Behavioral Sensitivity

Behavioral Sensitivity. Yea, me and spell check had a ball with that one!! Should have asked WharfRat for help!!

As most know, we have MAC, a 2.5 year old B&G Macaw. We've had Mac living with us for over 2 years now.

My wife, who is usually with MAC all day long, working from home, had to fly to NY state this past Friday due to a family illness.

I'm doing some remodeling at the house, noisy but no fumes or other stuff. Not noisy all day but have to cut some wood, outside etc.

MAC seems to want to hang out in his cage rather than his play perch in the living room. When I go to get him out of his cage he looks above as if looking for a predator. He eventually comes out and is fine.

He eats fine, drinks fine, no problems other than he acts like there is something above his cage that has him concerned.

There have not been any changes in his room, (yea, he has his own room!!)

I've always known he was sensitive to noises or rapid changes. My wife says he misses his MUDDER! I think it is the noise.

Anyhow, I'm stuck at home, alone, other than MAC, so I am rambling!!

Do you have something you can use to cover just the top of Mac's cage? You might try that before you're ready to bring him out and see if it makes any difference. Not sure that it will, but it can't hurt to try it.

sure sounds like a combination of missing mom and loud noises are disturbing the bird. maybe try to spend some time with him or a good treat/toy as a distraction? when i'm not home, i'm the mom, my birds want to stay in their cages even if the door is open and my hub is there.

The top of the cage stays covered. that's been the way we've done it for a couple of years.

I think it probably is missing Mom and the noise. Things have settled down a bit. Mac is not as tense today, I haven't been making as much noise today.

Thanks for the input!

All three of mine were unsettled this morning when the workmen arrived to grade the backyard. The window to "their" room looks out on the patio and the work is just beyond that. I had to close the blinds most of the way because the sight was clearly setting off Scooter, but none of them really wanted to come out when it was noisy out there, they chose to be in their cages. Has "Mom" left before?

DebsFlock;178927 Has "Mom" left before?

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Yea, Mom has left before for very short periods but not at the same time as me doing Noisy stuff at the same time.

Mac has been very adaptable but I think there just has been a combination of events that has got him a bit uncomfortable.

All three of mine returned to normal this evening with the commotion died down. I think they may just be predisposed to be cautious. As long as he's not actually acting seriously stressed out, you'll probably both be fine.

Easy for me to say!

I think you are correct!

As I watch the situations transpire I see a correlation with the absence of Mother and my noise making and MAC's reactions!

Just a quick update.

My wife has been back for a few days now and the remodel continues.

Mac seems to have pretty much settled back in to his routine although he does seem a bit more boisterous.