Screaming baby Congo grey

[Justjenn83]

Hi guys.

I just brought home my dream bird about 5 days ago. I got her
From a breeder that I have been in contact with for over a year and has been very helpful, however we are both confused. Two days ago she started screeming the begging screem and wouldn't stop. He was convinced that she reverted back to her pre weened days so he had me start feeding her formula again with a syringe after he showed me how to properly. She was calming down after being fed, but made it clear that she hated it. Tonight I came home after being gone only 4 hours and she started again. So I fed her again, however she kept screening even after the crop was full. She screamed when she ate played and was being held. We can't figure out what she wants. She has both a water bottle and a bowl of water in her cage and has been eating like a horse. She eats lots of veggies and eats all her pellets and then will eat fruit or treats if you let her. She is currently sitting in her cage with it covered and its completely dark and quiet but keeps screening. Any ideas on what could be wrong? It's 11 at night here and I have a colicky baby on my hands. Thank you in advance for any ideas.

[Michael]

I don't think anyone can help you here. Most likely it's too soon to be learned behavior. If the bird is still screaming a lot when hungry, could be something else wrong. If you haven't been to a vet to begin with, might be a good time to get an initial visit and figure out if something is wrong.

[Grey_Moon]

1---get her looked at by a vetrinarian. Any change in behaviour/regression especially in small fragile baby parrots needs to be brought to the attention of a vet.

2---security. Greys are different than other babies due to their need for comforting and security as well as basics like food and sleep. Develop routines, let the baby sleep close to you and gently encourage independance (when the baby screams try to redirect it to playing, eating on its own, new foods/places/toys to check out, games while still letting it know that you hear its distress calls---ignoring it flat out will foster insecurity).

3. health---make sure she's getting fed properly, is absorbing all nutrients and is getting adequate sleep etc. A sleepy or malnourished baby is going to be crabby.

4. Language----you need to set the groundwork for a way for your grey to make itself heard and understood by you. While trying to redirect the baby out of screaming and needy behaviour also start showing it (by either paying attention/ignoring) what language you want it to use. Ie this sound will get my attention (so if it needs you/is lonely it can reach out to you appropriately) and this sound will cause me to leave/ignore you.

Greys are a little more complex and sensitive than other birds---so keep that in mind when looking for info. Good luck!