Quit that screaming and screaming and screaming!

[GinaF]

...and she just repeated it back to me. Verbatim, in fact. Nothing strips you of your dignity faster than being reprimanded by your own parrot.

But I muster up what's left of my composure, I digress...

Every night around 6pm becomes 'social time'.

it's that period of time where she draws all the air out of Oklahoma deep into her lungs and practices her finest 'big girl' scream. It's not an ordinary scream. It's a high pitched shrieking wail that can be heard 6 blocks down the street and around the corner as though she were rehearsing for opening night at the opera. 10 minutes into her evening routine and the windows start threatening little spider cracks and I swear to you, my furniture is 5 inches off from where it started.

An hour passes...
I sit here patiently and diligently try to work on my laptop. My trusty ipod on full throttle, but the sound burrows it's way through my head, drilling holes and turning my eardrums into something resembling more of swiss cheese, instead of a human organ. I take a deep breath and repeat to myself "No animal will repeat an action that doesn't work for them." So I continues to ignore her, waiting for a quiet moment where I can praise her.

30 minutes later..
I'm now 20% done with a paper that should have taken me an hour to write. My ipod is still chugging along and so is she. Something gives me the feeling she's solar powered while my electronic contraption has a limited lifespan. I glance down at my arm and I promise you, I watched a nerve completely exit my body and crawl away, seeking refuge from the uncharted decibals a macaw can hit. It's only been a week Gina.... it's only been a week.

Another 20 minutes...
I crack. I KNOW you're not supposed to interrupt them when they're practicing their screaming. I KNOW you're supposed to wait until they're done and then tell them what a fabulous job they did. But I couldn't resist. I look up and sharply say "Quit that screaming and screaming and screaming!"

She responds with "Quit screaming" or at least a darn good variation of it. Not quite as clear, but I'm sure it was her first attempt. And then commences to practicing some more.

I went outside. I figured a little privacy would do her some good.

 

[weco]

Love your post Gina.....ha, ha, ha.....

They really do try our patience at times, don't they.....

 

[SandyBee]

LOL
You should be a writer.

 

[BillsBirds]

May I suggest earplugs? At least, for now?

 

[MikeyTN]

Lola screams all the time in her previous home IF I remember Heather telling me correctly....But she really don't scream much at all. Just few brief moments every so often. Not a everyday deal. She chatters and carrying on calling the dogs' names and say her name, call the other macaw's name Willie, and mumbles. At the beginning when they start to scream, I walk in to talk to them and ask what? Hello Lola or Willie, whomever is screaming. Did you need something? How your day today? Your a pretty bird. Be good now. I rub their heads and turn on the tv or radio for them to listen to. Then I walk away. The only bird that got to me before was actually Conures but I don't have any issues here and you can see the amount of birds I own. It's rather quiet here. Some of my neighbors never knew I had birds until I told them so. I tell them that my birds are rather quiet. They rather talk, sing, etc over screaming. Maybe it's time to change tactics??

 

[JerseyWendy]

You most DEFINITELY should be a writer, Gina!

The part where you looked at your arm and saw a nerve exit your body sounds QUITE familiar....HAHAHAHAHA.

I'm confident she'll calm down. It's only been a week.

Treat your neighbors to some brownies. :32:

 

[dulphinz]

Lol . This is the second post of yours I read and love them! You must be a writer, if not you might want to get to it! Haha Very entertaining post! Can't wait to hear more about your girl

 

[Cooperman]

Hahaha - love it!!! : )

 

[GinaF]

You most DEFINITELY should be a writer, Gina!

The part where you looked at your arm and saw a nerve exit your body sounds QUITE familiar....HAHAHAHAHA.

I'm confident she'll calm down. It's only been a week.

Treat your neighbors to some brownies. :32:

HA! My neighbors are jerks and I really don't like them. I've lived in this house (directly across the street from the Mayor) for 3.5 years and they've actively made my life miserable. They're curious, but I think they're afraid to inquire, themselves. Instead, they sent in a recon team (in the form of children) to gather intelligence on what was happening over here. I'm honestly surprised it took them a week. Within 20 minutes of the team pulling out, they emerged on my doorstep to see the parrot for themselves.

If they complain... Well.... I'll just get a Greenwing to match!

 

[Tyler]

Absolutely phenomenal. I can't offer you more than my condolences to your pretty girl screaming being that I am new to the forums and macaws but keep working with her I'm sure you'll be able to calm down. Like others have said "it's only been a week!" Good luck!