Screaming 14yr Macaw, a rescue 7 years ago.

[hcc59]

HELP with screaming Catalina 14yr old Macaw.

Oscar was a rescue bird at the age of 7, after being in his cage his entire life.

The next owner had him one year and realized he could not provide enough personal time with him.

So I got him at the age of 8; all was pretty well with the transition to my home with my partner, Ed and our 3 cats.

Now that I have owned him six years, in the past year Oscar has begun a screaming problem when Ed walks by and does not play with him enough, or simply just passes by without acknowledgment, or even with acknowledgment.

Ed is beside himself because of the pain in his ears from the screaming.
He wears earplugs when he is home.

It started when Ed would make breakfast while I was still in bed.
Oscar’s Cage-- ensemble is at the end of the kitchen.
Ed would give him a piece of bagel thinking it was cute.
I told him he should not do that; only I, as the flock leader should feed him.

Well, it continued and now whenever there is a rustle in the kitchen Oscar begins to scream because he was something that we might be making.

Since we live near Seattle Washington, our sunlight hours vary tremendously from summer to winter. The longest day of the year is about 18 hours of daylight.
This time of year dusk is changing quite rapidly so I put Oscar down for naps.

Another method I have used to combat his screaming is that I have been putting Oscar in another room when we cook and bring him out for the meal so he can share.
I do this also as “time outs” just to calm him down from all of the distractions and noise.

Ed told me last night ( at the top of his lungs ),
” You have to get him to stop Oscar from screaming or you will have to find him another place to live.
I am going deaf. My ears hurt from two days ago.”

So as you can see, the situation is near a critical mass and something has to be done.
Are the any ideas for me to try other than what I am already doing?

Thanks
Christopher

[huntress]

Naps dont work for birds. He needs 10 hours or more of good sleep if it means getting him another cage (sleep cage) in another room with a cover for starters.
I dont get the flock leader feeder thing, I believe a well adjusted socialized bird can take food from anyone as long as it was healthy.
Others will have more ideas for you but sleep time is a good one to start with. Set a time for him to be in bed - with a dark cover for at least ten hours everyday and no matter what its like outside do not change that routine. When he comes out have his breakfast ready.
I bet he is feeling like your partner is overshadowing him some?

[sugarbeth]

Hi Christopher - I am in Bellevue too! :)

How much is Oscar out of his cage? Have you tried setting up foraging for him to keep him busy and challenged? I highly recommend reading this document about enrichment for parrots: http://www.phoenixlanding.org/PEAB_V2.pdf

Keeping him intellectually stimulated would do a lot to curb that screaming.