Caique Screaming

[sbhoney66]

Hi, I am a new owner of a WB caique who I have only had a little over a month. I got to take him home once he had been weened. I love the little guy and thought I was doing everything right. I took him out a few times a day once I got home from work and everything seemed fine. Now over the last couple of weeks he has been screaming whenever me or my husband leave the room. Now it has turned into screaming even when we are in the room. I have read that you need to ignore this behavior and only go to him when he is quiet but we can not seem to do this since his screaming is pretty constant and when he does stop we are afraid to acknowledge him because he will just screaming again. Our local pet store says that we spoiled him but I dont see how. when we take him out he is only out for about a half hour at a time and the cage is in the living room where we are most of the time.

If anyone has any ideas that would help I would appreciate it.

 

[labell]

Caiques are fun loving rowdy little balls of mischief. One I hand fed and weaned many years ago could be entertained for more than a hour playing fetch. I would toss a wadded piece of paper and he would waddle across the couch to get it and bring it back to me. A half hour before he is put back may feel like a tease especially since he is in the room where all the action is. This is one of the reasons I recommend having play stands and play areas in multiple living parts of the house for the parrots to have family/flock time interaction but have a different more private room in which to sleep or play and entertain
themselves.

The other concern I always have when cages are in the living room is if your baby is getting enough real sleep. Even if you cover the cage but stay up late watching tv your bird is not getting the proper amount of sleep which can keep them on edge and wound up.

Caiques are play hard, rough and tumble little birds, does he have plenty of foot toys? More than any other parrot I ever worked with I think these guys must have lots of small toys to boss and toss!

 

[sbhoney66]

Thank for you input. I appreciate it. He does have alot of foot toys, swings, and lots of chewables. I do work about 9 hours a day which is the reason he is out about a half hour once I get home then I cook dinner then again hes out after I eat until it is near his bed time. The screaming didnt start until I was on vacation this last week during the holidays. It gradually gets worse. You mention sleep, he doesn't seem to nap at all during the day. I have read many articles which state they take naps, is this true and could having him in the living room be the problem ? Thanks in advance.

 

[labell]

If it only started while you were home maybe the house was too noisy and busy for him to get in a nap and he was napping during the day before that while you were at work. I would monitor things now that the holidays are over and consider giving him a quiet space as well as family time if the screaming continues. Do you have a play-stand or area where he can play and amuse himself without 100% supervision so he can still be out for longer periods with you keeping an eye out on him but not interacting the whole time so he can learn to self entertain while still being able to see you? I know some people can't because of dogs or cats or kids so I am unsure of your set up and if this would be doable.

 

[sbhoney66]

Yes, he does have a playstand and lots of toys to keep him busy. I posted all that yesterday after several days of his screaming and now today he has been the perfect bird again. He did his morning song but then the rest of they day he may yell for a few minutes and then back to playing. Now just to try and figure out what set him off on those days cause today we have done nothing different. I am pretty sure I will get this just hopefully before I go deaf.

 

[RissaLynn]

I have been going through a simlar ordeal,but it is only if we my family is not in the room.If he hears anyone talking or cleaning in another room-scream.Someone tries to take a nap-scream.If Im in the shower-scream.Of course,Ive given him tons of toys and now he just needs to learn to entertain himself.I think that is probably your best bet.
But from your recent post,since he stopped,I want to say maybe he was molting? Im still fairly knew to being a caique mom,but I have seen my boy molt and when he does he is VERY irratable and grumpy,and he screams more frequently.I have seen a product I still need to research,but it is a bath spray that helps with molting,soothing any irritation or skin issues.If it continues(andif it ends up appearing to be a molting issue) then I would look into that!