I really need some help here

Sorry this is a long post, but it needs to be.

Okay, so I haven’t been very active in the forum lately and part of that is due to piles of uni work and stress, but there has been one driver that is just stressing me out so much I simply don’t know what to do anymore. Eddie has become a screamer and I just don’t know how to fix it. Ignoring it hasn’t worked, giving him more out-time hasn’t worked, improving his diet hasn’t worked, increasing his sleep hasn’t worked, providing more enrichment/foraging activities hasn’t worked, increasing training sessions hasn’t worked and giving him time outside hasn’t worked. Eddie always used to scream for short periods in the morning and evening, but that was it. This was the situation for the last 3 years, but over the course of 2010, this screaming problem has just developed out of control. He is now screaming constantly throughout the day. I know he is stressed about something, but I don’t know what. I made a thread some time ago on Eddie’s http://www.parrotforums.com/general-health-care/5353-wing-flipping.html and it looked like it was improving, but now it has just gotten so bad he is doing it for HOURS during the day. This is generally accompanied by screaming. I am not talking little ekkie chirps here, I am talking Cockatoo type screaming VERY LOUD.

I have many theories as to why he may be screaming. The biggest one is that I am really the only one that spends time with him. Between uni and the rest of my busy life, I manage to squeeze in a few good hours wih him generally during the day and a few more on the weekend. I notice he is more inclined to scream if there is someone in the same room (we have an open-plan living area). This makes it very difficult to cook, eat, watch tv, study, live in general, etc. I don’t have a spare room that I can put him in to remove him from this situation, nor would his cage actually fit through the door to another room . I have tried to get other people in the house to try and spend time with him (believe me, I have tried) but the screaming has basically turned some of them against me. My parents are supportive, but unfortunately they don’t understand ‘bird phsycology ‘ (even though I try to explain it) and my siblings are giving me the evil eye everytime I see them now. Its got to the point where my sibblings have used the words ‘ I hate that stupid bird’ (Edit: please don't think they are bad people, they do actually like my bird, but they are extremely frustrated). This really is killing me inside, I do not know what to do. Although I really can't blame them for being frustrated, it really is making life hard around here. Edit: I think the biggest problem here is not that I can’t spend enough time with him, but more that there are people in the same room ignoring him, which gets him stressed.

Another theory I have is that he is ‘sexually frustrated’. Eddie will (only in certain rooms) regurgitate for me A LOT and he also does for my dad. The only two places I can take him are the living area where his cage is and the back veranda. Anywhere else, he starts courting displays (VERY rarely, these include aggressive behaviours).

I know he is stressed as his feathers are becoming dull on his back and he has started picking at his primary coverts and legs. He is not really a ‘plucker’, but more of an ‘over – preener’. I also noticed 1-2 yellow feathers on his back, I read somewhere this is a bad sign, what does it mean?

I really am feeling so sick to the stomach about this, he has been such a wonderful bird, but things are changing. I love this bird so so so much and I want him to be happy, I am trying everything I possibly can to solve this problem but all has failed so far. I can’t get him to the vet this week, but next week I will be booking an appointment with the spe******t to see if there are any underlying medical things that could be causing this behaviour. I have had a fairly smooth run (with the usual parrot road bumps) with Eddie over the last 4 years, but all of a sudden he appears to be changing into this stressed out little bird. He still steps up, flys, chatters, does his training and whistles like my normal baby boy, but when he is not doing those things, he is generally screaming.

I know it may be hard for any of you to give me advice, without seeing Eddies current situation, but I would appreciate ANY. At the very least a few words of support would be great, this has got me at the end of my tether, I really feel like I am between ‘rock’ and ‘hardplace’. I am so paranoid about my birds and their happiness is one of the most important things to me in the world. There is absolutely no chance of me being able to move out for quite a while yet, so I am worried what might happen to Eddie if this situation continues. I feel like such a horrible parront, I know its never the birds fault, so I know it is something i am getting wrong. It has gotten to the point where I have just started to cover his cage when he screams, just for some peace. I don't like doing this and I never advise it as it is a negative reinforcer (which I hate), but I don't know what else to do. ANY help appreciated.

Hi Ben.

For some reason you were in my thoughts this whole week, I couldnt understand why you were absent and were planing on sending the parrot police to go check if all is ok. Not one of them has been online this morning so I had to wait.

I am sorry to hear about your situation and I honestly do not have the answers but I can share my experience, it might help.

Whenever certain people walks into our home then Sterretjie starts screaming and she does not stop until that person leaves. She picks something up about them or they are reminding her of her previous owners, I dont know. There is a guy who can not even come into our house anymore and he has to meet Craig outside every time. I moved some plants in our house a couple of weeks ago and Sterretjie started her screaming again, I couldnt figure out why. It only daunted on me a couple of days later that I moved the plants so I moved it back and her screaming stopped. Some birds/animals do NOT cope with change.

Is there somebody or even something new in your house? Was anything moved? It can be a tiny little thing that you havent paid notice to yet.

If I was you then I would buy a smaller cage that will fit in my bedroom or another room. I would leave Eddie there with the tv or radio on and only bring him out when I am around.

Think about chances, give some more info about the daily routine in your house that happens around Eddie, especially what happens just before the screaming starts. Is there a certain time? I am trying to get into Eddies mind and see it from his side.

Oh Ben!

My heart goes out to you dumpling, it really does.

Every part of me is screaming COME LIVE WITH US YOU PAIR!!! Clearly that's not a constructive comment though!

I know someone will be able to help here and I do think a vet check is probably in order so that at the very least you will know what you're dealing with. Whether it be illlness, behavioural or perhaps the thing that sometimes is just unavoidable - a mate.

I really REALLY wish I could give you some sort of advice to help, but I'm at a loss

I'll be thinking of you though and I know you and Eddie will find a solution to this.

Wishing you loads of luck xx

When you come back from the vet and all is fine then my advice is the following.

The second month after I found Sterretjie in the garden she started screaming and screaming and only stopped when she saw me. (She still does this occasionally.) Peoples advice was to ignore her screaming and I did the opposite. I started spending more and more time with her, even took her to work with me. Her screaming stopped and she got a boost of confidence, she started realizing that I loved her unconditionally and wasnt going to leave her or ignore her. She started becoming more and more independent and after a month we were back to only spending hours together, the normal daily routine.

I know this is completely the opposite of what everybody advices and I know a lot of people on this forum are going to flip backwards about this, BUT, I felt what Sterretjie needed and gave it to her. Covering the cage and ignoring the screaming only makes Eddie feel more and more frustrated and depressed. You need to do the opposite of everything that you've been doing so far. I understand that he's been with you for 4 years already, but just like us, we have ups and downs. Some of us become more and more depressed each day.

I agree Linky.

I listen to Cal and she was a real screamer at first. I realised the only way to get her to stop was to spend time teaching "no shout" and that there was no reason for her to get upset - I'd be coming back....we'll always come back!

She shouts when you leave a room because she wants to come with, now I say: Be one minute and all is well.

Just a thought Ben and not a very nice one but worth an ask....

I'm not suggesting your siblings are horrible to Eddie or that they're evil, but is there any possibility they could scream at him to shut up? Or maybe throw cushions at his cage or anything at all that might upset him....? It just came to me that if he is fine on one to one, maybe as Linky says, something or someone is upsetting him?

You are right Von, and Ben, you know that the culprit will never admit what he does when you are not present. That is just the way people are.

Thank you Linky. Actually thinking of possible changes that we may have made to upset him occupies about 70% of my thinking during the the day (and about 100% at night), but I can't put my finger on anything.

I honestly think that the second cage idea is fantastic. Funny, I just went down to chat to my parents about it and they were already thinking about it lol. Looks like they may have learnt something from all my rambling after all . So we are going to look into getting a smaller cage that can be wheeled around. This will have multiple benefits, in that I can wheel him to any room and outside by myself, for sleep, quiet time or to spend time with me. Currently that is at least a 2 person job (his cage is huge). He could also spend more time with me while I am studying in my room. Usually I can't have him in here because if he gets on the desk, he gets quite aggressive and attacks everything, including my hands (very unusual for him). But with a cage, he could have his own 'enclosed' play area right next to me while I work.

.....

Thanks for your kind words Von. I did consider that a 'mate' might be the only option if future attempts to control it do not work. Unfortunately I have no space for a third fid so not sure what that would spell for Eddies future.

Von1983 said:

I'm not suggesting your siblings are horrible to Eddie or that they're evil, but is there any possibility they could scream at him to shut up? Or maybe throw cushions at his cage or anything at all that might upset him....? It just came to me that if he is fine on one to one, maybe as Linky says, something or someone is upsetting him?

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Lol, no they are not as bad as I probably made them sound. Deep down they do love my bird and have said so many times in the past. But ever since the screaming started to elevate, they have just become extremely frustrated and I honestly can't blame them, I am just as frustrated. I have advised them to never respond to Eddies screaming, especially with yelling. I have had to remind them on a few occasions, when I hear 'oh shut up' from the other side of the room, but generally they are pretty good about it. Its more me that gets the ear bashing lol. I think they do understand the predicament I am in, but you know what its like when you're frustrated, all matter of sense goes out the window.

That's a relief then Ben - it was a horrible question to ask but it's always that "just in case."

I can certainly vouch for the 2 cage thing. Cal loves sitting in the shop in the smaller one. The large one is like her "play area" and she voluntarily goes into the smaller one for sleepy time still. Strange girl!

If that's the answer then BRILLIANT! It's got to be up there with the simplest of them all!

Aussie Ben said:

I honestly think that the second cage idea is fantastic. Funny, I just went down to chat to my parents about it and they were already thinking about it lol. Looks like they may have learnt something from all my rambling after all . So we are going to look into getting a smaller cage that can be wheeled around. This will have multiple benefits, in that I can wheel him to any room and outside by myself, for sleep, quiet time or to spend time with me. Currently that is at least a 2 person job (his cage is huge). He could also spend more time with me while I am studying in my room. Usually I can't have him in here because if he gets on the desk, he gets quite aggressive and attacks everything, including my hands (very unusual for him). But with a cage, he could have his own 'enclosed' play area right next to me while I work.

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That sounds like a wonderful idea and Eddie will be able to spend more time with you and I think that is what he wants. I hope this simple solution works. But still go to the vet for just incase.

Von1983 said:

If that's the answer then BRILLIANT! It's got to be up there with the simplest of them all!

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It might not be the answer, but it is definitely worth a try I think. I am willing to go a long way to get my old Eddie back.

Oh by the way, Sterretjie is also aggressive towards everything that she thinks takes up my time. Eddie shares you with the desk and he knows it.

Ben
Sorry for what you are going through. I need more infornation. Do Buddy ans Eddie share a room?
How old is Eddie? When he went through screaming phases before could you discern any trigger? Are people yelling back in frustration? (Don't be too angry at them...it is a human reaction.

That's because you're a parront Ben and an excellent one.

These fids we have....the trials and tribulations.....is it a wonder the bonds get so strong?

Sorry reply overlapped with some answers already in pipeline! I was thinking along same lines...second cage and mate. But I wondered if he could be screaming for Buddy as well.?

bogo1 said:

Ben
Sorry for what you are going through. I need more infornation. Do Buddy ans Eddie share a room?
How old is Eddie? When he went through screaming phases before could you discern any trigger? Are people yelling back in frustration? (Don't be too angry at them...it is a human reaction.

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Thanks Barb

Yes, Eddie and buddy do share the room and always have although they are a good 4-5 meters away from each other.

Eddie will be 4yo on December 12 and I have had him for the entire 4 years minus the 3 months that he was at the breeders. I think the first evidence of screaming came about 12 months ago, but then it sort of stayed there for a while, but the last 4-6 months it has just been becoming louder and more frequent. I really can't think of anything that would have triggered it, although I know something always does, its just a matter of figuring out what (thats the tricky part).

No people aren't yelling back at him (at least that I know of).

bogo1 said:

he could be screaming for Buddy as well.?

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He will occasionally land on her cage, but he is definitely not 'drawn' to her, I have no problems getting him off. Still, its a possibility. I remember when Buddy spent the night in animal hospital, Eddie was rather noisy and agitated (more than usual). He does mimic her calls, mind you, he makes them at 20x the volume she does lol.

Aussie Ben said:

He does mimic her calls, mind you, he makes them at 20x the volume she does lol.

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Oh, how lovely! .........

I think it is especially hard when this kind of behavior occurs with one of our birds because we think we should have the answers. Next question and you may think it odd but is Eddie enjoying himself? I mean when he screams is his body language "Hey Ben, come fix this situation now!" or is it more of a "Hey there, look at what happens when I make this very cool earspliting noise! "?

bogo1 said:

I think it is especially hard when this kind of behavior occurs with one of our birds because we think we should have the answers. Next question and you may think it odd but is Eddie enjoying himself? I mean when he screams is his body language "Hey Ben, come fix this situation now!" or is it more of a "Hey there, look at what happens when I make this very cool earspliting noise! "?

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Hard question, I would say the former, but its more like "hey, I can see people, why aren't they talking to me?"

You need to smother that bird with so much attention that HE starts BEGGING you to be left alone.

It really does work.