He will NOT shut up!

[Lauren]

I'm a lifetime lurker/active member when I have time but I have a 16 year old male blue crown conure who cannot fly and he is such a lovable birb and seriously.... he's either going to be cooked on the barbeque tonight or he's becoming a chew toy//

I do NOT get it. The yelling, it's unreal. 6:30am rolls around and it's yelling once he hears ANY movement from the bedroom, whether it's dog, my boyfriend or myself.

This continues, despite ignoring, until we lose our cool and just go get him and put him on the floor in the kitchen (today, is a prime example: 6:30 to 12pm so far he's been going off)

It doesn't matter if we ignore, call down to him, play music, squirt him with a water bottle, yell back and forth, NOTHING WILL SHUT HIM UP.


When he's yelling, and I creep on him, he's walking on the bottom of his cage... I have no idea why he does this.

I've tried encouraging foraging, and making a HUGE deal when he rips up paper or plays with a foot toy - nope as soon as I leave him to play on his own, he drops things and the noise continues.

I've made toys for him, foraging boxes, shredders, he has shower perches, boings, a massive tree stand... NOTHING WILL KEEP THIS BIRD QUIET... unless he's sitting on my shoulder......


HELP, please. Before I lose my mind

 

[plumsmum2005]

I'm a lifetime lurker/active member when I have time but I have a 16 year old male blue crown conure who cannot fly and he is such a lovable birb and seriously.... he's either going to be cooked on the barbeque tonight or he's becoming a chew toy//

I do NOT get it. The yelling, it's unreal. 6:30am rolls around and it's yelling once he hears ANY movement from the bedroom, whether it's dog, my boyfriend or myself.

This continues, despite ignoring, until we lose our cool and just go get him and put him on the floor in the kitchen (today, is a prime example: 6:30 to 12pm so far he's been going off)

It doesn't matter if we ignore, call down to him, play music, squirt him with a water bottle, yell back and forth, NOTHING WILL SHUT HIM UP.


When he's yelling, and I creep on him, he's walking on the bottom of his cage... I have no idea why he does this.

I've tried encouraging foraging, and making a HUGE deal when he rips up paper or plays with a foot toy - nope as soon as I leave him to play on his own, he drops things and the noise continues.

I've made toys for him, foraging boxes, shredders, he has shower perches, boings, a massive tree stand... NOTHING WILL KEEP THIS BIRD QUIET... unless he's sitting on my shoulder......


HELP, please. Before I lose my mind

Hi Lauren,

He is shouting because something isn't right. It looks like he wants attention and probably best if you can set a routine for this so you and he knows where you are.

Please STOP the water squirting it just wont do any good! Birds love and need interaction and to know where they are. You are the flock leader and probably giving out some confusing messages to him right now. If he can get used to a routine ie some time with you in the morning perhaps watching you from a stand/play tree, you can talk to him whilst you go about your chores and he feels integrated. This may help with the morning yelling but no promises, he has heard the flock and is shouting to them.

Again allow some time for interaction and cuddles etc in the evening but importantly even when he is in his cage he needs to feel part of the flock. Btw by yelling at him you are rewarding him for doing it. Set some routines and boundaries and see how you go.

Story: Looked after my friends Conure, first time horrendous amount of screeching but little by little as he got to know me it got better. He was afraid of me and in new surroundings so I put the radio on and we danced together, he loved it! The next time he came he remembered me, not so scary, we interacted and he behaved better, less shrieking. The next time he actively wanted cuddles and because he was content that I would go see him as temp flock leader and we had some time together and a cuddle he was happy and we hardly got any shouting, shrieking, yelling and he was very well behaved.

 

[MonicaMc]

Sounds like he doesn't know how to play independently. I know you have been working on it, but keeping trying! Keep rewarding that desired behavior! Instead of leaving immediately, can you do things around the same room?


Is there any way you can move the cage around the house so he can be part of the family more?


Are there any noises or words that he makes or says that you can reward over his screaming?

 

[SirEdwin89]

Screaming can certainly be incredibly frustrating, but the reality is it comes down to a battle of the wills, and from your post it sounds like you have been letting him win. Every time you cave, you reinforce the screaming. Making sure he doesn't have a *reason* to be screaming (out of food or water or such) should be the only attention he gets when he is doing it. Otherwise, you have to out-stubborn him, or it likely will never get better. And when he is being quiet, make a HUGE deal out of it.

If you know he is going to start up at 6:30, wake up earlier so you can go get him *before* the screaming starts.

Go out and get some noise canceling headphones, or earplugs, and use them when he starts getting loud. (reducing how much the behavior is frustrating you can help a ton)

You could consider getting him a separate sleeping cage in your room and seeing if it helps if he can be with you and see you in the mornings and see that you aren't starting the day yet. Though, that could also have the opposite effect and increase his desire to wake you up.

Never use a water bottle as punishment, it doesn't work, and will only result in traumatizing the bird, or making them afraid of water. Honestly, any form of punishment is usually a negative in training. The animals behavior needs to be out of a desire to please, not out of a fear of displeasing.

Screaming is a tough battle, especially once the bird starts noticing it works, and can be a real challenge to curve. I wish you luck on your battle of the wills!

 

[CherylCali]

This might be a dumb question, but if he only stops screaming when he's physically on you, can he be on you more?

Is he possibly not getting 12 hours of darkness to sleep at night?

CherylCali

 

[LeaKP]

I'm sorry it's been so rough. Conures can be very vocal. But, like all parrots, they really can pick up on our emotions. I guess that your bird sense your frustration and is copying it, he's frustrated too.

I've read here in the forums to remember that it's never the birds fault, we are the ones who have to adjust and then they follow suit.

When I work with birds, I have found consistency with demeanor, keeping my voice down, and appropriate techniques work wonders. Try searching YouTube (tons of advice there) for training, so helpful.

I hope all goes well with you and your feathered one!

 

[Lauren]

I will shuffle cages tonight, right now both him and Lily (my pionus) are in the living room (which is down close to the basement but it has windows), his cage is huge so I'll probably need to swap cages and move Lily's upstairs to make it easier.

He has his areas for every part of the house (ie: computer room I have a massive Java tree, kitchen/dining room, 2 window perches and boings). He is out essentially 24/7 and spends a minimum of 4 hours a day/evening interacting with myself and my boyfriend.

What I am going to try is give him the attention BEFORE he does his obnoxious calls and reward when he's in his cage and quiet, or on any of his "stations".

I've tried whistling, calling "hello" (which is his word of the year) and pretty bird to try to engage in something other than the yells....


I've made my post seem like I'm screaming at Seth (lol!!!) and I promise you I am as patient and calm with him as I can be.

 

[Lauren]

I cover his cage at night which seems to help. He is typically on me as often as he wants, but when I need to place him in his cage so he's not in the kitchen during cookie (of course), that just instigates the yells.

I get that he's a Velcro bird but I would love to have him a bit more independent (stage 5 cling-on much)

This might be a dumb question, but if he only stops screaming when he's physically on you, can he be on you more?

Is he possibly not getting 12 hours of darkness to sleep at night?

CherylCali

 

[Lauren]

He has never been as vocal as he has been the last few months. He has his moments, and believe me they were loud before but hilarious.

I will work on some tricks to deter the yelling and maybe just have him more involved with the "chaos" in my life.

Youtube will be happening tomorrow with some wine and I will see if I can find any tricks or ideas that will assist

I'm sorry it's been so rough. Conures can be very vocal. But, like all parrots, they really can pick up on our emotions. I guess that your bird sense your frustration and is copying it, he's frustrated too.

I've read here in the forums to remember that it's never the birds fault, we are the ones who have to adjust and then they follow suit.

When I work with birds, I have found consistency with demeanor, keeping my voice down, and appropriate techniques work wonders. Try searching YouTube (tons of advice there) for training, so helpful.

I hope all goes well with you and your feathered one!

 

[SirEdwin89]

I will shuffle cages tonight, right now both him and Lily (my pionus) are in the living room (which is down close to the basement but it has windows), his cage is huge so I'll probably need to swap cages and move Lily's upstairs to make it easier.

He has his areas for every part of the house (ie: computer room I have a massive Java tree, kitchen/dining room, 2 window perches and boings). He is out essentially 24/7 and spends a minimum of 4 hours a day/evening interacting with myself and my boyfriend.

What I am going to try is give him the attention BEFORE he does his obnoxious calls and reward when he's in his cage and quiet, or on any of his "stations".

I've tried whistling, calling "hello" (which is his word of the year) and pretty bird to try to engage in something other than the yells....


I've made my post seem like I'm screaming at Seth (lol!!!) and I promise you I am as patient and calm with him as I can be.

Oh believe me, any of us who have or have had a screamer can totally relate to your frustration. The reality is, I'd take a bullet for any of my animals, and would never ACTUALLY consider hurting any of them. That said, when the frustration reaches a certain point, I'd be lying if I said I hadn't cooked up mental images of strapping Ely to a bottle rocket and sending him to deep space.

Screaming is a truly brutal battle, because it's not like most negative behaviors. You can't just keep them at arms distance like you can to avoid bites, you can't clip wings like you can to keep them from flying and attacking, you really just can't do much but get far enough away it doesn't bother you. And its more than a little irritating to be chased out of your own home.

I really do recommend going and getting some noise cancling headphones, especially if y'all are music people. Partially for the birds sake in aiding you in being more stubborn, but mostly to help with the human frustration aspect of it. They won't stop the screaming, but they have helped my personal sanity immensely in working with Ely.

 

[CherylCali]

That said, when the frustration reaches a certain point, I'd be lying if I said I hadn't cooked up mental images of strapping Ely to a bottle rocket and sending him to deep space.

Made me giggle [emoji12]




CherylCali

 

[BeatriceC]

That said, when the frustration reaches a certain point, I'd be lying if I said I hadn't cooked up mental images of strapping Ely to a bottle rocket and sending him to deep space.

Made me giggle [emoji12]




CherylCali

There's a reason my son has nicknamed my senegal "chicken nugget".

 

[Tangie]

I hope all of this gets better!
If he has everything he needs, then chances are, he is screaming for you guys. It's natural for a parrot to scream for his flock members, and want to be with you more. I would integrate him in your household duties more often, and his screaming should dial down, even if you are not 'actively' interacting with him. As long as you are in the same room.

Also, set a schedule so he can expect it. Sometimes, though, it is good to mix it up or he could rely too heavily on the schedule, and be a mess if everything doesn't turn out exactly as it did before, and before that, ect.(some parrots have that issue)

I would have suggested that he could be upset because he learned to expect something from you, that you do not do anymore, but I don't really think that is the problem, which is good, because that would make it more difficult to 'fix'.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Ahhhhhhhh, noizszszszse...

Well, my Patagonian is verrrry loud. One of the reasons he always has to have an upstairs suite is that his frequency/intensity of screams are just too hard to ignore any closer by. When he's out (on me or one of his perches) he will still be loud, but it's episodic and usually words and funny sounds.

My main noise control tactic is regularity of schedule. He gets checked and fed and such at the crack of dawn, but doesn't come out until 8-9, and there's no use complaining about that. He does the usual parrot-extravaganza as he greets the morning early, but then settles down. He goes back into the cage at about noon and then sleeps from about 1-3 (always has)... oh, the house is sooooooooo quiet! Then he usually comes out around supper time (again, no point in screaming) and stays out until not too log before bedtime (according to the natural light schedule). Then he can bust loose and scream the usual sundown arias.

One thing mystifies me... how do you folks do a time-out? The only way I get the Rb back in the cage is to toss a green chile in there, and he hops in. Sometimes he'll go in if he's thirsty (I usually don't give him water for about half an hour before he's going back. He's flighted, and feisty, and will bite and/or fly away if I just try to put him in. Even if I bum-rush him inside, he will not step on the perch. So I keep a basket of chiles handy. Yeah, it's embarassing to admit, but... it's peaceful and safe and green chiles are good for him.

So how do you folks do time-outs, please? Lauren, sorry for a bit of a detour, but maybe this can help you, too... about the time-out, I mean.

 

[SirEdwin89]

One thing mystifies me... how do you folks do a time-out? The only way I get the Rb back in the cage is to toss a green chile in there, and he hops in. Sometimes he'll go in if he's thirsty (I usually don't give him water for about half an hour before he's going back. He's flighted, and feisty, and will bite and/or fly away if I just try to put him in. Even if I bum-rush him inside, he will not step on the perch. So I keep a basket of chiles handy. Yeah, it's embarassing to admit, but... it's peaceful and safe and green chiles are good for him.

So how do you folks do time-outs, please? Lauren, sorry for a bit of a detour, but maybe this can help you, too... about the time-out, I mean.

step 1) Set phasers to stun. :54:

The honest answer however for me, is probably pretty impractical for most people, because usually I just take the bite. I have developed a pretty high pain tolerance over the years, but i still think beaks are really freaking painful, so I don't expect most people to want to go that route. And most people probably don't want their arms and hands covered in scars either.

With a fully flighted bird though, that doesn't want to cooperate, i'm not sure what other options there are outside of bribery.

 

[snowflake311]

Yeah ear phones or the kind you use to mow the yard with or the ones for chainsaw and guns would be a good first defense.

Screaming is so hard it's a self rewarding activity these are the hardest to work with even in dogs. Consistency with whatever training you use will be best.

As for time outs does the bird have to be in a cage? I feel like just removing you from your bird can be a time out. This worked for my daughter when she was young. Parrots like some toddlers want to be with us. If we leave them or go in another room away from them that alone can get your point across. Don't remove the bird remove yourself from the bird.. maybe?

Good luck besides the screaming your bird sounds like a cool parrot hope you guys will get passed this.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Ahhhhhhhh, noizszszszse...

Well, my Patagonian is verrrry loud. One of the reasons he always has to have an upstairs suite is that his frequency/intensity of screams are just too hard to ignore any closer by. When he's out (on me or one of his perches) he will still be loud, but it's episodic and usually words and funny sounds.

My main noise control tactic is regularity of schedule. He gets checked and fed and such at the crack of dawn, but doesn't come out until 8-9, and there's no use complaining about that. He does the usual parrot-extravaganza as he greets the morning early, but then settles down. He goes back into the cage at about noon and then sleeps from about 1-3 (always has)... oh, the house is sooooooooo quiet! Then he usually comes out around supper time (again, no point in screaming) and stays out until not too log before bedtime (according to the natural light schedule). Then he can bust loose and scream the usual sundown arias.

One thing mystifies me... how do you folks do a time-out? The only way I get the Rb back in the cage is to toss a green chile in there, and he hops in. Sometimes he'll go in if he's thirsty (I usually don't give him water for about half an hour before he's going back. He's flighted, and feisty, and will bite and/or fly away if I just try to put him in. Even if I bum-rush him inside, he will not step on the perch. So I keep a basket of chiles handy. Yeah, it's embarassing to admit, but... it's peaceful and safe and green chiles are good for him.

So how do you folks do time-outs, please? Lauren, sorry for a bit of a detour, but maybe this can help you, too... about the time-out, I mean.

I have no choice but use a towel or the threat of the towel for my friends Patty. He will cuddle and be cuddled by me when I hold him in one but chews my hands if skin on feathers, go figure! He did look so sweet is little head poking out the top, calm as you like, it was Ok you got me, come on, kiss, kiss, kiss or as he says it 'kicky' LOL

 

[Dinosrawr]

One thing mystifies me... how do you folks do a time-out? The only way I get the Rb back in the cage is to toss a green chile in there, and he hops in. Sometimes he'll go in if he's thirsty (I usually don't give him water for about half an hour before he's going back. He's flighted, and feisty, and will bite and/or fly away if I just try to put him in. Even if I bum-rush him inside, he will not step on the perch. So I keep a basket of chiles handy. Yeah, it's embarassing to admit, but... it's peaceful and safe and green chiles are good for him.

So how do you folks do time-outs, please? Lauren, sorry for a bit of a detour, but maybe this can help you, too... about the time-out, I mean.

step 1) Set phasers to stun. :54:

The honest answer however for me, is probably pretty impractical for most people, because usually I just take the bite. I have developed a pretty high pain tolerance over the years, but i still think beaks are really freaking painful, so I don't expect most people to want to go that route. And most people probably don't want their arms and hands covered in scars either.

With a fully flighted bird though, that doesn't want to cooperate, i'm not sure what other options there are outside of bribery.

Hahaha! Truth be told. My way around a flighted bird who doesn't necessarily want to go in is just making a trick out of it. Both birds are flighted, both know the "Go to your perch" command. After that, I reinforce with a few different tricks (maybe a step up, spin around, wave, high-five) or not, reward with praise or a treat, and off they go into their cage happily munching on a seed or nut. In fact, it's so routine with them that by the time I even move my hand to close the cage door they've already crawled into their cage to eat their treat if I've given one. It helps to have a small perch attached to said cage door, of course.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Thanks for those thoughts, Sir, Snow and Mum.

I actually feel significantly less ridiculous right now!!!!

Snowflake, good point about some screaming is self-reinforcing... feels good! Classically, self-rewarding behaviors require punishment, and who would want to do that? Nobody here. Some behaviors feel so good that even differential reward of incompatible behaviors is probably ineffective. But anywayyyyy...

I can't get away from the bird because he just flies after me. So it's the chile peppers!

 

[plumsmum2005]

Thanks for those thoughts, Sir, Snow and Mum.

I actually feel significantly less ridiculous right now!!!!

Snowflake, good point about some screaming is self-reinforcing... feels good! Classically, self-rewarding behaviors require punishment, and who would want to do that? Nobody here. Some behaviors feel so good that even differential reward of incompatible behaviors is probably ineffective. But anywayyyyy...

I can't get away from the bird because he just flies after me. So it's the chile peppers!

I did try a chili pepper as you suggested Gail, but he threw it back at me LOL