2 Birds, 2 Humans, I'm not lead bird - Seperation Anxiety Issues

[MichelATL]

I have a Timneh Grey and Meyers that we've had for over 5 years now. If it is just one human and 2 birds, the *contact calls and screaming* for attention are few and far between unless I leave the room for an extended period.

I'm not lead bird, the other human in the house is though. When we are all 4 at home, if the "lead bird human" leaves the room, both birds go crazy and get anxious, running from perch to perch and making as much noise (some of it screaming and some of it taught contact calls) as possible. The grey stays flighted most of the year due to issues with getting startled and charging full speed (even when clipped) into the nearest wall -- so she is left flighted so she can steer clear of the walls as best as possible.

I've tried the *ignore* approach when the noise level gets a little more than I can handle and it doesn't seem to be helping. We'll even go to answering the appropriate contact calls (ignoring the screams). If I go and pick up both birds and go to where the other "lead bird human" is, both birds calm down and go about preening and talking.

It is really bad when everyone gets home from work and the "lead bird human" tries to fix dinner as the birds can't see into the kitchen, so contact calls, anxiety-- running from perch to perch, screaming commence until dinner is fixed and everyone sits down to eat. This makes it very hard to do anything during the evening until it is birdie bedtime. Birds are out about 4 hours a day during the week and about 8 or so hours on each day saturday/sunday. When they are out, they are in the main living area with their own playstands and even window perches to look outside.

The meyers is attached at to the hip of the "lead bird human" and will sit with me when it has no other choice. If the meyers goes out of the room with the "lead bird human", the Timneh heads on out of the room, leaving me by myself.

The "Lead bird human" would prefer not to be the center of attention all the time as well. So I'm here to ask if anyone has any suggestions.

[Greycloud]

Is your complaint the noise level due to "the lead human" leaving the room? If so you might want to give the birds a favorite treat right before the person leaves. Or you go over and quietly talk to them and if they give you even a second of silence, treat! Who is the person that takes care of the birds? Changes the cage, feeds them? If it is the lead human I would have you do it souly for a while. Screaming does not deserve attention in any form. So do not react to them no matter what. You might want to consider having one bird at a time out till things change. There will probably be flock calls. It might help when one bird is away to keep the door shut and cover it for a while. I'm sure others will have some better suggestions. Good luck.

[Jag]

I'm not quite sure what you mean by 'lead human bird' as these are flock animals. My wife causes the same effect in my house.. and it's not because she's the lead, but the sucker! I refuse to acknowledge them if they're yelling...unless it's become the last straw... then they may hear "Shut it!" but that's it. (Screaming Suns after more than 5 minutes is just obnoxious) It never fails, though. She walks in the door...heck, pulls in the drive, and they start. We've discussed her ignoring them... and she does well for awhile, then forgets again. The boys flutter their wings at her... so she'll go over there, or get them a 'treat' or something. Rarely fails. Then I say something like "This is why we're going deaf!" and she remembers...lol! When it's just me home, it's not so much fun. I put a movie on my laptop with headphones and snooze in my recliner.

Interestingly enough... same concept with pack animals. I have 2 GSD's and my wife has a Rottie mix. The Rottie mix is the smallest of the pack, but my wife spoils her senseless. I'm the pack leader. The dogs pull all kinds of stuff with her that they don't dare pull with me. I don't fawn over them. When she can't get them to come in, she will literally yell for me (even if I'm not home) and the dogs come in! If I DO have to get up and go to the door... they come in. Her dog is the WORST about this! I've seen many people with GSD's who will fawn all over their dog.. and the dog walks all over them. Their spouse basically ignores the dog (because they aren't interested, or whatever) and the dog responds better to them! It's all about how you present yourself to them... back to the birds....

Your 'birdie leader' needs to ignore the birds when they're screaming. Treat when quiet only. If you aren't as active with them but want to be... here's your chance! They are yelling for attention because it works... they have your SO 'trained'. Just like mine. Untrain yourselves. Trust me, it's MUCH quieter that way. Rayne looks like she's going to have a stroke sometimes because she's bouncing so much wanting attention. That's fine. The yelling is not. Good luck!

[ThreeX]

As above, to the word :)
Amazing how well our birds can train us! :D