New Quaker parrot

[musicfreak103]

Hi, this is my first post here, so: Hello everyone, I'll enjoy getting to know you guys and your marvelous companions :)

My question at the moment is about preventing bad habits from arising in a new, young Quaker parrot I just bought (is still being weaned). Cas, is a blue Quaker, and so far has displayed pretty much no troubling behavior. Though,

Comments

[zandperl]

One thing to keep in mind for biting is that baby birds have to learn their own strength as well as what humans can tolerate. My method is that when they bite too hard I gently pull away and say "ow" in a disapproving tone. I do NOT get angry, shake the bird off my hand, or yell in pain - or at least I try not to, if I do any of these involuntarily I walk away for a couple minutes to cool down. With time and consistency your bird will learn what's acceptable and will learn that pain is a tool he only needs to resort to sometimes in the most extreme circumstances.

Thanks

[musicfreak103]

I'm more wondering about the screaming, because I expect him to bite at and test out everything while young. I agree, though, I definitely don't get mad, with him testing my hands with the chewing, I've just been saying "No" and gently stopping him from biting. :) Thanks anyways.

[mazz]

I've noticed parrots are a lot like human children, if you bow to everything they want and immediately go to them or give them what they want when they scream they'll learn screaming gives them what they want. It's a bad habit a lot of people get into, they positively reinforce the bad behavior by giving in to make it stop.

Waiting until he's been quiet for a short time and then giving him attention and food is the correct way to curb this behavior from becoming a chronic one. He may still scream at time but not constantly to get what he wants.

[aphephobia]

It sounds like you're handling the screeching well. Maybe try stretching out thew time periods so five minutes eventually becomes ten and that eventually becomes twenty, etc? Does he have stuff to play with in his cage, too? I've seen birds who scream but then I see they've got nothing to do in the cage and I can understand why

[musicfreak103]

Thanks :)Sounds good. His cage has got a few toys - he seems completely disinterested though. I was hoping to toys would keep him preoccupied, but he doesn't even notice them. So, a little feed stick (the little solid seed blocks) seems to be the only thing he'll play with

[theoddbirdrant]

Welcome to the Crazy World of Quaker Ownership :)

[musicfreak103]

Haha, thanks! Happy to be here and hope to stay for quite a while :)