Hahn's Regressing?

Hi all,

Although I had a Cockatiel when I was young, I am relatively new to the world of parrots.

I have a 9 month old Hahn's Macaw named Zico who was weaned at the breeder for 4.5 months and has been with us now for another 4.5 months.

He is a very sweet bird and is very attached to me. He often screams when I leave the room (which I am trying hard not to reward). I figured it will take some time to try to fix that behavior but would appreciate some tips.

He hasn't developed a whole lot of confidence yet, which also concerns me a bit.

What really concerns me though is that recently he has started making the begging sounds he used to make when I would visit him at the breeder. He desperately makes the sounds the entire time, even when I hold him. He really only stops when I give him seeds (he is on a 90% pellet diet). He was not making this begging sound when we first switched to pellets so I am concerned he is regressing a bit. I have heard that some macaws really benefit from regression weaning. Does any one have any experience with this? Any other tips?

I should mention that he spends a lot of time alone all day since both my gf and I work. My gf gets home earlier than I do and says there are sometimes no issues until I get home and that really he just wants to be with me. Would he benefit from another bird in the house?

Any tips are greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
-Emilio

Sometimes a bird having another bird to talk to is good. I would suggest instead of giving him 90% pellets and seed try giving him other stuff. Try some warm foods like some sweet potato cut up put in water microwave for about 3 mins and smash for him. Scramble eggs are good in moderation. when he starts begging give him some warm smushy food. I would try to add a little bit of nuts to his diet too. My green wing likes pellets in warm water.

Welcome to the forum Emilio, getting a bird to keep another bird company is not always a good idea, especially if the new bird would be caged with the existing bird.....they will bond with each other & ignore you & your girlfriend.....

Some recently & not so recently young birds that are not real confident or that may live in noisy situations or with dogs and/or cats that intimidate them, will regress & often require being fed hand-feeding formula again.....also, if he still wants seeds with his pellets, offering some is not going to kill his diet.....does he like apple juice? I used to mist apple juice over pellets when I convert a bird...not to soak the pellets, but just enough to get the apple taste on them.....

The separation anxiety is something that is different for each bird, I've always told my birds I was going to leave before I did & always told them I was coming back, instead of just showing up in the room unannounced (carpet floors) or when I am leaving the house, I tell them where I am going & that I will be back.....several would say bye or bye, bye, but after they understood what I was saying, they never really yelled much after that.....

Im all for the second bird [ if you can handle it ] .None of my birds are in the same cage ,but are next to each other. I like to observe what mine learn from each other. Birds are flock animals ,you are their flock. Thats could be alot on you even if the can be a little independent .I would think If I was a bird I would be lonely IMO.