New to the forums, seeking help for first-time screaming macaw

[alexdw369]

Hi all, like the title stated, I'm new here. My name is Alex. I have an approximately 1-year-old B&G named Kevin, whom I've owned for three months. This is going to be a long post, but I'm hoping that the detail will help me get some answers and advice. Let me kind of break down his life and hopefully somebody will have some suggestions.

I found Kevin on Craigslist while looking for a bird in need of a home. I had in mind a smaller species, but Kevin popped up one day and the owners lived nearby so I decided to visit. Needless to say, I ended up taking him home after a few visits and...here we are. He had some questionable habits...including sleeping arrangements and cage time. He was caged when the owners were away from home (during the day), but when they were home, he was either on their shoulder most of the time, or on his tree perch, often unsupervised, but they assured me that he never left the perch anyway. At night, he slept on a boing in their bedroom where Kevin could see them. I guess I decided to take him home because he was a beautiful bird, didn't have any real behavioral problems (screaming, plucking, etc.) and had a clean bill of health and the owners had just had a baby who they were concerned was having an allergic reaction to the bird dander.

Over the course of a few days, I guess I was mostly concerned with bonding with him, as he seemed a little upset over having been taken away from his previous family. I didn't bother trying to break bad habits yet, and unfortunately, as I probably deserve, I still haven't yet found a way to. Though I am fully aware of the physical danger of allowing a bird his size on my shoulder, this tends to be where he wants to be when I'm home, so long as he hasn't had an attitude about him. Additionally, because I didn't want him feeling alone the first few days I had him here, I put his boing in my bedroom (yes, I am also aware of respiratory risks due to bird dander). Although I only allow him on my shoulder when I place him there (I take him to his perch if he tries to climb my arm like he expects to be allowed to perch on my shoulder). His need to be ON me is incessant...will not occupy himself or eat if I am visible to him as he is preoccupied with getting me to pick him up. I try to force him to sit on a perch near me, below eye level, and he always has a toy to chew on, shred, or look for food in. Depending on his mood, he may play with the toy, but if i look over at him, he drops it and starts asking to step up and extending his foot.

Also, it might be notable that he is aggressive towards my two roommates, and will only let them come near if Kevin knows I am supervising. I have yet to determine whether this is jealously, distrust, or what. He tends to bark at them and try to get at them with his beak. I have shared with my roommates everything I know about owning a bird, what to do in certain situations, how to react, who to call, etc. I have also spent a good number of hours trying to "socialize" him with both them and others. He is very good with my family...pinched mom on the back of the hand once (not enough to draw blood), but is now as friendly and trusting with them as he is me.

As far as Kevin's daily schedule goes, I wake up about 7am with him and give him breakfast (a pellet diet) and a tray of fresh fruits to snack on throughout the morning after I leave for school/work. I leave around 8:30am, and usually return around 7. Roommates that come in and out during the day report that he is quiet, just babbles some in the morning after I leave and late in the afternoon. During the day, he has toys to chew on and shred, and foraging toys with seeds and nuts hidden inside. When I get home at 7, he fluffs up, poops (about the only trick he knows ) and says "Step Up," at which point I pick him up and let him hang out with me while I clean out his food and water bowls and offer him some more of his pellets with a couple spoonfuls of a macaw-specific seed mix mixed in. He is reluctant to eat, being so eager to see me, so I generally will put him in his cage with his food and leave the room. After I've decided that he's eaten enough, I'll come back out from my bedroom and let him back out of his cage until around 9:30-10:00 when he seems to get tired and want his boing. This affords him about 3 hours a day (give or take, depending on the day) if interaction with me and he has always seemed very content with me.

So...while I am all ears on advice for his daily routine, what I'm mostly concerned with is something that happened today, and this is the reason for me finding a forum to seek help.

Today, around 5pm, my roommate (John) called me and told me that Kevin was screaming. Not being sure what he meant by "screaming" as we've never heard him actually do so before, I asked him to clarify, but then I realized what all the noise in the background was. It was loud, it was every few seconds, and it wasn't happy. John explained that he let him out of his cage around 3:30 when he got home from the gym. John, not being to keen on picking him up, just allowed him to climb out of his cage and up on top, where he often enjoys to walk around and climb up and down the sides, etc. Around 5pm is when the screaming started. I am told by John that he looked like he wanted back in the cage (maybe for water or food, he thought), so he tried to get him to step up so he could help him back inside. That's not really what was going on, as Kevin is fully capable of going in and out with ease, so it was a bit of a mistake for John to have acknowledged him at all when he screamed so loudly. Regardless, it was once and brief, and John quickly gave up and called me. So hopefully, that wasn't too much damage regarding reinforcing only positive behavior. The screaming continued until I arrived home at about 7:30, at which point he was still screaming, despite having seen me. This meant that he had been screaming continuously, every few seconds, for roughly 2.5 hours. That's a little more than what I would consider "evening vocalizations." Not being 100% sure what to do, but needing to move quickly, I pulled him down off his cage, and put him in my bedroom on his boing and closed the door behind me. My thinking was that I want the screaming to stop, but at the same time I don't want to reward him with my presence. He quieted down after about 15 minutes of screaming and various other aggravated noises I had never heard him make...sounded very stressed out. As I was saying, after he quieted down, I went and got him and put him in his cage, trying to give him an opportunity to eat. No more screaming, but he paced around his cage for about a half hour until I gave up and moved him back to his boing, where he sits right now as I type this post. He is now acting 100% normal, like he does every evening.

Though this is the first (and only) time this has ever happened, I want to nip this one in the bud quick before it gets out of hand, as this is the bad habit that will get him rehomed if the neighbors start making noise complaints, and that's the last thing in the world I want.

The only thing I can think of that may have had some small effect, was two days ago. On July 4th, I had both work and school off, so I took him down to my parent's house with me for the day. It was the first day pretty much all year we'd had any rain here in AZ, so he spent some time outside on his perch at the edge of the patio, where we discovered he loves to put his head under (and bite) the water. So we all hung out outside for a little while and then went back inside and he took a nap for a few hours. He woke up and socialized for a bit while we had dinner and then I took him with me to walk a couple dogs belonging to a friend who was out of town for the week. We got home around 7:30, which is my usual time to come home, and resumed our routine as usual. Thursday, the following day, nobody was home in the afternoon, and I came home at my usual time and he seemed normal...nothing out of the ordinary.

So....any thoughts? Any details I may have missed that might help generate some advice?

Thanks for hearing me out, and I look forward to spending more time here in the future!

Alex

 

[wenz2712]

Welcome to the Forum
We have lots of Macaw owners here and I am sure they will be along shortly to give you some great advice.

 

[Alisana]

Oh wow... That's incredible.

Do you think he was screaming because he associates out of cage time with you being around? Was it a scream, or a contact call? Birds will make contact calls if they can't find a member of their 'flock' and in some cases will keep doing it until their flock member is within their eyesight.

Not too sure on this one.

[Edit] Have theories, but no real answers.

If you haven't had a chance to read "Parrot Problem Solver", would recommend it. It's a good book.

 

[friedsoup]

Sort of the same question has the roommate ever let him out before? if not he changed the birds routine and that may have led to the behavior, otherwise sound like you have good bird if somewhat spoiled b the previous owner. and I applaud you for not allowing the shoulder time except on your terms (the shoulder is a privledge not a right) also if you can start having the room mates start letting the bird out or bringing him to you so he starts understanding they are a method of getting to you this will help him socialize. They are very much like 3 yr olds in that "what is in it for me is their leading motivator. good luck hope this helps

 

[JJones1719]

Alex, Welcome to the forum first of all.
Macaws go through a lot when changing owners and have to take lots of time adjusting to their new surroundings and getting use to their new owner and like you stated, your roommates.

Both my Boys have pellets in their cage at all times and fresh water. In the moring, my boys get fresh Veggies, early eve then get fresh fruit.
I also give them a seed and dry fruit mix approx 3 times per week. They also get 1 hard boiled egg without the yoke and with the egg shells 2 times per week, this helps with their feathers, nails, and beak. fresh water 3 times per day. I also make a birdy bread as a treat and freeze it, they get this when they are really good. I train my boys using almonds, walnuts,palm nut, brazil nuts when I can find them.

Macaws needs no less then 3-4 hours outside the cage per day.
If they do not get this time outside, they will scream, feather pluck, and behavior issue will come up.
Macaws tend to be a one person bird so this is very common.
As long as you trust your B&G, allowing the Macaw on the shoulder is just fine as many Macaws feel safe here.
If they show aggression towards you, then you will have to remove them from your shoulder and keep them lower then the level of your eyes. You must be the alfa in your relationship with you B&G.
I would also advise you to purchase a Java tree so your Macaw can spend lots of time outside the cage and normally will not leave it or climb down.
Both my boys are potty trained so they have free range to climb on my couch, me, play on the floor with their foot toys.
My home is baby proof or should I say Macaw proof. They must be closely watched at all times.
At night, both my boys are in their cages and covered with a blanket and all Parrots need up to 12 hours of sleep or you will have a nasty bird on your hands.
I would also advise you to take showers with your Macaw as this speeds up the bonding process between you and your Macaw. Eat with them and share your food with them, play with them, take them outside for a change. I take both my boys for walks outside, driver them to Pet stores for supplies. All of these actions are bonding time.
Keeping the Macaw active and allowing them into your life and schedule as much as possible with keep them happy, healthy, and stops most bad behavior.
If you have other questions, please post them. Best of luck Joe

 

[WharfRat]

JJones1719 said it pretty well & I agree with most all that was said. Our 2 Macs, while being closest to me still have no issues with my wife, either one will fly to her at any time. My oldest boy (22) recently moved back to this area so is around a lot more, he tries interacting with them as much as possible but it is a slow process but he is definitely making ground and has been able to even hold one of them a few times. It does take a lot of time and patience, hang in there!

 

[TakRail]

Alex, Welcome to the forum first of all.
Macaws go through a lot when changing owners and have to take lots of time adjusting to their new surroundings and getting use to their new owner and like you stated, your roommates.

Both my Boys have pellets in their cage at all times and fresh water. In the moring, my boys get fresh Veggies, early eve then get fresh fruit.
I also give them a seed and dry fruit mix approx 3 times per week. They also get 1 hard boiled egg without the yoke and with the egg shells 2 times per week, this helps with their feathers, nails, and beak. fresh water 3 times per day. I also make a birdy bread as a treat and freeze it, they get this when they are really good. I train my boys using almonds, walnuts,palm nut, brazil nuts when I can find them.

Macaws needs no less then 3-4 hours outside the cage per day.
If they do not get this time outside, they will scream, feather pluck, and behavior issue will come up.
Macaws tend to be a one person bird so this is very common.
As long as you trust your B&G, allowing the Macaw on the shoulder is just fine as many Macaws feel safe here.
If they show aggression towards you, then you will have to remove them from your shoulder and keep them lower then the level of your eyes. You must be the alfa in your relationship with you B&G.
I would also advise you to purchase a Java tree so your Macaw can spend lots of time outside the cage and normally will not leave it or climb down.
Both my boys are potty trained so they have free range to climb on my couch, me, play on the floor with their foot toys.
My home is baby proof or should I say Macaw proof. They must be closely watched at all times.
At night, both my boys are in their cages and covered with a blanket and all Parrots need up to 12 hours of sleep or you will have a nasty bird on your hands.
I would also advise you to take showers with your Macaw as this speeds up the bonding process between you and your Macaw. Eat with them and share your food with them, play with them, take them outside for a change. I take both my boys for walks outside, driver them to Pet stores for supplies. All of these actions are bonding time.
Keeping the Macaw active and allowing them into your life and schedule as much as possible with keep them happy, healthy, and stops most bad behavior.
If you have other questions, please post them. Best of luck Joe

Couldn't have said it better myself. Great advice!!!

 

[alexdw369]

Thanks for all the responses!

The major points I've gathered so far is that I need to instruct roommates not to let him out of his cage without me there (especially in the evenings), and that I should work on socializing Kevin with both roommates by having them get him out of/down from his cage and pass him to me so that he associates positive interaction with them with getting what he wants. Also, I have been looking for a tree stand for him, actually went and looked at one Wednesday when I had him with me, but it ended up being too small. His current perch alternative to the cage is a small tabletop java stand when he enjoys....so long as I'm not in sight. And I do try to shower with him...I put him on his perch on the mirror (one of those suction cup ones), take my shower, and turn the water temp down and bring him in with me, but I get the impression he doesn't like the pressure, which I can't do anything about really...maybe I'll look into a new showerhead.

The other thing that I should note, since rewards were mentioned, is that Kevin will NOT take a food reward for anything. He'll drop it and extend he foot and say "step up" until I give in. He'll only take food as a reward if he's on my shoulder.

Keep them coming...I'm enjoying reading everyone's ideas!

Thanks

 

[lene1949]

A water saving shower head delivers a much softer pressure... I also put my birds down low (or the shower up high), so they get the softest pressure possible...

Your bird also needs between 10 and 12 hours sleep at night...

 

[JJones1719]

Alex, When looking for a Java tree, do not get one that is less then 2 inches around, anything less then that is not healthy for their feet. Specially if your macaw will be spending lots of time on it.
Test him to find out what is his favorite treats, Nuts usually are the way to a Macaws heart.
Test shower heads or one that you can adjust the water preasure. Place the perch high enough that the water hits the middle of the Macaws back, Be careful not to have them to low where water can get into their ears and nose.
you can try misting bottles but both my boys hate them, my boys love getting in the shower with me and sy when the water starts to turn cold, as they then know that shower time is over.

you can also hide treats in toilet paper rolls, place a nut or food item that will not go bad fast inside the used toilet paper roll, twist both ends and hang them inside the cage from leather strips. I place approx 5-10 rolls, some have treats while others are empty. It's really fun watching them open the rolls and they are empty, my Macaw seems to get pretty mad when this happens but boy is he happy when he finds one with a nut.
You can also use paper towel rolls and cut them into different sizes.

As far as your Roommates handling your Macaw, try to make a game of it. pass your Macaw around and make a big deal of it. The more silly the better. Macaws really respond to people who sing and dance. I put the radio on and find a song with a good beat and my Neleno starts bobbing up and down. I clap and tell him what a great dancer he is.
If your Macaw is not clipped, you can teach them to fly to your roommates and back to you.
I hope this advise helps. The most important thing to learn here is really enjoy the time spent with your Macaw and really enjoy the bond you will end up having with them, it's truely like no other animal you will ever have. Best of luck Joe

 

[TakRail]

you can try misting bottles but both my boys hate them

My B&G loves the mister; the Grey not so much. Both like to get into the shower but the B&G likes to just sit on the curtain rod and flap; the Grey will get right in. Our Grey's favorite place to take a bath is in the kitchen sink. We've got a pan that is only about 1/2 inch deep and fits the sink perfectly.

[ame="http://youtu.be/s6nlTH6SYkk"]Lucy.Cosmo Bath1 - YouTube[/ame]
[ame="http://youtu.be/UH9GgRjUnsg"]Lucy Cosmo Bath2 - YouTube[/ame]

 

[alexdw369]

Well...so far it seems like it was just an isolated incident. He doesn't seem to have made much of a habit, and I think he's figured out that it doesn't get him what he wants. I do have another question though...

I plan on only being in my current living arrangement for about the next year before I'll be purchasing a home. This means regular noise and chatter will not be even remotely an issue. I am considering adopting a second bird for two reasons. One, I absolutely LOVE my bird and feel I have the patience and love for another. Second, as a "friend" for Kevin. Now, I have been made aware of the potential complications in bonding between myself and Kevin, myself and the second bird, and Kevin and the second bird. I understand that I can both be the root of jealousy and aggression, as well possibly be excluded from either of them, etc. I am willing to spend time to encourage the three-way relationship to be what I want it: a pair of wonderful birds that can occupy each other when I am physically or mentally unavailable, as well as my best friends for life. I am curious to know what other's thoughts on the matter are, as I realize many of you have more than one feathered family member.

 

[Alisana]

Well...so far it seems like it was just an isolated incident. He doesn't seem to have made much of a habit, and I think he's figured out that it doesn't get him what he wants. I do have another question though...

I plan on only being in my current living arrangement for about the next year before I'll be purchasing a home. This means regular noise and chatter will not be even remotely an issue. I am considering adopting a second bird for two reasons. One, I absolutely LOVE my bird and feel I have the patience and love for another. Second, as a "friend" for Kevin. Now, I have been made aware of the potential complications in bonding between myself and Kevin, myself and the second bird, and Kevin and the second bird. I understand that I can both be the root of jealousy and aggression, as well possibly be excluded from either of them, etc. I am willing to spend time to encourage the three-way relationship to be what I want it: a pair of wonderful birds that can occupy each other when I am physically or mentally unavailable, as well as my best friends for life. I am curious to know what other's thoughts on the matter are, as I realize many of you have more than one feathered family member.

I honestly feel that three months with a one year old macaw isn't enough to prepare you for a second. I don't mean ill when I say this, but I have my reasons. Hear me out.

Macaws are long lived animals, and three months is not nearly enough time to learn everything you need to about your companion. It's still very early to decide. The other point is that your macaw is currently only a year old - he hasn't even hit sexual maturity yet, let alone the "terrible twos". While I can't offer first hand experience about hormonal birds, there are enough personal accounts on this forum, and others that will give you an idea, and other members will be able to mention their own first hand experience.

I'm inclined to recommend waiting a year before and IF you go about introducing a new flock member, and even then I'm hesitant. Right now, you are the center of Kevin's life and if he loves you, imagine how he will feel, how betrayed he may feel if you introduce another flock member if you lavish attention on the new bird. He may take out his frustration either on the other bird or yourself as a form of jealousy, and an angry macaw is not one to be reckoned with. You said he got upset from being taken away from his previous family - very likely, he will get upset again if another bird is introduced.

The other consideration is two birds, particularly if they've both been adopted/rescued, is you have to take so, so many precautions; and be aware of the risks.

• Quarantine periods: risk of carrying any infectious diseases.
• Jealousy
• Supervised playtime
• Fighting and fatal injury. There is a very real chance that they can and will fight each other.
• COST - double the food bill, double the cage bill and double the VET bill. Are you in a financial position to support two birds who may grievously harm each other, where both end up at the vet?
• Noise: ever listened to two macaws or cockatoos sit there and compete with each other for who is the loudest?
• Behavioral - what bad habits will the bird have, and is there a chance of these passing/being learned by the other?

I'm not trying to be mean or be a damper on your idea. I think the idea of adoption and rescue is great. But there is just so, so much that needs to be considered. If you make the decision to adopt/rescue, your home should be a forever home, and safe. It's unfair on a bird if you get it a "companion" when they don't want it; and think about how the other bird will feel if the other doesn't like it. They'll feel rejected from the flock. Birds are very social animals, and want to be together - but just like people, you can expect them all to get along, nor can you "train" them to do so.

If you do decide to go through with the decision though, make sure you get as much experience with other birds as possible, and get as much feedback you can. While I may sound rather "negative", I just want to ensure that you are making the right decision for both yourself and your bird/s.

Owning a larger flock can be a very fulfilling and rewarding experience if it works; but you have to be prepared for what will happen if it doesn't. I've seen many wonderful and uplifting stories of individuals who have rescued/adopted birds into their flock, and how well it is going for them. Some birds will really click with each other; but at the same time I have also read enough horror stories and heard of enough accidents from avian vets of what can go wrong when two birds decide to fight. I won't go into detail, but the cost of surgery for those incidents can be anywhere from $500-$8000 from what I've seen.

I'm very glad though that you are asking for experience from others. It shows that you are a responsible owner who isn't going to make a rash decision. I'm hope that when you do come to make your decision, that you will do what is best for you and your flock - regardless if you decide to adopt again or not. If you do adopt, let us know! We love seeing pictures and hearing different stories.

Best of luck.

 

[Aims]

Sort of the same question has the roommate ever let him out before? if not he changed the birds routine and that may have led to the behavior, otherwise sound like you have good bird if somewhat spoiled b the previous owner. and I applaud you for not allowing the shoulder time except on your terms (the shoulder is a privledge not a right) also if you can start having the room mates start letting the bird out or bringing him to you so he starts understanding they are a method of getting to you this will help him socialize. They are very much like 3 yr olds in that "what is in it for me is their leading motivator. good luck hope this helps

I was going to ask the same thing as FRIEDSOUP.

If your roommate doesn't normally let Kevin out in an afternoon, that could of confused him etc. You did say he didn't like your roommates so maybe he thought the roommate was out to hurt him. So he was calling for you to come and protect him.

 

[Aims]

I love that toilet roll idea. I never thought of that.. I will be ordering some leather strips for Jax first thing monday morning.