Green Cheek does not stop screaming!

Hello guys,

First time in the forum. I have had a green cheek conure for about 5 years now. His name is Sam and he has always been very quiet. He has actually been my apartment pet since I have owned him. Anyways I moved to this new apartment months ago and he has been extremely loud. The only time he is quiet is when he is on my shoulders and even then sometimes he screams. I have moved his cage several times to see if I can find a place he prefers but he continues to act the same. My girlfriend tells me that when Im gone he screams like if someone is killing him. I give him lots of attention when I can (lots more than I used to) and he just gets worse. My neighbors finally complained Friday and I have been crying since (I'm a 26 year old guy). Im already in look for someone to take him but its really not what I want to do, I love this bird so much. Btw I'm trying to teach him to stop screaming but it seems not to work, he tends to be loud even with a blanket over his cage. What I have noticed is that he mainly screams reacting to over noises. Water flowing, the extractor in bathroom, outside noise anything irritates him.

Please let me know what you think. I want to make some time to take him to the vet soon but im sure he is healthy. He just can not be away from me for some reason and it used to never be like this.

Anyways...HELP!

This is tough, so sorry you're in this situation. It is obvious that the move has unsettled him and causing a lot of stress. Birds can be very resistant to change and will often act out in various behavioral ways. It might take him a while to get used to the new set up and to not feel threatened by his new surroundings. He needs a lot of reassurance and time. I know you've tried relocating the cage. Have you tried all possible areas of the apartment for cage placement? Can you a place it where he has a good solid corner, away from the window so he could feel more secure at least until he can get used to things?

I wish I could give you more useful advice, hopefully someone who has experienced this will chime in. I hope it won't end up with you having to rehome him.

Also you said random noises set him off. Can you try to play white noise to drown out some of it?

Maybe a smaller cage that will make him feel more secure? When I bring new birds in the home they usually need a smaller cage then the one I want to put them in to feel secure at first. I'm not sure if this would unsettle him more but it sounds like you need to try some desperate measures before the neighbors force the issue.

Has he had a thorough tour of the house with you? It sounds like he's terrified and disoriented and is calling to you for reassurance. Try taking him around, and have him perch in your hand while you go over every inch of every room, letting him beak and explore everything, figure out where all those new sounds are coming from. It takes time and patience, some things will scare him and he's got to process all that.

He is in a solid corner although just about a foot away there is a window but he cant see it because of the angle. He was moved today from probably the best corner in the apartment but its next to the neighbors wall so thats why I moved him back. This time I put a blanket on his cage leaving only the front open. He seems to find it interesting, now he is asleep fully covered but lets see. Oh also lately to get him off me I need to take off my shirt thats how hard it is..

Kalidasa said:

Has he had a thorough tour of the house with you? It sounds like he's terrified and disoriented and is calling to you for reassurance. Try taking him around, and have him perch in your hand while you go over every inch of every room, letting him beak and explore everything, figure out where all those new sounds are coming from. It takes time and patience, some things will scare him and he's got to process all that.

Click to expand...

Try this ASAP!

He has done multiple tours sometimes even on his own. Ever since I got him he has liked to just walk on the floor like a dog so he has walked the entire apartment. Might give the small cage a try. One thing my gf and I keep on thinking is that we have given him too much freedom. He rarely spends time at his cage now since we just want to keep him quiet. Maybe its time to start keeping the cage door closed.

Yeah when I first Brought my Eckie home he was stressed out majorly as I had at that time 4 IRN and a Lori.
So come 3pm am the place was just a utter chatter and squawking.
I put him in another room for bout a week still so he could hear but not totally in the middle of it.
He is fine now but was very nervous at first.

I'm sorry you're in this situation. It sounds really stressful.

I like the idea of moving him to a smaller cage for a while. Maybe you could try offering him some formula for a few days? If the move stressed him out and he needs to feel secure in his new environment, that might do the trick.

OK - yes to the above, he's probably freaked out by the move and letting you know. So, while biding time until he gets comfortable again...what about leaving a radio or TV on to help mask other strange noises and give him a little entertainment? Add some new toys - foraging toys with treats especially - to keep him occupied and make his cage and this new place a fun place to be. Start training (if you aren't) -this will give him something to think about and focus on. It will not just be time with you, it will be work for this smart boy and will probably really help with getting him off your shoulder. Just thoughts. I'm sorry this is happening!