Please help me and My Macaw :(

[batuhan003]

Hello everyone,

I have a problem and I tried to find a solution for this but I couldnt. I have a new bird which is red bellied macaw. Especially if there is a person in the room it screams without stopping since the first day.The first two days I didnt take out it from the cage. Although I sat next to cage, it has never stopped to scream. Then I understood that wont work and I took out it from the cage.

This macaw stayed with its previous owner for two weeks and he never stopped to scream. Its first owner bought this bird from a person who cuts its wings. So It is very shy. Its eyes are jet black and I guess it is 6,9 months old. It isnt bitting definitely. I pickep up and fondle it third day and it continuous to scream. It is so fearful when I put it anywhere to be lying face upward, straight or side it doesnt change its position and it leans its head on the floor. I checked it and it seems healthy. It can eat and its favorite thing is an apple. It doesnt seem a problem in its stool. It just stops to scream when it is alone. I recorded a video to show what we are doing during a day. Please watch the video.

In addition to them, our third day I stayed with it for 7 hours, it never stops to scream. Today is our fourth day, we are sitting in the same room he is still screaming but with low sound and once a while it is singing. What do you think about the macaw’s problem? What should I do? And I need your suggestions please write them step by step?

Please watchin video ( 1:51 - 3:53 alone ) : [ame="https://youtu.be/Qr4ZgAvdHeQ"]Red bellied macaw screaming problem - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Mimsy01]

I know someone with more macaw experience will help you here.

From what I can tell he looks/acts like a baby. It almost feels like those are hunger cries. Was he weaned correctly? I'm also guessing he didn't have a lot of social time and seems worried about new things. What foods is he eating other than apple?

the cage he is in is extremely small, or is that just a night time cage and he has a regular cage in another room? If not, he really needs an appropriate cage.

Have you brought him into a vet yet to verify there isn't anything going on medically?

He's a beautiful little guy.

 

[Puck]

Okay, well first thing... Is that his sleeping cage? Or his "baby cage" until he gets his grown up cage (which should be soon)? Because he needs a MUCH bigger cage. MUCH bigger. That cage is, like, budgie sized. Having a bigger cage with tons of toys and play things to occupy his mind may help the screaming. Birds often scream when they are bored.

As for other reasons for the screaming, there are some very in depth threads on this. Here is a good one:

Screaming Behavior Mods

 

[Birdman666]

I agree that the cage is too small.

It also appears that this bird has never been taught to self entertain, which is probably a large component of the screaming problem.

I also agree that he might not have been properly abundance weaned.

Does he have fresh food and water all day?

1. He needs a bigger cage.

2. Structure the interaction with this bird. Set a schedule, and keep to it.

3. Sit down with the bird on your lap, and teach him to play with toys.

4. It's possible he's not getting outside the cage enough. Something like a boing on a hanger works as an inexpensive outside the cage playstand, and can easily be moved from room to room.

5. Follow the screaming protocols.

 

[batuhan003]

Watch my new video. It is silent only when alone. Nothing to do with cage
[ame="https://youtu.be/VDF_Y80RE_E"]Never never never stop crying, screaming - YouTube[/ame]

 

[StephenAndKyleigh]

It may be silent, but nonetheless the cage is definitely too small. What information do you know about the birdie? We know he is a baby. And from the looks of things, he should still be on a feeding (or two?) a day. We certainly don't want to force wean baby. Get him some bright and colorful toys, shred toys, and wood toys. Play with them yourself, and try to play with them with him. What is his weight and his he been vet checked?

 

[batuhan003]

Please watch my new video. Warning last 5 seconds
[ame="https://youtu.be/nTPar5uwrT4"]Its alone in room - YouTube[/ame]

 

[JerseyWendy]

Please, let's all keep in mind that not all members are from countries where big cages are readily available.

 

[Birdman666]

Those sound like baby calling noises to me...

 

[Flboy]

Those sound like baby calling noises to me...

I agree. If the windows aren't rattling, that isn't screaming!

 

[Kiwibird]

It sounds to me as though someone (perhaps the prior owner/breeder) unintentionally reinforced that noise as a means of getting attention whenever a human is around. By unintentionally reinforced, I mean the bird screamed and some kind of attention (positive or negative) was given (picking the bird up, talking to him, even covering the cage or acting frustrated in a way HE may find amusing). And since it looks as though he's old enough to play with toys, he's probably bored and wants to be held because theres not much else for him to do.

Have you tried simply letting him scream himself out and not give him ANY attention for doing so? Also, offering some toys and as Birdman suggested, teaching him how to play with them so he has a means of occupying himself? That would be where I'd start. Teaching him to entertain himself with toys and no longer giving attention for making that noise. Kind of like a baby who gets picked up every time it cries, there comes a point unless theres a need that hasn't been met, you just have to let it cry until it realizes it isn't going to be picked up any more for doing so.

Edit: theres a great DIY section on here where you can get ideas for making toys

 

[yann]

hey, i might be wrong…but red bellied macaws usually sound like this. and somehow, i'll try not to generalise but most are more skittish than other macaws. i'd suggest his/her cage in a corner & a towel over so it feels more secure. Hope it helps! and read up some on their diet, they need a more specialised one i think!