Ringneck driving me crazy

[Jesse]

Hi Everyone

I have a ringneck, he is 1y7m old, I got him at 2 weeks and handreared him. My problem is he screeches when he wants something, most of the time I dont know what he wants. I cant sleep late on the weekends anymore, I think his theory is "if i'm awake everyone must be awake" and it works I think he can wake the dead with that screech. The only times he is in or on his cage is when there is nobody at home (he will walk around outside looking for us) and when he goes to sleep at night. He is the sweetest bird and talks very well. If someone can give me advise about this screeching problem I will be very happy.

Thanks

[Monica]

You might have changed something in his environment???

I normally only hear screaching in the mornings as my birds awake, and when one demands to have her food. Screeching itself can be caused from numerous things. Around 2-3 years is about a good time for a ringneck to mature into adult-hood, bring forth usually hormonal issues. There could have been a change in the 'routine'... Does he have enough toys? The right foods (i.e. fruits, veggies, breads, pastas, etc)? Is he near a window? Or is he away from a window? Does he get to go outside (with clipped wings or in a cage)? Does he screech when you leave a room, or enter a room? Does he get an adequate amount of baths/showers?

You can try more toys, a change in diet with more veggies, cage located near or away from a window, bathing atleast every other day or so, being able to go outside for an hour or so each day, perches/toys completely rearranged and cage located in another area of the house, etc. You can also try to figure out exactly when he is screaming, and for what causes (movement about the house, not waking up in time for his food, not getting the attention that he wants, etc).

[AinSophaur]

My ringneck screams when I leave him in his cage and leave the room. But he usually quiets down in about 15 minutes. Ringnecks can be very loud birds. When he screams, don't pay attention to him. Or cover his cage. When he talks nice then praise him.

[Stacey32]

try to ignore the screeching....you may be 'rewarding' him when you respond (either positive or negative) to the screeching. reward him and talk to him, praise him once he is quiet. have you read any behavioural books about birds? i have found sally blanchard's books to help.

[nic & luke]

we had the same problem with our guys. But we cover them with a sheet when it's bed time and then they know it's wake up time when the sheet comes off. Our guys don't make any noise unless the sheet is off and they know it is time to be awake.

[Kathy]

No more long weekend sleeps!
I found that if I go and greet him and give him his breakfast, he will settle down, sometimes I can even fall back asleep.

Who can blame him? Every morning he sees me at 6am and he gets fed at 7. All of a sudden it is 3 hours later, say 9am, and he of course would be wondering what happened to his favorite person?...and meal ticket. :eusa_naug I am pretty sure i would be yelling too!