Living With a Noisy Parrot

Do you have a noisy bird beyond the normal? Does your parrot engage in nuisance screaming? Here are some online and print resources for you to check out at your convenience.

• Athan, Mattie Sue. "Correct Excessive Screaming: Easy As 1-2-3," Bird Talk, 14 (Aug. 1996): 56-60.
• Blanchard, Sally. "Keep It Down!," Bird Talk, 13 (Sep. 1995): 60-65.
• Blanchard, Sally. "Negative and Acceptable Screaming in Parrots."
• Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: Garrulous Grey Cheeks," Bird Talk, 9 (June 1991): 82-83.
• Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: Is Harmony Possible?" Bird Talk, 8 (Oct. 1990): 17.
• Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: Silence the Screaming," Bird Talk, 17 (July 1999): 74-75.
• Blanchard, Sally. "Stop That Screaming!, Nippy Fits, Do You Dislike Your Bird?" Bird Talk, 12 (Apr. 1994): 118-123.
• Blanchard, Sally. "What Those Screams Mean," Bird Talk, 9 (Mar. 1991): 117.
• Davis, Chris. "Heart to Heart: 5 Steps To Control Screaming" Bird Talk, 19 (Nov. 2001): p. 24-25.
• Davis, Chris. "Why Is That Bird Screaming?" Bird Talk, 12 (Aug. 1994): p. 24.
• Harris, Robbie. "About the Aviary: Bonded Grey Cheeks Are Loud Grey Cheeks," Bird Breeder On-line, July 1997.
• Johnson, Anne. "Bird Noise - Sound of Music or Torture Alley," Winged Wisdom (May 1997).
• Kaplan, Elise. "Stop the Squawk," Bird Talk, 22 (Nov. 2004): p. 60-63.
• Kaufman, Melissa. "Quiet! Oh, Those Noisy Birds," Bird Talk, 15 (Feb. 1997): p. 20-39.
• Micco, T. & M. "Why do Birds Scream and Bite?" Bird Talk, 4 (Apr. 1986): 25.
• Moustaki, Nikki. "Turn Down the Volume," Bird Talk, 20 (Apr. 2002): 51-59.
• New. K. "Tips on Quieting Birds" Bird Talk, 6 (Mar. 1988): 84.
• Pietroski, Linda. "Ask the Experts: Loud Birds," Bird Talk, 9 (Feb. 1991): 39.
• Rind, Sherry. "Living With A Noisy Parrot: Learn how to quiet a raucous parrot--and how to live with one," Bird Talk, 10 (Sep. 1992): 120-127.
• Sweat, Rebecca. "The Truth About Bird Noise (And Lack of)," Bird Talk 22 (July 2004): 18-25.
• Wilson, Liz. "Is Your Bird Quieter Than You Think," Bird Talk 23 (May 2005): 20-24.
• Wilson, Liz. "Parrot Psychology: Excessive Screaming," Bird Talk, 19 (May 2001): 46-48.

Frodo's Vocabulary

My green cheek Frodo has been expanding his vocabulary of late. He is constantly surprising me. In addition to his first phrase, "Peek-a-boo", his favorite go-to word is "Baby." He uses it in a variety of ways. "Baby", "Hello baby", "Hi baby", "Hey baby" or just "Baby, Babeeeee, bee." He also shushes me when I suggest that he be quiet or when he pipes up loudly at bedtime. He has also learned to say "Pssst" like he is going to whisper something to me.

First, he's been hearing me calm down the cockatiels during their night frights on many occasions. To my surprise, he added his own comment to the cockatiels with "It's okay." He's heard me saying "It's okay" or "It's alright" many, many times.

Second, when he's in the bird room and I'm in the living room, I ask him, "What're you doing?" He now reciprocates.

Third, I often ask Frodo, "Who's a good boy?" He says that now as well.

Fourth. His latest word is the name of one of my cockatiels. "Chipper."

Frodo also mumbles a lot in human speech. I call it practicing. When he gets it down, then he'll use it smugly. Such a funny little guy.

Conure Heath, Hygiene & Safety

• AvianWeb.com. "Bird Diseases / Common Health Problems."
• Barras, Wanda. "How Clean is Clean? Sanitation? Antiseptic? Disinfection? Sterilization?," Hotspot for Birds.
• Bauck, Louise.  "Tips from the Vet," HARI.
• Blanchard, Sally. "Companion Parrots   Household Dangers, Toxins and Hazards."
• Books and More.com. "Health Issues and Tips For the Bird Owner."
• Kalhagen, Alyson. "Hygiene and Pet Birds."
• Ladyhawke. "Avian First Aid Kit: Why Not Make Your Own?"
• Paul, Lisa. "The New Vet Exam," Winged Wisdom, (July 1997).
• PetMD. "Diseases A-Z: Bird."
• Sherwood, Lou and Sue. "Hotspot For Birds: Bird Care Guide."
• Sweat, Rebecca. "Common Bird Beak Health Problems."
• Wilson, Liz.  "Avian Medicine: Why Is It So Expensive?" upatsix.com.

Print Resources:

• Anderson, Sue. "The Bird Owner's To-Do List, Bird Talk, 17 (Apr. 99): 14-19.
• Beck, Louise. "Light Makes a Difference," Bird Talk, 17 (Feb. 99): 30-36.
• Chamberlain, Susan. "10 Steps to Bird-Proofing Your Home," Bird Talk, 19 (Feb. 2001): 44-49.
• Chamberlain, Susan. "Dealing With The Bird Mess Dilemma," Bird Talk, 14 (May 1996): 16-20.
• Chamberlain, Susan. "Spring Cleaning," Bird Talk, 13 (Mar. 1995): 108-119.
• Charette, Sally. "A Safe, Clean Sweep: Learn some helpful hints from a fellow bird owner on how to keep your home neat," Bird Talk, 14 (Dec. 1996): 76-83.
• Clark, Pamela. "A to Z Guide to Bird-Proofing Your Home," Birds U.S.A, 2002/03: 16-25.
• Clipsham, Robert. "Preventive Health Care," Bird Talk, 14 (Feb. 1996): 41-50.
• Corbett, Penny. "Ask the Experts: How Clean Is Clean Enough?" Bird Talk, 15 (Aug. 1997): 97-98.
• Downey, Christine. "Is Your Bird Sick? Take Action," Bird Talk, 16 (Dec. 1998): 72-79.
• Halvorson, Joy. "The DNA Analysis To Sex Birds," Bird Talk, 11 (Sep. 1993): 56,58-59.
• Hefton, Donna M.  "The Fundamental Aspect of Care: Bathing the Psittacine," Bird Talk, 15 (April 1997): 16-28.
• Higdon, Pamela L.  "Household Hazards," Bird Talk, 11 (Nov. 1993): 62-82.
• Huber, Barton C. "Avian Health Care: Environment and diet are the keys to your bird's good health," Bird Talk, 14 (Jun. 1996): 76-83.
• McWatters, Alicia. "Herbs For Health, Herbs That Heal," Bird Talk, 18 (Apr.  2000): 58-63.
• McWatters, Alicia. "Holistic Healing: Question and Answer," Bird Talk, 17 (July 1999): 54-63.
• Nickolin, Theresa.  "Avian Care Tips," Bird Talk, 13 (Mar. 1995): 16-26.
• Rossum, Sharon J. & Anderson, Elizabeth.  "Back Talk: Birds Left Together Leads to Injury," Bird Talk, 18 (Feb. 2000): 4 (mentions grey cheek).
• Smith, Jeanne.  "First Aid for Avian Emergencies: Learn how to react when your bird needs you most," Bird Talk, 14 (Jan. 1996): 32-36.
• Sweat, Rebecca. "The Air They Breathe," Bird Talk, 19 (Dec. 2001): 38-43.
• Wilson, Liz. "Sleep: How Much is Enough for a Parrot?" Bird Times, (Feb. 99): 11.
• Wissman, Margaret A. "Avian Medicine for the 21st Century," Bird Talk, 20 (June 2002): 22-30.
• Wissman, Margaret A. "The Avian Respiratory System," Bird Talk, 14 (Aug. 1996): 16-23.
• Wissman, Margaret A. "The Birds and the Bees," Bird Talk, 17 (Apr. 99): 50-60.
• Wissman, Margaret A. "Carbon Monoxide: Hidden and Deadly," Bird Talk, 18 (Apr. 2000): 94-95.
• Wissman, Margaret A. "Causes & Cures: Bathing Your Bird," Bird Talk, 18 (Aug.  2000): 76-77.
• Wissman, Margaret. "The Top 10 Bird Killers," Bird Talk, 17 (June 1999): 14-23.
• Wissman, Margaret A. "What to Expect During A Vet Exam," Bird Talk, 14 (Nov. 1996): 126-131.
• Wissman, Margaret A. and Bill Parsons. "Recognizing Signs of Illness," Bird Talk, 12 (Mar. 1994): 14-17.
• Wissman, Margaret A. and Bill Parsons. "20 Do's and Don'ts For Pet Bird Owners," Bird Talk, 15 (Aug. 1997): 88-93.