Why does my parrot screams at me after I take a shower?

[Kat]

My african senegal always screams at me after I take a shower. I basically have to stay 10 or more feet away from his cage to avoid him expelling the awful noise. I've tried not interacting with him until I don't have a towel on my head, once I'm dried and dressed, but regardless of what I do he knows and screams. I've also tried to give him treats to let him know that I'm not a threat, but that doesn't work either; he will take the treat and keep screaming. Generally he's not prone to screaming, but always after I shower. He's fine after my husband showers. What causes him to behave this way? Does he smell a change in pheromones or something?

[patdbunny]

Does he smell a change in pheromones or something?

The answer's much simpler - Parrots are crazy.

Seriously, who knows. You may never figure it out. Maybe he thinks the water monster tried to eat you and you barely made it out alive.

Have you tried taking him in the shower with you? Maybe if he has the whole experience with you he might understand what happened.

[kaylayuh]

My GCC screams at me during my shower if I don't take him in there with me. Because my apartment is so small, he hears the water and wants to have a bath, too. I've never heard of any bird screaming at someone after the shower and you'll probably never figure out why he does it. But like patdbunny said, take him in there with you and when you come out, he'll be too busy preening himself to scream. If I take all three of my guys in there, I always come out with complete silence!

[Kat]

Thanks Patdbunny and Kaylayuh for your responses. Maybe I should introduce him to the shower. I've been hesitant to bring him in there because I cannot adjust the flow of the water, there's only one setting. Maybe I should get a new shower head. Do either of you have any suggestions for a good shower perch? Or even suggestions to help him transition into showers?

[kaylayuh]

Do either of you have any suggestions for a good shower perch? Or even suggestions to help him transition into showers?

I don't have a shower perch. I bring my GCC in there perched on my hand and just kind of shove him under the water. I don't have adjustable spray settings and he doesn't seem to mind. Then I just sit him on the shower curtain rod and let him hang out until I'm done. When I'm done, I usually pick him back up and let him rinse off again. I get a good two hours of silence after that!

I just took my guys in there and showered them. You'll never know if he doesn't like it until you try.

[entrancedbymyGCC]

I got one of those suction-on soap dishes to use as a shower perch for Scooter . Unfortunately he doesn't seem to be that keen on showers, he likes the sink!

[patdbunny]

I wouldn't shove something emotionally sensitive like a senegal straight under the shower spray. Yeah - sit the bird on the edge or on a suction cup soap dish at first and let it watch you. It will "tell" you if it wants to get into the water spray.

Unfortunately he doesn't seem to be that keen on showers, he likes the sink!

You and I have freak conures. Ducky doesn't like the shower either, but likes the sink. Weirdos.

[kaylayuh]

I wouldn't shove something emotionally sensitive like a senegal straight under the shower spray.

I normally wouldn't shove any bird directly under the spray, but the first time I took him in the shower with me, he dove right under it! Now he'll try to bite me if he doesn't get first dibs.

[patdbunny]

I normally wouldn't shove any bird directly under the spray, but the first time I took him in the shower with me, he dove right under it! Now he'll try to bite me if he doesn't get first dibs.

LUCKY! I've never met a conure like Ducky that's so absolutely put off by being in the shower.

[Vikki]

Sebastian has a weird bathroom thing with me too. If I go into the bathroom and he can't see me, he screams bloody murder. But for some reason if I use the bathroom but don't turn on the light or close the door he doesn't react. No idea why. I think its a "Hey I'm afraid because I can't see you" thing...