Traumatized Senegal won't get back in cage

[sootykitty]

HELP! I have a 3 year old male Senegal (Lolly) that was traumatized by an incident that happened three weeks ago. I have a bird room and sleeping cages for all of my parrots (2 Senegals and 1 CAG). One night after putting them all to bed, I heard Lolly screaming as if he was being killed! I ran in and turned on the light. He was running back and forth on his perch with his wings outstretched just shaking and panting. I took him out and tried to figure out what had happened. My husband helped my look around and we discovered that one of our cats had been in there after we closed the door. God only knows what he did to frighten that poor bird, but he was now having no part of the cage. It took us three hours to calm him down enough to get him back in the cage for the night, but ever since that time he hasn't been the same. He gives me fits about getting his cage for the night or even when I need to go out to run errands during the day. He is extremely frightened of the cage and even a bit scared of the room. I don't know much about his background because I got him from a rescue six months ago. I do know that he is an extremely sensitive bird and doesn't do well with changes of any kind. Does anyone have any suggestions? I thought maybe a new cage? I don't know how to get him back to a more calm state. Anyone want a cat!

[cbalvino]

change,as much about the room and cage as you can,new toys etc,cover part during the day,make him a hiding place,also bring the cat in and SHOW him your putting it OUT of the room! good luck

[malcomb88]

yes get the cat a new good home! i had to do that with my cat i just got. she scatched my baby huey B&G face and rushed him to the vet. it was a horrific experiance. and you should have to go through with that or your babies.

[sootykitty]

Oh no, that's terrible! Is he OK? I know you're right. We are trying to find a home for that cat. It is a hard decision, but we just can't seem to figure out how to make our home safe for our birds with him around. It is sad, but I don't know what else to do. He just showed up one day at our doorstep, so we took him in.

[Sashagirl]

Hey

I am owned by a cat too with the zoo I have and there is a way to have your birds safe and away from the cat or dogs in my situation.I do keep mine separate and there are no incidents(anymore.)I never said I was perfect but I want all of them to be able to live without any problems.But I'm letting you know it can be done.

Marcia

[phonelady61]

I am in the opinion that animals are not disposable as some have suggested on here . There is a way that they can co exsist and that is to keep them seperate. Never allow a cat or a dog in your birdroom . The salivia of a cat or dog is toxic to birds it will kill them if not treated in time. Need I say more.

[flyingfluff]

I don't think it's absolutely necessary to rehome your cat just like that unless this has been an on going problem and you have tried everything in your power to make this situation work. I have 2 cats and 6 birds and have no problems. The cats know when they go into the bird room they aren't allowed to play in there and they have to be on their best behavior otherwise they will loose their bird privileges. Also, we never leave the cats in there unsupervised.

I suggest you rearrange your bird room and Lolly's cage and work slowly with him in getting comfortable with his cage again. Give him treats and praise when goes on the door to the cage and work on moving him into the cage and then into the cage with the door closed.

[T.W.]

Senegals can be easily spooked, and it takes a long time for them to get back to normal. MIne can suddenly panic because something in the room was moved, and it takes a week or sometimes more for him to get back to normal.
I remember once I was playing with him like usual, and I moved my toes, that was it, he freaked out and flopped and flew and screamed all over the room, I had to catch him with a towel, and he was panicked anytime I went near him after that, for a few weeks!! And I had him since he was 4 months old!! They are just easily spooked birds, they just panic

[Pepper's Pa]

Sennies and African Greys are known to connect a frightening event to a person. If a frightening event happens and you quickly respond to him (I’ll use male pronouns instead of continually writing "him and her") by rushing over, in his memory the person may become connected to the fright and not thought of as providing comfort and help. I’ve read that unless it is an immediate safety or health issue, do not rush to your parrot. From a distance, calmly talk to him. Wait about 30 seconds and approach him slowly. Do not go fully to him and pick him up. Place your hand so that he needs to choose to come to you and is required to take a few steps to step up. This separates the memory of you from the memory of the frightening event becoming linked together.
Sennies appear to have a strong innate "prey" response to any perceived danger.

[T.W.]

There have been times when he got spooked, and I left him alone for a few hours, and approached him quietly and softly, and he still freaked out, and was upset for a week or more, maybe some sennies are more hyper sensitive than others.