New bird owner ... Constant flock calling

So I've owned a green cheek conure for about two weeks. Was very quiet in the first week while settling in - however now every time it sees another bird fly past the window he/she flock calls extremely loudly and incessantly (literally from sunrise to sunset) until the bird is out of sight or window blinds are inverted (so light is still coming in the room but my gcc can't see outside). This occurs whether I'm in the same room as my gcc or not, and no, nobody else lives in my apartment.

1) Do I continue to "hide" the other birds outside from my gcc until it is comfortable with me and will then seek my attention instead? (still doesn't want to leave the cage btw but I'm at the stage where my gcc will eat food from my finger from outside the cage)

2) Do I just keep my gcc exposed to the "outside" birds and hope it eventually gives up on the flock calling as the other birds won't respond (flock calls to EVERY BIRD that goes past no matter the size so I don't think it's a predator thing)

btw my gcc is about 8 months to a year old
No other pets...first time bird owner

Thanks for all the help in advance!

Welcome to the forums! An interesting situation I've not encountered. Perhaps it is best to shield his view of other birds until fully acclimated to you and your home. He may be longing for other avians until fully bonded to you. Also possible it is his personality regardless of level of bond.

Scott said:

Welcome to the forums! An interesting situation I've not encountered. Perhaps it is best to shield his view of other birds until fully acclimated to you and your home. He may be longing for other avians until fully bonded to you. Also possible it is his personality regardless of level of bond.

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Welcome to the forum! I agree with Scott. He hasn't really had ample time to bond with you. I believe after he does,he won't give a hoot about other birdies and will want you're attention. good luck and keep us posted!!


Jim

Why do you think it is a flock call? I'm not sure I would be able to differentiate between an alarm and a contact call. Could he/she be scared of the birds outside? I'm not sure parrots recognise other birds in the way you're suggesting, like in a "I'm one of them" type way, unless you like somewhere where the birds outside are parrots? My birds are frightened of bees so I don't think size has much to do with being scared either! I suppose really it doesn't matter, but I wouldn't want you to think it's a judgement on the quality of your bond.

Either way, could you move your bird away from the window? Or block the view slightly with toys or something? If the blinds help I'd use them if you can't move the cage, you don't want to encourage the shouting to become a habit.

I agree with Jottlebot - I think it may be an alarm call. My conures all freak out a bit when birds that are larger than them fly by the windows. Could be that they are prey animals and larger birds might be predators in their minds? Mine don’t have a view out the window from their cages now since that seemed to be stressful for them. They can see out the windows when they are out of cage - but it seems less frightening for them (probably because they are out, free and able to get away from “the bird” that they see. I would definitely try turning the blinds so that he gets light but not the view while he’s caged. After he settles in - perhaps try opening the blinds for short periods while he’s in and out of cage (don’t force him to look out the window but just leave the blinds open for a short time while he’s doing other things) to see if he still reacts or becomes less fussed about it.