Cape parrot is crying nonstop

[rockyhermes]

Hi there,
We own a red bellied parrot and a 5month old cape.
As soon as anybody enters the room he starts crying nonstop,sometimes for hours on end. He doesn't like to be cuddled or scratched. He constantly flies off his playstand. He behaves like a conure on steroids. I'm really desperate,don't know what to do with him. Tried everything,lots of attention,little attention,no attention. He has a nice big cage,lots of toys,food variety. I'm thinking about returning him or selling him...
Any advice please???

 

[MonicaMc]

Have you tried feeding him some soft, warm mushy foods? Warmed mashed sweet potatoes, for example! You can always add in some steamed/mashed carrots, some banana and maybe some organic nut butter (almond for example)... or instead of nut butter, a little red palm oil or coconut oil... just a tiny smidge. Warm, soft, mushy foods may help.

Questions though... how long have you had the cape for? And how long ago was he weaned?

 

[rockyhermes]

I tried soft mashed moist foods, he doesnt touch it. I had him now for 6 weeks. He has been on solid food for about 10 weeks. Thanks for your input, highly appreciated!

 

[mtdoramike]

The first thing I would do is have his wings clipped. A clipped bird will be much easier to deal with and he will become more dependant on you.

Now, how about some back ground on this bird:

How did you come about owning him?
How social was he supposed to be when you got him?
where do you have the bird located as far as cage & Playstand in your house?
How much interaction have you done with this bird since getting him?
Have you taken him to the vet to rule out any physical issues?

You must realize that birds only have one way of communicating, that is with their beak by either biting or screaming if they are in pain or distress.

But it sounds to me like you need to spend a lot more time with your bird in order to get him socialized. If you don't now, it will be much harder in the future.

 

[rockyhermes]

I bought the bird from a very reputable store here in los angeles.
Before we took him home he was on a playstand in the store everyday for several hours with lots of customers interacting with the birds.
Cage is located in a corner next to a window,no direct sunlight.
I try to interact as much as possible,but he is not interested,never sits still,always crys.
Took him to the store several times and they say he seems to be very healthy.

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

This story makes me sad, because the birdy is sad or frustrated and acting desparate for something -- and you are concerned and now frustrated too.

I would try moving the bird to another place in the house where he will be physically closer to people, like in the store. Do you have a playstand for him yet? If he was on it for several hours a day around people, he might be missing the people and might feel "home sick". Do you know how long he lived in that store?

I feel like it's an adjustment challenge that you will certainly be able to get through. If you don't have a playstand and can't get one, then you can make something for now that can be used to put on a tabletop or even an extra chair to keep him near the activity of people talking, moving around, etc.

Kitchen - when in there, bring him along, clear an area of counter for playstand or just a little perch, or just put him on the counter with a little treat nearby and tell him he's a good bird, talk to him while you are in there.

If you find yourself on the phone a lot, which is unavoidable for some people, then try to remember the bird and give him some birdy talk when you can or a kiss or a rub on the beak, etc.

So many different human behaviors occur in the home than at the pet store - afterall, the 'regulars' at the pet store (the staff) were all at work focusing their efforts on the pets. At home, it becomes a whole different type of human the birds are around, busy doing other things, chores, focusing on their own needs, etc. If you have a carry kennel for him, you can set it up open on a table, counter or chair, let him hang out on top, put a toy or screw, screw in a t-perch, little dishes food/water, maybe a snuggle buddy or just rolled up socks, etc. and let him hang wherever there are people near by and remember he's there.

Keep us posted. Lots of luck.

 

[noblemacaw]

I feel for you and for your parrot. I have been in your shoes with my Solomon Island Eclectus Joaquin. When I first brought him home he was the nastiest parrot I have ever had the mis pleasure of having in my home AND he was a hand fed baby.

Things I did to turn him around was first I took him off the colored pellets and fed him straight organic pellets. Every day twice a day I hand fed him with my fingers warm wet foods. I never put him to bed without a crop full of warm wet food. He was always so gentle taking food from my hand but could be nasty in every other way.

I also put a sleeping cage in the back bedroom and made sure he had 12 hours straight of uninterrupted sleep. Twice I day I preformed intense love theropy by wrapping him up in a cotton baby blanket and holding him on my chest. I sang to him and rocked him during these sessions.

It took three weeks but Joaquin did a 180 and became the most tame and loving parrot I ever had. But it took a lot of work and dedication on my part. I almost returned him to the breeder because I was mostly in tears everyday dealing with him.

I never regretted keeping him. I loved him and when he died of cancer in 05 he took a piece of my heart with him. Geeze I really loved that parrot.

I hope you can get to this point with your little guy. Be patient and consistent. He needs to be taught confidence but once the baby becomes more confident he will amaze you with how much love he can give.

Noblemacaw