I've had had it.

[ZenDragon]

Don't get me wrong. I love my parrots but I am really considering giving them back to their original owners.

My green cheeks are named Koda (m) and Boo (older female).

I adopted them in January and I have taken great care of them but now, I'm just very annoyed with them. Here's why:

1) They are the most boring birds ever.

I studied up on green-cheeks and read stories of other green-cheek owners. I was so excited when I got them, then I realize they hate to do anything. That's right, I've spoiled them with a new toy or two every month. And they NEVER touch them. They prefer to stand in their cage or when I take them out, just sit on their playpen (they don't play with the ladders and toys that comes with it). I have tried to play with them one on one, but they just sit there. They have absolutely no interest in playing. I've tried, really. I really thought I would have fun birds, 'cause I've been around several and they are all pretty friendly and CURIOUS about their environment. Nah, my birds are indifferent.

2) They scream all the time

Being green-cheeks, they should be one of the more quiet species of parrot. We keep them in this room attached to the garage. It's a very nice place for them, they get fresh air when we open the window and they are kept nice and warm (whereas inside my house is a little cold). They have screamed from dawn to dusk when they lived inside, and they continue to scream now.

I often check up on them to see if there's anything wrong but there's nothing ever wrong. I guess they want my attention but once I come they scramble to the back or top of their cage. What do you want birds??? If you want attention, I will play with you but you gotta play!

They are as loud as SUN CONURES. I can't handle their constant screaming now. Their screaming can be heard from a few blocks away from my house.

3) They hate hate HATE my boyfriend

A few months ago, they loved him. Then after we came back from vacation, they started to hate him. They are so ferocious! Koda would puff up and run after James' finger in the cage. I don't know what happened. We have tried to tame them down a little by having James gradually hold them. Nope, they nip his fingers, HARD. It's like some sort of snack to them.

4) I'm moving out of the house, transfering to a college, and moving into an apartment in Washington DC with my boyfriend. I don't think I can move my birds in with me because they are screamers.

Now, I just remembered that the previous owners didn't have much time for them. They offered us to return the birds back but it has been over 6 months.

Is ANYONE interested in adopting my birds? I live in the Washington DC area. However, they will not be "available" until August or so. I may or maynot charge a fee, but if I do, it will be nominal.

[felisdomesticus]

I'm moving out of the house, transfering to a college, and moving into an apartment in Washington DC with my boyfriend.

um, didn't you consider the fact that you might be going to college therefore possibly moving BEFORE you adopted them?

[CKD]

I have a GC and she doesnt play with toys or anything. Does she scream ......yes does she not like a person in my household .......yes would I ever give her up .......NO


How long have you had them ?

[Franciscus]

Do yourself and the birds a favour and pick up the book called Guide to a Well-Behaved Parrot by Mattie Sue Athan.

[Rue]

Originally Posted by CKD

How long have you had them ?

She said she adopted them in January.

ZenDragon, I can tell you're very frustrated right now. Birds REALLY like to be around people, although the room you have them in is warmer, birds can handle cooler house temperatures well...

...try an experiment...bring them in to your main living area (ie. living room, family room, etc.) and see what happens...I'll bet with all the hustle and bustle of daily life they'll have more to watch and will be quieter...and they'll be entertained without you giving them direct contact so to speak...

...try it for at least a month...you may find that once they're happier, they'll stop screaming, at least as much, and may even start to play. You might also want to model some play for them...even with your boyfriend...show them how much 'fun' it is to play with their toys...it's amazing what birds pick up from each other and from watching us...

...it may or may not help...but if it does, your issues of screaming, boring and hating the boyfriend should lessen...and hopefully become managable...

[mamalovesrico]

Have you spent much time trying to work with the birds rather than having them there for your entertainment? Sounds to me like birds are not the pet for you and should go to a home in which people have the time and patience to work with them and give them the loving home they deserve.
Sounds like they are screaming for a reason and someone needs to take the time and figure out exactly what it is. The book Frank had recommended is a great one and will explain to you why your birds are screaming. Then it's up to you to figure out which reason it is and take the time in working on it. These birds deserve a great home, please take your time in finding one for them.

[Casa Amazona]

You know, not every pet is right for every person and not every season is the best one to try to keep a pet. If after you read Mattie Sue Athen's book you are still disappointed with Koda and Boo, it might be the best thing to do to find them another home. There have been times when I've made the (admittedly difficult) decision to rehome one of my birds. Without exception, each of them is much happier now than they were with me. Several years ago my sister bought a Jenday Conure who screamed with every breath she drew. After trying and trying to make the situation work, she rehomed little Jenny with a family who is even louder than Jenny. They absolutely adore her and wouldn't think of allowing her to go to a different home.

There are dog people, cat people, fish people, reptile people, bird people and many combinations. One thing is certain -- although a certain amount of training is possible with birds you won't change their basic nature -- and if that isn't right for you I can promise you that there's someone out there who thinks Koda and Boo hung the moon and stars. My only caution to you, if you decide to rehome them, is to take the time to place them in a good home where they'll be able to live happily, rather than just sending them out the door with the first person who shows an interest.

Whatever you decide to do, all the best to you.

[Rue]

Originally Posted by Jodi

Ther are birds, birds are noisy, and they are not ther to entertain you...hopefully someone will adopt them SOON!

...I had to think about this comment for a moment...

...if we do not keep pet birds (or any other animal) for entertainment, why do we keep them?

Of course we keep them for entertainment...otherwise we'd only be keeping them for the chore of keeping them, and birds are a lot of work if there's no reward for us...and in general, the human species is very selfish...if an activity does not afford us pleasure on some level, we will not do it...

...in addition to reading the book Francisus recommended, I'd seriously try to make the birds more a part of the family...then hopefully, you'll find that they bring you pleasure, that they entertain you with their antics...and everyone's quality of life will improve...

...if you find, after you've tried hard to improve the situation, that the situation has not improved, then re-homing is an option...as Joanie mentioned, not every person clicks with every type of animal, or every individual animal...but this is something you really can't know unless you've tried a relationship with that animal...

...and as Blake said...good luck...and also kudos for asking for advice or for help...that indicates to me that you certainly do care about your birds...if you didn't...you wouldn't ask and subject yourself to criticism...

[Skyebirdsmom]

Originally Posted by ZenDragon

Don't get me wrong. I love my parrots but I am really considering giving them back to their original owners.

My green cheeks are named Koda (m) and Boo (older female).

I adopted them in January and I have taken great care of them but now, I'm just very annoyed with them. Here's why:

1) They are the most boring birds ever.

I studied up on green-cheeks and read stories of other green-cheek owners. I was so excited when I got them, then I realize they hate to do anything. That's right, I've spoiled them with a new toy or two every month. And they NEVER touch them. They prefer to stand in their cage or when I take them out, just sit on their playpen (they don't play with the ladders and toys that comes with it). I have tried to play with them one on one, but they just sit there. They have absolutely no interest in playing. I've tried, really. I really thought I would have fun birds, 'cause I've been around several and they are all pretty friendly and CURIOUS about their environment. Nah, my birds are indifferent.

2) They scream all the time

Being green-cheeks, they should be one of the more quiet species of parrot. We keep them in this room attached to the garage. It's a very nice place for them, they get fresh air when we open the window and they are kept nice and warm (whereas inside my house is a little cold). They have screamed from dawn to dusk when they lived inside, and they continue to scream now.

I often check up on them to see if there's anything wrong but there's nothing ever wrong. I guess they want my attention but once I come they scramble to the back or top of their cage. What do you want birds??? If you want attention, I will play with you but you gotta play!

They are as loud as SUN CONURES. I can't handle their constant screaming now. Their screaming can be heard from a few blocks away from my house.

3) They hate hate HATE my boyfriend

A few months ago, they loved him. Then after we came back from vacation, they started to hate him. They are so ferocious! Koda would puff up and run after James' finger in the cage. I don't know what happened. We have tried to tame them down a little by having James gradually hold them. Nope, they nip his fingers, HARD. It's like some sort of snack to them.

4) I'm moving out of the house, transfering to a college, and moving into an apartment in Washington DC with my boyfriend. I don't think I can move my birds in with me because they are screamers.

Now, I just remembered that the previous owners didn't have much time for them. They offered us to return the birds back but it has been over 6 months.

Is ANYONE interested in adopting my birds? I live in the Washington DC area. However, they will not be "available" until August or so. I may or maynot charge a fee, but if I do, it will be nominal.

I've read your post twice and thought about it. The only conclusion I came to was you should have really THOUGHT about this more seriously before you took them in the first place. It's no small thing to rehome a bird. And your birds are probably screaming because they are lonely for some companionship. If you got stuck in a room away from everyone else, you'd scream too. I'm not going any further in this as I'm pretty put out about it. Giving your birds to someone who really wants them sounds to me like the best thing to do. I hope you never have kids and then decide they aren't your cup of tea.
Linda & Skye~

[kensbuns]

Yeah I agree!!!!