MoSull

Thanks everyone for the wonderful responses! Dave, I have been thinking about doing the parrot sounds for a while, even just to expand Elwood's horizons a little bit. She loves to talk and make noise, so I think that CDs might do her a lot of good. Inara, I honest to god don't know what else to call it but a tantrum. I have had a lot of animals, and while I know that most animals don't have the mental capacity to be spiteful, it seems like it might well be the case with my little Elwood. She makes this sound whenever she wants something, it seems like she might be making this noise for attention. She's a very emotional animal. It seems like nothing is ever good enough for her. I'll hold her for as long as I can and talk to her all day, but she is constantly demanding things. I fear as though I may have accidentally spoiled her, and now she can't go an hour without screaming until someone acknowledges her, be it negatively or positively. She makes the noise all day and night, when I have ten people over or if it's just me. She makes the noise regardless of the activity level in my apartment. She makes the noise when I leave the room or if I'm in the room with her and she decides that she wants something. I will definitely be looking into clicker training and seeing if me talking more quietly to her results in her talking more quietly to me. Hopefully I can see some changes! I might also try to post a video of the behavior, so you guys can get a better idea of what I am talking about. No promises, however, because even though I'm 22 and part of the 'technology generation', I'm pretty well incompetent, haha. Mary

Hello, My name is Mary, and I rescued Elwood, my female Timneh African Grey about 3 years ago when she was 8 years old. When I got her, it was clear that no one ever payed attention to her and she had plucked her feathers quite badly. Her previous owner said that she was mean, but all it took was a little TLC, because she's as sweet as can be, in my opinion. She almost never bites, and is wonderful with new people. However, over the course of the three years I have had her, I have tried EVERYTHING to curb her tantrums, and I just don't know what else to do. The noise she makes sounds something like someone banging two large metal pans together, it is absolutely horrific, and I live in an apartment. I have tried using the "cry it out" method, which seems to make her think that since I'm ignoring her, than she can make all of the terrible noises that she wants. I have tried punishing her, telling her no, blowing at her face (someone told me that was effective), covering her up, pushing her cage into the other room, all of which did work for the short term, but didn't curb the behavior long term. I've tried rewarding her when she makes nice noises, giving her her favorite food when she is behaving well (peanuts!), and honestly, I don't think she understood that at all. I'm at wits end here, and totally at a loss for what else to do. Elwood is such a sweet girl, and I just want a little peace in my home again! Little bit of background, Elwood is fed pellets and various fruits and veggies (and some people food) every day. Her cage is always clean, and I change her water twice a day. She gets weekly showers, and has tons and tons and tons of toys (I just dropped another $150 on toys last week). She is outside of her cage more often than not. I would say that she is out for at least 8 hours a day. She gets kisses and snuggles and to sit on my chest for about an hour a day. Her cage is in the living room, so my fiance and I chat with her all the time. Does anyone have any ideas? I'm losing my mind and I hate that this is straining my relationship with my featherbutt so badly. I would never get rid of her, but I am getting tired of being angry with her, and it's getting difficult not to hold a grudge. Thanks so much, and sorry for the tremendously long post. Ask me if there's any more information that you need! Mary