Screaming Sun ConureQuestion:I have a 9-10 month old Sun Conure that I am currently waiting on DNA test results on. He has never been a screamer until the last few weeks. He is literally now screaming at my husband and I. We go over to his cage and he turns his back on us and walks away which leads me to believe he's having a temper tantrum. He stays inside his very roomy cage for about 6 hours a day with lots of toys and food and we take him out to be on his playtop cage where he is free to go in and out as he pleases once we get home. I love him very much and don't understand whats wrong. I changed his toys and perches around, give him fresh food and water, including fresh veggies and fruits but he's still screaming. I've had him looked at by a vet who says he's fine. My husband and I tried something that worked for a few days but is not working anymore. We told Rio "Bye" and left the room for about 10 minutes or so slamming the door so he could hear that we left. When we came back he was a quiet as a mouse. That worked for a few days but now he's right back at it when we come back into the house. I've heard that some bird scream looking for a mate and that he might be better suited as a breeder. Anyone have any thoughts on this? I truly appreciate any advice you can give me. I am committed to working through this problem and hope that you can offer me some advice... Answer: What do you do when he screams? If you tell him off, talk to him genelty or at all you are encouraging the behaviour. He is not bothered how you give him attention, he just wants it. The best thing to do is when he screams, ignor him, turn your back on him, give him no eye contact, dont say a word, walk away from him or out of the room if possible. The first few (or loads of) times he will scream louder, maybe even after you have left the room. Ignor it, if you respond he will carry on screaming for longer last time. Think of it like this. You someone, could be anyone, you clap your hands and they give you money, so you try it again, they give you more money, you think 'Hay I clap my hands and get money', so you carry on clapping your hands, you get money everytime you clap. Then you clap again, you dont get any money. What do you do, do you think 'Hay it doesnt work anymore' or do you keep trying a few more times? know that i would clap my hands again and again, getting louder to see if it still worked. After doing it for a while you would finaly realize that it no longer worked. Well all you have to get across is that screaming no longer gets attention, been quite does. Since you will now only be giving him attention when he is quite you will have to make a bit more effort to do so. Answer: This baby is too young to even think about breeding, he's defining himself. Are you leaving him in the room by himself? Perhpas he misses you? Birds, especially conures want and need interaction. If he is alone, with very little attention it is likely the screaming will eventually translate to feather plucking. It just occurs to me from your post that you want him to play by himself. slamming doors? Don't do it. He'll get a rise out of it and start screaming to get you to slam the door more often, this is the same with the biting. Spend a little time with him watching T.V. with some unsalted popcorn kernels in your lap, and have a little cuddle time. Breeding? I believe that happens around 3 to 5 years of age, not before. Biting? Your baby is still a baby and only beaking you grabbing fine white hairs on your body, Punish your bird and bird lovers will be down your throat cuz they don't understand punishment. Be wise, and search other other forums that will help you mold and shape this baby's personality as it grows up. |
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