Many behavior problems start to float out when young parrots in the developmental stage start to mature. It’s the greatest fear to see turning from a nice cuddly baby into a notorious monster once after sexual maturity. No doubt, my Kermit, the Senegal Parrot is also no different from any other parrot. He starts to pick up screaming whenever I disappear from his sight, from this he’s more likely to become a “one person” bird very soon.

Among all behavior problem, parrot screaming is always the primary issue among all parrot owners. Owners usually ended feeling upset and angry over the unwanted loud vocalization. Many time ending up affecting the good relationship and bond between the parrot and the owner, but also driving into many other unhappy scenarios like:

• Increasingly loud and consistent noise within the household
• Unhappiness between family members (lots of complaints from parents or siblings)
• Complaints from neighbors (often happens when staying in an apartment)

I’m sure do not want to see their feathered friend vocalizing excessively everyday and been labeled as “naughty boy” in the household. The fact is we can’t totally eliminate these screams, but we can fine tune and minimize the unacceptable excessive noise.

Before we can try to eliminate the problem, we have to discover the reason behind, understanding the possible factors that lead to this problem.

I’ve been reading up precious articles about parrot screaming issues written by the experts (mainly the editors from bird magazines, experienced bird trainers & aviculturists) and concluded a list of the possible factors to the problem.

Factors leading to Screaming Problem:

1. Contact call for out-of sight owner
2. Stress & fear
3. Noisy household environment
4. Attention seeking
5. Communication with other birds
6. Response to certain sound
7. Basic demands not met (like food bowl is empty)
8. Boredom

As for my dear young Kermit, he falls under the “Attention seeking” and “Contact call for out-of sight owner” category.

What makes me so certain that Kermit fits well into the category?

Whenever I’m out of Kermit’s sight, he will start off with these continuous contact calls and ingeniously constructing into annoying squawking. He couldn’t let me off for a short toilet break.

Seriously he appears to be a much happier and quiet angel whenever I’m around with him, glued to the chair next to his cage. I can’t really blame him for so overly bonded to me, as he gets to see me most of the time at home compared to other family members.

Furthermore, he still a juvenile still in his post weaning stage. Like other young parrots, Kermit needs a secure, unchanging environment.

Recently I have been researching for the possible methods to curb or to minimize such loud screams from happening. I’ve also put up some methods on for a trial for a couple days to a week.

Method #1 - Insanely ignore the calls & with Positive Reinforcement

All the while I’ve been practising this method, insanely ignore any unwanted loud calls and reward my dear Kermit whenever he quiet down over a period of time. It’s a consistent effort. Whenever Kermit start make the unacceptable noise, I just leave him alone. Not even enter the room and showing up in front of his cage, this is to ensure that I won’t reinforce the unwanted behavior due to my presence. Furthermore, Kermit’s usual scream is his way to demand attention. By doing so, this is to let him understand that screaming will not do much help, in bringing me back and showing in front of him.

Once Kermit start to quiet down for quite a while or whenever he behavior quietly doing things on his own, I will go over to his cage to give my attention like talk to him, give him some nice treats and even a nice head rub. Continuing in this similar routine, will more likely to make him give up the habit of screaming. I must admit that this method is the best way to eliminate the start of the screaming habit and proved to be effective in a long run, as all the reinforcements are positive.

Although it maybe the perfect method to help cure screaming behavior, but is usually difficult to execute especially it also involves other people in the household. Why is fail most of the time? Because other family members in the household might not be doing the right stuffs (like ignore all unwanted calls, and reward when he is quiet) that you advised.

Like my family member sometime tends to be annoyed by the scream, usually went up to Kermit’s cage immediately and gave Kermit a nasty look or scolding. By doing so it further reinforce the unwanted screaming behavior. This it’s so important that you need full cooperation from all family member so they do not break this positive cycle.

Method #2 - With Negative Reinforcement

Another method which possible to help tackle screaming problem is with the use of negative reinforcement. Negative reinforcement is more like a form of punishment which usually tends to leave an unpleasant impression and experiences for our feathered friends. But there are reports that quite a number of parrot owners have great success in improving some of the behavior problems (like screaming) with negative reinforcement.

What makes negative reinforcement so effective, almost immediately eliminating the unwanted behaviors? Basically it involve instilling the right amount of fear into the parrot which serves to decrease the frequency of the behavior. Usually “instant remedies” with negative reinforcement is never recommend by many experienced bird trainers because it usually results in side effects like counter aggression, escape behavior, fear and also jeopardizing the relationship of the owner and the parrot.

No doubt of the possible risk, I decided to devise a method with negative reinforcement but do not place my close relationship bonding of Kermit and me into jeopardy. In order to archive this, I have find a way to execute the punishment that instill the correct amount of fear in Kermit, but possible of execution without my presence (when Kermit doesn’t see me executing the “punishment”, this ensure our relationship bond is not put at risk).

What makes clicker training so effective, it’s because of the distinctive sound of the clicker. Thus I decided to use the similar theory on my negative reinforcement method.

In clicker training, the clicking sound represents rewards or treats. In the “punishment” that I specially devised, I have to locate a sound that Kermit is fear of, in order to make this method effective. I soon shortlisted a desk bell as the distinctive bell sound tends to frighten Kermit. It’s an accidental finding. I was then packing and arranging stuffs in my room and when Kermit was next to me on the parrot stand. I accidentally ringed the desk bell, and which cause Kermit to panic and flew a distance away from the room.

Soon I tried using the desk bell whenever Kermit scream. It’s pretty effective and instantly as the distintively bell sound mark at the moment when Kermit scream. By doing so, Kermit will understand whenever he scream the desk bell will ring and it’s scary to him. The best part is I sound the desk bell anywhere without executing this “punishment” within Kermit’s sight.

It can be effective at the moment, but what if Kermit no longer is afraid of the bell sound, this “punishment” will be totally useless and no longer able to modify the unwanted behavior. Thus use it’s wisely and not so frequent. Like what all experienced trainers mentioned always use positive reinforcement.

Personally I will like to recommend two great books that I’ve read before and I will like to recommend to everyone interested in learning more about parrot behaviors:

1. Why does my Parrot by Rosemary Low
   
2. The Parrot Problem Solver by Barbara Heidenreich
   

Both books highlighted issue on screaming, I’ve learned a lot through these books. I do hope these two books will provide better understanding on the excessive vocalizing problems and other parrot behavior issues.

Kermit is now 5 months old now and it has been a difficult task in training him up. I’ve tried just using positive reinforcement training as soon as he was fully weaned, but the results weren’t that satisfying. Kermit is totally different from my talented lovebird, Kiki. I’m forced to adapt a different way of training from the usual method executed on Kiki.

I have great luck in training Kiki just only with the use of positive reinforcement training. Kiki can easily pick up the new tricks and behaviors through the training. Kiki is truly talented, a Smart Alec that I will use to describe her as.

Based on my daily observations on Kiki and Kermit during their training sessions, here are some of the findings of the 2 comparisons:

Kiki during a 15 minutes training session

• Better attention span
• Proactive
• More enthusiastic and easily excited
• Responsive to human vocal commands

Kermit during a 15 minutes training session

• Poorer attention span (Tends to looks elsewhere)
• Doesn’t seem to be proactive
• Not enthusiastic nor easily excited
• Less responsive to human vocal commands
• Less confident

You can see the vast differences among the two species. It’s never surprise to see Kiki mastering a new behavior or tricks in less than 10 minutes. She’s more of the hyperactive and more enthusiastic participant as compared to Kermit. Kermit has a much shorter attention span as compared to Kiki.

I’m able get Kiki to perform all the behaviors and tricks that she learned over 20- 30 minutes continuously, and after 30 minutes (although not recommended as it can easily possible leads to fustration if the parrot failed to perform the correct act) she still has the attention on me. As for Kermit, his mind start to wander of after 8-10minutes. I will say it’s definitely difficult to maintain the attention from a Senegal Parrot as compared to a African Lovebird. Furthermore, the slightest sound or motion of an object (including a fly flying around the vicinity) will instil fear in Kermit, diverting his attention and disrupting the whole training session.

There are a few factors that contributed to the unacceptable results in Kermit’s Training session. I have to admit the failure of shaping the new behavior, partly the fault lies on me. At certain part of the training, when Kermit suddenly performed the right behavior, I wasn’t able to reinforce and treat immediately at that moment.

Next, there’s also disadvantages of using positive reinforcement training with treats, you have to offer the treat immediately when the parrot performed the right behavior at that very moment. By doing so, the parrot will then understand and link the right behavior with the treat. Thus the parrot will know that everytime he/she performed that behavior he/she gets the treats. But many times during Kermit’s training session, I committed the mistake of not offering the treat immediately at the split second when the right behavior is performed. Any time later than that, Kermit will not be able to link the right behavior with the treat. It’s definitely one stressful task!

Two weeks ago, I started introducing Clicker and Target Training along with positive reinforcement. The results were really amazing, and Kermit was able to perform the his first trick, the Turn-a-Round trick after the 3rd day of Click and Target Training. Kermit had learned to associate the clicking sound with food. With this great advantage, I’m able to sound the clicker at the very right moment when Kermit performed the behavior that I want him to do.

I’m truly amazed, the clicker training does enhance the training experience. I’ve yet to explore more on the clicker training and unveil the power of clicker training for new tricks and behavior training. Hopefully I will be able to get my brother to capture a full motion clip on Kermit performing his first ever trick, the Turn-a-Round trick. So do stay tune!

I always identify Kiki as a female because of her aggressiveness and feminine behavior (like shredding papers in thin strips) which are more resemblance to the natural characteristics of a female lovebird. My mum always think that way too!

A recent footage of Kiki doing some actions might prove that my assumption might be wrong all while. Below is the footage that was taken this morning before Kiki’s breakfast. Just to warn you, this footage might not be suitable for minors!

Kiki has been rubbing her vent or maybe I should use HIS vent on HIS preening toys lately, and has been very frequently too. If I’m wrong, Kiki might be already triggered in breeding mode. Does that means it’s time to get a girlfriend for him?

Howdy, Everyone! I’m back again bringing more updates again about my angels. Lately, I haven’t got the chance to come online to share Kiki’s progress of the new trick. Thank you everyone for your support and concern for Kiki. She’s doing perfectly well, but rather nippy this days! Last Christmas, I brought home a new little guy, Kermit, a Senegal Parrot. He’s the primary reason for my inactivity on the weblog for these couple of weeks (or to be exact that’s almost a month ago! Oh gosh that’s long!).

Kermit then was only 7-8 weeks old when I got him home and he is yet to be full weaned. He barely has any feathers on his body accept for some grey furs and blood feathers on his wings. Honestly, I’m never keen nor supportive about bringing home an unweaned baby because of the possible risk and can be time consuming too. Any mistake and mishandling can cost this little feathered friend to lose his life.

Due to certain constrains, the local pet store was unable to wean Kermit for me (seriously that really upset me alittle about store selling unwean babies, do they ever thought of the consequences like selling to an unexperienced or new parrot owner who possibly may end the fragile lives of these babies with their inexperiences and even carelessness?), I’m really hesitating to bring home Kermit when I heard I had to wean him myself. After identifying the obstacles ahead and considering the possible adjustments I can make to my work and lifestyle, I decided to bring home Kermit right away.

I’ve placed him in a brooder since Day 1 to ensure that he has ample warmth, before shifting him to a weaning cage when he has reasonable amount of feathers to maintain and regular his body temperature. During the initial stage, handfeeding procedure for Kermit was really taxing. As I had to stick to 4 feedings daily, ensuring he has enough nutrients for growth and ensure he progressively reaching his peak weight. I had to plan the handfeeding schedules and work schedules to ensure that both doesn’t clash. I had to wake up early morning for a feeding at 6.30am, rushing back home during lunch to feed another time at 12pm, and feedings during the evening and night respectively. It’s definitely lots of time and efforts. But i’m really glad to see Kermit growing well and gain and maintaining a reasonably amount of weight.

Now Kermit has finally turned 12 weeks old and his daily feedings have now cut down to 2, one in the morning and the other during the night before going to bed. I can clearly identify that he’s struggling to be fully weaned. Kermit is starting to refuse the yummy formula most of time, preferring to consume the adult food himself. He’s already eating adult food like millets, seeds like sunflower and safflower, peanuts, veggies like corns, cabbage, carrot and brocolli, almonds, hazelnuts, fruits like apple and grapes and even dried red hot peppers. He sure does like to go for some hot spicy thrills in his daily meals!

He’s almost fully feathered now. He started his maiden flight 2 weeks ago on the 16th January 2008. That’s the day I never forget when he started to flap his wings and fly over to me for his dinner. I’m really happy that he’s growing up and getting stronger day after day.

Hope that one day, Kermit will be performing his very own stunts and trick on YouTube! Wish me and Kermit best of luck!

I missed Kiki alot without seeing her for about three days. I’m glad on the day I got back home from Thailand, she welcomed me with her high-pitch chirps. I’m totally elated by her overwhelming welcome “cheer”. Mum told me she has been well-behaved and eating well for the past few days. I’m glad that she lose appetite when I’m not around.

I’m also surprised she’s able to perform well all the tricks that she learned before, even for the past three there isn’t any training for her. It’s totally like a 3 days off for her from her trick trainings. I’ve conducted all the tricks accordingly and she did it with flying colors:

1. Turn-A-Round Trick
2. Hand-shaking Trick
3. Waving Hello Trick
4. Wing Flapping Trick
5. Fetching Trick
6. Ring Tossing Trick
7. Basketball Trick
8. Open and Fetch Trick (A Shell Game Trick Component)
9. Through-the-Hoop Trick
10. The Bell Trick
11. The Somersault Trick
12. The Coin Depositing Trick

Kiki crawling into the pocket again…

After dinner at 6.30pm, she started to cuddle in mum’s pocket again to take a short rest. She’s one lazy bum. *Haha* I think she truly enjoys herself today, especially when she completed the Coin Depositing and Ring Tossing Trick within a very short time. She’s really FAST! She really break her usual record for tricks.

Related Posts:
Pocket Love
Caught Napping in the Pocket

Mum’s back home early today, and spent most of her time lying on the couch watching TV. As expected, Kiki definitely climb up the couch and look for Mum. Apparently she appears to seek Mum to play with her. But NO, Kiki’s doing it again. Yeah, she’s caught napping in Mum’s side pocket again. She climbed all the way up to the couch and tucked into one of Mum’s pocket. Oh gosh! She’s really adorable cuddling in there. I think she does have a tired morning when she went through a new trick training session with me.

Too bad all of my shorts that I wear at home are so call “pocketless”, I wonder how it feels like Kiki cuddling inside one of my pocket. I guess it’s time for me to go down store to buy a few shorts for myself. Definitely with pockets this time round!

Related Posting:
Caught Napping in Pocket