How do I un-spoil my blue and gold?

Peanut

New member
Feb 19, 2011
9
0
New Jersey
Parrots
Blue and Gold Macaw
Hi,
My blue and gold Peanut is 3.5 years old. I think she is very spoiled, hence I am having problems with screaming now. I am expecting a baby and really would like her to settle down so the house stays a little more quiet.
I worked from home the past 4 years and the bird has been my baby literally. Her cage is in my office, she was out for hours per day and ate breakfast, lunch and dinner with me. I managed to train her to have breakfast with my husband and I and I spend about 1 hour per day with her one-on-one playing, preening and doing tricks. Is that too much? She plays on her playstand for another 2 hours maybe, sometimes more, but she demands my attention constantly by screaming and being loud. She sleeps about 12-14 hours in her cage under her cover. I am terrified that she will start to feel lonely and plug her feathers once the baby comes and I have less time for her. My husband spends time with her also, but not as much as me as he is out working all day. Anybody have experience with a new baby and a blue and gold or how to get her to play quietly more often on her own?
 
hi welcome im the owner of 8 month old blue and gold and hes learning his voice very well started screaming as well for attention im hoping it dosent get an worse
 
I had a screaming problem with my conure about a year ago and my husband and i managed to get rid of the habit in about 6 months. Every time he screamed for attention, we'd ignore him or give him a time out. Only when he was quiet or chirping nicely for our attention, did we spoil him with lots of it and treats. Since then, he's learned what type of noises we'll tolerate and pay attention to. So when he wants us, he'll send us a friendly sweet chirp as opposed to a loud screaming screech. He's no macaw, but I hope this helps.
 
Well first we must accept that parrots communicate using their voices! So some noise must be acceptable!
I hour of one on one time is actually not much time at all. Even though she is out of her cage she needs communication and touch to feel secure and happy. She is screaming due to unhappiness and it is her way of seeking more attention.
 
Like Greycloud says, it's what they use to communicate. Your not gonna make her stop screaming. I know it can get to you at times, mind does the samething. I've had mine for over 7 years, he's turning 10 years old in May. He's pretty good most of the time and he can keep himself occupied in destroying his toys or being crazy by singing and dancing. He feeds the dogs and calls for them, I think they keep him occupied too...lol Give her plenty of toys to play with, screaming is not going away. Mine's a BIG baby with me though....
 
One more thing, they're like kids that'll never grow up. It's really something you have to think about since your having a baby. She can't be ignored cause she will NOT let you ignore her by screaming for you. The more you lock her up, the more she will scream. Macaws do long distance calling out to one another, but sometimes they scream to get attention. As long as I'm paying attention to my macaw, he's fine. He was MAD at me tonight and nip at my chin, but not hard. Just to let me know he's not happy. He does it to let me know he feels he's in danger. Usually when that happens is when the dogs is around. He is the ONLY parrot I trust around my dogs but he gets nervous around the youngest dog, which I usually put him outside when Willie is out of his cage. He loves Alexis, my girl husky. Willie watch her grow up since she was a pup, she's 6 yo now. They play on the floor together too, very cute to watch. Another thing you can do is find a program or music she likes and let her watch or listen to and see if that helps.
 
my angel has started contact calling when i leave the room, it doesn't matter who else is about, she screams for me. i call back 'i'm here' and she does calm down a bit. its nomal for macaws to be vocal. try foraging toys to keep her entertained.
 
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Thank you for your answers :) We actually moved her cage back in her old spot today where she can sit and watch the birds outside. She is soooo happy and talking up a storm in her cage already. I will try the time out when she gets too wild. I do not mind the occasional scream at all, just the attention screaming. Overall she is a very good girl though and we love her dearly :)
 

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