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Thread: Calling all bird experts!

  1. #1
    God/dess LuckiCharm's Avatar
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    Default Calling all bird experts!

    I just brought home my new Cockateil today! He's so cute!

    The only thing about him is that he shrieks really loud and I'm in an apartment...What does that mean? Does it mean he's nervous or something?

    If anyone has any ideas for me to quiet him down a little bit, that would be nice. I want to keep him I just don't want my neigbors to start complaining about his noise.

  2. #2
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Calling all bird experts!

    No bird expert here, but had my share. He is nervous. You should move him away from the main part of traffic in your place for a few days. Start off slow by going in feeding him, fresh water and walk out...he will get used to that. You mean him no harm. After he does not jump around the cage and yell when you enter the room bring him into the busier part of the room. Ignore him, sit and read or watch tv (on low) but no fast movements. Soon the bird will come to trust, and you can move on to letting it out etc. Hope the wing is cut.

    I'm surprised he/she was not hand fed and calm.

    He/she is nervous. And yes i had a CROW that got me in trouble years ago in an apt. Everytime i left he yelled until i got home my bf said.

    People would say cover the cage.. no. That only lets him yell when he's not covered. He needs to see you as not a threat.

    Good luck

  3. #3
    cameron_keys
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    Default Re: Calling all bird experts!

    Birds usually respond to a few things when they screech for no apparent reason:

    1)They are bored and they want attention. Play with him for a little while...take him out and let him run around in whatever room you are in while you watch tv. Make sure he has LOTS of toys(and maybe even a playmate if you have the room and money to afford another)

    2) he wasnt a treat...popcorn is usually a safe bet. Air popped plain (maybe with some garlic or parm cheese sprinkled on), but otherwise...the smart pop(fat free...well. almost) microwave popcorn works well too. Also...mac and cheese, salad, well cooked rice(brown is best) with some veggies, muffins(you can puree veggies and fruits and bake them in for extra vitamins)...keep trying until you find somethng he likes. keep in mind that if it is bad for you(esp chocolate)..its bad for him. Also...avocado is poisonous..so none of that(no guac)

    3) if nothing else works...cover him for a few minuttes(half hour most) and put him in a time out. birds need 12 hours of sleep. If he isnt getting that..maybe he needs a nap. Yes..covering works. It wont make him yell more unless he isnt getting any attention ever. They are like children..sometimes..they just need a nap

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    God/dess xdamage's Avatar
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    Default Re: Calling all bird experts!

    FYI, a tip for bird owners from DuPont's website:


    http://www.teflon.com/NASApp/Teflon/...ord_birds.html

  5. #5
    cameron_keys
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    Default Re: Calling all bird experts!

    ^^yes, and remember teflon can be on hair products too..curlers, straighteners..anything that heats up

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    Banned gingerlee's Avatar
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    Default Re: Calling all bird experts!

    My birds are kinda quiet for their breeds (cockatoo and macaw), but when the sun is coming up or going down they let me know by screeching pretty loudly. Kind of a 'good morning' and 'good night' ritual. Other than that they scream when they're really excited, whether that be positive or negative, and when they're hungry.

    Is your little guy doing it at certain times of day or anything like that?

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    God/dess LuckiCharm's Avatar
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    Default Re: Calling all bird experts!

    Thanks for the tips everyone.

    Well, I tried talking to him and spending time with him when he screeches, and that actually works. He's covered right now because it's night time, but here comes the new issue...My cat. Hmm...Stupid me didn't think she would mess with it, but I just caught her trying to get ON the cage! I need to go tomorrow and get one of the hanging cages I guess.

  8. #8
    High_Heel_Lover
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    Default Re: Calling all bird experts!

    Picture?

  9. #9
    God/dess LuckiCharm's Avatar
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    Default Re: Calling all bird experts!

    Quote Originally Posted by High_Heel_Lover View Post
    Picture?
    Oh for sure! I gotta get a new charger for my cam tomorrow though, but pics will definitely be up by tomorrow evening

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    God/dess Lysondra's Avatar
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    Default Re: Calling all bird experts!

    Try not to play with him ONLY when he screeches or he'll learn that Screeching = ATTENTION thus screeching = GOOD!

    Hanging cage won't make a difference and most hanging cages are too small for cockatiels. Your bird and cat should be seperate for a few days at least for the poor bird to settle down before 'introducing'. Make sure your cage is secure and strong! Lockable doors are preferable as birds are smart and will escape! The cat can then go ahead and sleep on top of the cage without bothering the bird after awhile. Hell, my cats won't go on the cage anymore because the bird eats it's toes! It's just VERY traumatizing at first so KEEP THEM SEPARATE AND WATCH THEM WHEN TOGETHER.

    Your baby won't show his real personality for 3 weeks about, so be patient. It takes awhile for a bird to calm down to their *actual* personality; so feel grateful that this one probably isn't it!

    And cockatiels are KNOWN for being loud skreiky babies. They whistle and mimic and sing and dance... and wheeeheehoo they have FUN. Don't discourage this! If it's male, it'll do it more. It's part of the cockatiel way and is cruel to completely discourage. On the bright side - most cockatiels mimick so your bird might start saying what you say! Watch your language! They remember the WEIRDEST shit.


    Look like a woman
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    - My Great Grandmother Bessie's Recipe for Success

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    Veteran Member Tallulah's Avatar
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    Default Re: Calling all bird experts!

    play the radio ,find something he likes, something soothing. or maybe chatting.
    make sure he is nr window so he can stuff.
    make sure he has toys, foods, water, ladder and interesting snacks.

  12. #12
    God/dess LuckiCharm's Avatar
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    Default Re: Calling all bird experts!

    Quote Originally Posted by Lysondra View Post
    Try not to play with him ONLY when he screeches or he'll learn that Screeching = ATTENTION thus screeching = GOOD!

    Hanging cage won't make a difference and most hanging cages are too small for cockatiels. Your bird and cat should be seperate for a few days at least for the poor bird to settle down before 'introducing'. Make sure your cage is secure and strong! Lockable doors are preferable as birds are smart and will escape! The cat can then go ahead and sleep on top of the cage without bothering the bird after awhile. Hell, my cats won't go on the cage anymore because the bird eats it's toes! It's just VERY traumatizing at first so KEEP THEM SEPARATE AND WATCH THEM WHEN TOGETHER.

    Your baby won't show his real personality for 3 weeks about, so be patient. It takes awhile for a bird to calm down to their *actual* personality; so feel grateful that this one probably isn't it!

    And cockatiels are KNOWN for being loud skreiky babies. They whistle and mimic and sing and dance... and wheeeheehoo they have FUN. Don't discourage this! If it's male, it'll do it more. It's part of the cockatiel way and is cruel to completely discourage. On the bright side - most cockatiels mimick so your bird might start saying what you say! Watch your language! They remember the WEIRDEST shit.
    Well I DEFINITELY don't want to discourage him from having fun! I really just wanted to know if the shrieking meant something bad. Oh and sometimes when I have music playing he whistles with the music! And I have discovered that he sings "Jingle Bells" lol!

  13. #13
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Calling all bird experts!

    Quote Originally Posted by LuckiCharm View Post
    I just brought home my new Cockateil today! He's so cute!

    The only thing about him is that he shrieks really loud and I'm in an apartment...What does that mean? Does it mean he's nervous or something?

    If anyone has any ideas for me to quiet him down a little bit, that would be nice. I want to keep him I just don't want my neigbors to start complaining about his noise.
    I'm sorry hun, i thought you got a bird that was scared to death... thank god that is not the case.

    Lotsa luck, have fun with the birdy.

  14. #14
    God/dess Lysondra's Avatar
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    Default Re: Calling all bird experts!

    Quote Originally Posted by LuckiCharm View Post
    Well I DEFINITELY don't want to discourage him from having fun! I really just wanted to know if the shrieking meant something bad. Oh and sometimes when I have music playing he whistles with the music! And I have discovered that he sings "Jingle Bells" lol!
    Oh my, doing it THAT soon!? He's gonna be a little talker!! Watch out!


    Look like a woman
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    Act like a lady
    Work like a dog

    - My Great Grandmother Bessie's Recipe for Success

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    God/dess Lysondra's Avatar
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    Default Re: Calling all bird experts!

    Oh wait... how old is he?

    I was under the assumption he was a baby.


    Look like a woman
    Think like a man
    Act like a lady
    Work like a dog

    - My Great Grandmother Bessie's Recipe for Success

  16. #16
    God/dess LuckiCharm's Avatar
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    Default Re: Calling all bird experts!

    Ohhh no sorry, I should have said that. I got him because his owner died. He's not a baby bird, he's kinda big actually. So I know that it'll be harder to train him as opposed to a younger bird.

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    God/dess Lysondra's Avatar
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    Default Re: Calling all bird experts!

    How old is he? Is he handtame? Has he seen a cat before?

    Poor thing; he must be so sad his parent died. He might not only be in shock, but in mourning too! He might be shreiking out of sadness. Birds get super attached to their owners.


    Look like a woman
    Think like a man
    Act like a lady
    Work like a dog

    - My Great Grandmother Bessie's Recipe for Success

  18. #18
    Veteran Member Tallulah's Avatar
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    Default Re: Calling all bird experts!

    Arent you sweet taking him in? I love that!
    my bird is over 12 and he still freaks out and doesnt let me touch him much. Also he doesnt talk!
    But i think he will get used to you and you sound nice enough!

  19. #19
    Senior Member Miaowren's Avatar
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    Default Re: Calling all bird experts!

    My dad has one of these babies - Eclectus Parrot

    They are very chatty things and on top of talking to people, mumbling away to itself - it will also 'answer' (with bird calls and words) every other bird call he hears.

    But the quality of the sound will give it away. Don't be surprised to find he's just carrying on like a pork chop because he wants attention... They do that.

    If it's like *Cheeik*... pause ... *Cheeik* then I would say he wants you to go and look at him.. or something?

    But if it's *Cheeik-Cheeik-Cheeik-Cheeik* and he's flapping about the place - make sure nothing's in there with him. Like a fly or whatever? Then cover the poor little man 'til he stops freakin' out.

    Animals have personalities and their own little quirks - you just need to get to know each other.

  20. #20
    cameron_keys
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    Default Re: Calling all bird experts!

    no hanging cages. They won stop the cat, most arent big enough and most are cheaply made and the bottom will fall off. Found that out when I got home and found my birds wandering around the living room. Thankfully my German Shepherd was babysitting so they didnt go near anything dangerous(god I miss that dog!)

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