Begging Jardine

[Johelian]

Heya,
We've had our jardine for around 4 weeks now, which makes him (or her) about 17 weeks old. Very recently, as in the last couple of days, he has started "begging", bobbing his head and peeping. For the first two days he seemed to be doing it for food, and would return to his old self once he'd had something to eat; since then hes now gone off hard foods and only wants to eat baby food. However, he now even peeps when he isnt hungry. If left to his own devices he will sometimes escalate his voice until hes screeching repetitively. Its starting to drive me up the wall, as I dont know what else to do for him. If he comes out of the cage to be with us, he squeals constantly. If hes given food he squeals. If hes left alone he squeals. If we sit in the same room he squeals. The only time he doesnt do it is when hes asleep.

Can anyone please advise me as to what to do? Ive had one person tell me to offer baby food once daily, but Im not sure that will help since he doesnt seem to want it at the moment anyway. Another told me to offer only a small quantity of baby food with his regular seed/bean-rice-pasta-veg soft mix. Again, he doesnt seem interested anymore. Should I ignore the squealing? Respond to it? Im completely at a loss and feel totally helpless, and the constant noise is starting to get to me. Any recommendations would be great.

[atalantae]

Maybe he is just squealing because he is learning he has a voice.
I wouldn't go running to him everytime he squealed. That could cause problems later in life.

Others here have way way more experience with this kind of thing than I do.

[The Outlaw]

What happened is that your weaned baby bird reverted. In most cases, what he associates with cuddling is being handfed. So, to get cuddled, he fusses as if he were hungry. Try offering soft warmed food from the tips of your fingers. Keep his weaning foods in his dishes and weigh him daily. If he loses weight, you may want to call your breeder for more suggestions. Its not at all uncommon for weaned babies to revert. Try to be kind but firm or else he won't want to wean at all.

[jlunn23]

My Jardine, who is a little over a year old still fusses when she wants attention. She has always bobbed her head and still does, it's an attention thing for her. I will only respond to her when she is quiet. She does have different vocalizations when she wants attention versus when she's just vocalizing. You get to know the difference. She still will call for me if she is on her playstand and wants me in the room with her. I come in and she continues to play and is quiet. It does sound like yours is reverting, not a problem. The young ones usually do. They do get over it quickly. Add a little more one on one time and special cuddle time if you haven't already. I have a routine that we do when she comes out and when she goes to bed. It does help. Good luck!