Pool Day

[kendrafitz]

Rosie has been really tough lately. I think it is her terrible twos. She was screaming so much and so loudly today my daughter was in tears.

We have a gorgeous day today and it perfect to spend floating in the pool. So I decided to bring Rosie out to the pool with me so the rest of the family can have some peace. Fortunately she seems very happy and content. Between the sun, wildlife and Margaritaville radio playing, all is well....for now. Sigh... :)

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[jessicas94lt1]

Maybe a Change of scenery is just what she needs. Ours all love going out side in the summer I think they get tired of the indoor look after a long winter. Lol.

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[plax]

We have a gorgeous day today and it perfect to spend floating in the pool. So I decided to bring Rosie out to the pool with me so the rest of the family can have some peace. Fortunately she seems very happy and content. Between the sun, wildlife and Margaritaville radio playing, all is well....for now. Sigh... :)Fresh air with sunshine, a waterfront view, good music, and a loving mom who is very near and at her beck and call... Yes, that would tend to make a content Macaw :th_biggrin:

[kendrafitz]

My little red diva spent 3 hours out with us by the pool. Quiet and happy as could be. I brought her in when Ashie and friends starting jumping off the diving board. She was getting splashed a little bit. Every time it happened she looked comically surprised and shook her head. I figured eventually she would get mad and yell so in she went.

I should say she was quiet outside until I went to make sure our yard gate was closed. Even though she could see me she let me (and the neighbors) know she was NOT happy. The only other time she made noise was to chime in with "yeah!" when we were chatting to make a point. Or to chime in when calling the dogs or kids with a very loud "Yeah!!" My girl certainly thinks she is the boss, and actually I guess she is right. :)

[Mare]

I believe you still have a very young, dependent bird on your hands :). You are her everything, Kendra. Gosh, that's a huge responsibility and I hadn't ever thought of it that way until this moment. My birds came to me older and although I was there for them, I don't think I was their lifeline, they had moved forward from that point by then. I find this to be such a special time for you and Rosie :)

[kendrafitz]

I believe you are absolutely right, Mare. While it really is a special time, It is also trying. I love that she enjoys being with me so much. But it is also all consuming. I really feel the same way I felt when the kids were babies/toddlers. My time is not really my own. No personal space until bedtime or if I am out. Jef keeps asking if it is going to get better as she matures. I have assured him it will, but honestly, I am just hoping it will. I have no idea.

We have had some awesome progress with Rosie and the kids in the last couple of weeks. She has been actively seeking them out. Woohoo! This morning she called Ashie over to play. Ash ignored her bc she was busy and Rosie just kept calling her "AAAAAA!", until she went and played. She calls CW cookoo or peek and loves to snuggle and play with him. I am really happy that she is finally fostering a relationship with them that has nothing to go with me. I am hoping that will help with the issues as time goes on. :)

[2birds]

Wow, this sounds tuff. Does she scream when you leave the house?

[kendrafitz]

Lori - yes, she will scream when I leave. Once she realizes I am gone she stops. But if she hears a noise she thinks could be me, she starts again. My husband works from home so it can be a problem. I usually come home to annoyed human family members and a yelling bird. So I have been staying home more than I would like.

[2birds]

I wonder if it would help for other family members to play with her in your absence.

[Macaw Lover]

Talk to her, tell her when you are leaving that you'll be gone just a little bit or a while, just so she knows what to expect. When you are going to be doing something (like closing the gate) tell her you'll be right back and not to worry. If she does start screaming start doing some contact calling. With Kalea I'll do a whistle, her Lala's or even her quack-quacks and usually she will stop the screaming and do those instead. Rosie just needs to know you are there (contact calls) or that you will be back.

[jtbirds]

sounds like there are some separation problems and even the problem of not being independent. A bird does need to be shown that they can keep themselves content with toys and other things other then just there bonded human. I also like socialization is key to keeping a less stressful environment at home. ensuring that the bird can respond in a positive manner to more then one person is actually really healthy for them. If you want a more in depth explanation of how i think you could work with this feel free to ask. I have done alot of behavior work but do not want to step on someones feet and make them upset. Hope this helped alil:).

[kendrafitz]

Thanks everyone!

I have been encouraging the kids to interact with her more and that has been going well.

I do tell her exactly what I am doing, whether, Mommy is just going to go to the bathroom, or Mommy is going bye bye now, I will be home in an hour or so bc I have to get Ashie, etc. She generally knows if I am going out for a while bc she will have to go to her cage. But maybe a specific noise for a contact call will help.

Justin, in no way will you be stepping on my toes. I am open to any advice you have to offer. I know you have lots of experience with behavior issues and would be thrilled to get ideas.

[jtbirds]

I'd strongly suggest getting her social with your family if they are willing or social with different situations. She is a young bird and this can change the world for her. I've met a lot of birds that have been socialized and have not and believe me the ones that have flourish through life. The screaming needs to be shaped up now or you will deal with it for a long time. I've rescued birds that scream 8 hours a day i stop it no birds must or needs to scream that much. she seems to be very attached to you and loves you which is good, but you have to draw the line when it can become to much i suppose. By to much i mean the screaming will one day at a time eat at you and the family and then people get annoyed:/. I hear all the time situations like this that go to far and then I get the call to come get the bird and re home it. I dont think you would do that or let it go that far I am just saying i guess she needs to be taught a few things is all. This all sounds so bad i just wanted to point out what this kind of relationship can become at times.

Of course every situation is different! I'd be more than willing to suggest ways of stopping the screaming/socialization. Just ask:) we never want to see something happen to you and rosie!

[kendrafitz]

Justin - I am asking!!!! I would love suggestions for both screaming/socialization.

I think I need to clarify that it is not constant screaming. It is what I think must be contact calling. She will yell, wait and then yell again. Once she sees me she gets quiet or chats. If I answer her but she can't see me, she will call again. She wants to see me. It is at the point that if anyone is on the same floor as her and I leave the room, the kids will yell at me not to go. They can't stand the calling. But it's frustrating b/c I feel like I can't really accomplish anything without her yelling and someone getting mad. If Jef is away and the kids are at school I am much more productive. I can leave the room, she will yell a couple of times and then chill. But when they are home, I feel that I have to keep her quiet so I am stuck. Sigh...

Jef and the kids say she will scream for a bit when I am not home. It seems that she is calling to me and then once she realizes I'm not home, she stops (but that can take a while). If she hears a noise she thinks may be me, it starts over again. Jef and the kids will give her treats, talk to her, Ash dances with her, but if she is yelling for me, she will just ignore them. Which is frustrating for everyone, Rosie included.

When I am away on a trip and she knows I am not home and not coming home soon, she is fine. No yelling at all. In fact, the last time I was away was the first time I thought Jef actually liked her. Since she wasn't yelling, he enjoyed her company.

She and the kids do interact fairly well. They will play with her and she does seek them out if she knows they are home. She loves Ash to sing/dance with her and CW plays peek a boo with her. Jef is fed up with the yelling, so he is back to just ignoring her for the most part.

Any help you can offer, I would love. I love Rosie very much and the kids love her as long as she isn't yelling.

[jtbirds]

I think your best bet is to socialize rosie. Taking her to a pet store or store that allows and getting her used to the people around her. As well letting people around her like your family get closer with her as well. This will move some of the stress of you leaving off her. I think this would be the key to getting her to stop the behavior honestly. She just needs to bond to the whole family so they are her flock not just you. So that maybe you can teach the children to rosie and tell her to be quieter or shh something nice the whole family can enforce. So rosie can eventually figure out that she gets out at certain times and will be around you and everyone and doesn't need to scream or contact call you:).

I hope this explains alittle bit. As well sorry if there are any mistakes i am rather tired tonight:(.

[kendrafitz]

Thank you so much Justin!! Awesome advice. :)