by marie83 » Tue Jul 31, 2012 7:36 pm
Green cheeks are very much people birds and just want attention attention and more attention when they have been handreared.
Of course it is tempting when you first get this cute little baby to spend every second you can getting to know the little thing, in the same way people do with puppies, after all they are so cute, playful, cuddly etc.
However as your already learning this is not best for the bird (or any animal) and leads to problems later on, whether that be screaming, biting or anything that works to get your attention again.
So green cheeks are naturally quite demanding for attention, you give it, they learn to expect it. When you can't give it, they don't know why, they get upset, they may scream or pull their feathers out in frustration. They don't know how else they can fill their time because they have never learned how to.
So for a start don't spend any more time with your parrot than you expect to be able to in the future. That doesn't mean you only have to give them two hours of attention every day, I am a strong believer in variable routines, it gets them prepared for when the unexpected happens so they can deal with it without causing too much stress. Mum rushed to hospital so you cant let your GCC out at dead on 5:30? You'll be able to relax knowing your bird can cope being alone for a day or not getting as much attention as normal for a few days (this has happened to me).
I vary my routines by alot, some days they will be out all day, sometimes in the morning, sometimes at night and very rarely they don't get to come out for more than an hour. I shouldn't think most people would want to be or are able to be this extreme, especially those that work 9-5 jobs.
Ignore the screaming like others have pointed out.
Teach her to play - she does have other fun stuff to do, she just doesn't realise it yet. Show her that her bells make one hell of a racket, teach her to forage for food etc.
Socialise her well.
All these things will help maker her independant. It will not change her as a pet, she will still probably want you attention more than anything else but she should learn that there are other things to do whilst she is waiting. It will benefit her and it will also make you feel less guilty should you arrive back late from work/shopping or have a crisis to attend to.
