Update

[drlisaort]

Thank you Josh! Yes, if you were in Fla. I'd offer to help with Loki as well. I agree with you that it will be better for Oliver here at home with his things around him rather than boarded. My husband will sit near him and sing to him (he practices guitar and sings several hours a day) and will talk to him as well. So, it should be okay.

Thank you again for your sweet gesture...

Lisa

 

[Peeker]

My personal experience is that overall Eclectus handle the lack of personal attention better than most parrots. A macaw has needs to be handled and played with each and every day or the tension seems to build on them. Eclectus however seem to weather a few days when you are too sick and involved in other things much better. I hope you enjoy your holiday!

 

[Joshuwaaa]

Thanks its comforting to know he will be okay.

I wont miss his morning screams, that is for sure lol x

 

[Joshuwaaa]

Who'd have thought having a parrot could be so difficult.

Loki has recently become really ratty recently. He still lunges at jack while in his cage, badly, wings back and lunging.

Now he's calling all day for attention, each time I go in the room he's back to screaming. He's been so good recently too? What happened? He's somewhat regressed back to bad behaviour x

 

[Joshuwaaa]

Didn't take him out yesterday at all because each time I went to him he started screeching. I had no oppurtunity to take him out without enforcing his screeching as a direct result.

Woke up this morning and he was morning calling, which was fine, and I usually say hello back to him. However, this morning it just set him off on a mad screech.

I definetely feel like I got the problem bird, he seems so random with his behaviour.

As per, I'm leaving the room when he screams, it just results in no time being spent with him, which seems like a vicious circle too me.

He hasn't helped himself with Jack much either because he continues to lung so aggressively at jack when in his cage. This has also now spread to myself, where I'm taking the lunges of attacks too.

I really don't know what too do, I'm attempting to continue a way to help, but I'm sure he's getting worse.

 

[Joshuwaaa]

Sorry to keep going.

I just took Loki out because jack is attempting to sleep an he was still screaming. Took to the bathroom so I could have a bath an he could eat breakfast an he was just screeching.

Jack has asked to re home him, and I don't want that, even if I understand why he's feeling this way.

In the bathroom he screamed while eating his favourites, then flew into me, jack, into the bath and screamed horrifically.

Past two days have been a nightmare, made worse by the fact we had him out all day past few days, before this, with him being so good.

He's now back in his cage calming down and I'm upset because I don't know how to help. Trying to be persistent and I thought moving him and covering him at night had helped.

:'(

 

[Soyajam]

I'm sorry to hear you're still having a hard time.

Theres the usual questions... what changed that might have done it? Having him out all day might have been a change of routine that confused him? Something new you introduced, new food, new toys, new furniture? Have you guys been different recently in your own schedule or energy?

If you're really at a dead end is it possible to see a behaviour specialist? Do they even have those for parrots you think?

I know I dont even remotely know how it feels I hope you guys can still hang on for a bit at least.

 

[rbreck]

How old is he?

 

[Joshuwaaa]

He'll definitely stay, he's been out up until now and been ok. Screeching again now but he's back in his cage.

He's quite aggressive in his cage so I have just completely detoxed and changed that? Something new for him.

No real changes bar being out a bit more I guess.

He's only 7 months old, an starting to molt.

He's not a big an of training, he just likes sitting on me and screeching when he's not on me lol.

I don't know lol, he's being so weird.

 

[drlisaort]

I feel so bad for you and Jack and of course Loki and Cricket. I can't remember where you purchased Loki but if it was a breeder or bird store owner perhaps they know of a parrot behaviorist that could help you. I have read stories like yours in the archives of posts and after a while (some were months) they came out of what seemed like a bad "spell." Sending happy dust to you and yours...

Lisa

 

[sodakat]

It is hard when your partner is frustrated with your bird. The noise is the problem, correct? And when he sees you he gets excited and noisy. So he can't come out because he's noisy. Then when he does get to come out he is excited and noisy and that is a problem.

I can't remember if he is flighted. If so, get him to flying and wearing off some of that energy. Young birds need to fly, fly, fly. Then fly some more.

I've read that the most common reason for young male Eclectus' being rehomed in Europe is because of noise. I wonder if most of these birds aren't "allowed" to get their dawn and dusk hollering in and are expected to be quiet all the time?

Maybe a nice daily squawk time should be encouraged so Loki and get some vocalizing in when it's allowed?

 

[Peeker]

Arg. I feel for you. It's really hard to hear screaming all day and even worse when your partner wants the bird to go. I suspect this is only a spell but things you can try are--Change out toys for new, add foraging items-treats wrapped in papers that he has to work for. Try a nice shower for him. Maybe he will preen and then nap instead of the screaming. Try to establish a schedule so he knows what to expect.

Let your partner know how much you want to keep your bird and that you are making efforts and try to get him on your team.

**My Jax growls at me and others when we pass the cage or put his food bowls in, but that doesn't mean he doesn't love us. He is just bi#ching a bit and steps out happily when I ask him.

 

[Joshuwaaa]

Hey, thank you all for such supportive comments.

I think today is probably the worst day we have had. That or it may just seem it at the moment.

Frustrations are running high and its a dead day I think.

I just went to feed him and whatever is happening seems to just continue as he screeched continuously as I went in. Which as everyone, got me all frustrated.

Its got to a point where I just don't think anything I can do can help. Been on and off for the weeks I've had him now.

Jack is obviously ready to let him go, which is a shame because its hard to come back from that.

Jack walked in to praise his quiet behaviour and he was fine, then I went to praise him and all he did was screech at me, I tried taking him out slightly but he had to go right back due to just horrendous screams.

I don't think I can cope with more of his yoyo behaviour, its too difficult to try and remedy and I'm finding little time where he is actually loving and a nice pet.

Seeing everyone elses Eclectus only makes us feel like we have done something wrong, or just got a bad one x

 

[SandyBee]

Wow,

I feel for you.
Is there any specific time that he is quiet. You need to figure out why the screeching(I know easier said than done)
If you can figure out when he is quiet you may be able to expand on that. Is he more calmer when Jack is there?

 

[Joshuwaaa]

This morning he got himself into a violent morning screech episode, morning calls don't bother me, its the loud jungle screeches which get right under us.

He doesn't seem fazed by Jack, no screaming, but wont let him get him out. He gets aggressive.

Mid day he can be okay and so we had him out, then we put him back around 2 so we could study.

Around 3/4 ish an hour before dinner he heard beeps on the microwave and wouldn't shut up until he got his tea at around 4.30.

Should I give him three meals a day? So he isn't hungry?

or is it an attention thing and I should keep walking out?

either way, I'm glad I'm going to work. He has been a nightmare, an I just want today to end.

x

 

[SandyBee]

If hunger is an issue, I would say yes feed him healthy things of course.
Bosley alwayss get excited if he hears noises coming out of the kitchen. I often take him in there with me to prep dinner and give him a snack(eg veggie or nutriberry)
I'm not a big fan of ignoring screaming, I didn't find it to work with my amazon.
If I let him scream and ignored him he would work himself up to a frenzy and it was harder to get him to settle.
I went about my business if he was screaming or not, I would talk to him and tell him he was silly, I don't let him have his way but I would also not make a point of walking out. That is me though and I have a spoilt birdie, but he doesn't really scream much anymore. I reward the quiet times and I let him be out of his cage when I am home, not always on me, but on his play stand or the couch with toys.
When I do put him in his cage now, he knows |I am doing stuff that he can't be part of, eg going out.

 

[sodakat]

Just like DrLisa, I wish I were there to help you out.

Yes, I think you should feed him more often. If he eats then you'll know that was part of the problem.

I also want to add, it is okay to admit defeat. You and Jack have busy lives and maybe this isn't the time to devote to a demanding bird. Don't beat yourself up.

 

[Joshuwaaa]

Although I'm so glad to be at work. I can honestly say I couldn't leave him for good. Id miss him too much.

Its just horrible that when I'm with him, he just doesn't get to behave. He didn't have a great start too life, poor diet and a bad breeder. Black feathers which are now beautifully green, not hand tame, now stepping up. I couldn't give up on him, it wouldn't seem fair and he's family.

he has, however, beat me today. I feel exhausted with so much happening in such a small space of time.

I'm going to try three feeds a day. Slightly smaller portions, taking out his dishes and maybe just trying to move past this storm. I need to focus on the calm ahead x

 

[Soyajam]

I really admire your tenacity in hardship here... as a first timer im terrified of having an experience you have, as I have an apartment with sensitive neighbours, abd a boyfriend who isnt too thrilled about having a bird as a pet (but has conceded for me) and now I've taken the plunge I couldnt possibly rehome her.

The fact he hasnt had the best upbringing means youre probably fighting against a tide from the start but its even more important you keep up the positive reinforecers and the love now since might need it more than some!

Hang in there, I'm anxious to see how you go.

 

[Joshuwaaa]

Thanks, to be honest I don't know anyone else who having the same issues, so I wouldn't worry lol. Loki is one in a million.

His morning yell is horrible and I wish I could deal with it because at the moment I feel he's screaming because its all he does.

Put new toys in his cage and he doesn't bother with them. He's just a screamer, which is bizarre for an eckie I thought.