Author Patty Jourgensen specializes in avian health, behavior and nutrition and has been working with and caring for rescue birds since Hello David and Berneita Einspanjer I am getting into parrot rescue right now starting with a yellow crested amazon. Would like to know more about your experience and what you want to rehome.
I have a male umbrella cockatoo who will b 15 soon. I have had him for 12 yrs. Can a parrot get too much sleep? The latest he will stay up is about pm. He starts screaming at presisly that time and says nite nite NOW! I do cover him as well. I usually uncover him around 8 am. Sometimes 9.
Other nites a 4 or 5 pm he wants to go to bed! Is this bad for him? My wife and I have been doing parrot rescue for many years and love them like our little children. We are getting old now and it may become necessary for us to re-home all of them. We love them and only want the best for them.
Can we get any good advice as what to do? David and Berneita. Dusty on the other hand is much less demanding, although she loves attention. I am hoping the two parrots will become friends, in time, but realise I cannot force the issue.
Currently I devote all my free time to the parrots, as they have not yet established a rapport with each other. I also pay a pet sitter to pop in every day when I am at work, to give them some extra company and some treats. To complicate matters, Dusty has laid three eggs in her wooden play box, and as I am letting her incubate them she is pretty much out of the equation as far as Clayton is concerned.
Anyway, to get to the point, Clayton hates being put back into his huge cage at night, making a loud contact call and banging on the bars when I place him inside at 10pm. He spends a lot of time out and about one hour in the morning and at least four hours in the evening. He has a varied organic diet, loads of branches and toys and has learned to fly well, etc, but even after many hours of direct attention, with head scratches etc, every day ends with a noisy tantrum.
In contrast, Dusty has always quietly retired to her sleeping perch every evening, of her own accord and without fuss. My question is this: should I ignore his behavior in the hope that he will accept the routine, or is this a sign that he is fundamenally unhappy?
Once inside his cage, Clayton has a variety of perches from which to choose. I should point out that during the day, he climbs in and out of his cage quite happily. Hello Oliver! I would be happy to offer some advice on some strategies that may help you with the challenges that you are having with your new African Grey.
First off, I would like to commend you for the care that you are giving the companion parrots with which you share your home. It sounds like they are getting an excellent diet, an enriching environment, and lots of attention. It's always heartening for us to hear about people who are as devoted to their companion parrots as you are, and the fact that you are seeking out advice from others is another example of that.
As far as the question about the behavior that you are seeing from Clayton at "bedtime" is concerned, my guess would be that it may actually be stemming from the care and attention that you have provided him.
From what you've detailed above, it sounds like Clayton has become very fond of both you and the attention that he gets when he is outside of his cage.
My guess is the loud calling and cage banging that you are seeing at night is an attempt to solicit more attention at a time when he knows it is going to be taken away for the night.
As to your specific question, I wouldn't at all say that the behavior you are seeing is an example of Clayton being, as you put it, "fundamentally unhappy". You are providing him with a very enriching environment, and it seems that he has really taken to his new environment during the time that you've had him.
Instead, I would say that you are facing a situation in which the use of a few training strategies can help to make bedtime more enjoyable for Clayton, and far less of a headache for you.
When looking at a behavior like unwanted vocalizations, ignoring it is a good bit of advice that we offer people. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that screaming and contact calling are natural, hard-wired behaviors that may never disappear completely.
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy! Already have an account? Sign in here. Share More sharing options Followers 0. Recommended Posts. Quickdood Posted August 15, Posted August 15, Hello, I am thinking of getting an African Grey soon, I have done lots of research and I am very excited about getting one. Thanks, Greg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options Lyric Posted August 15, M2MM Posted August 15, Glad you're doing your research in advance.
Good on you! Suzzique Posted August 15, Quickdood wrote: Oh, real quick question, do those 12 hours of sleep tend to be done in one sitting or is there a chance it may take an afternoon nap?
Mistyparrot Posted August 15, Hello Greg. Would you think it OK to leave five year old human on its own for 11 hours a day? Misty spends all day out of his cage and uses it only for sleeping at bed time.
You might be better off waiting until you have a parrot friendly companion to share the responsibility or are able to work from home. Think carefully before you take the plunge. Create an account or sign in to comment You need to be a member in order to leave a comment Create an account Sign up for a new account in our community.
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