Adopted an older parrot (Dusky Pionus)

[thewcgirl]

Hello, I have just adopted a 13 year old Dusky Pionus! He arrived yesterday, so we are just getting to know each other. Things are going pretty well. He is eating well (however I'm not liking his diet therefore will eventually start working on changing it) and is quite friendly. He was obviously a well-cared for bird. The owner had to surrender him because of her own health issues. She was very sad to see him go. I am an experienced bird owner (although he is my only bird right now) however this is the first time I have adopted an older bird. So I need to talk parrot psychology. I have a question. Nemo (short for Captain Nemo) is obviously not afraid of me. He bounces right up on my finger as soon as I say "up", he climbs all over me, he sits right besides me on his play gym etc. We are obviously off to a good start. HOWEVER here is what is strange. His cage is in the living room which is my main living area (I live alone; just me, Nemo and my dog). Whenever I sit on the couch in the living room, he does this strange strange noise. Sorta like a scream but not really a scream. Almost sounds like perhaps a protective scream (like... don't touch my STUFF!) but also reminds me of those little cries that weaning babies make when they want their food. Then, when I go further - like right now for exemple I'm at the kitchen table with is adjacent to the living room and he can't really see me - he is as quiet as a mouse. There is a meaning to this I am sure. But I don't quite understand it because he is not afraid of me. Any thoughts?
Murielle

[liz]

It sounds like begging. Does he want out?

[thewcgirl]

That's what it sounds like to me too. Begging. Perhaps that's what it is. But I can't have him out all the time because I have a dog and I don't let him out unsupervised.

Murielle

[HungryBird]

Yeah he's probably trying to get your attention. Malachite was starting to do that except his way of getting my attention was to grab the bars of his cage and slam them really hard. Over and over and over again 'til I went crazy. I taught him to say "whee" in a quiet voice when he wants to come out and now I hear soft "whees" all day long instead of incredibly irritating cage banging sounds.

And congrats!!

[CrazzMc]

Yeah he's probably trying to get your attention. Malachite was starting to do that except his way of getting my attention was to grab the bars of his cage and slam them really hard. Over and over and over again 'til I went crazy. I taught him to say "whee" in a quiet voice when he wants to come out and now I hear soft "whees" all day long instead of incredibly irritating cage banging sounds.

And congrats!!

Omg whenver my bird wants to play with me theres like a bar where the door is and he loves to pull/push it extremely fast to get my attention. Howd you get ur bird to stop? just ignore when he does it?

[thewcgirl]

Hi everyone! I've been busy. lol Nemo has been doing that sound less and less. He does it still once in a while but not nearly as much and as annoying. ah ah I think it might have actually been a fear sound. I am expecting a visitor here tonight for the first time since he's been here, so I may find out if it's a noise he makes when he sees someone he doesn't know! I will keep you posted!

Murielle & Capt. Nemo

[HungryBird]

I kept saying "whee" to him over and over again when he wanted to come out and if he said it I would let him out. If he started banging the bars I would say "no" and turn away and pretend I was going to walk away, which he hates. It did not take very long at all! Now I hear "whee" all the time but it's better than that incredibly annoying clanging sound.

Interesting to see how he will react to your guest! My birds have funny reactions depending on who it is. If it is a young female Squeaky instantly starts flirting and puffing his chest up. If he is out and about he will be all over her. Iggy flirts with all the young men that come over and she seems to be especially fond of my brother. Romeo and Juliet hate everyone. Malachite is not as outgoing as I thought he would be. He is friendly but takes time to warm up. He won't immediately step up for new people and sometimes leans away from them.