was this the right thing to do ?? good bye

Parrotsrok

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Just a 5 month old alexandrine
My female Alexandrian that i purchased at the age of 4 months parted ways with me today at the age almost close to 1 year, giving her away wasn't some thing i wanted to do but some thing that needed to be done for the sake of peaceful environment , me , my family who dearly loved our Alexandrian, were honestly getting sick of her constant screaming and screeching, and specially our neighbors, i took good care of her gave her treats, kept her cage clean, tried ignoring her screams and tried other tricks that i learned on youtube to make your parrot peaceful, spent almost 2 hours everyday with her trying to socialize her, taught so many great words and phrases, and yet that wasn't enough her screaming kept getting worst to the point of us getting headaches, i tried every thing to make her stop, i prayed, but nothing worked, we tried covering her up but she was smart and she figured it out that it was move to make her stop screaming and she started screaming again under the covers.

I have a heavy heart and tears in my eyes, i feel awful, but i guess there was nothing else i could have done
 

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SailBoat

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One could investigate and likely provide methods that 'may' have lead to another ending. At this point, that really doesn't matter as a choice had been made and with luck the Parrot will find a home that will also find a solution to your Parrot's contact calls.

Parrots are noise, it is a reality that one must accept upfront. It is likely that Parrots are just not a good fit for your home.
 

Laurasea

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It's good to share stories like this. It's a warning to people who think parrots are easy. It's better to re-home than shove the Parrot off to a spare room or the horror of a garage.

" I have a heavy heart and tears in my eyes, i feel awful, but i guess there was nothing else i could have done". You could have come here first and discussed your problems with noise.
We could have offered you advice and tips....
I can say two hours a day is not enough time for one. Parrots need to be fully Incorporated into your daily life. These creatures have highly complex social lives, they are never going to be happy spending hour after hour alone in their cage.

A lot of species are very vocal, as my quakers are. They are loud ( not screaming) for hours during the day. And are one if the most re-homed parrots for that reason. I've had a few problems with screaming too, but modifications have stopped that in my situation. But there are times when I have to endure s lot of happy volume and chatter. It's why I don't think Quakers are a good fit for a lot of people.

Regardless it takes an honest poster coming forward and sharing their inability to deal with noise. Sharing the negative aspects of having parrots in their lives, to help prevent this cycle from repeating .
I thank you for your post. Hopefully you found the right home that can find a more enriching and less frustrating life for your parrot. It's worth saying again it's much better to find a new home for a parrot, than to neglect it. As there are a horrific number of parrots shoved off on porches , stuck in backrooms, in basement, in garages , not getting the life they deserve and slowly slipping into madness!!!!!

The worst rescue I ever worked with was in a closet in a spare bedroom, kept in spite during a divorce. It was starved to a skeleton, self mutilating and close to death when finally given up.

So I urge everyone who knows they are neglecting their parrots needs. Even if it's not that severe, like you just leave it in the cage all day with food and water, some toys.... Thinking no one could put up with your parrot like you do. We can and we will! Give it a chance to find a better place to live, with a person who understands parrot behavior!!!! I know their is at least one lurker out there that has or knows of a parrot in this situation. Don't try and sell it to make some cash, give it to person who can provide the right home.
People like me and many others aren't trying to get more parrots, we are making a sacrifice to take them in and make it work to help them because it breaks are hearts. And we have to put in a lot of hours and months or years to turn them around. So find a person like that and explain and be honest and give your bird up! Please
 
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Parrotsrok

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Just a 5 month old alexandrine
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I got her back today ����
 

Laurasea

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Ok, what are your plans? Do you need tips on behavior, or help finding a good home?
 
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Parrotsrok

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Ok, what are your plans? Do you need tips on behavior, or help finding a good home?

I've decided to keep her, she is great bird and she is quite attached to me, giving her away in the first place wasn't the best thing for her or me, it made me guilty and sad, i couldn't sleep for nights, i felt terrible.

i ran back to the pet store from where i initially got her at the age of 4 months, hoping and praying that she would still be there, and there she was again she saw me and started moving with joy and looked like she had been waiting for me,

even the pet store guy said, she looked really worried and annoyed,

now that she is back her behavior seems oddly different, she hasn't spoken since yesterday, she has great vocal abilities, seems angry.

id like to share a video of her though but i dont know how

there is no way im putting this bird through this kind of hassle ever again.

ill keep her for life.
 

T00tsyd

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So please please get the help you need from the great people here. They will give you the tools to get the best parrot life for both of you. So glad you have her back safe and sound. Perhaps you should both go in for a training programme.
 

Betrisher

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I'm glad you've realised how deeply attached your bird is to you.

Can you imagine how she felt when you abandoned her in a petshop? Suddenly, whatever security she had was totally gone and she was put in a shop with heaven knows what other animals, noise and bustle. People would have been passing by her cage and looking or poking at her, maybe banging against it. She would have been terrified!

Now, you've brought her home again, only she doesn't know for how long. She doesn't know what will happen next. She doesn't know whether tomorrow will dawn as usual or whether she'll be shunted away again. She's afraid and will be for a while since her security was so damaged. You'll need to work hard to gain her trust back again, I think.

All you can do is to spend time with her every day. Be gentle and kind and don't allow any loud noises or sudden changes to upset her.

All parrots scream, just as all dogs bark and all ducks quack. At least the Alexandrine call is not so loud. You should hear my cockatoo when she's in good voice! She puts the Alexes to shame! My Beaks call for about half an hour every morning and for a little longer of an evening. It's part of their ritual, so I don't try to change it. I'm lucky, though, as my neighbours are far enough away not to mind the birds' noise. If it were a real problem, I'd be sure to work out the times when my birds were noisiest and have something planned to divert them during those times. For example, if your bird screams at 7am every morning, maybe you could choose that time to feed her? Or train her? Or give her something interesting to chew? Or teach her to make a different (quieter) sound like saying 'Hello'. It may not work, but it's worth a try. Punishing the bird won't stop its natural need to call. Covering the cage, shouting or squirting it with water will only terrify it and quickly lose whatever trust it has in you.

From what you said in your first post, your bird sounded like a good companion who was gradually learning to fit in with you. If you stick with her and make her your project, there's no reason to think she won't be an excellent companion to you for years to come. Why don't you check out some of our forums (eg. trick training or target training)? I've found that training my birds has given them something to think about and occupies their minds. Target training is especially good because most birds learn it very quickly and it's a very positive way of interacting: you ask something of the bird, she does it for you and earns a reward. Everybody's happy!

Do stay in touch! If you have more questions, please ask them! Most of us have had our own problems and we have a lot of experience to share. :)
 

Laurasea

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As to her being different, she has been in a bit of shock with all the changes and stress. It can take time to recover from this, and to trust you again. It's the same when we have to board birds in vacation, they don't understand flock seperation. Only unhealthy birds are driven from the flock. Explain and apologize, some how they understand part of that they really do!

Never cover your bird as way to deal with screaming. That's terrible advice, though commonly given.

I'm going to link some articles I really like that I think you can find helpful stuff. ( Same stuff posted on a different thread , but all is the same for you too!)

Ringneck/ Alexander are especially difficult to tame. I will also link some stuff from our ringneck expert Silver Sage and her avairy page.

This one has lots of great stuff, I'm not a fan of clicker training, but it might work for you.

https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/stress-reduction-for-parrot-companions/
This one covers lots of behaviors, including biting further down on the article

https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/bird-behavior/
S

So you think your bird hates you..
https://petcentral.chewy.com/think-your-pet-bird-hates-you/

On my Ornithology thread page ten I have several articles dealing with fearful parrots. http://www.parrotforums.com/general...hare-discuss-scientific-articles-parrots.html

You can go to Silver Sage Avairy yourself and check out lots of great stuff on ringnecks. I know you're isn't a ringneck but I think these will still be helpful!

http://www.silversageaviaries.com/tamingyourringneck-1

http://www.silversageaviaries.com/new-page-2


I hope you will take the time to read every single link I gave you as well as visit page 10 of ornithology thread and read the several articles I linked in fearful, misunderstood parrots. They definitely contain information that will be helpful for you. Please keep your thread active and update us on what works for you or didn't work for you, it's do important to share these stories.

And rember it's going to take time, dedication, and patience. It took me a year to turn my Quaker Penny around , and she still needs help with confidence and self choice, and recovery from being mentally shut down from abuse and neglect.
 
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Laurasea

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Ok just a few more things :)
One we support you! Come her s d vent any frustrating days with us! Celebrate the small advanced with us too :)!

Greeting you bird first thing in the morning when you get up is hugely important. Spend at least 30 miniuts with your bird before going to work or school, get up earlier if you have to! Start a morning ritual that you always do. Say the same thing.

Rituals and routines are very important to birds. I would try and have several routines you do every day , and also very important is the night routine. Same bed time ever day.

A freind if mine had an African grey, who became a huge screamer!!!!!! She had the bird before marriage and then kids. It was during the time her kids were 2, and 7 that this started. She consulted a behavioral expert to help her. The stress in her house hold was terrible with the screaming, and she couldn't have people over. The very first thing she was instructed to do was start a morning routine. To do this she had to get up at 4:30 in the morning!!!! She started spending an hour every morning with just her and her parrot. After all they had 20 years together before she married and had a family. He was her family too!! She shared with me that in the first two weeks she had remarkable results. I asked if this was hard for her , and she said it became a valuable time to her as well, a time of peace. A time to read , with bird with her, a time to enjoy his company. A way to start her day less frantic.

I just remembered the other thing she was told to do. As everyone comes home, they first go and stand by the cage and say hello I'm home, and talk a couple of minutes to the parrot. So that he felt he was part of the flock, abd that he mattered. Even though the kids can't get him out or hold him, they can still say hello and be respectful. :)

Do not underestimate how important mornings are to parrots. Parrots are often loud in mornings, they want to confirm everyone survived the night from predators. To reafirm bonds and friendship.
 
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Parrotsrok

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Just a 5 month old alexandrine
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Thankyou so much for every one's replies, i really appreciate you all taking time out and trying to help me out, i still feel bad for giving her away.

@betrisher Or teach her to make a different (quieter) sound like saying 'Hello'. It may not work, but it's worth a try.

Hello is nothing compared to what she is capable of reciting she recites more then 30 phrases i will surely share a video with you some time today.
 
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Parrotsrok

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Ok here is video of her i just uploaded on you tube, I may apologize for the terrible video quality since it was shot from a distance with my cell phone therefore the vid resolution is awful , in this video you can clearly hear her saying different words , btw can you guess the words she recited ??  

Note the video is quite old, now she is much more improved with the vocabulary and she is also overall efficient with the pronunciation, she has picked up and added quite a few more phrases and words to her vocabulary , I haven’t had time to shoot new high res vid hopefully will share a better quality that clearly displays her intelligence and refined talking abilities

Please watch it until the end

Nice day ahead yall


Link

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfVop6TgJmw"]Alexandrian parrot talking. - YouTube[/ame]
 

vsk101

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I've had my bird for 2 years, and I am still trying to figure him out. It's a learning process, and it's not intuitive for us humans - we are not birds! I'm glad you guys have been reunited! Has she been checked out by an avian vet? Birds do scream, but if it is excessive, a vet check may be in order.
 

Laurasea

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Sorry to give you negative comments. But that perch isn't good for her. It's to narrow, very likely causing foot pain. And will lead to arthritis. She needs a much larger cage, many different perches and toys. A perch need to be large so only the toe tips or less than half the foot goes around the curve. You can look up parrot safe wood and use branches to make your own. We have a page on do it yourself toys to

I do wish I could have heard talking, but my sound is broken.

Keep up the good work
 

Betrisher

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Dominic: Galah(RIP: 1981-2018); The Lovies: Four Blue Masked Lovebirds; Barney and Madge (The Beaks): Alexandrines; Miss Rosetta Stone: Little Corella
Your bird is adorable! (You don't tell us her name).

I think a large part of her screaming could be put down to the size of her cage. It's *far* too small for a bird like an Alexandrine. Birds go crazy in cages that small. It would be like locking a human being in a room the size of a toilet cubicle. If I were locked in a tiny room like that without anything to do, I'd scream all day too!

Alexandrines are birds of the treetops! That means they fly far and fast and with great skill, dodging between trees and swooping low before lifting up to land on the topmost branches. Depriving an animal like that of its ability to fly is - well - let's just say it's not kind. They need a cage large enough to climb around and fly from the floor up to a high perch. They need toys to keep their minds busy (so they don't feel the need to scream). They need timber or cardboard to chew on (again, this occupies their minds). Most of all, they need a *lot* of time each day out of their cages so they can fly and let off all their pent-up energy.

I live in a tiny house by most standards, but my Alexes are so good at whipping round corners and through doors - they still manage to fly pretty effectively despite the smallness of the house! I love watching them fly because they're so darned good at it and it obviously gives them so much joy. A few years ago, my male got out and flew away. We all agreed that watching him fly through the sky, twisting and turning in absolute joy was an amazing thing to see, even though we never thought we'd see him again. Luckily, he was found a month later and returned to us.

My cages are very big: 2m x 2m x 1m. This allows the Alexes to fly a bit from perch to perch and the Cockatoo to climb and swing. If I'm sick or unable to let them out for any reason, I know they're not cramped in a tiny space and unable to flap their wings. I strongly encourage you to buy or build a bigger cage for your Alex and provide her with some rope and timber for occupation. I think you'll find she's much happier and much less likely to scream if you give her something to do. I've added a picture of my Alex' cage with half its cover on (you can see Barney perched on the left as a guide to the size).
 
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greytness

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I agree with respect to the size of the cage. She needs things to do while she's caged. Things to chew, things to tear and things to discover as foraging activities.

If she were to have a larger space with more activities; ie: swings, boings, hanging and foot toys and stainless steel bells, she will likely scream for you less as she will be able to entertain herself.

Just my 2 cents!
 
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Parrotsrok

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Sorry to give you negative comments. But that perch isn't good for her. It's to narrow

Thanks i find your comments more constructive then negative, getting her a bigger space and thick wooden perch is definitely on my todo list, i still have so much to learn about my parrot so im glad and thankful for all the help and great advice.


Your bird is adorable! (You don't tell us her name).


we call her "Cookie" because she keeps asking for one i want a cookie i want cookie


I think a large part of her screaming could be put down to the size of her cage. It's *far* too small for a bird like an Alexandrine. Birds go crazy in cages that small.



i will take that in notice and get her more spacious cage asap, but i doubt the size of her cage has any thing to do with her screaming, she just likes attention and wants to spend time with people and when she doesn't find any one around she screams.
 

Laurasea

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Parrotsrok,
It's time for a wake up call. I broke out in tears when I saw that perch , and the cage. This is absolutely at the root of the screaming.

Today , not later, now, you need to replace that perch. It is cruely designed. The slim rectangle shape is putting pressure points on you birds foot. That perch isn't suitable for any bird, or even mammals. It needs to go in the trash! You need something more suitable today. That perch is causing your bird pain. I know you didn't make the perch, and got it thinking it was ok. I'm trying to tell you it's not ok at all.

Cut up some cardboard, and plain papper, or brown paper or brown paper bages . And make som toys from them, for your bird today. As she hasn't had much in the way of toys they might frightening to her at first, or she may be thrilled to have something. Put one in the cage and one hanging outside the cage for her to pull in and chew on. If she isn't scared give her lots more! Plastic beads can be threaded on bird safe leather, or untreated sisle, or even shoe laces to make toys as well.

If the cage you have now sits on the floor, you need to raise it up. Put it on a table, or blocks. Getting the cage offf the floor will help her feel safer

It's only your social connection, your affection, you training and working on the amazing talking that has kept your bird sane.

Have you read any of the links I gave you?

Please continue to show the love you have for Cookie, by stepping up and making her life better.
Please....
 
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Tami2

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Hello Parrotsrok:

I'm so happy you are here and reaching out for help.

I wanted a parrot for 15 years before I got one. The research I did was extensive. However, I learned more from these forums than any research I did on my own.

I am also glad you went back and got Cookie.

You have gotten wonderful advice and a lot of links to sift through.
I'm not piling on, but I wholeheartedly agree about the time spent bonding, family time (out of cage), the cage size, toys, perches etc...

If you haven't read these threads, please do:
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/300-parrots-bill-rights.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html


Best of luck to you all and please continue to keep us posted on your progress. :heart:
 

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