Help...Cockatoo squaking squaking squaking

[ouccmich]

Hi Dr. C,

One of my wonderful technicians is having an issue with her Goffin cockatoo. She actually adopted the bird that was attacked at our clinic and he is doing fine (quaker parrot). Her mom also is in assisted living and she took in her bird as well (nanday conure). Both the cockatoo and the nanday are in the same room but in different cages. The cages are near each other. The cockatoo started squaking constantly since she brought the conure in. The cockatoo will talk but now it is starting to squak ALL the time. She has tried to put the conure in another room but that did not help. She also tried to put the too in another room but that did not help.
The last straw was last night when the too began squaking in the middle of the night, covered with lights off. He continued to squak for at least 20-30 minutes. She has tried a variety of new toys but that only helps for a short period of time. She has tried paying more attention to him but again that only lasts a short period of time. He is even squaking when covered. The too is eating/drinking good and not having any other behavior issues except the squaking. She has tried a talking bird disc, and music continuously playing but again with no luck.
She is to the point of considering giving up the bird but she's pretty upset with that option. What do you think would be her options. Would clomicalm help or any other behavior modification medications?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks so much,

Michelle Meyer

[Sue]

Ouch you have my sympathy, I know the sound of a screaming Too.

I'm no expert on vet issues but I wouldn't give any medication that's not prescribed by a vet.

The screaming when covered sounds like night frights.

Toto sometimes fights with a toy when the lights go out although it doesn't go on for long.

How long has she had him, does she respond every time it screams, this to the Too would be seen as a reward.

If there are any large scary toys in the cage, try taking them out.

I need more time to think and don't have much at the moment. Jim will be a help when he sees the post.

[Jim]

Hi Michelle

My personal choice for behavior modification is Applied Behavior Analysis. As you probably know it's the science of behavior. I could go into a long list of things to do. That's not good for you, your technician or the bird. Be like you diagnosing my bird with the written word. At best it would be hit or miss and probably pretty sloppy.

I don't have Ph.D. after my name but I do call myself a behavior changer now that I have fair knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis. If you or your tech needs encouragement. It's nice being my own bird's behavior changer as I'm sure it is for you to be your bird's DVM.

There are a lot of articles on the net. With you and your tech's background I would think it would be an easy learning curve with great benefits.

If you want the "In Jim's opinion" I'd be happy to share.

Good luck. To me screaming is like an allergy. There are so many variables it's hard to diagnose. Much less in the written word.

[CocosMomma]

Michelle - wow - I feel for your tech... I'd-a had a heart attack if my bird did that to me in the middle of the night!!:doh: Was this a one-time occurrence, or is this happening night after night?

[ouccmich]

Michelle - wow - I feel for your tech... I'd-a had a heart attack if my bird did that to me in the middle of the night!!:doh: Was this a one-time occurrence, or is this happening night after night?

It's been getting increasingly worse over the past few months. She has had the bird for 2 years. The bird is squaking all the time during the day and just started squaking periodically at night (which is sort of the last straw for the owner's patience).

[CocosMomma]

I can't even imagine what would make a bird scream in the middle of a dark night... (assuming it's not night terrors or something), that's just the strangest mystery to me, Michelle! I don't know if I would make it through 2 days of that let alone 2 months! Do you think she might be interested in posting and providing some additional details (and at least we could gather 'round her and give her some hugs and support!):tighthug: That's just unimaginable! I know Jim will be asking her what (if anything) might take place before and after the night behavior... I would certainly be at my wit's end if I was in her mocassins!:omy:

[Ellen K. Cook, DVM]

Hi Michelle-

I am in a swamp of busyness and going on a retreat this weekend, so I will just say this.......

Behavior that is repeated is being rewarded (and the reward is not always what we think it should be).

Here is the treatment for incessant squawkers:

1. Do NOT reward the unwanted noise.

2. Replace unwanted noise with desirable noise.

That sounds simple, but will take some thought-ABA is the best way to acheive success. How can we do this? Jim, can you help us?

[Eriisu-chan]

I've heard (please, correct me if wrong) that if you wait until the bird is quiet[er], then start whispering to it and speaking very very softly, he'll start thinking: "Hey... maybe if I speak as softly as she is now... I'll get attention! AH HA! I'll get her, yet!"

[Shirley]

:agree: Yep...

[Jim]

...I am in a swamp of busyness and going on a retreat this weekend, so I will just say this.......

Behavior that is repeated is being rewarded (and the reward is not always what we think it should be).

Here is the treatment for incessant squawkers:

1. Do NOT reward the unwanted noise.

2. Replace unwanted noise with desirable noise.

That sounds simple, but will take some thought-ABA is the best way to acheive success. How can we do this? Jim, can you help us?Hoping your 'swamp of busyness' is a good thing.

Of course, Dr. Cook is correct about changing the noise level.

"It's been getting increasingly worse over the past few months. She has had the bird for 2 years. The bird is squawking all the time during the day and just started squawking periodically at night (which is sort of the last straw for the owner's patience)."

We know something is reinforcing the squawking. The squawking is increasing and now at night. Also this started when she brought the conure in, correct?

A couple quick question. Is someone there during the day? Is this how she knows the squawking goes on all day? Does the too have any behaviors that can be ask for and will be given?

I'll think about some possible solutions. May need more info but we have a start.

[ouccmich]

Update:

Vicki gave up and gave her Too to a neighbor who is home all day and keeps the bird out of the cage all day. The bird is much happier and is no longer squaking....

[Shirley]

That is wonderful! Sometimes, moving to a different situation is best -
Thanks for the update!

[Jim]

Update:

Vicki gave up and gave her Too to a neighbor who is home all day and keeps the bird out of the cage all day. The bird is much happier and is no longer squaking....:thumbup: Great news.