Help - Noise

[flyingfluff]

What is he usually doing when he starts screaming?
What do you/husband normally do when he starts screaming?
Also, what size cage do you have him in and what kind of toys does he have to play with?

Sorry for all the questions :D

[mybirdbutters]

We don't know if it's really "screaming" or just normal conure racket. Conures are noisy birds with a high-pitched shriek, it was very wrong of the pet shop to tell you they are quiet.

I don't mean to be a Negative Nelly, but somebody has to say it: You cannot train this behavior out of them. You can MAYBE reduce it somewhat, but it's never going away. If the sound really does cut through you like a knife, in all honesty it might be best to return the bird.

Different people tolerate different sounds. My friend has macaws and doesn't mind that noise, but when she comes over to my house she gets really irritated by the sounds my little Caique makes!

[Lawrencl1]

Many thanks for all your advice. I daren't say it but he seems to be settling in and it's becoming less, oh god I've said it now In fact he is sat on my neck as we speak styling my hair for me! His new thing now is biting my hand when I try to pick him up, so we have had a few times out! He still takes a wideberth away from the husband but he has been taking food from him, so I think it will be a long process! Thanks again and I will post again with an update.

[mybirdbutters]

Something else to consider, they outright lied to you by telling you this (a conure) was a quiet bird. It's very possible they also lied to you about the bird's age. They will often do that to make a sale because younger birds are more desirable.

I'm glad he has settled down, but I am even more glad you realize it will be a long process... a very, very long process.

[xafsmom]

The pyrrhura conures, of which GCC's are in, are considered the 'quiet conure'. If you hang around some of our lovely aratingas, you'll see why. So, to a pet shop, your GCC may be the quiet conure to them. I hesitate to say anyone is lying...

You can't truly tell how a bird will be when you first get them home. That first couple/few weeks is a trial. The bird was used to the place you got him, you bring him home into a new environment, a new home, new faces, smells, ect. He's going to act out in some fashion. Sometimes it's biting, or lunging in fear, other times it's screaming, and some birds just settle right in.

Give him a lot of attention. Establish and build the bond between you and him. Make everything interesting -not scary. If he's happily and quietly sitting with you, and his attention is directed on preening you, I'm guessing it won't be long until he stops with the constant screams. Patience will win out here, just stick with it and re-evaluate him in a couple of weeks when everything becomes HIS norm!

[Xen]

Originally Posted by Lawrencl1

Many thanks for all your advice. I daren't say it but he seems to be settling in and it's becoming less, oh god I've said it now In fact he is sat on my neck as we speak styling my hair for me! His new thing now is biting my hand when I try to pick him up, so we have had a few times out! He still takes a wideberth away from the husband but he has been taking food from him, so I think it will be a long process! Thanks again and I will post again with an update.

Excellent!

I'm so glad it's working out... was wondering about you and Freddie yesterday. Hope it continues and his relationship grows stronger with the rest of your family.

[xafsmom]

Xen...

What's a Moggie? LOL

[Xen]

Haha... in the UK one term for the average cat who could be a mix of anything and everything is a "moggie".

Both were strays that we let stay. Ben broke in and tried to steal my pet hamster... came in from school and managed to save my hamster and also begged mum to let Ben stay. Been with us for 11-ish years now.

[xafsmom]

omg! LOL He tried to hamster snatch!? That's hilarious.

[Xen]

Yeah, he captured my heart by trying to murder my hamster, hunkamunka.

All my little guys have big characters.

I see we're both expecting hahns babies!