or beat them till they can’t squawk. Some people do that. >People, please do research on what birds are like before buying them. >They can be a great joy if you like them. They can be hell for both you >and the bird if you don’t. >– >Lou Boyd
Response:
> "Carl Sagan is my co-pilot!"
You better check on your co-pilot. I think he’s dead. **Mick** My photo album can be viewed at: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=29982
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My wife and I are not ignorant about keeping birds– Cheryl has been raising > them for more than twenty years, and my brother is assistant head aviculturist > at the Cincinnati Zoo. This is why Tally’s behavior has been a problem; > neither > of us has ever had this kind of behavior from a bird before. And no, I > don’t lock > my bird in a cage and ignore her or beat her until she can’t squawk, and > I resent > the implication that I abuse my bird in any manner, as well as the fact > that you > seem to think that I’m an ignoramus. Tally spends 2/3 of her day outside the > cage. The only times she’s in it are when I’m cooking, doing laundry, or > actually > leaving the premises. The rest of the time, she’s sitting on Cheryl or > I, watching > us work, or roaming around the apartment. And yes, we’ve taken all the > necessary > precautions to see that the apartment is safe from little prying beaks > and such. > All I did was ask a simple question. I didn’t expect a rude answer.
Andrew, For what it’s worth I think the rude responses were uncalled for. I’m a newbie to keeping birds myself. I’ve seen others post here with questions only to be reminded of what dumb arses they are for not becoming bird specialists before they bought the bird, which doesn’t help the person with the problem, and doesn’t help the bird. While I read no less than three books on Parakeets before I bought mine that hardly makes me an expert and I still have alot of questions. Fortunately my questions so far have been answered in a gracious and helpful manner to which I’m thankful to those who helped. It’s a pity that some folks might be turned away by being treated rudely who might otherwise be able to offer something beneficial to the NG. I hope that you will not be discouraged from joining future discussions. Best regards, http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Launchpad/6328/
Response:
Well said Lou. — Jake (Cag….Boss!) Cassie (Mum’s girl dobie) Holly (Dearly Missed….reunited with Amy…waiting at Rainbow Bridge) Amy (Missed Alway’s……waiting at Rainbow Bridge) 2 Mad Moggies The Fab Four Ratties. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My wife and I made the purchase, in May, of a 5-month old cockatiel, > promptly named Taliesin (Tally for short). Tally is a very sweet bird, > but she has one problem: she’s very emotionally dependent. I suppose this > is natural for a young bird, but Tally has taken this to an extreme. > Whenever Cheryl (my wife) or I leave the bird alone and disappear from her > line of sight, Tally starts squealing VERY loudly. If she’s out of her > cage, she comes flying after us. The moment the bird can see us again, > everything is fine. At first, this was cute; now it’s an annoyance. We > live on the third floor of a complex and when Tally is carrying on, she > can be heard on the first floor. I hate to think what the neighbors must > think. > My initial solution to this was probably unfair, but it worked: I simply > threw the cover over the cage. Now, of course, she’s figured out that > cover + daylight = flock is leaving Tally alone, and the squealing and > squalling continues. > I’m sure this is a fairly simple problem, but I can’t find a way to solve > it without just ignoring the squeals; that doesn’t work either (I’ve known > her to squeal for twenty minutes at a time). Has anyone else figured out > a good way to solve the dependent-bird problem? >Your bird is acting normally. Birds are flock animals. They want (and >need) companionship. You took her into your home and away from other >birds, so let her be with you. On your shoulder will do fine. You >could get a mate. Then they will both squawk loudly and eventually you >will have lots of birds squawking loudly. >I have four macaws. The two younger ones will frequently fly and land >on my head or shoulder. They don’t land well. It’s part of having pet >birds though. Sure, you can lock them in cages and ignore them and >cover them up or beat them till they can’t squawk. Some people do that. >People, please do research on what birds are like before buying them. >They can be a great joy if you like them. They can be hell for both you >and the bird if you don’t. >– >Lou Boyd
Response:
I am still fairly new to here, but let me tell you, these folks have all been exceptionally nice and helpful…when you posted your message, you gave no background (that I can remember) of your bird experiences. I believe they were just trying to cover the most likely bases for your problem, they had no idea of your past history with birds. Many times people will only ask about their animal after they have bought it, instead of before. There are a lot of questions like that posted on this ng, sometimes, you tend to think any question that is posed about situations like that are probably from newbies. Next time, just post a little more in depth, I really don’t think they were trying to be rude though. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Your bird is acting normally. Birds are flock animals. They want (and > need) companionship. You took her into your home and away from other > birds, so let her be with you. On your shoulder will do fine. You > could get a mate. Then they will both squawk loudly and eventually you > will have lots of birds squawking loudly. > I have four macaws. The two younger ones will frequently fly and land > on my head or shoulder. They don’t land well. It’s part of having pet > birds though. Sure, you can lock them in cages and ignore them and > cover them up or beat them till they can’t squawk. Some people do that. > People, please do research on what birds are like before buying them. > They can be a great joy if you like them. They can be hell for both you > and the bird if you don’t. > My wife and I are not ignorant about keeping birds– Cheryl has been raising > them for more than twenty years, and my brother is assistant head aviculturist > at the Cincinnati Zoo. This is why Tally’s behavior has been a problem; > neither > of us has ever had this kind of behavior from a bird before. And no, I > don’t lock > my bird in a cage and ignore her or beat her until she can’t squawk, and > I resent > the implication that I abuse my bird in any manner, as well as the fact > that you > seem to think that I’m an ignoramus. Tally spends 2/3 of her day outside the > cage. The only times she’s in it are when I’m cooking, doing laundry, or > actually > leaving the premises. The rest of the time, she’s sitting on Cheryl or > I, watching > us work, or roaming around the apartment. And yes, we’ve taken all the > necessary > precautions to see that the apartment is safe from little prying beaks > and such. > All I did was ask a simple question. I didn’t expect a rude answer. > — > Lou Boyd > — > "Carl Sagan is my co-pilot!" > -Zippy
Response:
>Beakie,as I nicknamed him >has separation anxiety,, >I too have cage covers ,which >Beakie will ignore a lot.(& still shriek) >And,You can hear his ear shattering >high pitchd loud squawking & squealing >literally across the house & in the >front yard,
Seperation anxiety, not hardly. And some people think that my teaching a bird to ride a bike is too anthropomorphic. Screaming, and everyone who doesn’t know this, pay attention, is a HARD WIRED NATURAL BEHAVIOR! Birds scream to each other and have been screaming to each other for thousands of years. The bird screaming to you is a CONTACT CALL. They can be taught, with patience to not scream so loudly, but you will never completely extinguish screaming. With a cockatiel, since they love to whistle so much, why not teach him a little song that you can whistle back and forth to each other, that way when you are out of the room, and he starts screaming, you can whistle to him to let him know you are still there. >I handfeed him late at nite >and leave approx 6 to 8 cups per day >in his cage,of all those new things >along with his beloved jumbo >sunflower seeds.& seednut mixes. >and his dried papaya.
I would NEVER hand feed an adult bird, unless he was sick or had some physical needs that required it. For some reason the term "I’ll be co-dependant, if you want me to", keeps popping in my mind here. It is better to help your bird learn to play independently. 6 to 8 cups per day is enough to feed a Venezuelan family of conures for a week. While some people are against trick training, I have found giving the birds problems to solve is a great way to keep them from getting bored and it gives them jobs to do, plus they seem eager and the more they learn, the faster they learn. Teach your bird a "contact call", maybe teach him colors, help him to learn to be independent not co-dependent and for goodness sake, don’t start hand feeding him. Linda Bite me once, shame on you, bite me twice, shame on me! http://community.webtv.net/Lincomacaws/LivingwithBirds http://community.webtv.net/Lincomacaws/SealsandSealions
Response:
You’re going to end up with an obese, sleep deprived, spoiled rotten bird. — Mama… aka Laurie Visit "Mamabird’s Nest" at http://iluvbirds.tripod.com/ To email reply: Change nest to net. "I am he As you are me And we are all together." (J. Lennon & P. McCartney) ——
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Almost everything (except my > birds are caged,sorry if that > sounds cruel) you wrote about > your bird,I have been experiencing > with 1 of my 16 birds..my > recently adopted 3yr old male > sun conure,who I suspect was > mistreated,neglected & abused > by her now former owner. > Beakie,as I nicknamed him > has separation anxiety,, > I too have cage covers ,which > Beakie will ignore a lot.(& still shriek) > And,You can hear his ear shattering > high pitchd loud squawking & squealing > literally across the house & in the > front yard,However,I must say that > the following interventions have > greatly helped Beakie to develop > some self control & calmness,perhaps > they will help your bird > 1) Dietary changes ,additions to his diet > include Zupreem Fruit Pellets,Pretty Bird., > Roudybush,& Kaytee tropical fruit > color/flavor puffs(look like cheez doodles > in red,yellow & orange) > I also give him both > Raw in-shell Unsalted Unroasted Peanuts > as well as Unsalted nonshelled > Roasted peanut,more of the raw inshell > ones.I handfeed him late at nite > and leave approx 6 to 8 cups per day > in his cage,of all those new things > along with his beloved jumbo > sunflower seeds.& seednut mixes. > and his dried papaya. > Thus way he can eat whatever he > wants,when he wants to. > He is wonderfully calm peaceful > & relaxed when I hand feed him like > he was an infant. > 2)At night,we have a bedtime ritual > where under the sleepcovers,I stick > a Sesame Street Music Box windup > toy that plays the Sesame St Song > It has a quasihypnotic effect on him > 3)I have worked with him so > ”behaviorally condition’ him to > unwind himself by me repeatedly > but extremely gently stroking of his head > During my handfeedings > 4)I bought him a unique mobile > of wood slats,colored beads & stuff > in a hammock shape/style/design. > 5) I have his 2×2 cage near to & partially > facing my 5 other cages( I have > besides Beakie the sun conure, > 9 keets,4 tiels & 2 lovebirds) > so that he can see/look at the 15 > other birds if & when he wants to, > And he can go to the blockedview > side when he wants to be alone. > My mother & I both work fulltime > so the 15 birds keep Beakie Company., > when we are not home. > 6) My mother purchased (for me) > a few used ( at garage/yard sales at really cheap bargain prices) mobile > caster wheeled serving ”tea;; carts > ,we put Beakie’s big cage on 1. > This way,I can wheel Beakie over > to me when I am busy so that he > sees that I am there & not > abandoning him.And I can see him > & talk to him,& he can hear me > this helps him to develop security > & trust in me. > I also have a TV within earshot &vision > so that he can have yet another > source of stimuli.) > 7) Beakie is calmer when I keep > the lighting by him very subdued. > Bright Bulbds seem to make him hyper. > 8)Chew toys,ladder,swing,hanging > things to pull on and nip are > also helpful. > 9) Millet Trees & Mega Millet sprays > are also enjoyed by Beakie. > Hope I was Helpful > -Marsha Lampert MBA > and h > .
Response:
To which I reply: AMEN!!!!! Kay
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Your bird is acting normally. Birds are flock animals. They want (and > need) companionship. You took her into your home and away from other > birds, so let her be with you. On your shoulder will do fine. You > could get a mate. Then they will both squawk loudly and eventually you > will have lots of birds squawking loudly. > I have four macaws. The two younger ones will frequently fly and land > on my head or shoulder. They don’t land well. It’s part of having pet > birds though. Sure, you can lock them in cages and ignore them and > cover them up or beat them till they can’t squawk. Some people do that. > People, please do research on what birds are like before buying them. > They can be a great joy if you like them. They can be hell for both you > and the bird if you don’t.
My wife and I are not ignorant about keeping birds– Cheryl has been raising them for more than twenty years, and my brother is assistant head aviculturist at the Cincinnati Zoo. This is why Tally’s behavior has been a problem; neither of us has ever had this kind of behavior from a bird before. And no, I don’t lock my bird in a cage and ignore her or beat her until she can’t squawk, and I resent the implication that I abuse my bird in any manner, as well as the fact that you seem to think that I’m an ignoramus. Tally spends 2/3 of her day outside the cage. The only times she’s in it are when I’m cooking, doing laundry, or actually leaving the premises. The rest of the time, she’s sitting on Cheryl or I, watching us work, or roaming around the apartment. And yes, we’ve taken all the necessary precautions to see that the apartment is safe from little prying beaks and such. All I did was ask a simple question. I didn’t expect a rude answer. > — > Lou Boyd
– "Carl Sagan is my co-pilot!" -Zippy
Response:
Almost everything (except my birds are caged,sorry if that sounds cruel) you wrote about your bird,I have been experiencing with 1 of my 16 birds..my recently adopted 3yr old male sun conure,who I suspect was mistreated,neglected & abused by her now former owner. Beakie,as I nicknamed him has separation anxiety,, I too have cage covers ,which Beakie will ignore a lot.(& still shriek) And,You can hear his ear shattering high pitchd loud squawking & squealing literally across the house & in the front yard,However,I must say that the following interventions have greatly helped Beakie to develop some self control & calmness,perhaps they will help your bird 1) Dietary changes ,additions to his diet include Zupreem Fruit Pellets,Pretty Bird., Roudybush,& Kaytee tropical fruit color/flavor puffs(look like cheez doodles in red,yellow & orange) I also give him both Raw in-shell Unsalted Unroasted Peanuts as well as Unsalted nonshelled Roasted peanut,more of the raw inshell ones.I handfeed him late at nite and leave approx 6 to 8 cups per day in his cage,of all those new things along with his beloved jumbo sunflower seeds.& seednut mixes. and his dried papaya. Thus way he can eat whatever he wants,when he wants to. He is wonderfully calm peaceful & relaxed when I hand feed him like he was an infant. 2)At night,we have a bedtime ritual where under the sleepcovers,I stick a Sesame Street Music Box windup toy that plays the Sesame St Song It has a quasihypnotic effect on him 3)I have worked with him so ”behaviorally condition’ him to unwind himself by me repeatedly but extremely gently stroking of his head During my handfeedings 4)I bought him a unique mobile of wood slats,colored beads & stuff in a hammock shape/style/design. 5) I have his 2×2 cage near to & partially facing my 5 other cages( I have besides Beakie the sun conure, 9 keets,4 tiels & 2 lovebirds) so that he can see/look at the 15 other birds if & when he wants to, And he can go to the blockedview side when he wants to be alone. My mother & I both work fulltime so the 15 birds keep Beakie Company., when we are not home. 6) My mother purchased (for me) a few used ( at garage/yard sales at really cheap bargain prices) mobile caster wheeled serving ”tea;; carts ,we put Beakie’s big cage on 1. This way,I can wheel Beakie over to me when I am busy so that he sees that I am there & not abandoning him.And I can see him & talk to him,& he can hear me this helps him to develop security & trust in me. I also have a TV within earshot &vision so that he can have yet another source of stimuli.) 7) Beakie is calmer when I keep the lighting by him very subdued. Bright Bulbds seem to make him hyper. 8)Chew toys,ladder,swing,hanging things to pull on and nip are also helpful. 9) Millet Trees & Mega Millet sprays are also enjoyed by Beakie. Hope I was Helpful -Marsha Lampert MBA and h .
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > My wife and I made the purchase, in May, of a 5-month old cockatiel, > promptly named Taliesin (Tally for short). Tally is a very sweet bird, > but she has one problem: she’s very emotionally dependent. I suppose this > is natural for a young bird, but Tally has taken this to an extreme. > Whenever Cheryl (my wife) or I leave the bird alone and disappear from her > line of sight, Tally starts squealing VERY loudly. If she’s out of her > cage, she comes flying after us. The moment the bird can see us again, > everything is fine. At first, this was cute; now it’s an annoyance. We > live on the third floor of a complex and when Tally is carrying on, she > can be heard on the first floor. I hate to think what the neighbors must > think. > My initial solution to this was probably unfair, but it worked: I simply > threw the cover over the cage. Now, of course, she’s figured out that > cover + daylight = flock is leaving Tally alone, and the squealing and > squalling continues. > I’m sure this is a fairly simple problem, but I can’t find a way to solve > it without just ignoring the squeals; that doesn’t work either (I’ve known > her to squeal for twenty minutes at a time). Has anyone else figured out > a good way to solve the dependent-bird problem?
Your bird is acting normally. Birds are flock animals. They want (and need) companionship. You took her into your home and away from other birds, so let her be with you. On your shoulder will do fine. You could get a mate. Then they will both squawk loudly and eventually you will have lots of birds squawking loudly. I have four macaws. The two younger ones will frequently fly and land on my head or shoulder. They don’t land well. It’s part of having pet birds though. Sure, you can lock them in cages and ignore them and cover them up or beat them till they can’t squawk. Some people do that. People, please do research on what birds are like before buying them. They can be a great joy if you like them. They can be hell for both you and the bird if you don’t. — Lou Boyd
Response:
My wife and I made the purchase, in May, of a 5-month old cockatiel, promptly named Taliesin (Tally for short). Tally is a very sweet bird, but she has one problem: she’s very emotionally dependent. I suppose this is natural for a young bird, but Tally has taken this to an extreme. Whenever Cheryl (my wife) or I leave the bird alone and disappear from her line of sight, Tally starts squealing VERY loudly. If she’s out of her cage, she comes flying after us. The moment the bird can see us again, everything is fine. At first, this was cute; now it’s an annoyance. We live on the third floor of a complex and when Tally is carrying on, she can be heard on the first floor. I hate to think what the neighbors must think. My initial solution to this was probably unfair, but it worked: I simply threw the cover over the cage. Now, of course, she’s figured out that cover + daylight = flock is leaving Tally alone, and the squealing and squalling continues. I’m sure this is a fairly simple problem, but I can’t find a way to solve it without just ignoring the squeals; that doesn’t work either (I’ve known her to squeal for twenty minutes at a time). Has anyone else figured out a good way to solve the dependent-bird problem? — "Carl Sagan is my co-pilot!" -Zippy
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