Birds are mad at me. Now what?

BeatriceC

New member
Feb 9, 2016
1,351
91
San Diego, CA
Parrots
Goofy (YNA), Oscar (Goffin 'too). Foster bird Betty (RLA). RIP Cookie, 1991-2016 ('tiel), Leo (Sengal), Charlotte (scarlet macaw). Grand-birds: Liam (budgie), Donovan (lovebird), RIP Angelo (budgie)
Two weeks ago one of my children was unexpectedly admitted to Children's Hospital Los Angeles, 150 miles away from home. They were unable to get him stabilized enough to release, so on day 4 they airlifted him back to Rady Children's, in my home town. My child spent another week there, for a total stay of 10 days. During the time in LA I was obviously not home at all, and during the time at Rady I was rarely home. MrC was also gone a lot during the time at Rady. The child finally came home last Sunday.

So the birds are mad. They're alternately grumpy and angry, and clingy. I've used all my tricks, but nothing's working. Any ideas for getting them back to their normal schedules and attitudes?
 

chris-md

Well-known member
Feb 6, 2010
4,349
2,119
Maryland - USA
Parrots
Parker - male Eclectus

Aphrodite - red throated conure (RIP)
I’m so sorry about your child, I hope they’re ok!

Just give them more time. Significant distractions such as this can definitely cause a bit of chaos. They will settle back down soon, especially once they notice and understand they are back in their regular schedule. It’s stressful for you know, and I’m sorry your having to go through it, but it will eventually go back to normal.
 
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bug_n_flock

Well-known member
Jan 2, 2018
1,371
207
Isolated Holler in the Appalachian Wilderness
Parrots
B&G Macaw, Galah, 5 cockatiels, 50 billion and a half budgies. We breed and do rescue. Too many to list each individual's name and age etc, but they are each individuals and loved dearly.
Oh gosh. Glad your child is well enough to be released, I hope he continues to recover!



I agree with MD. Time will be the best medicine for this. I recently had to leave my Alex behind when moving, and he was staying with my mom for months... the longest stretch that I didn't see him for was 5ish months!! When he moved here finally, he was a little miffed but not as much as I had expected from previous short separations... Just give it time and they will forgive you.
 

Casper223

New member
Apr 27, 2019
327
2
Gulf Coast, Louisiana/Mississippi State Line S/E
Parrots
Umbrella Cockatoo "Zoey"
I have to echo Chris-md's post. Your birds will work back into a schedule, and through treats an love I believe everything will be back to normal. My heart goes out to you over your child, but believe the bird doesn't understand whats going on like we do, and probably felt lonely and even isolated in the whisk of everything else going on. Time will heal their wounds, getting back to routine is the doorway for making it happen.
 

YSGC

New member
Jan 6, 2019
205
0
USA
Parrots
Pico, gender unknown, is a hand-fed Yellow Sided Green Cheek Conure, born 2015.
I agree that they just need time to settle back into the schedule.

Just relax and be patient with them.
 

ParrotGenie

Member
Jan 10, 2019
946
19
Indiana
Parrots
2 umbrella Cockatoos One male named Cooper and female named Baby 1 Little Corella male named Frankie and have 5 Cockatiels three named Male named Pepper, Fiesco for the female and female named Wylie.
They will get over it soon enough.
 

Scott

Supporting Member
Aug 21, 2010
32,673
9,789
San Diego, California USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Parrots
Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
I'm sorry your son became sufficiently ill to endure lengthy hospital stays. Hope he is stable and feeling better, certainly was in great hands at Rady's.

My hunch is they are reacting to your absence and the incredible stress you and Mr. C are enduring. Parrots are sensitive empaths and readily respond to such events. I suspect they will calm down over time and as family trauma subsides. Give them a big hug from me.... whenever you are able to approach!
 

plumsmum2005

New member
Nov 18, 2015
5,330
94
England, UK
Parrots
Lou, Ruby, and Sonu.
Fly free Plum, my gorgeous boy.
Just to add that unexpected changes makes them unsettled and if you can give any one on one then do. The best thing is probably 'the normal routine', it's what they know and expect. Sorry you have been through a lot lately.
 

HannahandSunny

Well-known member
Parrot of the Month πŸ†
Jan 13, 2019
547
638
Australia
Parrots
Cockatiels. Percy & Gizmo

Forever in my heart. Sunny the Corella
I hope your child is recovering well.

I’m sure the birds will forgive you soon enough, back to a good routine with them, lots of attention and treats :D
 
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BeatriceC

New member
Feb 9, 2016
1,351
91
San Diego, CA
Parrots
Goofy (YNA), Oscar (Goffin 'too). Foster bird Betty (RLA). RIP Cookie, 1991-2016 ('tiel), Leo (Sengal), Charlotte (scarlet macaw). Grand-birds: Liam (budgie), Donovan (lovebird), RIP Angelo (budgie)
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Thanks all. I've never been away from them more than a day, so this is all new for all of us.

My son is recovering well. He has a genetic bone disease ( https://www.mherf.org/about-mhe ) and had a tumor in his hip suddenly grow large and fuse a couple bones together. They took it out and put a rod in his femur to stabilize the joint and he's doing well.

The birds are still freaking out every time I leave the room. The flighted ones literally follow me from room to room, and Frankie, who can't fly due to an old wing injury (before I got him) waddles after me as fast as he can or screams bloody murder if he can't get off of whatever perch he's on. I guess I just have to wait this out.

(Also, typing at my desk with one bird on my forearm and another on my head, with the two little birds flying around the bird room not wanting to get too far away).
 

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