Blue Head Pionus crying / screaming

[Lily]

I need some help on why my BH Pionus keeps crying. She is 5 1/2 months old but I have only had her for almost 2 months. She is difficult to get out of cage and cries all the time except when alone or sleeping. What are some suggestions.

[Hevatitis]

Hi, was she handled much before you got her?

[Wolf]

You have three main possibilities the first being that this bird was not properly weaned and needs to be given a handfeeding formula at least twice a day until it weans itself. The second is that you bird is begging for you to spend more time with it as parrots were never intended to be alone from the time they are an egg until the time of their death. They evolved as a flock animal and depend on their parents first and then on their mates and flock for their feelings of security, safety and well being. A lone bird is highly stressed and scared until it can adjust to its new routine. The third possibility is that the bird is sick and if you have not already taken it in for bloodwork and a wellness exam you need to schedule one as soon as possible. Birds hide illness and by the time we see any symptoms. they are in big trouble.

These are the main possibilities off the top of my head. If you would be kind enough to inform us of the birds daily routine from the time it gets up in the morning until it goes to sleep at night, including how much time you spend with the bird and the amount of out of cage time it has daily as well as what this bird is given to eat and when it is given this food then we could tell you a lot more accurately about what is going on with your bird.

[Lily]

Thank you for both your suggestions. I've been to an avaian vet and all is perfect. I purchased Lily for out of state and was shipped to me after 4 months and was said she was weaned. Lily Is in our living room and is not alone. I'm going to try and spoon feed her once a day for comfort. I give her vegetables and beans the she loves in the am and mashed sweet potatoes in pm. I kinda think she was not socialized as much as needed for her. Does this behavior change in time with love and commitment?

[Wolf]

Beans must be fully cooked if they are going to be fed to a bird due to toxins which are destroyed by the cooking process, I only use white beans as they are lower in this toxin than the red or colored beans.
I make a homemade food that consists of 40% partly cooked whole grains, 40% mixed vegetables and 20% cooked white beans and lentils. I feed this in the morning along with a fresh raw fruit, a fresh raw vegetable and a fresh raw leafy green. My birds have this for breakfast and for all day foraging with a bit of almond or other tree nut for treats and then I feed a good quality seed mix for their dinner. I also give them a dose of avian vitamin/ mineral in their food on a weekly basis, just to be certain that they are getting enough of their vitamins and minerals in their diet. Like us they need a wide variety of foods to meet their nutritional needs, and it sounds as if she is not getting enough in her current diet. I have been receiving a lot of good information on feeding sprouted seeds and grains to our birds and am currently looking into adding them to my birds diet.

A lone bird that is calling out for either food or attention is risking its life, in its natural environment as the distressed sounds serve to attract predators. Your bird may never have been exposed to this but it does know this. Fix the reason for its calling out and your bird will have less stress and be healthier too. I do not come running because my bird calls, although I did at first until I could learn more about the calls that they use. I do answer everytime one of my birds call for me and then check on them shortly afterwards. This lets them know that I am close by and that they are safe.

Yes the behavior will change over time as the birds physical, mental and emotional needs are met.

[liz]

I so agree with the advice you got above. If he cleared at the vet then it is emotional showing up as physical.

[/What I would do: i] is to back up and treat him like a baby. He suffered some on the shipping and that set him back and added fears. I would treat him like a baby that has just been separated from his nestlings and everything that he has ever known in his world. He was put in a box and sent to you. As far as he knows you are a giant who wants to eat him.
[i][/I would: ] put him back on hand feeding until he gets to the point that he does not want it. Just because he can feed himself does not mean he should be shorted on the [i]love contact that makes hand feeding very emotional.
I would not remove him from his cage and just feed him while in there. The cage is the only thing that he knows belongs to him. Limit your time in changing food and cleaning and keep your palm down when in there. They are not afraid of faces so keep him as high as you can and sing to him, talk to him and even read to him without putting all your attention toward him. He needs time to watch and listen to you so he will learn that you are a nice person and not going to eat him.
[i][/I would i] parrot proof his room and open his door while you are there and not giving him your full attention. His first brave move will be to climb to the top of his cage. You can put a goody up there for him to find.
Myrtle was a mess when I got her. Short of hand feeding I treated her like a baby. I cleaned her cage while she was on top and talked to her face to face at that time. In the 5 years I have had her she has gone from crying and shivering to a fearless socialite.
We took in a feral kitten at Christmas. A true wild cat. I treated him the same way just loving him and not asking anything of him. I am the one he comes to now and will play in my bed and run over me without fear. The others in this house tried forcing love on to him so he does not go to them.
Be patient and use baby steps. I know your feelings are hurt that he has not bonded to you but he has his own little personality that you have to learn while he is learning about you.
Teach him his name if he does not already know it so you can call to him from a separate room when he calls you.