Personality change?

[Joshuwaaa]

Hey guys,

Hope everyone is well, been super busy with uni and work but still checking in all the time.

My quaker Jerry, wow has he had a personality change?! He has gone from my cuddly, cute, chirpy bird to a screaming, temper tantrum, spoilt little birdy.

For some reason, he now won't eat any of his vegetables except maybe two or three sweet corn, he constantly screams, I mean constantly, until we give him a cake of seed and pellet. Just so he can eat the seed.

I can't literally get him to eat anything else, and he seemed to be doing so well. Now he just refuses it all and prefers screaming to anything else.

I'm not sure if maybe he is just testing the waters now he has settled, but I am ignoring all the screaming and will only give in if he hasn't eaten anything because I don't want him to starve.

Maybe attention screaming, I don't know but he's gone a little but crazy?!

Anyone else experienced this?

 

[Kalidasa]

Lol he's working you. Trust me, he's not going to starve with food around, no bird is that stupid. Have you tried handfeeding his healthy stuff at breakfast when he's hungry? It helps making a social fun thing with it. Sit him on your shoulder, or a stand or whatever, eat in front of him (or act) and give him tiny pieces. He's found if he pesters you long enough he'll get his way. Morning is always the best time. Keep trying new foods as well. It's will all iron out

 

[Allee]

Hello there to you and Jerry,
Quakers are known for Jeckyl and Hyde mood swings. Jerry is probably really comfortable in his new home by now and is starting to make his opinions known. He could be screaming simply for attention, he's probably looked over your busy schedule and doesn't want to miss out on time with you. Hormones could also be a factor, that's a big issue for some quakers, I'm sorry I don't remember Jerry's age. Keep offering him his fresh veggies but I wouldn't give him warm food, rich nuts and high protein food can effect hormone levels too. Give him lots of toys to distract him from screaming, but nothing he can use for nesting material. More hours of sleep can help too. They can be very cranky, but it usually doesn't last too long. Leaving some background noise, TV or radio, cuts down on the screaming too. Good luck with Jerry and let us know.

 

[kagan1042]

My first thought was hormones. My first birdy buddy was a male quaker and holy moley when those hormones kicked in, did he become a full on bird! No where in sight was my 24/7 snuggle bunny!

I found that a strict routine was beneficial for him. And a sleeping cage - he was super territorial of his day cage. So yep sleeping cage, set bedtime/wakeup time hours, in a nice dark room but still close to us so there was mindless background chatter for him.

Handfeeding him his "treats" (aka fruit and vegies) worked great too. Learnt that pellets were there when he wanted them (which initially he didn't) and then he only got the fresh stuff when he picked gently from our hands....busy eating beak is a quiet beak hah!

 

[palmetto941]

Cosmo my blue quaker likes to scream now too....but I think he's trying to find his voice! I moved his cage so he can see and hear Simba the BnG.. Simba has been teaching Cosmo to talk since Simba chatters constantly. If Cosmo doesn't know the words yet he resorts to mumbling or screaming. I've tried a playstand but he is scared of the toy monsters on it....We gave Cosmo a large wooden ladder and he works all day carrying things up and down it rather than just playing and screaming. Although anything new in sight sets off the screams still.....you know....the corn on the cob monster, etc....LOL

 

[Empath]

Chuckles my male quaker was the sweetest little thing. then in the past 6-8 months he's become a monster. not all the time but enough to make me wary. he also flies so when he;s in his angry moods he'll fly at me and bite me. in his good moods he lands on my shoulder and hangs out or gets scratches.

when he's in an angry mood i leave him in the cage now. he's done some pretty bad bites on me. when he settles down after a few days he gets let out again