Loud Baby Parrots

Our babies are raised and weaned with a set routine for feeding and socialization as are other breeder's birds. At our house, this includes an abundance of food available at all times and serving warm or cold vegetables daily. When a bird is weaned, it is satisfying its hunger with the available food and routine.

When a bird is sold, it goes to a new home with slightly different food and a different schedule. This sometimes creates hunger or anxiety in the baby. Most birds, especially Eclectus, will express this anxiety by constantly cawing until they are fed or until the source of anxiety is removed.

This behavior is not unlike having a human baby that is crying and the parents have to figure out why. Go through your checklist: Gas?, Hunger?, Diaper?, Sick?, Lost Pacifier?, Missing Stuffed Toy?, etc., etc.

If the baby parrot is less than 16 weeks old the only solution might be to hand feed it for a few more weeks. If you are uncomfortable with handfeeding, or your bird is over 4 months old, try providing warm vegetables or birdie bread in the early evening. This emulates the warmth of formula and most of the time will satisfy the baby.

Unless you are prepared to hand feed, never purchase an Eclectus, Congo, Amazon, Cockatoo or Macaw that is less than 14-16 wks old. Some breeders will try to make the sale knowing that the bird will survive but you will have to deal with the screams of a hungry baby.

- posted by J-Birds @ 6:03 AM |