Jenday help/suggestions

[Pampa]

Long story short I just got an 18 month old Jenday Conure. It is a love, but...

#1 it’s a screecher. It screeches when it sees or hears me, I will wait for it to be quiet before going to it but as soon as it’s out it screeches some more. Suggestions for behavior modification and training a word or phrase to use for contact calling. (FYI I am old and I am the only human in the house)

#2 training to talk the easiest words and phrases for them to say

#3 Puberty, never had a bird this young before. What to expect

#4 Names: Samba? Sweet Pepper? Poppy? Votes and suggestions just for fun.

Thanks. I’m pretty inconsistent in my activity with the forum so I feel undeserving and appreciate your input.

 

[Flboy]

Bumping you back up.
Welcome back!

 

[noodles123]

I tell my bird what I am doing before I do it---e.g., "I am taking out the trash", "emptying the dishwasher", "taking a shower" etc (and show her a related object when applicable). Over time, she has gotten better about associating these activities and routines with their respective durations. This seems to help in many cases, but it isn't a cure-all.
As long as your bird is quiet, when you leave the room, you can talk to the bird to let him/her know where you are (and reduce the need for flock-calling). If the bird starts screaming, ignore it and do not return to the room or respond until the screaming stops for at least 15 seconds (solidly---restart your count if any screaming occurs).
If your bird makes a sound that you prefer to screaming, walk over to it and praise because you will teach your bird that making that preferred sound gets it attention (where screaming fails).
Make sure that you do not attend to your bird when it is screaming (if you are already out of the room, stay out of the room). If you are in the room, I would advise walking away (or even leaving) with your back turned (you may choose to say "too loud" in a calm/quiet voice at 1x if you are already present and the screaming starts, but do not say this more than once). Refrain from talking to the bird or talking about the bird to others. Once quiet for 15 seconds at least, return to the bird and praise "thanks for being quiet". Increase the required quiet time as your bird gets better at this--- eg., 20 seconds and week 2, 30 seconds week 3 etc etc...You may need to do this slower or faster depending on the bird, but consistency is key (if you have guests, they need to also be taught the routine).
Also, teach independence by praising your bird for playing with toys in the cage etc.

Finally, make sure that your bird is getting at least 12 hours of dark, uninterrupted sleep each night (same bed-time and wake-up each evening and morning). Sleep regulates hormone and immune function and screaming can result when sleep is off. You must also make sure that your bird has no snuggle huts, or shadowy places in or outside of the cage (e.g., tubes, boxes, low-ledges, tents, under furniture, in drawers, under clothing, piles of bedding, blankets/pillows etc) Birds can scream more when hormonal, and dark spaces simulate nesting behavior/hormonal surges. Different birds reach sexual maturity at different ages, but you don't want to start any bad habits when they are young if they will lead to hormonal issues later. When petting, stick to the head and neck only. Cuddling, stroking, petting head to tail and scratching under wings= sexual for the bird. You do not want your bird to misconstrue your relationship or it can lead to behavior problems (screaming, aggression, self-mutilation etc).

 

[Pampa]

Noodles thank you. I have another question. Like now, I’m not feeling well today so I am lounging, watching TV with Samba near me quietly in her cage. If/when I praise her she squaks, the behavior I am rewarding her for not doing.
I’ve only had her for two nights. She came with a snuggle hut that I set up in a sleeping cage. I should take that away. She, at 18 months is still very baby like.

 

[noodles123]

Yes- take away the hut. They are also very dangerous for their health for other reasons (hormones aside). There is a massive lawsuit going on with these--they are bad news.

If you have only had her for 2 days, she is still adjusting. It takes months, so don't worry if progress seems slow. Birds move in slow-motion compared to other animals.

 

[Laurasea]

Ahhh yes the adjustment period. You've gotten good advice from Noodles. My rescue Quaker was a screaming mess when I brought her home, and now she never screams, except if I mess whith her cage set up.
Welcome to your new one, I like Sweet Pepper. Talking back when you talk to her is pretty normal. You can try to work on a flock call, or certain whistle. One of birds flock call is hello, one is a wolf whistle, and unfortunately one is a screaming, but close to having " aww little baby" as the flock call. When you leave the room they like to call out and make sure you are still around, if you have the same call back, that's usually enough for them to carry on, till they need to check on you again. Not responding can lead to screaming , as they are sure you must be in dire danger..
Can't wait to see pictures!