PTSD Green Check Conure

[Mookies]

So my girlfriend and I took in a Green Cheek Conure named Benny, which was on Craigslist for only $100. The person was moving and couldn't take the bird with him. We went to see the conure, and he was very polite and knew a few funny tricks. He was only about 2 years old,and mostly had been in a cage his entire life.

It's been about... I want to say a year and a half, or two years since we've had him. He was in love with our first green cheek conure, Mamas. She hated him to death, but eventually they stopped fighting and are together always.

We moved their cage downstairs to get more light and be where traffic is, they're basically by the backdoor in the dining room. They love it there, are able to get front row seats when we come home.

Recently Benny, has been crying a ton. Uncontrollable crying and screaming. I literally wake up to him screaming (it sounds like someone is trying to kill him). My girlfriend and I have never responded to his screaming, or anyone's screaming before.

We have 2 other conures upstairs, and they only scream when they see the car pull up or when we come into the room because they KNOW we are going to hold them once we get home. Other than that they're quiet and perfect little angels.

His screaming and crying has been non-stop, and Benny is starting to sound crazy with his attempts to talk and say words (It seriously sounds like hes trying to talk, but it's all muffled and croaky?) When I go downstairs he stops, but the second I go into the kitchen he starts flipping out, and it makes Mamas scream too (because shes a complete sheep who follows Benny's cries).

What do I even do anymore. It's becoming unbearable. He doesn't want to be held, and he gets all puffed up and "I'm the man of the house" mode when anyone comes near the cage AND starts to dance, he has a tendency to bite sometimes. I let them out for a little and then put them back (with fruit and seeds for a "being good and going back into the cage" award). He is acting completely possessed.

[Wolf]

Are Benny and Mamma in the same cage or not? How well do they get along ?

[Mookies]

Are Benny and Mamma in the same cage or not? How well do they get along ?

They're basically star-crossed lovers. They live in the same cage. They get along very well, with occasional food stealing from each other when they get snacks.

[Mookies]

Also quick note...

Benny was raised around like 6 kids, and they were all terrible to him minus one little girl and the father. So that is why I always say he has PTSD. But he loves my girlfriends kid (he starts dancing faster and making cute noises, and will chase him around the house).

[Wolf]

OK then, this is going to prove to be more difficult than I originally thought.
If you would tell me a typical day in the life of Benny and Mamma, beginning with what time they get up in the morning, what they have for breakfast, how much human interaction they have, how much out of cage time they have, what they have for dinner and when they go to bed. This should help to figure out what is going on and possibly how to solve it.

[Harpmaker]

Welcome Mookies! You have come to the right place. Wolf has experience with at least one abused bird that screamed all day, so he can probably help you. I hope you can determine what has traumatized poor Benny and how to help him. It certainly sounds like he is doing his best to tell you.

[Tman007]

How long after you moved Benny downstairs did he start to scream. You say you have two other conures, were they in the same room as benny before you moved him downstairs? Just my thought Benny might have made them part of his flock even though they were not in the same cage. And he is calling to them.

[Pajarita]

I think he is hormonal (sounds like your birds are on a human light schedule instead of a bird one because you mention 'coming back from work' which, and correct me if I am wrong, I take it to mean you both work full time) and doesn't like been caged all day long (" I let them out for a little and then put them back (with fruit and seeds for a "being good and going back into the cage" award").

Birds cannot be kept at a human light schedule (artificial lights on when it's dark outside) or they produce sexual hormones all year round with the behavioral and physical adverse consequences this implies (think of chickens, up with sunrise and roosting at sunset). Parrots need the same schedule chickens (and all other birds) do because their entire endocrine system is governed 100% by light. Add this free-feeding protein food (I don't know if you do this, I am assuming it because most people who work full time do) and not anywhere enough out of cage time as well as flight (it's the only way their bodies have of dissipating sexual and stress hormones) and you end up with a sexually frustrated, anxious, depress and, most likely, bird suffering from chronic pain. This almost always equal behavior problems like screaming, biting, plucking and even self-mutilation.

Just to give you an idea of where I am coming from: birds need to be kept at a strict solar schedule with full exposure to dawn and dusk - protein food needs to be restricted to dinner and in a measured, small amount - they need 4 hours of out-of-cage time and 1 hour of one-on-one unless they are mate-bonded to another bird. I am thinking these are not the conditions in your household but I could very well be completely wrong so, please, let me know if I am wrong on my assumptions so we can get the thread and advice going in the right direction.

[Mookies]

How long after you moved Benny downstairs did he start to scream. You say you have two other conures, were they in the same room as benny before you moved him downstairs? Just my thought Benny might have made them part of his flock even though they were not in the same cage. And he is calling to them.

Benny has been screaming since we got him, but lately it's just this high pitched "EI EI EI EI" noise.

He screams in the morning mostly. Quiets down during the day and night time.

Also hes by a window looking out the backyard. He gets a good amount of light, can watch it go from bright to dark.

When I wake up I go downstairs and let them out for a little, they get a little seed, and some fresh fruit. They're out for about 30 minutes before I have to head to class / work.

They come out when I come home. They don't like to be held, they like to sit on the cage and watch whatever it is I'm doing and look outside.

Benny is hesitant to step up when I put him back in the cage.

[Wolf]

This is because he doesn't really want to go back in the cage. He really doesn't get enough time out of the cage as he should really get 3 to 4 hours a day at a minimum with one hour of it being one on one with you. Although he wants to be out with you it appears to me that he has not been adequately socialized as this species of parrot is known for wanting nothing more than to hang on to you and get petted and cuddle, their favorite spot being on your shoulder at the base of your neck. This behavior has led to them being affectionately called Velcro birds.
I feed my birds whole grains and fruits and vegetables in the morning and reserve the seed mix for their evening meal. This is because doing it this way encourages them to eat more fruits and vegetables and the seed mix being higher in both fat and proteins lasts them through the night better.
It is my opinion that if he had more one on one time as well as free time out of his cage that the screaming would pretty much become a thing of the past. I would also keep him to a solar light schedule.