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[Azale]

My friend just got a new parrotlet a few weeks ago. Recently he's been acting like a little devil. I haven't seen it personally, but he's talked about it with me.

The bird squawks non-stop, as if he wants attention. Then when my friend let's him out, he bites the crap out of him. So basically, he's making a lot of noise, and being very agressive.

He also doesn't sleep at night, until a loong while, in which he just spends the night squawking and chirping.

I've made as many suggestions as I could think of, but he's tried all of those to no avail.

Anyone know what could be wrong and how we can fix it?

Thanks!

[Pado]

This doesn’t sound like normal behavior at all. Your friend should talk to the breeder AND make an appointment with an Avian Veterinarian.

Its possible there is something medically wrong with the bird – its also possible it wasn’t properly weaned and is stressed – either way, he should address the situation with a certified avian vet ASAP.

[Azale]

Thanks, i'll pass the info on.

I know, I was so shocked to hear about his bird acting like this! Considering the little guy was so calm and quiet before.
And Kai was nippy, but never agressive.

I tried reading up on some stuff, and it sounds like he stressed because of his lack of sleep and stuff.
I hope it is not anything serious.

We talked to the breeder (she is a good friend of mine), and we are both absolutely stumped. Cause he was completely weaned a week before he left, and like I said before was SO calm.

Any other ideas?

[Azale]

I talked to my friend some more.
The bird is eating fine, he eats a lot actually.
But I learned he tends to nibble at himself on his back (usually where a bird puts it's beak to go to bed). My friend says the only way to stop him from doing that is offering him millet.

It seems a vet is definately in order.

[AndreaFahy]

This is hard to answer without a TON of information. How does your friend feel about using a parrot behaviorist? Someone who gets ALL of the info and can find the issue.

[lily]

I have a couple of ideas. First, make sure the baby has found his food and water. I was instructed to keep food and water in shallow dishes on the floor of the cage until I saw her find and use the regular dishes higher up. Also, if the food dish has an unfamiliar food in it, the bird may not recognise it as something edible. That would be something to yell about!

Second, recognise that what you have is a baby bird who has been taken from his nest, away from the safety of his flock. I think he could be screaming for the flock. He knows that he must find his flock or die in the jaws of a predator. He probably thinks your friend is that predator. I carried my baby parrotlet in my pocket with me and kept her within my sight almost all the time until she was comfortable enough to entertain herself in her cage. I still had to check in and call to her from other parts of the house so she knew she was not alone. It was a big job, really; parrotlets are so small and quick...and they use that sharp little beak to get around...

So, my guess is that the bird is terrified. I don't know how experts would handle the situation. However, I would consider taking him back to the breeder to keep another several days, where he can feel secure and calm down. Your friend should visit and handle him every day. Perhaps something from his cage could stay with him for some continuity (people do that for puppies all the time with a piece of a towel or something). Then when he comes home again, his new person-- his flock-- should remember that, just like a human infant, the baby must feel that the flock is there with him in order for him not to feel as if he has been left for the predator to eat.

I was worried that handling my baby bird all day long would have me stuck with an insecure, spoiled brat; but her breeder insisted that I treat the baby like a baby and let her grow up as she became confident. What I ended up with a year later is a confident and friendly non-biting bird who loves adventures and adores meeting new people.

[AndreaFahy]

Does this bird in question have a species appropriate mate? As Lily stated, a bird instinctively tries to find their mate or flock, if they don't it means a sure death. I have never met a person that stays with their bird 24 hours a day, thus the bird's mental/physical/emotional/psychological need for a mate.

[lily]

It was only 9-12 hours a day I spent with her when she was a baby! I covered her and put her in a dark, quiet spot alone for at least 12 hours of rest every night. It was grueling at first, but she quickly became confident and accepted my friends and my cats as the rest of the flock. I can now leave her for hours at a time. She understands that this is part of the routine. The radio and cats are the rest of her flock while I am gone.

[Azale]

I know he spends all day with it except when he is at school. And food is no problem.

I'm having trouble too, I'd like to go see the bird myself to see how he acts. At least then I can describe the problem better!

Roger (cute name,eh?) was kept with little blue parrotler, and a black-cap conure when he was a baby, but he was moved to his own cage about one or two months before he came home.

That COULD definately be something, because there are birds around him ALWAYS when he was at the breeders, it might be a hard transition.

We are bringing him to the breeders on the weekend for the breeder to take a look at him, and maybe he'll relax a bit being around birds.

What do we do in the long run?

[musicjan]

Is he covered for 12-13 hours of sleep every night? I think a dark cover is important. If he's covered and in a VERY QUIET place, I can't imagine that he wouldn't sleep. Keep us updated!

[Azale]

Yes, he's covered at night when my friend goes to bed.

He protests the cover, and starts squawking.

[lily]

Well, see what the breeder and vet say first.

If he has no classes, maybe your friend can spend hours and hours with Roger this summer. Once the bird is used to his new home and can entertain himself in his cage, your friend should be able to leave Roger alone -- perhaps for short periods at first, with plenty of things to chew and forage. I think I had a huge advantage by having other pets for activity around the house (fish, maybe?) and because the breeder strongly encouraged me to take my bird with me whenever I could. She has never been totally alone! Some people use the TV as company for their birds; others say it is bad for them. I know my bird enjoys the radio. (Classical music!)

[lily]

Sorry, Musicjan, I keep getting bumped off and can't keep up with what floks are saying. You are right, sleep is very important! My bird was getting 10 hours a night and I figured she would nap during the day. I had a very cranky bird. Just like human babies, they don't necessarily get the rest they need without being in a totally dark, quiet place for 12 hours.

[Azale]

Ok... well...
it turns out the guy doesn't sleep at all at night, poor thing. He does most of sleeping during the day I presume.

He also doesn't enjoy music. He flies around like crazy and looks very unhappy. So my friend plays a cd of bird noises, in which he immitates... so that might be why he is so vocal.

If he is covered at night he squawks, if not he chirps. This is really quite fickle. I'm pretty stumped, but hopefully the visit will fix things.

Thanks for all the help guys!

[Sally]

What does the cage look like? What toys? What foods does he get? A very wide variety of nutritious foods is needed. A very big cage that is fun is important. Can the bird fly? Any extra playgyms? Chipper and I are always together, all day. She loves her big cage, her food and being with me.

Yes, if he can find a good sleeping arrangement, that would help. ALSO, tell him to have a ritual. Sing before bed. Even read a book!

Can you get a photo of the cage and toys, information on the food? It is all important.

[Azale]

Cage is rather small, I dislike it cause I think it is too small, but he stayed in that his whole time at the breeders, so I don't know how it can make a difference. And yes he has lots of toys.
He used to be let out a lot, but after his nippiness, I don't think he is as much.
The food is pellets... zupreme and... a mix of something else. I forget. I don't think he's been accepting any fruits/veggies yet.

[AndreaFahy]

He needs a larger cage quite obviously and an opposite gender mate. Roger can't after all, have his human sleep with him at night :)

[Azale]

So you really think he needs a mate?

[Sally]

I think he needs a nice BIG cage more than a mate. To be in a small cage is very sad. Nothing to do, no way to fly and jump and play! Also, you cannot fit any big toys in there.

That would be the first thing to do. I had a feeling it was a small cage.

I have a Kings cage. There are some really great cages out there in many brands. That is absolutely the first thing to get. Getting another bird would be awful in a small cage. The friend needs to learn about cages and toys and care first. I am sure he wants to bond to the bird and one bird is great for bonding. It would be sad to see him get two in a small cage.

Also, maybe a featherbrite light would help, after a good cage was purchased. I also take Chipper outside in a cage to get some sun and fresh air. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/Sally11/PICT0571400.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/Sally11/cagesm.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/Sally11/cagebywindowPICT0615.jpg

[AndreaFahy]

I think every bird benefits from a mate, but I also have very different ideas in parrot keeping than the average American :) I have made some good friends overseas and have learned their methods of keeping, which I have been adapting as my own, and have been much more pleased. On the cage, yes! As large as possible!!! My favorite parrotlet cage thus far has been the Kings 21 x 32 x maybe 61 high. Actually it is the one pictured above with Chipper in it, the bronze/brownish one. It is amazing what a difference the cage will make, sometimes fear and/or aggression fade away quickly when a larger cage is provided!

There are many issues to address, cage, environmental enrichment, diet, training, lighting, temp/humidity, etc, etc. Basically your friend has a lot to learn and is lucky to have you!!

[Pado]

I wholeheartedly agree with Andrea that birds – yes, even Parrotlets :p - benefit greatly from another of their own species, opposite gender being preferred. But the keeper needs to do A LOT of research on how to keep two Parrotlets happily together. The first red flag with your friend is cage size – Cage size makes a HUGE difference with Parrotlets – they are not Budgerigars or finches and can not under any circumstances be kept together in any cage that is not a flight sized cage – the larger the better. If they are not housed properly and have all their needs met they have been known to injure and even kill their mate. The key words here are “if not housed properly and have all their needs met”.

[Azale]

I think getting a mate is a bit out of the question. Although beneficial, I don't think the keeper could afford to keep two birds happy, and wants the bird to bond to him.

I think getting a new cage would be good though. The cage is TINY, that size I used as a traveling cage when I had Kai. I'll suggest that to him next time I see him.

[AndreaFahy]

I quite honestly and bluntly think it is selfish to get a bird and do what is beneficial to the owner/care giver. We must do what our birds need, not what we need them to do. If it is only about what the person needs, then the person should not have parrots at all.

One can very often find a parrot at no cost to adopt. Many people give birds away for one reason or another. These things have to be considered before getting that first parrot.

Part of our adoption application asks the applicant "Have you yet considered the need for a species appropriate mate?" and it is required to plan for and be looking for a species appropriate mate. I feel many birds are happy being single, but even my happy single birds were happier once I paired them. I could never see going back to single kept birds, not after seeing the jump in the quality of their lives.

[Azale]

I don't know. Out of all the birds I've had, I've personally never had to get another for my birds to be happy. Of course, that is only through my experience.

I think what I am trying to get at is the main intention of getting the single bird was to make a friend for him. I can understand if he didn't spend a lot of time with his bird that he should get another, but can't a bird make a friend with a human?
A lot of people I know keep birds singley. Anyways, since he doesn't have a lot of experience, the thought of introducing another bird to Roger's habitat, seems risky.

[AndreaFahy]

As I think I stated above, my single birds were happy and content. Pairing them only made them HAPPIER and added to the quality of their lives. I am not willing to settle with happy and content, not when there are options to make life better.

A bird can and should make a friend for a human, but a bird/human relationship can only go so deep. Who can sleep with the parrot at night, snuggled by their side keeping their sense of security at bay? Who stays with them during the day when no person is at home? A single parrot is a death sentence in the wild. I know pet parrots are not in the wild, but they are by no means considered domestic animals yet and their wild instincts are very very strong.

A lot of people I know keep birds singly as well and I don't think it is kind to the birds. It is selfish in my opinion to do what is best for the human and not for the bird.

I don't mean to sound snobbish in all of this. My intentions are good. When I first started raising parrots I advised my customers the way all of my colleagues did, "The only good pet bird is a single pet bird" I now feel quite guilty for stating that, I have learned so much since I entered the world of aviculture. So, yes, I have been at that end of the spectrum. I have seen why it is ideal for most people, it was ideal for me too. But I was open to ideas that make the birds enjoy life more.

Introducing another bird into Roger's habitat would be risky, it would not be advisable until his living conditions improve and his care giver needs to learn the basices of parrotlet keeping before even Roger will be happy and comfortable in his new home. This is a crucial stage in his life, he is such a babe still.

[AndreaFahy]

Oh, and did I mention that my good pet parrots were even better pets once I paired them? :)

I will admit some pairings were not easy and took a lot of time, patience and training. BUT - the parrotlets have always been the easiest for me to pair.

[lily]

About the biting-- my bird went through a nippy stage-- how old is Roger? Also, I remember that she was very cranky (screaming and nipping) before I became strict about her bedtime and number of hours of complete darkness and quiet she got. I would hate to introduce a new bird to either the cranky, sleep-deprived bird which has already learned bad habits or to the already-frazzled owner!

[Azale]

I would hate to introduce a new bird to either the cranky, sleep-deprived bird which has already learned bad habits or to the already-frazzled owner!

lol, yeah I agree Lily.

Roger is about 4 or 5 months. My friend has only had him for just barely two weeks.

[Pado]

Again I totally agree with what Andrea says. From my experience with having a single male bird and then adding a female and witnessing first hand how they interact and how my male bird’s life has been enriched. I know with 100% certainty my bird is much happier – I can see it.

When I think how my male would call to me when I left the room and I’d think – Oh, he loves me, how cute. But what I didn’t realize is when I go to work or go to the store or go anywhere outside my home were my bird couldn’t see me – how he must still be calling. It is not in his nature to be alone ever, including at night.

I also couldn’t possible give him what my female gives him even if I was home with him 24 hours a day and let him sit on my shoulder all of those 24hrs – It just isn’t possible for me to give him 100% of what he needs, the same way it isn’t possible for him to give me what I need in terms of human companionship.

I’ve said this before, I’m not judging people who don’t want a second bird but this information needs to be out there for those people who do want to add a second bird but only hear the negative and the reasons to not do it. I was one of those people – I wanted to add a second bird but just kept reading and hearing all the reasons not to do it.

Just provide the birds with what they need and it does work.

As for not wanting to put another bird with a cranky bird because the new bird will pick up bad habits – from my personal experience – my male was “cranky” – but from the first second I introduced the female all that changed and he became a normal acting Male Parrotlet.

Pairing isn't some magic cure for what one believes is wrong with their bird or how one wants their bird to be - but IMO it is best for the bird - as Andrea has said, we need to consider what is best for our bird and not necessarily for us.

[Sally]

Yes, I hope the friend gets a big cage, toys and foods before he even thinks of another. More imp. to get the first little guy settled in and happy and healthy.

[lily]

Roger is about 4 or 5 months. Well, that could be part of the problem! He is the right age for his first molt. My bird was extremely uncomfortable at that time from the pinfeathers. She did not like being handled and was generally cross. I was instructed to bathe her daily to soften the pinfeathers, wetting her to the skin. She hated the bathing at first, but learned fairly quickly that it made her more comfortable. Your friend should not expect Roger to like bathing right away. Just like human kids, young parrotlets can be very resistant to bathing. Your friend will probably have to experiment to find the method Roger tolerates the best: splashing with a drippy faucet in the sink, spritzing, or going into the shower with Dad. There may be threads here discussing bathing techniques. I was also instructed to help her groom her head. The bathing/grooming process proved to be extremely helpful in our bonding. It communicated to her that I am her flock, and she also learned to trust me completely.