Skreeching Linnie

[lovemyfinch]

I need some help here.
The only way to get her/him to stop is to cover the cage....but I just can't leave him in the dark 24 hours a day

[cindy]

I went through this with a linnie

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php ... lit=linnie

Th bird was bought by a lady and was very spoiled, it flew through the house, followed her and was always with her. The lady went away and the husband could not do the same, he worked and the bird did not like him. When she got back for some reason she decided she wanted another mutation and she returned the bird to my friend.

He asked if I would like him since he was trained. Well I said yes...he was fine for the first day or so, snuggling in me hand, eating treats and getting use to the house.

I did not let him out as she did, I could not, not with other birds and my dogs. I gave him alone time in the cage and he came out when I allowed him to.

Well that did not go so well as he adjusted. Even if my husband was in the room while he was out and I had to go into the next room or take the dogs out he screamed and screamed, you could hear him outside. It was schreeching and screaming like he was throwing a temper tantrum.

We tried to work through it but it got so bad that even if I went to the other end of the great room to feed the birds and he was ontop of the cage he screamed bloody blue murder.

I spoke to my friend and he said to bring him back maybe a girlfriend would work....he was thrilled, it took his focus off me and on his nw lady. He was a sweet bird but was spoiled and not given boundries.

Rummy has cage time and time out of the cage when he is good, no screaming or protesting and when I say. Training them is the hardest part and the birds are smart, they want what they want and protest loudly if they do not get it. Rummy has his moments, I don't give in but give him a signal and he knows to be quiet.

Janine it sounds like he was a one person bird, is he protesting when he is in the cage and puffing up screeching at the door? Is he yelling more when one certain person leaves the room?

[Dayna]

I would say that she's calling for her owner who she was previously bonded with or her mate if she was with another bird. If she was out all the time like Cindy suggested than that could be another reason. Do you keep her in a main room where your family is around a lot or more by herself? If shes by herself she could be calling for you because she's bored etc.

[lovemyfinch]

Guess I should give more details

He is in the main family room, so there is always someone around.
He just sits on his dish and screams bloody murder, changing the sound about 4 times and then gives up (this was after I had decided that I could not go up to the cage every time he screamed)
He doesn't like to be handled yet. The few times that I have I had to pull him from the cage (at that point he likes to snuggle)
He was a lone bird.

Hubby wonders if he may be traumatized from the wing clipping? as he does seem to want to fly but of course just drops to the floor instead
I am also wondering if I might have scared him by pulling him from the cage before he was ready. Should I maybe just wait patiently until he comes to me?

I sooo need to fix the screaming problem, otherwise I'm afraid that I will have to try and rehome him.....and I promised myself that this would be his last home

[wellingtoncdm]

Can you get him/her a mate?

[lovemyfinch]

Can you get him/her a mate?

At this point in time I am terrified that I would end up with 2 screamers

[cindy]

Was he free flighted at his previuos home? He may have been and is now frustrated that he can not fly to you.

Rummy's wings needed to be clipped, I did them and he was so mad. He screeched if I came near and he was mad because he could not fly to me. It took a bit for him to "forgive" me.

Did they tell you much about his previous home, what he was and was not allowed to do?

If you get two...from what I see at my friends aviary when they are in pairs they seem quiet, more interested in the flock or mate.

[Dayna]

How is he/she doing today? Does the screaming stop when he/she is out of the cage? If you leave the door open do they come right out? If the answer is yes to any of those questions I'd say the bird was spoiled with too much "free" time. Do you have lots of toys? You could try some foraging toys.

[lovemyfinch]

Typing quietly
He has actually not made a peep in over an hour

He did try to fly out of the cage this morning only to do a swan dive(not quite as graceful though) under the couch So has obviously never had his wings clipped before.

He does get quiet if I cup him in my hands, but of course I can't carry him around with me all day.
The quietness came after I decided to toss some seeds and nuts onto the bottom of the cage. He appears to really enjoy foraging in the Fresh n Comfy on the bottom of his cage.

Toys you ask Dayna He had at least 10 different kinds in there, until I decided earlier on that maybe it was just too much
Right now I am just enjoying the peace and quiet and praying that it can continue for a while Almost forgot to mention , early this afternoon he climbed up on my shoulder and snuggled in my hair I just hope that this is the beginning of him showing more comfort in his new home

[Dayna]

That's great that you're getting a break. If things continue getting better than it could just have been him calling for his old flock. Hoping that things keep improving for you now

[cindy]

I found that cupping Rummy in my hands works well also, it seems to comfort him especially when going through a rough first molt.

Janine, we went through this with him as well. Pet birds often go from a aviary type situation or a place whith lots of activity and attion pretty much most of the day, changing it upsets the apple cart so to speak. Sound like with time your Toui will adjust and settle in.

The bit about the foraging is good, Rummy like to jump on the top of the food container and instead of waiting for me to dish it out he jumps in and helps himself!! He love tossing through the seed to get what he wants.

[lovemyfinch]

Thanks everyone
It has now been 2 hours without screaming and no cover on the cage
I actually found him sleeping on the edge of his food dish. So I am glad that he is now feeling comfortable enough to sleep without going to hide in his hut

Re: aviary situation or lots of activity. He was actually a lone bird in the house with an elderly gentleman which means that there was not much going on in the house.
Unfortunately I am unable to get any more info on his home life. The pet store didn't ask when they received him, and upon calling them today I found out that his previous owner's daughter called to let them know that he passed away peacefully in his sleep last night They had let him know yesterday evening that Toui had been adopted, so I assume that knowing this helped him pass on easier. I only hope that he is looking down knowing that I am doing everything in my power to make his buddy happy

[cindy]

I am sure he was comforted knowing Toui was adopted by you. I like to think he in a small way is comforting Toui by his spirit. I am glad Toui is settling in for you, hope it continues.

[lovemyfinch]

Little update before I go to bed.
Toui has been quiet since 3:15pm, so for a whole 5 and a half hours before lights out Lets just pray it continues

[L in Ontario]

Best wishes for continued peace and quiet.