Bongo flies

[BongoBird]

So, it has been a while since my last post. Bongo has really come a long way in that time, albeit at the cost of my sanity. We have made it Through the refusal to take formula, the spitting of formula all over us, the failed attempts at flight (scooting all over the floor) and finally yesterday, it happened - Bongo took flight and achieved 5 feet or so of elevation over a 12-foot span.

The challenge we are having now is that Bongo has developed a habit of screaming, a lot. He is getting a variety of foods offered to him, is still getting two attempts at hand feeding per day, although he takes varying amounts of formula at each, has fresh water, and has several perches and toys in his cage.

The screaming is happening in the evening, well past sunset and often it's when he hears my voice. The screams are ear-piercing and for the sake of the kids hearing, I need them to subside.

Thoughts?

 

[plax]

Typically, Macaws engage in prolonged scream sessions twice per day: once in the morning and again in the evening. There are exceptions. Some Macaws are atypical in this regard and forgo these daily scream sessions. But most of them will have their scream time each day. In your case, though, it might be that Bongo is lonely and calling for you. Macaws prefer to be near their caregiver(s) at all times (that's not always practical, but it's true). They as well prefer to be in the center of family activity. I don't know where Bongo's cage is located relative to your family's main gathering area. But if he's not close enough to it that could be a factor.

If Bongo is screaming after dark, maybe you can try blocking all ambient light from entering the room he is in. And perhaps you can try covering his cage at sleep time. Those are just some ideas.

And by the way, congrats on Bongo's first flight experience!

 

[BongoBird]

Thank you for the post. Bongo's cage is in the "middle of ll the action" in the breakfast nook along the kitchen and family room. He is with my wife and children all day, probably spending a total of one hour alone throughout the day, if that. I spend time with him everyday when I get home and my son probably spends an hour or more handling Bongo.

I've started covering the cage, but oddly, as soon as he hears my voice he screams.

 

[plax]

Thank you for the post. Bongo's cage is in the "middle of ll the action" in the breakfast nook along the kitchen and family room. He is with my wife and children all day, probably spending a total of one hour alone throughout the day, if that. I spend time with him everyday when I get home and my son probably spends an hour or more handling Bongo.

I've started covering the cage, but oddly, as soon as he hears my voice he screams.

In that case, your other option is to place Bongo's cage in a room that can be blacked out at sleep time and leave it there. Then at the "middle of all the action" location, in place of the cage put a play stand or a java tree where Bongo can stay during the day. I suggest this because it sounds like he's too near the family activity at sleep time. If he's moved away from the family noise to a somewhat isolated, dark room when it's time to sleep, he will be far less prone to scream.

 

[MaraWentz]

The evening could be from hearing yo and others and wanting attention, so put him in his own quiet room. Then again since you are only feeding him twice ow and he is not taking the same amounts each time, I would make sure he still isn't hungry. My RFM only screams when out of food. Other than that there is no screaming fits at all, unless he is outside of course.

 

[plax]

And there's yet one more option. You could get Bongo a second cage and place it in an isolated room away from family activity and noise. That way you could leave his day cage where it currently is and as well have a quiet, dark sleeping place for him.

 

[plax]

And there's yet one more option. You could get Bongo a second cage and place it in an isolated room away from family activity and noise. That way you could leave his day cage where it currently is and as well have a quiet, dark sleeping place for him.

One other comment: The sleeping cage could be significantly smaller than Bongo's regular day cage.

 

[Merlee]

You and your family may as well get used to it. This is typical of a macaw. Mine did this when he was young and occasionally does it every now and then. I was lucky and Merlin grew out of it.

If Bongo is screaming for attention, don't reward him by going over to him. You are setting up a precedence and he will continue doing it. In the meantime, you may as well get some earplugs for everybody. lol.

Would you be willing to post an updated picture of Bongo? I would love to see how he feathered out.