Hello, new conure owner in need of advice.

[LatentHippie]

Hi guys, I'm Anthony, I recently acquired a beautiful hand reared cinnamon green cheeked conure from a local pet store. I'm very familiar with the pet store owners and am assured that the bird was handled everyday prior to me purchasing it.

Before I decided to commit to purchasing the bird I did a fair am mount of research online. I decided to opt for a green cheeked conure as they are generally referred to as the quietest conures. On day one she was fine (we are not sure about the birds sex, but we have decided to refer to her as a girl). On day two the screaming started. Mainly she screamed when I left the room. I tried not to react or give attention to the noise as I didn't want to encourage her. That night she settled down and slept all night. On day three the screaming started when the sun came up and continued regardless of wether I was in the room or not. She does stop when I let her out, but she bites me VERY hard. She makes a beeline for my shoulder and then bites my earlobe so hard! I don't know how to react when she does this, but I try very hard to stay calm and return her to the cage immediately when she bites. Then the screaming starts again.

We are now on day five and have had a complaint from the neighbours about the noise. The only thing that stops her screaming is to cover her cage, but if we did that everything it got out of hand it'd be covered 20 hours of the day. I'm not sure what to do. I'd read that giving her warm oatmeal might help (?) but it didn't. We are seriously thinking about returning her to the pet store which is something we really don't want to do. My partner is afraid of her because of how hard she bites and we feel completely out of our depth.

Any advice you guys could give us would be so great fully received. Thankyou.

 

[theocnoob]

preface_ ALL CONURES ARE LOUD. PERIOD. FULL STOP.

whoever told you there was a quiet conure misinformed you. Quiet for a CONURE, yes a green is, say, compared to a sunburst. For a parrot, no. Conures are among the loudest relative to their size of all pet parrots. Lorikeets, conures, very loud.


Firstly, the bird is scared.. but it wants YOU as its calming object. Good sign. Means the bird will be your friend. If bitten DO NOT react. Very gently grab the beak, like you would a baby's hand, and say no. Then kiss the bird gently on the beak. Most friendly birds will learn like that. Returning to cage does not compute. If bitten HARD with intention to truly hurt (note many early bites are out of fear) put the bird on the ground for 30 seconds, make a baby like ouch! in a high pitch so it knows it hurt you. then pick it back up. Remember he does not WANT TO hurt you he is scared and confused. Never retain malice for a few minutes like you would say for the next 4 mins with a dog 'no that was bad'. Immediately return to normal loving contact after you correct the parrot. They do not understand 'extended' reactions and will become confused and think you dislike them.

Tell your neighbors they're just going to have to deal with it. Are you violating local noise bylaws? If not I would just ignore the neighbor. That's what Id do. Don't cover her cage to make her quiet. YOu decided to get a bird. Birds are loud. Whoever told you conures are quiet lied. Senegals are relatively quiet and about the same size. Greys are very large, but also very quiet. Love Birds (a small parrot species) are also relatively very quiet. They really do prefer to be kept in pairs though but they dont need a huge cage and 2 lovebirds equal the cost of one conure. Also a very good option if you are looking to change to a more appropriate bird for you. Conures chirp and scream a lot. It is their nature. You will have to accept it. As time goes by the SCREAMING will stop. SPend a lot of time with the bird let it live on your shoulder most of the day. It sounds lonely and in need of a friend connection which it wants with you, again a good sign. EVENTUALLY screaming will stop but loud vocalizations never will. And they are L O U D. Again the conure is a LOUD BIRD. Period. It will be loud for the next few decades.

Covering the cage for silence etc is the wrong move. You do not do that to your bird. Covers are for at night so he can sleep in peace. Your bird wants to be part of your family and sit on your shoulder all the time. That's what conures want. If you still can, and you are CERTAIN you will never tolerate the noise, try a senegal parrot as they only whistle and chirp and RARELY if ever scream. I suggest you stick with your conure though and learn to accept who he is rather than try to change him. He's loud, but he just wants you to be his friend.
Enjoy your new life long friend.

Conures=loud. Fact. Period.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_KHKyYhbTs"]My pet Conure - YouTube[/ame]
^ notice his "IM HAPPY! SQUEEEK SQUEEK" is even insanely loud, and thats a happy call. It's blindingly loud. Look forward to up to 40 years of that I promise you.

This is all conures want. A big protective bird (you) to hang out with, be fed by, cuddled. That's it. They love to be held. It is a very good bird to have as a friend but you must learn to tolerate the noise. See, even this one is loud and he is super happy.
Please make sure you can tolerate this. if you can not it is best to return the bird BEFORE you bond. A Senegal is not a bad choice as I barely even hear mine all day. They also are calmer. But I suggest you learn to make peace with your Con. If you are absolutely sure 1) you can not take it 2) your neighbors can not take it, please get a Senegal instead as they are quiet unless upset and usually only whistle or tweet at a reasonable volume.

PS Buy BARRONS parrot owners handbook/guide to a well behaved parrot. goldmine of info.

Birds are ultra social and want to be with you ALL the time, except (some birds) to eat and (all birds) to sleep. Otherwise they want to be in the flock (you and your family)

Here is my senegal.

Remember in the wild they live in groups between dozens and thousands, with many friends, and are always cuddling and chatting.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CekOQ0gme8&feature=related"]Feeding the Birds - YouTube[/ame]
A group of wild Lorikeets (parrot relative) in the wild. Note the size and how much they communicate. Despite common misconceptions, a parrot wants to be with you more than a dog does. It wants to glue itself to your shoulder, have a bite of your muffin, etc.

Have you tried this trust exercise? WIth the bird out on your finger, close your eyes, open your mouth, and put your face against it. I don't think it'll bite. Usually they gently touch your mouth. Being up against the parrot with eyes closed means "I trust you with my life" and will help him bond to you. Conures can not bite very hard anyways. Surprisingly weak beak IMO. DO NOT BOND with this bird if you will not keep it and if you want to switch do it NOW while you still can but in future plz research first. And get a TRULY quiet bird. Parrotlets (very tiny parrot species) for instance, are not too loud, but you must get one from a breeder. They become frightened at pet shops. From a breeder it will be a perfect (quieter) pet. Senegals are quiet. Greys are quiet. Just because the bird is the size of a chicken does not increase care difficulty. Price yes. Cage size yes. And it eats 6x the food.

Your Conure will be loud for the next 40 years. Remember this. It also sounds like he wants to make friends with you. You must make a decision. Today IMO. Good luck. I am sorry you were misinformed. And you really were. Conures are all loud.

SO, cliff notes:

Buy from breeders, not pet shops, WHENEVER possible . Much healthier, meet parents, bird has had an easy life so far, will be calmer

Conures are all loud. He will always be loud. If you can put up with it, he will be a great friend for you. It is a very well mannered and fun bird and very friendly. It's MAJOR down side is that it is louder than an F18.

If you can't take it, return him immediately before a bond forms. The SQUEEEEEEEEEEK at 1000db will NEVER stop. That's just their call. It's just who they are.

Do not cover cage in day time

Do not place bird in cage over bite. Only lovingly correct or if hard bite place on floor 60 secs then resume normal loving interaction

Never yell at the bird for any reason. Gentle correction followed by good bird. I have never seen a need to be mean or rough. Be loving and tender. They are smart enough to learn to love and respect you gently.
He will eventually want to try to clean your hair and your beak (the inside of your mouth). You're gonna have to put up with it its how they show they care
If you want a quiet bird, look into Senegal, Lovebird, African Grey, pacific parrotlet. All "higher thought" birds << like this will form a loving bond with you and learn to speak. Otherwise, enjoy your loud F18 (they are lovely pets minus the noise) for the next few decades

But there ARE quiet birds. You DONT have to keep the loud bird if it will cause havoc among neighbors and be difficult for you. And you can never punish it for being loud like it is supposed to and you already have. I suggest you change birds. I think it is the right to do. I have listed some quiet friendly birds. They are all affordable. Only the grey is expensive.

 

[theocnoob]

This is the average noise level of a senegal

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh-RL7EMh6k&feature=related]My senegal parrot, Paulie - YouTube[/ame]

This is the average noise level of a love bird

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tosfDmPIZ6s]Love Birds Singing - YouTube[/ame]
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-mThSLO1LA"]Lovebird Cuddle - YouTube[/ame]
^They really love cuddles

This is average noise of a pacific parrotlet

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtG6j5cHr8I&feature=fvwrel]Skylor Blue Parrotlet, Talking - YouTube[/ame]


Here is a grey going through a full range of speach and screech, giving you the full spectrum.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdhlPHEIkss]Tui the African Grey has a Tantrum. When parrots attack! Parrot gives a verbal bashing - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeVJklAedk8"]My English budgies first Chirps. - YouTube[/ame]
English Budgie (note the big size and different head shape vs normal Budge.) average noise

As you can see, the most silent birds to choose from are Lovebirds and Parrotlets. English Budgerigars are more common these days. They are a larger prettier budge, and if bought hand raised will cuddle and talk just like a parrot. Remember just because budgies and lovebirds are not called parrots, does not mean they don't develop the same bond with you. I think you'd love lovebirds if silence is an issue. Or, Senegals are quiet as well and lovely pets. But, as you can see, lovebirds and parrotlets are VERY VERY quiet birds. Get a HAND raised baby only a few months old from a breeder if you want to change birds. Make your mind up fast. Best of luck xoxo

PS- ALL birds screech when angry, but it is uncommon and almost never happens. Once a bird is happy living with you of the above species provided you give it the (huge) amount of attention it needs you will only hear clicks and whistles. I really think you are a Senegal or Lovebird person. A handraised lovebird pair may be the best. Why not talk to local breeders? Check craigslist and the local buy and sell and kijiji if you are in canada. If you are near soutern Ont I can put you in touch with someone who will get you a PERFECT baby for a good price and teach you all you need to know. I call her bird whisperer.

 

[theocnoob]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iei9xV-9zQI]My best friend in the world George the Senegal parrot - YouTube[/ame]

This is my Senegal. They're this calm as babies too. Keep your conure if you like. It's a lovely species. Just remember it'll always be loud and you can not stop it or punish it. Switch to another quiet small bird is my advice or your neighbors will hate you. Why not lovebirds? Find a local breeder.

 

[melinda]

Your conure is afraid and needs time to settle in. Conures are very mouthy birds calling and nipping. If you plan to keep him set next to the cage read sing or just talk to her. Give her time to get used to you and her new home. I never let a bird on my shoulder at all. A beak and face do not mix well. Have hope that your bird will get quieter once she settles in. Take your time with her. Don't rush her to do anything yet. Do a lot of hand feeding her. My sun conure done the same thing but i never pushed him to do anything and in two weeks of him coming home we had a contact call so he would no scream non stop. We had a great bond and already learning tricks. If you feel you are in over your head please take her back. If you want to work through we will be happy to help you work though this.

 

[theocnoob]

If you feel you are in over your head please take her back. If you want to work through we will be happy to help you work though this.

I totally agree. Best of luck with your friend. Or your new friend. Whichever you decide.

Some people don't let birds near their face. Personal choice. I have no comment

 

[andrea.faerie]

Conure owner here!!!

CONURES ARE LOUD! Yes, you may have one of the quietest conures... but not the quietest PARROT. Lucy screeched into my ear earlier and I couldn't hear right for a good 3 minutes. I've been bitten by conures and I agree it's QUITE painful. However, over the past few months I've gotten used to the pressures lucy uses and know a warning bite from a hey look at me! nibble. Conures are beaky birds and I DO NOT tolerate the warning bites and "little miss know it all" bites. She goes on the floor with a stern NO and is not allowed back on the couch for about 2 minutes. (we're almost always in the living room) I would not let your conure get on your shoulder at all for the first few weeks, I know it's hard because they're just so cute but you have to resist. You have to let your conure know YOU are in charge, YOU are flock leader and you will NOT tolerate biting and shoulder sitting and screeching and the like. Granted, I'm currently struggling with Lucy screeching right now too... So if I find an effective method, I'll be sure to let you know for now it's a quick squirt with a squirt bottle if she's completely out of hand and as a last resort --> "*explicative* LUCY SHUT UP!" when it gets to be just too much haha sometimes i just cant resist yelling back at her... I know it's bad habit but... I have a headache lol she's quiet and stays on her perch when we're in the living room but when I leave all heck breaks loose.

 

[theocnoob]

^This is why Im saying Conures are no good for appartments or places where your neighbors can hear in your place a lot. It's a lovely bird but will always be super loud.

 

[noblemacaw]

I bird sat a nanday conure for 6 WEEKS. She was over 30years old, wild caught and for what ever reason picked me as her mate. Every day when I cleaned her cage she would try to regurgitate on my hand or sponge. EWWWWW! If anyone other than me walked into the room she screamed LOUDLY. I live in a townhome but she was in the back bedroom where there was no attachment (I am in a end unit). I kept the door closed for quarantine reasons because I had my own birds downstairs.

No one complained about her screams but this taught me that I could not have a conure where I live. I have a noble macaw and he is loud enough. I am getting a RFM and I am sure with bigger bird bigger noise. I am prepaired to accept the new baby's noise level (and yes I did listen to them SCREAM!!)

Good luck with your little conure. Such cute birds!

Noblemacaw

 

[andrea.faerie]

^This is why Im saying Conures are no good for appartments or places where your neighbors can hear in your place a lot. It's a lovely bird but will always be super loud.

This is very true. HOWEVER. I do live in an apartment. But my apartment complex is a total of 5 units. I'm upstairs on the corner and all my neighbors are college students like me so they're loud *anyways*
Make sure you clear anything and ANY pet with the landlord, I even have my FISH in my lease agreement haha

 

[SunMommy]

Your conure is afraid and needs time to settle in. Conures are very mouthy birds calling and nipping. If you plan to keep him set next to the cage read sing or just talk to her. Give her time to get used to you and her new home. I never let a bird on my shoulder at all. A beak and face do not mix well. Have hope that your bird will get quieter once she settles in. Take your time with her. Don't rush her to do anything yet. Do a lot of hand feeding her. My sun conure done the same thing but i never pushed him to do anything and in two weeks of him coming home we had a contact call so he would no scream non stop. We had a great bond and already learning tricks. If you feel you are in over your head please take her back. If you want to work through we will be happy to help you work though this.

How do you teach birds a contact call?

 

[melinda]

pick a sound that your bird is doing that you like a whistle or word and start repeating it. You can always change it once your bird learns what is going on. When you walk out of the room and he starts screaming start making your sound. Once he repeats it go to him and praise him with a treat or a petting. As time goes by he will start doing the sound you repeat it back to him. Once he learns the call you will be able to call to him and that lets him know you are close by and can still hear him. Once he starts doing the calls you can start calling back and waiting longer before you reward him. My u2 has a baby sound she makes and i reply back with Chloe is all right some times Chloe is all white either works for her and she will be quiet for 30 mins then call again just to make sure i am still near. My sun does the wolf whistle and i repeat that back to him and he is happy for about 45 mins. My amazon says Hello Khloe and i repeat that back to her and she is good to go for about 45 mins to a hour. It will take time before it works as well for you but it is worth the wait.

 

[LatentHippie]

Thankyou all for your kind advice. I'm very grateful to read your comments and experiences. I have purchased BARRON'S Conures book and we are working through the issues mentioned in the post above. We have started covering her at the same time every evening and uncovering at the same time every morning. Some of her screams are starting to be replaced by "words" (although they are very muddled and not quite words at the moment). We have sent our neighbours a polite note explaining that she is just getting used to her new surroundings and family and asked that they try to persevere. For times when she becomes too loud we are going to take her to a back room (where she cannot upset the neighbours) and sit with her until she is calmer.

The biting is still a problem. I have tried very hard to pop her on the floor following a hard bite, but as I go to put my hand down to the floor she runs up my arm and onto my shoulder. Whenever I try to get her off my shoulder, she runs to the other side or behind my head where I can't reach her and then bites my ears, hands and fingers very hard until she finally decides to jump off and onto her cage. Nonetheless I will continue to persevere in the hope that at least the biting stops if nothing else. And get ear muffs.

We really don't want to have to take her back, but we are very aware that if there is no improvement (particularly with the biting) we will have to do it sooner rather than later to cause minimal disruption to her.

 

[theocnoob]

Thankyou all for your kind advice. I'm very grateful to read your comments and experiences. I have purchased BARRON'S Conures book and we are working through the issues mentioned in the post above. We have started covering her at the same time every evening and uncovering at the same time every morning. Some of her screams are starting to be replaced by "words" (although they are very muddled and not quite words at the moment). We have sent our neighbours a polite note explaining that she is just getting used to her new surroundings and family and asked that they try to persevere.

My friend, I don't think you are understanding. The bird will, with time, scream LESS, but that 'scream' is the birds natural caw, like a seagulls. You can never train it out of him. It will decrease but never cease and I don't want you to be served an order to rehome it after 7 months when you're good friends when you could have gotten a senegal or love bird before bonding. That's JM2C

You picked a bird with a TWEEAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Instead of a twit twit twit. Twit twit is a better apartment bird to avoid neighbors disliking you.
Do you really think they will tolerate this for the DECADES that conure will live with you? Please think about it.

 

[theocnoob]

How do you teach birds a contact call?

Make up a simple one. Mine is high whistle, low whistle. Every time I come home I make the call and my birds make the call before I walk into their room. It's me saying someone is home, but its just daddy.

Also good for when they walk away from you, say under the couch, and you can not see them, a well trained bird will answer the contact call, as its purpose in nature is for the flock to locate eachother and stay grouped together.

Make the contact call every time you look at the bird in the morning, every time you come home. It'll take months perhaps but it WILL learn.


Biting:
Remember a parrot's beak is its hand. Some 'bites' are really just the bird feeling things. Make sure he's actually biting to hurt, not see 'what does object X feel like and whats it made from' because they do that a lot.

The conure biting is due to fear and lack of trust. Read up on teaching proper stepup response. A bird without a good stepup response may bite rather than step up. Always put a finger infront of his legs as you say STEP UP in a sweet voice. Eventually some birds (like my senegal) learn it so well that they say step up themselves.

If the bird bites with intention to hurt, say no firmly and place the bird on the ground for 60 seconds so it knows it was bad. Then continue with loving interactions. Never scream at or physically strike your bird! It is not neccessary and traumatizing.

SIDE NOTE: If you have not already get your bird a cuttle bone. They like to chew them, keeps the beak filed and provides a small calcium boost as well as entertainment. You can get a big bulk bag for only a few dollars.

 

[LatentHippie]

My friend, I don't think you are understanding. The bird will, with time, scream LESS, but that 'scream' is the birds natural caw, like a seagulls. You can never train it out of him. It will decrease but never cease and I don't want you to be served an order to rehome it after 7 months when you're good friends when you could have gotten a senegal or love bird before bonding. That's JM2C

You picked a bird with a TWEEAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Instead of a twit twit twit. Twit twit is a better apartment bird to avoid neighbors disliking you.
Do you really think they will tolerate this for the DECADES that conure will live with you? Please think about it.

I totally understand. I think I may have come across in the wrong way. After consideration, we have decided that the screaming (I can't refer to the noise as anything else because screaming is exactly what it is) is just something we're going to learn to live with. As I said in my previous post, we have a spare room where she can not be heard by the neighbours so much and we have decided to start spending time in there rather than the living room.

Following all your advice the other day, we only cover the cage at night to give her an undisturbed regular sleeping pattern. We have not covered her cage for any other reason since I first read your post. Today has been my first FULL day at home since she moved in and I have had her out practically all day just allowing her to explore me and her new surroundings. She's sitting on my hand as I write this eating a piece of dried mango and having a gentle nibble. With all your advice we are definitely making progress and we are looking forward to all the fun she is going to bring to our house.

I've tried to attach a photograph to this post but I'm a newbie to this so it might not work.

Thanks again guys, your opinions are so helpful and you are being so kind to share your advice. I'll have to post the pic later, my iPad won't let me.

 

[melinda]

I had a hard time placing my sun on the floor so i started rolling my hand backwards to redirect the bites. You do it enough to get them off balanced only. Not sure why everyone says suns are loud non stop but mine isn't. I encourage my birds to scream in the morning and again at night. We have a great time seeing who can get the loudest i have never won the game lol. The rest of the day my birds are quiet and happy playing with toys. I make sure they have plenty to do. They forage for food. If they have something to do they are less likely to be screaming. Just because you have a bird that is loud does not mean they can never learn to be quiet. I never cover my birds up unless it is time for bed. I have also found with 12 hours of sleep they are not tired through out the day so they do not get over loaded and start screaming.
Have you tried to block your shoulder by placing your hand at your elbow? Most birds learn very fast as long as you stay consistant in training. So you can't hold him on your hand for 3 days then let him on your shoulder for just a min because you need to do something. The back of chairs works great for a tempary stand.

 

[theocnoob]

My friend, I don't think you are understanding. The bird will, with time, scream LESS, but that 'scream' is the birds natural caw, like a seagulls. You can never train it out of him. It will decrease but never cease and I don't want you to be served an order to rehome it after 7 months when you're good friends when you could have gotten a senegal or love bird before bonding. That's JM2C

You picked a bird with a TWEEAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Instead of a twit twit twit. Twit twit is a better apartment bird to avoid neighbors disliking you.
Do you really think they will tolerate this for the DECADES that conure will live with you? Please think about it.

I totally understand. I think I may have come across in the wrong way. After consideration, we have decided that the screaming (I can't refer to the noise as anything else because screaming is exactly what it is) is just something we're going to learn to live with. As I said in my previous post, we have a spare room where she can not be heard by the neighbours so much and we have decided to start spending time in there rather than the living room.

Following all your advice the other day, we only cover the cage at night to give her an undisturbed regular sleeping pattern. We have not covered her cage for any other reason since I first read your post. Today has been my first FULL day at home since she moved in and I have had her out practically all day just allowing her to explore me and her new surroundings. She's sitting on my hand as I write this eating a piece of dried mango and having a gentle nibble. With all your advice we are definitely making progress and we are looking forward to all the fun she is going to bring to our house.

I've tried to attach a photograph to this post but I'm a newbie to this so it might not work.

Thanks again guys, your opinions are so helpful and you are being so kind to share your advice. I'll have to post the pic later, my iPad won't let me.

If you guys and the neighbors are cool with the noise level the bird naturally makes, it will be a wonderful friend. Conures like people a lot and he will be a close friend to you for decades. Please post pictures and videos to keep us up to date on his progress and speak gently to him. Also remember to do parrot body language infront of his cage. one arm/wing held out with one leg held up is a sign of friendship and a greeting. Both arms/wings held up over the head is a similar gesture. It's saying "Oh hello there friend" in bird.

Once he starts doing that it means he is coming to accept you as his friend. Remember that he may be afriad of you. Please just promise not to punish him for being his loud self. He will always be loud. It's like asking an artist not to paint. It is simply what a conure is, a loving friend, but a loud one. Make sure you know your nerves can take a couple of decades of it as they do live a long time.
Say hi to your bird for me.

 

[LatentHippie]

Thanks again for your great advice and kindness. And please don't worry, I'd never punish her for doing what comes naturally (or otherwise) to her. I've surprised myself at how calm and composed I can be when I've got a bird putting tremendous pressure on my earlobe with it's beak, I've also come to realise that if I ignore the ear biting it will continue for longer than is humanly tolerable.

She's been given almost a completely free reign today to explore her surroundings with an open cage. She's still been a bit "bitey" at times, but I am fast learning how to distract her from doing it. As for the screaming, I am doing a great job of pretending I can't hear it and she seems to be taking the hint. We're still getting bouts of loud and constant screaming, particularly when we leave the room (to go to the toilet or to cook etc), but they certainly seem to be shorter episodes and she is stopping BEFORE we come back in now which she wasnt doing the past 4 days.

I'll keep you all posted and I'll try to get photos and video, but my photography skills leave much to be desired for!

 

[theocnoob]

Thanks again for your great advice and kindness. And please don't worry, I'd never punish her for doing what comes naturally (or otherwise) to her. I've surprised myself at how calm and composed I can be when I've got a bird putting tremendous pressure on my earlobe with it's beak, I've also come to realise that if I ignore the ear biting it will continue for longer than is humanly tolerable.

She's been given almost a completely free reign today to explore her surroundings with an open cage. She's still been a bit "bitey" at times, but I am fast learning how to distract her from doing it. As for the screaming, I am doing a great job of pretending I can't hear it and she seems to be taking the hint. We're still getting bouts of loud and constant screaming, particularly when we leave the room (to go to the toilet or to cook etc), but they certainly seem to be shorter episodes and she is stopping BEFORE we come back in now which she wasnt doing the past 4 days.

I'll keep you all posted and I'll try to get photos and video, but my photography skills leave much to be desired for!

With biting dont distract. The bird must learn this is not ok. Gently grab the beak and say NO forcefully, and put the bird on the floor for 30 seconds, then continue what you were doing. Do this every time. If the bird doesnt bite but just grabs too hard, grab it's beak ever so gently the way youd want your nose touched and say GENTLE in a loving voice. They will eventually learn that they are HURTING YOU. This is not necessarily their intent. Remember. parrots are smart, but they are not rocket scientists. It's like smart dog ++ but we're not dealing with a chimpanzee

My opinion is currently you should be

Making sure the bird sleeps at night- one one leg. Happy birds sleep one one leg

That the bird learns not to bite

That the bird steps up to your hand every time you ask

That it Is eating well

That it will accept food from your hand

Remember he is little, timid, and fragile. Everything can be explained to a bird without hurting or terrifying him. He doesn't WANT to hurt you and is likely not aware he is. Remember birds bite eachother's feathers. Having a feather bitten isn't gonna hurt. When you cut your hair, does it hurt? Exactly. We have to see it from the birds point of view that he has to learn things which are not instinctual, to make living with humans happily work out.

In a few months you'll be best friends sharing an apple on the couch watching TV every day I promise.