Screaming senegal and nothing is working!

[sind]

I am about to seriously lose my mind!! I have a female senegal aged 4 yrs old. I am assuming her behaviour has to do with maturity but nothing I have read or been told thus far has helped at all. About 4 months ago she began screaming. Until then, the quietest and most behaved bird ever. Very sweet and trusting. Suddenly, she started screaming. I have tried ignoring her for the last few months with no change. She has gotten worse if anything. I have tried more toys and foraging items which took her a bit to figure out but will scream I assume with excitement over them sometimes and is bored and back to screaming when she is done. I have tried more time with her in training her and giving her attention but after an hour or more out, she goes back to the cage screaming again. She will only not scream if she is by my side or in the bathroom it seems. She has now started to scream even when out beside me at times. She used to play on her play top no problem and got out there everyday. Now she just tries to climb down or jump off from there and run about on the floor or come over to where I am. She will even sit up there screaming. I have seriously tried all things I have been told to do and nothing has changed. It is not morning and night screaming, it is all day. If I leave, I think she quiets down and sleeps if I am out. She screams when I walk by, go in another room and not looking at her or anything like that has altered her screaming. Its been 4 months of this with no progress. She plays with some toys but still easily distracted. I have tried positive reeinforcement but no luck either. She refuses treats at times or just throws them. She prefers a scratch versus any food. I could go on and on and explain everything I have tried and all details of things that could have contributed but it would probably take me forever. She seems quite healthy and happy. Just overly attached to me. I have seen sexual maturing type behaviour from her and assume this is the reason. I am definetely walking on eggshells in my home as to not disturb her at all times. When she is good, I have rewarded her with play time when quiet but she goes right back to squaking when back at her cage. I have tried covering her which has been the most effective although not always. I want to see my bird though and spend time with her and talk to her like always before. Even after a "time-out", she does not seem to learn her lesson. Right back to screaming when she feels like it. Ignoring her has had very little effect. I can leave the room and not come out to show her attention, but she screams for a long time without giving up. I have fallen asleep waiting for her to quiet down. I of course then reward her quiet behaviour with a pet, food, a visit out, opening the cage for her to go play or whatever, but none of it is working. She is not usually very happy with a moment of attention. I have even picked up on training her to help. She is smart and has learned potty training and can do a few tricks here and there. I am clueless and feeling quite hopeless at this point. Currrently, she is talking to herself and making noises. Some much louder than others. I am afraid to get up now though cause she will start screaming for me to take her out and be with her. I seem to have an awfully spoiled brat on my hands I think and need help desperately. Is there anything left to do???

 

[SharonC]

That sounds EXACTLY like Levi was when he hit puberty. I thought I'd crack, almost did! There were days when I sat and cried...as I was so frustrated with the " unending smoke alarm" sound. It lasted six months...and then stopped, as suddenly as it started. I'm not sure your Senegal is entering puberty, or is hormonal...but it sure sounds like it! Sorry, I can't help. I tried everything, from increasing hours of sleep, diet changes, ignoring etc...nothing worked, except time.

 

[parrotqueen]

Wow, it sounds to me as though you have tried a lot of things. Maybe not everything, but quite a lot. Kudos to you for such determination.

I do have some important qustions to ask you.

-Does she get a nice long nap or two during the day? Birds need a lot of sleep, it can help significantly with behavioral problems. This in itsel though, will not completely resolve the problem.

-Does she get regular vet checkups? It's one of the less-likely reasons for a bird to scream, but sometimes she could quite possibly be in distress. Checkups might help clear some things up. Also, every now and then; vets can provide some good advice pertaining to behavioral problems.

-Has there been any major changes in your house, that would take her some time to adjust to? Examples would be; she doesn't see someone (it could be you, too) very often anymore, you moved recently, you've placed her in a different room, you've changed her schedule, etc. Birds generally don't like change, and it can take them a long time to recover from it. Something as silly as beginning to wear hats can set a bird off.

Perhaps if you answer some of these questions, we can have a better chance at resolving the issue.

 

[sind]

Yes exactly! Since she is now 4 years old I assume it is sexually maturity. And none of the options seem to be working. She is completely in her own state of control it seems at times. Right now, she was quiet for awhile after her freak out so I let her out on top of her play cage. She is there now and eating and being good and quiet but I only know it is a matter of time until she is bored and demands something else. She is so hard to read like this cause she is content one minute with something and not the next. It's so nice to know, although not nice, that I am not the only one about to lose my mind here over my bird! I have increased sleep time as well to help as I have read that for sexually maturing birds. Avoiding peanuts and other things I have read as well to dissuade the sexual maturity thing. 6 months huh?? Oh my... only 2 more months left to try to keep my sanity if that is the case! I hope it does go away, but I still am desperately seeking the right solutions now so that I do not make it worse or anything cause I do adore that little thing! Thx for response though

 

[sind]

Thx for the kudos. My determination is wearing thin but I adore my sennie! She has been a blessing up until 4 months ago! Even now, still gives me great love and pride but for the rest of the time, drives me nuts!! I catch her napping every now and then during the day. When I leave the house, she seems to take that time to nap as I find her in her little tent thing in the cage. She is all ready to jump out and make her demands though for attention the second I get home. I have been trying to let her rest with the cover at other times though for this sleep need, but I don't always know that when she quiets down, she is sleeping or not. I have increased her bed time though to 12 hours usually. I recently had her checked and she appears completely fine and healthy apparently. I was told she has ever single feather and looks great. No other problems are evident in regards to health. In my attempts to get her to forage however and such, it seems to work somewhat, but I am a little afraid she may be neglecting her pellets because of this though. She has always been a smaller bird so I was told the nuts or millet are ok for her as she has no problem with weight. I would like to fatten her up a little, but unsure how other than nuts and millet type food. She is on a good pellet as I have been told. I am sure her issue is behaviourial though. When it comes to changes, its sort of funny. She has had many changes that could stress her over her time with me, but no really major changes I can think of though in the last bunch of months strangely enough. At times when she could have been stressed from my moving to a new place, there were no issues at all. I need to go back to the beginning I suppose to really see if this had any influence over the behaviour now. I went on vacation for 2 weeks in March. I have done this before and no problems in the past. The only difference I saw was that my parents who came to take care of her, paid some more attention to her and she was able to get comfortable with my dad. Previously, she was always more into females. So no problems really. My parents would visit and she would do her one little call for them if they stepped into the bathroom as she does with me. This is the first little change but nothing bad seemingly. A few weeks later, my male cousin and his girlfriend stayed with me for a week. They got up earlier and had their bedroom door opened. Maxine now started squakking. It was like she needed to be part of what was going on or something since they were awake. Until then, she never made one noise if I slept or slept in at all. Even when I got up. No noise. My cousin and her seemed to bond. I think she saw him as a mate as she did her mating dance and such with him. Once he went to put her back in her cage, and she bit him he said. So she showed no problems with me, but began this noise making at this point. I was told she probably had a crush on him and was reacting to that but it would go away shortly. So its been an awful long time since then and I have put into place all sorts of suggestions and such and this is where I am today. I assume that was the start of the behaviour and her sexually maturing. But now I do not know what to do as nothing I have tried has worked. Nothing has changed in the last few months to make her get worse like this that I can think of. No change with me or other people. No other pet changes. No food changes. Only foraging toys and such that are supposed to help her boredom. I do notice that she is usually quiet and will hide out when someone is over usually. She is on her best behaviour then!!LOL I can't think of any other changes she would have had as of late, other than me spending more training time with her and quality time to supposedly help the screaming behaviour. I increased her sleeping by covering her as well. I never in the past had to cover her cage for her to sleep and it was never a problem that she did not have good sleep. Any changes, have been ones that are supposed to help, unfortunately, they haven't

 

[antoinette]

I thank my lucky stars, I have not experienced a screaming bird.
I would probably be wearing ear plugs by now !!!!! full time.

Mishka my AG of almost 3 years, may scream if I can call it that for a minute about a week, and THAT IS ENOUGH FOR ME. :46:
Actually yesterday, she started screaming for no apparent reason, I played a whisteling cd for her, she stopped immediately, thank goodness.

Below is a link, hopefully it will assist you. :emoticonc
Senegal Parrot Common Problems
Keep us posted
Good luck

 

[Spiritbird]

Sind: perhaps this article may help. Also if nothing else you could get a consult with a avain behaviorist. There are many and I am sure your vet could suggest a good one.

http://thetrueparrot.homestead.com/behavioral.html

 

[wildheart]

Welcome to the forum Sind! At least you are already past the halfway mark.

 

[HRH Di]

Some friends of ours are having a similar problem with their Blue-throat Macaw. They're trying to respond back to him with an acceptable word (they're using Hello) and when he says it back to them, rewarding him with a treat. Not sure where they heard of this method and they've just started so I don't know how well it works, but it sounds reasonable.

Good luck.

 

[sind]

Thank you for all of your responses. Unfortunately nothing is still working. I cannot figure it out and I do not know what her problem is. Her screaming is definetely attention based and seemingly like separation anxiety at times. If I wake up and do not uncover her, she may scream. Not always but most of the time. A loud pitched, alarm like squak! I hate living day to day based on tip toeing around her. I don't like thinking that I rather stay out than come home so I don't have to listen to her. She seems to be fairly quiet and fine when I leave the house. She will even choose this time to sleep as I find her like this when I get home. Nothing at all in the last 2 months for sure has changed that I can think of at all to cause this behaviour. I am convinced it is all for attention but ignoring her and then rewarding her when making no noise or acceptable noise is not working. It almost seems like there is not much rhyme or reason to her screaming other than wanting to be with me. She has started to more and more get down from whereever she is put when out of her cage and do whatever it takes to come find me and sit with me. Very cute, but I am afraid this is a separation anxiety type thing. Not the best method but one that has seemed to work and now is changing as well was putting her in the bathroom with a mirror. She would be quiet as long as she could just sit there and look at herself. It was my only time of peace other than covering her up. But still, either at this point is starting to change. She is starting to scream at times even with these previous working methods. I have given her forgaing toys and she uses them now and give her all sorts of things to try to keep her busy in her cage. She does use them but once she is done which she is by night's end usually or leaves some sometimes too for another day I suppose, she will scream again. I just don't understand and I adore her. I can't get rid of her at all because of the joy and love she does bring. But the screaming is untolerable!!!!! It is affecting my day to day life. Can't make phone calls, can't have people over, can't sleep, can't watch tv, can't move around a lot etc.... Any other ideas please?????!!!!!!!

 

[wildheart]

How much one on one time do you spend with her per day? Is she then on your arm, shoulder, lap?

 

[SharonC]

I feel your frustration....

I was advised to "underhandle" Levi. I also put him in the "sleep room" during the day if I needed a break. It actually helped temporarily to isolate him, as he always seemed to be "overstimulated"....At the very least, it gave me a break!

If she's screaming for attention, it is VERY important to give her absolutely no attention when screaming. Don't pacify, yell, or even make eye contact. When and if she quiets, you can reward...but I always found that this got Levi started again.

Here's what I would do in your situation...Every time she screams, isolate her in a seperate room, and close the door. Give her no attention while she is in there. If she quiets, spend some time in the room with her. If she screams when you walk away, close the door. Birds are smart. She can learn that screaming is what gets her removed from your presence. If she's having a quiet day, allow her to stay in the area that you're in. Be very consistent, or she won't make the connection.

Good luck! It could still be hormonal, meaning it will end. If the problem is behavioral, it'll be a little more difficult, but it can be rectified...

 

[Von1983]

I just wanted to express my sympathy!

I can't claim to know much as my previous birds were really quite quiet and having only had my Sun Conure for a fornight I can't give you any advice you wouldn't already know! I've successfully taught her "no shout" and praised/rewarded her, but that's certainly nothing new to you!

My very first budgie used to shout and it never failed to calm him down by gently stroking the sides of his beak - he loved it more than anything. Whether this is useful/possible I don't know but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway!

I'd like to thank you though because these are all tips for me for the future.

I hope you get some peace soon!

 

[AndrewH]

Hello,

If it is related to sexual maturity, I don't think there is anything YOU can do but be patient; however, perhaps your avain vet can give her a treatment to reign in the hormones. Our vet did this for our U2. She didn't have screaming problems, but the vet was concerned that she was staying in season so long and wanted to prevent her from laying.

Anyway, I don't know if this is the same thing, but if the hormones are causing the issues, the vet may be able to give her something to balance her out. I think he gave our bird progesterone, but I can't recall for certain.

Our vet is VERY experience and bird people travel great distances in our area to have their birds cared for by him. Perhaps other bird owners here can back up what I'm saying?

Good luck!

 

[Spiritbird]

How many of the forum members ideas have you completed?

 

[Ecclipse]

Ok, this could be the most ridiculous thing I have posted all year - :20: but something caught my attention in your original message....bear with me this might sound daft or not relevant at all. You mentioned your sennie not screaming in the bathroom. Im not a fundy on these things but maybe thats the way to go - maybe when he sqauwks it echos or something and he doesnt like it. Maybe you can try putting him there in his cage when he makes a racket. Do you have a mirror in the cage? Maybe he likes his reflection in the mirror in the bathroom. Im sure its just him maturing - I have no experience with maturing parrots becoming noisy so basing that comment on what others have said.

You have really gone out of your way to help your fid...great guardian!!!! Do you play the radio for him at all? This maybe would be more for your benefit but I can say that I have experienced success with it as far as keepin them "company" when your away or in another part of the house. I have so much respect for you....I get grouchy when my lovebird chatters and Im trying to take a "once in a blue moon nap" over a weekend - put that one in perspective for me...

 

[Mel]

Sind I can really sympathise with you at the moment. My usually very quiet Eclectus has recently started the same thing & it's driving the whole house crazy. When she starts and someone's in the same room and ignores her she gets louder - little ratbag.

She is molting atm so I think it's related (she started when the molting started) so I'm hoping like you are that it'll pass. The best thing is when our too decides to join in, oh the joy of having parrots

 

[Parrot Parent]

I agree with the whole allowing her to be with you when she is quiet and moving her to the bathroom when she isn't thing. But something else I had noticed in your posts is that you say you give her foraging toys alot. I'm just going out on a limb here but maybe she is bored with just foraging toys. Other great toys to try would be Shredders, puzzlers, preening toys, and sometimes parrots like toys made out of safe cloth. Alot of parrots have different preferences as to which types of toys they like. Its recommended that you switch up the types of toys you give your bird every month or so. This prevents boredom which can prevent behavioral problems.

 

[Spiritbird]

PP this thread is over a year old.

 

[mtdoramike]

I feel for you, but I too have a screamer or actually more of a squawking Senegal. She just turned a year old. I got her second hand about 2 1/2 months ago. When I first got her, she was quiet as a church mouse. But from then on, from the time I open up her cage and blinds to her room in the morning until she goes to bed, she will go through her vocalizations. These occur mainly in the morning and afternoon, but during the day as well, especially if she doesn't see me.

If I leave the house for a few hours and return, my wife will have the time out cover placed over her cage giving her a time out and says that she raises all manners of hell when I leave. But once in time out, she stops the noise. I'm working on her noise issues with treats at quiet times and stopping responding to her when she squawks or squeals. But I can tell you from experience, ignoring it DOES NOT WORK! It will just make the bird more persistant and you a nervous wreck.

And just think, Senegals are touted to be the perfect apartment bird. Yeah right. It just goes to show, they ain't no such thing as a perfect apartment. I'm beginning to think that the perfect apartment bird is the STUFFED KIND! But fortunately for me, I own my own home so no issues there, just my sanity.