Uh oh, she's a screamer now....

**Mich** · 09-08-2010, 12:29 AM

Hey everyone, been gone from the tailfeathers community for a little while but I'm back... With a new problem.
We've been struggling with Dusty to get her infection taken care of. While this is being done she has to be isolated from the other birds. This wasn't much of a problem because she spent a lot of time with me during the day. However, I recently had to leave for 2 weeks for a family emergency on the other side of the country. When I came back Dusty started running away from me (never used to). So I've been slowly rebuilding my trust with her and things are getting better but now she's screaming whenever I leave the room! Even going into the bathroom she starts screaming and doesn't quiet down until she hears me talking to her. I think she's worried I'm going to leave her again.
She will also occasionally scream to the other birds in the other room. She's really loud because she realizes there's a lot of space between them and she's trying to talk to them.
It's not a huge problem right now because I live with my boyfriend's family and they don't make a big deal about the noise. But I'm looking to get my own place where Dusty would still need to be on her own and I don't want to get evicted from my first home because of a behavioral problem.

Anyone got some suggestions? I think Dusty is screaming because she's lonely but there isn't a much I can do about it. I can risk her getting the other birds sick.

**Courtney** · 09-08-2010, 06:38 AM

Well this may sound strange but Boomer would scream when I left. Even going to the bathroom, so I would "peep" just to let him know that Im around. Now he and Chiquita both peep and I peep back and forth and this can go on and on and on and this got rid of the screaming. Even when I leave now I just do a little peep and leave and he's fine. I don't know if it will work with you but it did with me.

**tibby** · 09-10-2010, 12:41 PM

Do you say peep? We need to hear the peep. Can you post it?

**Courtney** · 09-10-2010, 11:16 PM

Okay, I will try to get the peep on video. Yes I say "peep" really loud and they both say it back.

**Marrie** · 09-11-2010, 12:48 AM

I am assuming getting her over her infection you spent more time with her than usual? And her schedule changed a lot? Plus, being gone ... screaming for attention is probably bound to happen (birds get it in their heads that we should wait on them hand and foot all the time!). There are training methods to cure her of screaming and teach her a more polite noise to ask for your attention.

I used the positive reinforcement trick - when she screams walk away out of sight, when she is quiet or makes a nice noise that lasts about 10s, walk back in sight. Rinse repeat for about an hour every day for a week or two. My guy now knows I like him to sing, not scream, if he wants my attention. If he makes a nice noise as I walk away, I call back to him until I am out of sight. He still forgets himself and screams sometimes though, but then he'll realize he made the wrong noise and sing.. lol

She will adjust to being alone, as long as she has toys and white noise so it isn't really quiet for her then she should be fine.

**tibby** · 09-12-2010, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by Courtney

Okay, I will try to get the peep on video. Yes I say "peep" really loud and they both say it back.

Thanks. I am trying to come up with a call that both Binki and Doudou can manage. He tries to whistle like Binki but he can't manage it and she can't do the click or kissy noise so we need a new flock call that everyone can use. This "peep" you speak of may be the answer!