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Post by april429 on Apr 16, 2015 9:08:08 GMT -5
My Quaker is suffering severely of separation anxiety. He screams as loud as he can whenever I leave my room. When I get up to get ready in the morning, he always squawks or screams until I give him attention. I try to cover his cage with a sheet, but it doesn't quiet him down. I want to help fix it without giving him what he wants, so he knows I cant give him attention every day. He usually only quiets down when I open the cage, but I can't leave it open when I'm not around. We are taking a trip to Miami tomorrow and I don't know how he'll react to the neighbor feeding him, help please!!  |
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Post by msdani1981 on Apr 16, 2015 12:21:00 GMT -5
My Quaker is suffering severely of separation anxiety. I'm sorry you both are dealing with this. He screams as loud as he can whenever I leave my room. When I get up to get ready in the morning, he always squawks or screams until I give him attention. Is he covered at night? Our birds are covered with dark tablecloths, so they're not potentially bothered by outside lights, or lights on in the house while they're trying to sleep. How many hours of sleep is he getting at night (they need 10-12 hours of uninterrupted sleep)? How long have you had him? How old is he?I try to cover his cage with a sheet, but it doesn't quiet him down. I want to help fix it without giving him what he wants, so he knows I cant give him attention every day. How often do you give him attention? They do require daily attention and out of cage time. How big is his cage? Does he have toys? How many? What is his diet like?He usually only quiets down when I open the cage, but I can't leave it open when I'm not around. We are taking a trip to Miami tomorrow and I don't know how he'll react to the neighbor feeding him, help please!! Has your neighbor met him before? If not, I would set up a meet and greet today. It's okay if your neighbor isn't comforatble bringing him out of his cage, as long as he/she spends a good amount of time sitting next to the cage talking to him.I hope this helps! |
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Post by aaron on Apr 16, 2015 12:30:59 GMT -5
He is probably quite bonded to you, and your whereabouts are of utmost importance to him. That scream he is doing is a contact call-- you can try consistently answering him with a much quieter response. If you do the same thing every time he calls, he will probably start making the sound you are making rather than using a contact call. Persistence and patience are key here. Without exception, Quaker parrots need a decent amount of daily attention to be happy. How much time do you spend with him each day? How much out of cage time does he get? Is there somewhere you can put his cage where he might be able to see other people too so he focuses on you a bit less? In many cases, the best place to put their cages is in the center of activity in your home, wherever that is. If there isn't much activity in your home unless you are there, near a window is a good idea. Leave the TV or radio on playing something not too abrasive when you are not home so he feels like he has some company while you are gone. If he hasn't been socialized with other humans much, I imagine he will not appreciate the neighbor feeding him at first. But he will probably get more used to it after a few days. It would probably be good for him to have the neighbor sit by his cage and speak calmly to him for a bit each day so he gets some interaction while you are gone. Even better if they can actually let him out, but that may not be possible depending on how he reacts. Dani makes a good suggestion to have a meet and greet beforehand. Explain to your little boy what is happening. They understand a lot more than we would think. One thing that is pretty challenging but can help a lot-- try to keep your own energy in check. I know it can be very nervewracking to have a constantly contact calling bird in your home, and personally it has worn my nerves ragged at times... but they, like most animals, are highly empathic, and they pick up on your mood very clearly. If you are in a state of alert, it is going to encourage him to feel alerted as well, and that will make him much more likely to be concerned about where you are and what you are doing, because the flock is in a state of alert! This feedback loop can create all kinds of anxieties for humans and birds alike.  |
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Post by Jan and Shah on Apr 16, 2015 16:15:50 GMT -5
I agree with what the others have written. However, the first thing I do when I get up in the morning is to get Shah's breakfast. This keeps him pretty busy (and quiet).
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Post by Anna on Apr 16, 2015 16:44:05 GMT -5
Thanks. The thing is, it's tough. He IS covered with a few dark sheets after dinner, so her gets about 11-12 hours of sleep. His cage is big enough for him to stretch his wings and fly across to the other side. Whenever I get up (which is around 10 on weekends) I let him out of his cage and give him attention. I've only had him for a week and he doesn't like anyone in my household but me and my parents. He gets along well with my dog who sleeps 90% of the day.
I have SEVERAL variety of toys for him to play and interact with, and every few days I re-arrange his cage so he can get more stimulation. His cage is right next to two windows so he has plenty of time to look outside. Most of the time when My household is gone, we either turn the radio on (and it's kind of funny because he dances to the radio music), leave him by the tv (In his cage), or we put the other bird's cage a few feet away so they can talk to each other.
The other bird isn't a quaker as Mojo is. He's a white male parakeet. I often leave him out of his cage or on a perch/playground all day when we are home. I let him walk/fly around the house so he can explore whenever he's bored. He has a lot of stimulation. The hard thing is he's aggressive to other people. I'm leaving very soon and I am afraid that he might be aggressive towards the neighbor. He's very territorial with his cage and food. All together, he's a very loving bird (to the people he likes that is) and I think he just needs some anxiety help. Thanks for your help! You have saved me from stress!  |
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Post by april429 on Apr 16, 2015 16:46:29 GMT -5
Omg sorry, I didn't realize I wasn't logged in. I'm that person "Anna" ^ |
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Post by julianna on Apr 16, 2015 17:09:59 GMT -5
Great advice above... I am in Canada... and most others are in a whole different time zone... but they know their stuff... and I could never say anything better.
Good luck.
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Post by easttex on Apr 16, 2015 17:11:17 GMT -5
It's very pertinent that you've only had him for one week. In addition to being very intelligent, quakers are sensitive birds, and it can take a while to adjust to a new household. He needs time, patience, and loving attention. From Mojo's perspective, it probably looks like everything is up in the air, and you going away right now is going to add to that. It can't be helped sometimes, but just be aware that Mojo may be very confused and you'll need to work on the relationship when you get back. He needs to get to know you. |
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Post by msdani1981 on Apr 16, 2015 17:54:29 GMT -5
I totally agree with easttex. It sounds like you're doing everything right, he just needs time to settle in. When you come home, be prepared to sit next to his cage and talk to him a lot, so he gets to know your voice and that your presence is a good thing. I think I read in another post that he's 15 years old, is that right? If so, do you know much about his history? How many homes he's had, etc.? Regardless of how many homes he's had, he must be pretty confused already. You probably know that birds are prey animals, and when they are rehomed it could take a bit for them to realize that you're not a bird-eating monster. When you come back, I wouldn't be in a hurry to get him out of his cage...just sit and talk to him, offer treats, etc. Good luck! |
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Post by aaron on Apr 16, 2015 19:12:07 GMT -5
It's very pertinent that you've only had him for one week. In addition to being very intelligent, quakers are sensitive birds, and it can take a while to adjust to a new household. He needs time, patience, and loving attention. From Mojo's perspective, it probably looks like everything is up in the air, and you going away right now is going to add to that. It can't be helped sometimes, but just be aware that Mojo may be very confused and you'll need to work on the relationship when you get back. He needs to get to know you. ^^^ Exactly. You haven't had this bird very long. He will change a lot as he becomes comfortable with his surroundings. In the meantime anything you can do to get him acquainted with the neighbor at least somewhat before you leave would be good. Sounds like there is a good chance he will be aggressive toward the neighbor so you should definitely prep them as much as possible, especially if you intend to have them try to let him out of his cage. Frankly, I would not have them do that unless you have done a trial run and seen that they are able to get Mojo back in his cage, etc. I think it sounds like you're on the right track with all of this... Unfortunately the timing of your trip is not ideal, but it will not cause any issues that cannot be solved. These little guys are very complicated and they really need your patience, especially when rehomed. With some time, he should calm down quite a bit. |
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Post by Jan and Shah on Apr 16, 2015 19:47:29 GMT -5
I cant add anymore to what has already been said but you could try some Bach's Rescue Remedy (the non alcohol one) in his water which will help calm him down a little - but no guarantees on that |
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