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[Pomlover2586]

Our new baby Zazu is a screamer. She screams ALL the time. Its not because she needs or wants anything- she just wants attention. When she screams we ignore her, when she's quiet we praise her a lot. She has plenty of out of cage time and she has Iago to keep her company- the two of them get along really well.

We've tried everything we can think of- spoken to her breeder as well as a bird behaviorist and so far none of the suggestions have helped at all. Tonight my husband reached his breaking point. He's saying that if we can't get her to stop screaming all the time we're going to have to get rid of her- he's not willing to deal with this for the next 40 years.

We said going into this that if the new baby was a screamer we wouldn't keep her- but now Iago and Zazu are bonded.....so now what? I don't want to get rid of her- I love her. She's super sweet and cuddly- but this screaming is driving me to the point of insanity as well. Iago is by no means quiet- he has his moments too- but its no where near as bad as she is.

Please- If you can't say something positive or helpful don't say anything at all. This situation is devastating to me and the thought of giving away my babies is heartbreaking. I need Help not hate.

[GreenWing]

When you're in another room, and hear your bird scream, say Zazu's name to let her know you hear her: "Hi Zazu I hear you." This builds confidence. I do this with Tiki and it does help; she's not a screamer but she'll do a "call" for me.

I'm not sure if this works for everyone, but playing classical music for Tiki when she is alone in the room helps her settle. Perhaps give this a try. Sometimes relaxing music soothes our birds, too.

[Pomlover2586]

We do call to her when she screams and she is out of our sight. We talk to her and tell her we'll be right back. The problem is she screams/chirps/whistles more than she is quiet and we can't pin point a trigger. We've tried logging the time, duration, call types, where we are what we're doing etc. We cannot find any common trigger. She just screams.....its like she enjoys hearing herself.

[GreenWing]

Have you ensured that the problem isn't a medical one?

If it isn't, you must continue to ignore the screaming behavior. Don't react to the screaming. Keep rewarding the good behaviors.

Sorry you're going through this. I really do hope things work out with Zazu.

[Pomlover2586]

Medical checked out fine- healthy bird all around. We don't acknowledge the screaming, but there are times when we end up having to cover her for 15-20 minutes in the cage. My husband reached his breaking point and had her covered 3 separate times today. He's just about ready to pull his hair out. We're doing everything the bird experts/books say to do and nothing changes...no progress either forwards or backwards. I'm just so confused and frustrated. I'm regretting ever purchasing her to begin with as much as I love her. If I hadn't than we'd just have Iago and while he can be annoying he is no where near what she is. Now I'm looking at having to rehome both of my babies because I don't want to separate them- I don't want Iago to be all alone now that he knows what its like to have a friend.

[Michael]

We've tried everything we can think of- spoken to her breeder as well as a bird behaviorist and so far none of the suggestions have helped at all.

You haven't tried not clipping its wings... that way when the bird wants attention it has the freedom to fly over instead of screaming until you break and come over instead. Excessive screaming is a side effect of clipping. Oh, but wait... it's a "personal choice."

[GlassOnion]

I would strongly suggest buying some hearing protectors. I know a bunch of parrot owners who swear by them due to the stress from regular loud parrot vocalizations. The use of hearing protectors will very much alleviate the tension and pain from having to hear her screams, while allowing you to continue ignoring the behavior.

[Eurycerus]

Now I'm looking at having to rehome both of my babies because I don't want to separate them- I don't want Iago to be all alone now that he knows what its like to have a friend.

I don't have anything to say beyond what others have said except i do not think that your parrots will flip out if you separate them. Iago knows you all well and would perhaps be upset for a bit but would readjust back to your previous life style. If you really do need to find another home for your baby phase don't get rid of your other parrot too. Unless the stress of parrot ownership is too much. Hornet I'm certain you could find it in yourself to remember how fun iago was. That's heart breaking and not fair. I assume they have different cages for their safety and happiness so I'm sure iago will be fine going back to the old ways.

How long has the baby been with you? How long have you tried the new techniques?

[Pomlover2586]

@ Michael- Your charm never ceases to amaze me. My home is not an aviary and my birds will NOT fly. Period. End of discussion.

As for hearing protectors we have been using ear plugs- but neither of us wants to have to wear ear plugs in our own home long term. Not exactly a peaceful environment.

They are caged together and this scenario has worked well for the two of them. Because Iago is now used to snuggling and playing with another bird I think removing Zazu entirely isn't an option- I don't want him to be lonely. And if I have to rehome them, at least the companionship of their friend may offer some comfort despite home change.

[Michael]

Perhaps you could get your eardrums surgically removed... kind of like cutting the birds wings. That way you can enjoy having it unable to fly and the bird can have you deal with the noise.

Why do you ask for solutions if you already choose not to use them. You were even forewarned.