venting about screaming (dont mean to offend anyone)

[Kiwibird]

It's a shame people do not do their due research before bringing home a bird, then get mad at said bird because they have no clue it's natural behaviors and put very minimal effort into correcting negative behaviors it picks up along the way. I will admit, we told the shelter we worked with a macaw or cockatoo was not an option for us at that time because of the noise level they are capable of (we live in an apartment and have neighbors to consider). No one judged us for realizing what we could and couldn't handle in a bird, they helped us find a bird more suitable for what we could handle instead. We had also done out due research into what was too loud, big, and destructive for apartment dwellers. Can't fault a macaw or cockatoo for being what they are but it also doesn't mean we personally had to choose a species we weren't capable of handling. Kiwi is generally very quiet for a zon, but that's due to us working extremely hard to discourage the screaming fits he had in the beginning, and encourage more positive routes of communication and filling his time instead. He makes his am/pm vocalization and the occasional contact call, but that's it for the really loud noises (which isn't that bad). He's been trained to make adorable soft noises to communicate his heeds, which was hard work, but well worth the time and effort in the long run (I'd rather him squeak than squawk). Most of our neighbors only realize we have a parrot when they see him getting baths outside in the summer.

I actually had a friend in school who's family bought a conure. Growing up with
zons and a too, I didn't find it's noises to be all that loud personally, but it did make noise ALL the time. It had a big cage, but only one toy, was only fed pellets (while its cage was in full view of the kitchen) and was rarely allowed out (I suspect it only came out when I came over because I wasn't scared of the poor thing like it's family was). I tried politely suggesting they take a little more time to make friends with the bird so it could come out more often, to share some fruits and veggies when they were eating them and to give it some more toys. The parents informed me the "care sheet" from the petstore said toys and fresh produce were only suggested, but they didn't want the mess those would create and that the bird was mean so that was why they made no effort to handle/allow it out of it's cage. Then they wondered why it screamed all the time, and eventually got rid of it. That was actually kind of a deal breaker for that friendship. For years I watch this family continually dragging some poor creature home they hadn't done one iota of research into and eventually got rid of or just died because they didn't want to deal with it's normal behavior or care needs (horses, goats, pigs, chickens, hamsters, fish, a snake, you name it, they got one and neglected then abandoned it). The bird just hit too close to home since I grew up with them and had a much deeper understanding of how they ticked than the other animals, and finally saw THEY were the problem, not the animals. Some people just do not deserve animals, period.

 

[sodakat]

There are two grad students compiling information about parrots through a survey (www.parrotsurvey.com). One of the questions asked is if your parrot exhibits stereotypical behavior. Here is how they describe that:

Note: A parrot displaying stereotypic behavior will perform a fixed series of movements (e.g., head nodding or shaking, continuous climbing, or walking along the same route) according to a rigid pattern that is repeated more than twice in a row.

IMO, constant/frequent "screaming" can be sterotypic behavior in caged birds.

I think it is important to consider that if this is a coping mechanisim which an adult bird has acquired due to life situation, trying to extinquish that behavior using the wrong method can be harmful.

Providing stimulation and enrichment including providing them a LARGE enclosure instead of removing all stimulii (covering/placing in dark place) should be offered. "Fixing" a bird who has picked up habits to soothe themself when stressed is time consuming and challenging. If a new owner finds themselves with a bird whose behavior overwhelms them, finding a more suitable home is the right thing to do, IMO.

I am talking about mature birds of course.

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

A couple of people wrote that we should think like birds.

Ahhh, if only I could. I would love that. I could think that I am thinking like a bird, but in reality, unless i'm recaling some previous life I lived as a bird, then all i'm doing is being a human that thinks she can think like a bird, lol.


On Topic-- This bird came home to a new family and home and probably cage. There are FOUR children in this home and at least two adults mentioned. SIX people that are likely very wrapped up in their famly life of taking care of daily business and each other. If the kids are all young, there's probably a TON of attention being paid to their needs. There might be a lot of noise from the kids. After all, kids will be kids. Now throw a new Sun Conure into that and see what happens.

The guy should rehome the birdie. Now isn't the right time for this bird in his house. Mistakes happen, but they can be solved.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Perhaps it should be a prerequisite for all potential future bird owners/guardians to spend a day at a bird sanctuary, among screaming Macaws and Cockatoos.

Or...they can always come to my house, when both Ripley AND Niko have their 5 minutes together.

ALL parrots can be noisy, so folks who like their peace and quiet should never even consider getting a parrot. And then there are those folks who don't mind the "occasional" squawk, but heaven forbid their fid decides to vocalize during a favorite TV show (this is just an example). Again, don't get a bird then.

Mine start up right as the TV comes on. Why? Because they are stimulated. Does it bother me? NOPE, because it never lasts long. They have WAY too much to do in either their cages or on the Java Trees.

 

[Jtbirds]

Soda I agree with what they are doing, but there is a benefit to many methods of stopping it and including the cover which can make them learn to contend themselves in there cage.

Wannabe in the rescue world you must put yourselves in the parrots shoes may be a better way to describe it. You cannot get anywhere if you dont try and associate with them and think what they may be trying. Everything is worth a try once.

I really think and I'm sorry if this offends anyone but the people posting on here have never been around a true screaming parrot to understand them. They are not happy they are constantly screaming for something that can never be fulfilled it is truly sad. A true screamer that has a neurological impact on them is not seen commonly, but if you ever meet on you may gain an understanding of what this is like.

 

[sodakat]

JT I had to walk away from a screaming M2 because it broke my heart to see her. The owners were not receptive to change. She sounded like an industrial sander that is used on cars and boats when refinishing them. I don't mean I walked away from rehoming her as she was not available. I mean I could not go near where she was because there was nothing I could do for her and seeing her distressed me too much. I'm sure she was mentally ill by the time I saw her.

But, I think she could have recovered if her situation was changed drastically, something her owners refused to do. She needed to to get out of the cage she was in but was not mentally able to just roam around. A large enclosure with hundreds of branches might have helped her. At least she would have had something to focus on besides her small world in that cage.

I don't claim to have the answers but I know many screaming birds are terribly distressed.

 

[Jtbirds]

Soda I completely agree with you and it is horrible to see them hit that point. Yes mental stimulation is helpful, but doesn't always fix it completely. She kinda sounds like jackpot when I first got him and similar to their toos I have met. The method I use and am publishing I'd meant to fix this issue and to prevent having to see this and it works. I think many people don't understand that truly a bird like that isn't happy. Yes loud birds are happy birds but not to that point and I'm so glad to hear you understand. I may have an eclectus question for you btw, I'll pm you about it sometime soon.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Gemini ,I hope you dont mind me adding a rant to your thread. Just reading Sodas and JTs made me think about an M2 on craigslist. The ad was for an older M2 that they wanted [ I think ] 1600 for and made sure to add "Birds arnt cheap". Reffering to the price. But also said This bird needs someone who can be home all day with it . My thought they have a screaming problem. I thought great you know enough that you cant handle the bird . But what makes me so mad is they think they are justified asking that price for the next person whose obviously gonna have a Hell of a time with that bird .Its probably a good part their fault.

 

[Jtbirds]

Yeah pinky it is just so ridiculous how people are with there birds... The other thing that bugs me is when people go to bring a bird to use to relquish and they say well I'm keeping the cage to get some of my money back. So they rip the bird right of its original home and give it to this rescue with nothing it knows, they are just setting them up for failure.

 

[Karigan]

Even worse than Devoicing I think is Debeaking. There was a thread about this last year by Brittish. The link was just horrifying!

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/23691-i-am-disgusted-human-race.html

 

[Chesphoto]

Perhaps it should be a prerequisite for all potential future bird owners/guardians to spend a day at a bird sanctuary, among screaming Macaws and Cockatoos.

Very funny that you mentioned this. I have been volunteering at a shelter and am falling for a scarlet. I took my 22 year old son their yesterday to see how he liked the parrot.

As I was feeding the birds, I took out a friendly cockatoo so that he could hold while I finished my work. He was having a great time and didn't even mind the dust that covered his shirt. We then put the bird back in the cage and it screamed. The super loud cockatoos scream. Yes, it was a short lived romance between my son and the cockatoo. He couldn't take it, even for just a few minutes.

Luckily, he does like the scarlet and had a good time holding him.

 

[vinnyb123]

All birds scream! That is the point in getting one of these wonderful creatures. If you want a bird that doesn't scream, buy a picture! Wake up early in the morning and open the window. What do you hear? Oh yea, it's a bunch of birds! What do you think they will do in the house? Whisper sweet nothing's in your ear. Bird=noise. I don't know many birds in the wild that are by them selves and are not with others like themselves. They will always shout for their fellow feathered friends. Please do not get a bird if you don't like noise! Oh what's that? That's my too calling me now. I got to go!

 

[Jtbirds]

All birds scream! That is the point in getting one of these wonderful creatures. If you want a bird that doesn't scream, buy a picture! Wake up early in the morning and open the window. What do you hear? Oh yea, it's a bunch of birds! What do you think they will do in the house? Whisper sweet nothing's in your ear. Bird=noise. I don't know many birds in the wild that are by them selves and are not with others like themselves. They will always shout for their fellow feathered friends. Please do not get a bird if you don't like noise! Oh what's that? That's my too calling me now. I got to go!

true enough, but if to keep a bird in the home he or she loves means stopping the screaming. then id rather have some behavior work then a bird losing its loving home over something that can be fixed.

i agree and i let my birds scream as long as it doesnt get to be a chronic neuro issue. its bed time now so they are all quite you could hear a pin drop.

 

[jugoya]

I don't understand people and the need to control their pets.

Yes training is required, with any animal but taking the easy way out is what most pet owners do best. I love my birds and all the animals I've had previously, and all are extensively trained in the manner that suits THEM best.

My sister just adopted a dog that had been devoiced and left in a kennel for all of the two years of her life.

Just because she was loud and not 'breedable'.

So many people do this to not only our feathered friends but every other animal that they own, just because they won't take the TIME to actually train them.

My bird Porter.. I got him three months ago.

He was loud nippy and a pain in the tail end at first.

But now? Well adjusted loving and affectionate. Never bites and quiet unless he's listening to tv with us or we are having a conversation. HECK what bird DOESN"T want in on the conversation?

My parakeets are not trained in the manner most people think they should be.

I've had them for years and really? They prefer the company of another budgy. Yes they are finger trained and get outside the cage time... but they are happiest in the sunshine chirping away all day.

Who am I to stop them from enjoying what they do best?

No human should have the RIGHT to damage an animal just to convience ourselves.

That is my stance on it. Period.

 

[Jtbirds]

I don't understand people and the need to control their pets.

Yes training is required, with any animal but taking the easy way out is what most pet owners do best. I love my birds and all the animals I've had previously, and all are extensively trained in the manner that suits THEM best.

My sister just adopted a dog that had been devoiced and left in a kennel for all of the two years of her life.

Just because she was loud and not 'breedable'.

So many people do this to not only our feathered friends but every other animal that they own, just because they won't take the TIME to actually train them.

My bird Porter.. I got him three months ago.

He was loud nippy and a pain in the tail end at first.

But now? Well adjusted loving and affectionate. Never bites and quiet unless he's listening to tv with us or we are having a conversation. HECK what bird DOESN"T want in on the conversation?

My parakeets are not trained in the manner most people think they should be.

I've had them for years and really? They prefer the company of another budgy. Yes they are finger trained and get outside the cage time... but they are happiest in the sunshine chirping away all day.

Who am I to stop them from enjoying what they do best?

No human should have the RIGHT to damage an animal just to convience ourselves.

That is my stance on it. Period.

Well it is as simple as this... People don't think like you do. I personally agree I let me animals and birds be themselfs unless the issue is a behavioral issue. So you will never change how people control it gives them power. So your response won't ever happen sadly because people won't change the ability to control what they can.

 

[Richelle]

I had a sun and yes he did screech but that was because he wanted to get out of his cage or if he got startled. Other than that he wasn't really LOUD just fussy when he wanted what he wanted. Also had a b&g macaw in the house so my sun Tikki really didn't compare vocally. If you're gonna have a bird then you will have to deal with some amount of vocalization. That's pretty much their only way of communicating.