Help with Rosie

[kendrafitz]

A little over a week ago, my mother had a medical issue and needed my help. She lives about 1 1/2 hours from us, so I stayed with her for about a week. All is fine with her and life is again good.

However, since I have returned Rosie is a mess. She WILL NOT LET ME OUT OF HER LINE OF VISION. Anytime I walk out of the room, she screams, and screams, and screams some more. I think she is insecure that I am going to leave again. I am not sure what to do. I try to ignore it, but then my daughter starts crying and screaming for me b/c Rosie is so loud. I try waiting for a break in screams before I reappear telling her softly she was too loud and to use her words. But nothing is working. It is so bad that if she is in my bedroom and I walk into my closet she goes nutty. I can't even shower by myself b/c she will not stand for it. I know that it is an anxiety thing and that it must be as unpleasant for her as it is for all of us. But my families patience is worn extremely thin and to be honest, I feel like I am getting a bit nutty myself. I am not getting much done around the house and work is difficult b/c she wants to be on me and then proceeds to try to eat my desk/chair. So all in all, I am an unproductive mess with hearing loss, an anxious bird and an annoyed family.

Does anyone have any suggestions to alleviate her anxiety?

 

[JerseyWendy]

Adding a second macaw to keep her occupied? :54::54: :54:

No, I'm not trying to be a smart-alec....but MAYBE this would work? I'm not saying go out and buy one, but how about fostering one to see if there's a difference?

I truly think Rosie doesn't know how to be happy without you - and PLEASE don't take this the wrong way - she's literally attached to your hip, and she has to learn to be a bird. What do you think?

I know what you mean about the hollering. It DOES get to you, and more so to family members. Ripley still has his moments, but luckily never all day long.

 

[kendrafitz]

I just need to convince my husband. I was thinking the same thing. But I don't think he would go for it. UGGH!

I am not taking it the wrong way, no worries. Just not sure what to do...

 

[JerseyWendy]

I will be a VERY evil enabler now: Suggest to hubby that you will merely FOSTER another macaw until a suitable family can be found. There is NOTHING permanent about it.

And then, IF the experiment works, and Rosie does quiet down, I'm sure EVERYONE in the family will take notice, and perhaps won't object to the foster becoming a long term resident. :21:

 

[kendrafitz]

You are an evil enabler!! Especially since I am so easily enabled!!

 

[JerseyWendy]

I heard Todd Marcus has a WHOLE bunch of consignments at the moment.

http://www.parrotforums.com/adoptions-re-homing/34550-macaws-need-new-homes.html

I'm SURE you havent' seen this yet. HAHAHAHAH.

 

[kendrafitz]

Nope...had NO clue!

 

[MikeyTN]

It hurts their feelings when part of them is gone (you!). Especially for long periods of time. Was there not a way to bring her along??? But if you can't that's understandable cause I have done so in the past leaving a week without my birds.....Willie wasn't having it as he got to be super glue like yours and it took him awhile to get over it. I did it one more time for a week and he was ok the second time but still weary. So I haven't left any where since. Just give her time, she'll come around. Depending on Willie's call, when I know he's calling for me I answer back to let him know I'm around and if he's just screaming to be crazy I walk far away and don't even acknowledge it. I'm sure your able to tell between the screams by now....

 

[kendrafitz]

It was an emergency, i was at the hospital, so I couldn't bring Rosie. My mother also has 2 young cats that are VERY interested in Rosie & I just don't trust them.

Her calls are for me, that I can tell. But she is just frantic. Ok, I will give her some more time before i get too worried. Poor little girl, now that I think I hurt her feelings I am feeling horribly for my Rosie!!

 

[MikeyTN]

Don't feel bad, sometimes we must do what we must....She'll get over it eventually, it just takes time....

 

[kq_fan]

I know when I leave, my GCC goes crazy. My mum says that he is depressed when I leave. I was on a three week vacation and just got home Saturday and now Pancho and even Jay Jay went crazy and now Pancho feels like he needs to be with me always and when I tuck him in at night he gets mad when I leave! But my advise to you is she will calm down after a while and realize that you aren't leaving forever. Good luck!

 

[Chesphoto]

My friend has an African grey and told me that he prepares his parrot that he will be a way far a little bit. After a bad experience, he now talks to his bird for a few days before he leaves and says he is going away, but will be back soon. He said it it is amazing, but he thinks the parrot understands and is there is no problem when he comes home.

I know that African Greys seem to have a better vocabulary then macaws, but it is worth a try.