Screeching GCC

[mel_belle17]

Hello board,

Brief introduction: I have had a 7 month old GCC for about a week now after buying her last Sunday from a breeder. She has been great, I taught her step-up without any problems and she is very good at it (never fights me) however something I do need help with is her screeching. One of my main reasons for getting a green cheek above other birds was that I knew they were one of the quieter ones, well suited for an apartment (which I am in right now, soon to move into a house in the new year). The first five days or so she was just that, very quiet making "quack" sounds and the occasional chirp. More recently however, she has developed a screech. At first it was just when I came home, now however, it is when we come into the living room from another room and when someone other than myself or my roommate come over to say hello.

I understand the nature of the screeching, ie: why she is doing it, but I have been reading there are ways of replacing that habit with something a bit more desirable, and/or just toning it down.

My biggest fear/worry is that when I bring my baby home for Xmas break etc, my family will end up resenting my bird, which would be very upsetting since I have been waiting to get my own for quite some time. I know I am paranoid, my parents have already said the occasional screech won't hurt anyone, but I still worry and I still want to work with the bird and see what we can come up with.

Thank you everyone for taking time to read this, and for any advice you may be able to give me. It is greatly appreciated.

Mel and Calypso

[birdsnreps]

sorry to say this, but the screeching is prob gonna get more frequent. you can try to establish some type of flock call, but you better get used to having the conure screech in the house. all conures are loud, it doesnt matter what type it is...hell, all parrots are loud, period.

[Valo's Moirana]

as birdsnreps said, you can try to establish some contact/flock call.... like whistling for example. however, GCC are not talented whistlers - in fact, their voice just isn't the prettiest LOL
you might have to get used to it - the screaming comes with the bird.... and what you describe is normal. you will be greeted every time you come home, and complaints will be voiced if you disappear in a different room. valo does the same thing - he's usually the quietest when people are around and/or he's out of his cage. and though GCCs are the most quiet conure species, they're still conures (valo can drive me up the walls - especially when i'm cleaning the fish tanks and he thinks he HAS to come out to help)

[Flappuccino]

I'm sorry- I'm sure this is frustrating for you- but I've just got to chuckle...
I have a gcc that I've had for a month and a half, and I WISH he'd make a sound! I've heard nothing above a whisper or maybe about 6 tiny chirps the whole time!
I told the vet about it at his well-bird visit, and while she thinks it's pretty odd, didn't find any medical reason for it.
I do have a lovebird that is rarely quiet, though, so I guess he's speaking for both.

[mel_belle17]

How old is your bird? Just for curiosity's sake.

[TJ Relic]

I was also happy at first that he made noise at all, but the shrill/annoyed sound got quickly ignored so he wouldn't do it again. Thats it, just dont give him attention AT ALL for it.

I know what you mean about being afraid your family won't like your little one. I worry about annoying my neighbors too. Rigel is a quiet one, but still goes a little "conure" on me for about 30 seconds before I leave for school (he knows what picking up the bag means). Last night, oddly, he had my ears ringing right before I covered him for Night-Night...

[Oscars Mom]

I use hello as a contact call.Its easy and your bird will probley learn to say it.

[mel_belle17]

Thanks TJRelic and Oscars Mom, your posts were very helpful and optimistic. Right now, what I am doing is when I come in from class I go say hi to her and give her lots of attention when she is quiet, but as soon as she screeches I turn around and walk away out of view for a few minutes. (Then go back and repeat the same thing). Anyways, at first I felt very doubtful about being able to tone this down but I am very glad the two of you decided to post and make me feel :D

[mel_belle17]

Are you living in an apartment?

[Barbara9]

Originally Posted by TJ Relic

I know what you mean about being afraid your family won't like your little one. I worry about annoying my neighbors too. Rigel is a quiet one, but still goes a little "conure" on me for about 30 seconds before I leave for school (he knows what picking up the bag means)..

That is sooo funny, because Sunny is now starting to scream when my kids come home from school and when we come in the front door. His cage is in the living room across from the front window and I think he can see us coming up to the front door because I can hear him from the outside while I am unlocking the front door screaming! He usually settles down right after we are all home and talking to him...