Solving Parrot Behaviour Problems: Screaming, Biting, Aggression, Hormones 🦜 | BirdNerdSophie

[@alanahjade27]

Your videos deserve so much more attention! They're such good quality and have good information, from someone who actually knows what they're talking about! there's too many popular channels out there who make videos unintentionally spreading misinformation 😭

[@candicet5973]

I agree!!!!! Sophie and Davids channel *needs* to have at least 100 million subs!!!! And elleandthebirds and other channels like that need to stay at their 100 k!! Sophie and Davids channel *must* top them all!!!

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Thanks so much for your kind words! We are all about the latest best practice for parrot welfare and happy to answer any questions! 😁💙

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Haha you are very sweet, thank you 💙

[@BartTheBardOfficial]

I'm having trouble... My cockatiel is screaming because she's hungry, but she is only eating seeds... I just can't get her to eat anything else, we've been trying for months with vegetables and pellets. We diced the veggies, gave them whole veggies, all kinds of veggies and fruits that are safe, offering a wide variety. The pellets we crushed from big size to smaller, all the way to dust. Our male cockatiel has switched to pellets, but the female just won't switch, but as we keep feeding her seeds she is becoming more and more unhealthy and gaining an awful lot of weight, even if we get rid of the sunflower seeds in the mix (which we have done since the start). The screaming is obviously food related, and I don't want to make her suffer on an empty stomach. What should I do?

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Have you seen my most recent video on how to get to get your bird to eat veggies? Don’t be discouraged too - it can take some birds a really long time to convert!

[@momac9748]

The conure getting progressively more entangled in Sophie's hair had me . hahaah had to rewing that part of the video to really listen 😅😂

[@BirdNerdSophie]

They’re so cheeky for messing around in my hair 😂😂😂

[@cocowake5892]

Another great rescue in the US is Phoenix Landing. Specifically if you live on the east coast of the US.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Yes I am familiar with them :)

[@TheParrotTeacher]

So many problems, lots of great solutions!

[@BirdNerdSophie]

99 problems but my parrot ain't one!

[@lisapfuelb3547]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! This is exactly what I was looking for!! I love all of your videos!! 💕🤗

[@BirdNerdSophie]

I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching 😊💙

[@alanahjade27]

Great information!! I'm not having any issues with behaviour but I thought it would be useful to know about

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Glad you liked it! :)

[@heathersault5006]

Fantastic information from both you and David, my baby only bites when just sitting on my hand, I'm having to wear leather gloves, it's frustrating as she really wants to be with me, currently working on diet improvements

[@BirdNerdSophie]

It takes time but you'll get there!

[@TattooedGranny]

Solid advice, thank you!

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Glad it was helpful!

[@candicet5973]

Early! But have to sleep now 😑. I'll watch it with Fluffy tomorrow morning tho 😃 I can't wait to watch it

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Haha no worries! Hope you like it 😊

[@conniecruz880]

Great video. Thank you.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Thanks for watching 😊

[@flockofrcbirds]

Great video. We had 2 issues (until yet): Sids bited my hand, when I offer millet to all our birds, becaus he wants me to pull out my hand. So the both others get frightend and flew off and Sid had the millet all for his own. Now I can stand the pain and do not even react. Sid has almost stopped biting, because he cannot take an advantage out of his behaviour. Chuch screams a lot this spring. If it got to loud, we left the room without any reaction to the bird. And as he turns down the screaming or stopped we got back. I don't know if I had this method from one of yours or David's videos. So my solution for most of birdie probs is: stay calm, observe and instead of telling the bird that he's doing wrong, we withdraw. And needless to say: patience, patience, patience.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Yes we offer that advice too for screaming so you might've heard it from us! And that's great advice! Calm and patience is so important but so hard haha!

[@Ash43509]

I have recently adopted a green cheek conure named Bigby. He came from an abusive background so he’s very fearful around new people and doesn’t like hands. Anyone with any tips for me would be greatly appreciated. He’s gotten used to me, and will sit on my shoulder and take treats. Occasionally he’ll let me pet him but I don’t push it too much because again he doesn’t like hands. He’s become very playful and comfortable in the room where I keep the birds, he even will come to me on his own and take little nips at my ears and hair. The minute anyone else comes into the room, however he gets extremely fearful and will find a place to hide. He won’t come out and interact with anyone other than me. I feel so bad for him because he is so afraid of new people. He won’t take treats from them or anything. I tried using my nephew and having him slowly get used to him like I did with me and then trying other people. The minute anyone comes into the room he’s so panicked I’m worried he’ll hurt himself. 😢

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Aw sweet Bigby 💙 You can use negative reinforcement to help birds to be comfortable around new or scary things/people - we can help via a consultation with this if you are ever interested 🥰🦜

[@BintOummiy]

Hi Sophie, I hope you are doing well! I would like to know if possible : how much can I reduce the brightness to lighten the hormonal surge of my birds? They sleep from 8 pm to 9 am currently. One of my cockatiel is extremely hormonal actually, I've never seen it like this. He is extremely aggressive, he screams very loudly all day long. I think it is because he has been looking himself in the chrome curtain rod and the stainless steel feeders. But the problem is that he manages to look himself everywhere, even in book-case window. So I'm trying to channel it 😵😵🤯🤯

[@BirdNerdSophie]

You can increase sleep to 14/15 hours for at least a week! Hormone season can be a real challenge! You can also increase the amount of training sessions you do throughout the day!

[@BintOummiy]

@@BirdNerdSophie ok noted! Thank you very much for your advices and your patience. I will do that

[@oliviapadilla2778]

Our bird storm doesn’t let us take him out of the cage and won’t stand on our finger weirdly though when our iPhone ringtone goes off (the ringtone is called Spell) he flies out of his enclosure or that sound makes him stop screaming

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Try working on target training through the cage bars, then you can target him out of the cage 😊

[@videostar323]

I had my cockatiel’s nails clipped the other day and he’s been screaming more often ever since. He seems to be fine otherwise but I’m wondering why he’s screaming like this. He’s done it before from time to time and he also turns his back when he does it so it’s obvious that he isn’t happy or in a good mood when it happens.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

He may have just found the experience stressful and needs to relax!

[@HunleenStreams]

I’m crying watching this video right now, I’ve had my sweet little lovebird for over 3 years now and in the first 1,5 years she was the sweetest, we would cuddle, give kisses etc, and now she attacks me every chance she gets, she doesn’t trust me anymore and I feel like I’ve lost my little baby and she doesn’t love me anymore, I don’t know what to do, it started since she layed her first set of eggs…

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Sounds like she’s hormonal - have you seen my video on parrot hormones?

[@HunleenStreams]

@@BirdNerdSophie Thankyou for responding! I just watched it and it was very informative. I basically had almost all the triggers down for hormonal behaviour. I am scared that if I remove her hut she will be stressed out… and how should I remove the eggs?

[@BirdNerdSophie]

@@HunleenStreams the best thing to do is remove the hut first thing in the morning and put a toy or perch in it’s place! If you remove the eggs it’ll encourage her to lay more. If you can, swap them out for dummy eggs and let her get this clutch out of her system!

[@cheekybeaksparrotrescue5738]

Omg Thank you for the shoutout! 😂 great video!

[@BirdNerdSophie]

You’re welcome 😊💙

[@tomferrier6143]

The best treat food I've found is safflower seeds in shell. Even after being used for training for months, they still kick each other in the face and climb over each other for them.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Haha they are a favourite here too! 😂

[@redgeminiarts3674]

I can’t find safflower seeds, where do I get them in the US?

[@tomferrier6143]

@@redgeminiarts3674 places that sell wild bird seed usually have it. Avian pet stores too. That's where I got my huge bag (a local exotic bird store), but they sell them on Amazon too.

[@mysst1cc]

my indian ringneck went from saying "what are you doing?" to screaming "WHAT ARE ÆÆÆÆ"

[@BirdNerdSophie]

😂😂😂

[@mysst1cc]

@@BirdNerdSophie YOU REPLIED?!?!?,how long should my indian ringneck be out for?

[@BirdNerdSophie]

@@mysst1cc I reply to every comment 😊 several hours, but make sure the time out of the cage is quality time and engaging!

[@mysst1cc]

@@BirdNerdSophie I'm training her to fly to me, I do a step up with a small treat then a medium size treat for a flying to my hand

[@skycupcake1193]

I turn the light off and my bird screams he/her keeps attacking my parents and whenever I look at my bird witch is on my shoulder she bites my nose

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Birds can be scared of the dark so we provide night lights for ours! Your parents could participate i. Training with them! If a bird is attacking you when on the shoulder then I’d recommend not having them on there until they learn that voting isn’t okay!

[@angsfeatheredfriends]

I got Buddy free off craigslist, with very little parrot experience, minus a ton of research. The owner was impressed by my knowledge and decided to give him to me, along with all his supplies and cage (he originally wanted money). A year later the same thing happened again with River and Snow (again, free, all supplies / cage). I would also not advise craigslist for pets. For one thing a lot of people are looking for free food for their snakes, they do not care what they get, bunnies, birds, puppies, kittens. Trust me, I know, I used to have pythons. (Mind you I only ever used feeder rats / mice I breed myself at the time.) There are so many birds who are sitting in rescue aviaries right now. Where craigslist tends to be packed with backyard breeders trying to unload irresponsible offspring (these animals are often never seen by a vet, inbred, or over bred / in horrible conditions). When you buy those sort of pets off craigslist you are just encouraging it. Always go to adoption rescue places if you can first. Even there you can get young animals, if you don't mind waiting.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Very true, it's a sketchy place to get animals from, and I see a lot of backyard breeders trying to make a living selling birds on there!

[@angsfeatheredfriends]

@@BirdNerdSophie I keep my eye out for rehomes, but 95% of the time it is just backyard breeders. Some people think they should get paid for abandoning their pets I suppose. Instead of brining them into a proper rescue (some charge you to give them your pets). SO I can understand where most are coming from. It is easier, cheaper, and sometimes profitable to just toss unwanted animals on craigslist. Sadly.

[@Melaniepca]

I recently rescued 2 sibling cockatiels (male and female) both are almost 3 years old and I’ve had them for 2 months. The female needed medications from a vitamin deficiency (the male was not showing signs yet. Both were on an all seed diet now they are fully on pellets) I realize the move, the medications for her and being seperated for 2 weeks in a different cage next to each other since she had to rest and wear a cone is very stressful for them while also dealing with a new environment. While they were separated they slept as close to each other as possible since they used to sleep side by side on the same pirch. But now he bully’s her so much! Constantly pecking her off of food dishes and pirches. She complies but looks so sad. They are now separated at night and sleep far away from each other. Is this something I wait out since they’ve only been with me for 2 months or do I need to keep them separate from now on?

[@BirdNerdSophie]

I’d be looking at going back to basics with some bonding work between them and se how they get on - I have a video on bonding two birds on here!

[@Melaniepca]

@@BirdNerdSophieI spoke to their vet and she recommended separate cages 🤷‍♀️ I told her they are pet birds not breeding birds but she said they don’t care if they’re siblings lol. So basically I need to eliminate any chance of breeding (especially since she’s laid eggs in the past Ive been told) but yes I will be going back to basics and focus on one on one training. Thank you for your response I LOVE your channel!!

[@candicet5973]

Nice vid!!! U talked about it extremely well!! I really wish I was 13 so I could get insta but got a few more years to wait (I'm turning 12) Ah yes, biting, the thing that parrots do that makes parrot owners want to give up taming them 😭 Changing the lifestyle... Uh huh.... Before I got Fluffy I just slept until 9 and didn't have any time problems and could waste time and stuff Now I gotta track my time which is really simple except I am supposed to have a few hours remaining but it disappears right infront of my eyes I would never ever give up my birds no matter how naughty they r because I couldn't bare giving them to someone who doesn't know about research.... If I had to give them up the person HAS to know birdnerdsophie as well as wargamingparrot, and they have to ACTUALLY care about them, and they have to have a big cage and proper toys and stuff Aaaaaawwwweeessoooooommmmee viddddd

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Glad yo enjoyed the video! Haha yes they definitely change our lives! I always have dried bird poop on my t-shirts 🤣

[@ssoffia._.t]

Im really desperate for advice please!!! i have had my quaker parrot for 5 years ( he is 5 yo ) and no matter what ive tried, he just dislikes everyone but me. He always bites and attacks others. I know that he sees me as his mate and that its impossible to find him a parrot mate now, but is there no way for him to be atleast not so aggressive towards other people? Im always so worried to leave him with someone else if i go somewhere for a week or so, or people living with me are always on edge cuz he attacks them. :(

[@BirdNerdSophie]

There’s a lot of reasons why birds do this, and firstly diet and cage set up can have a big impact so if evaluate those first! Next start with people target training your bird through the cage bars - I have a recent video on this!

[@ssoffia._.t]

​@@BirdNerdSophie thank you sm! I will watch this video of yours and if i still need help, may i ask how much do your consultations cost? Is there anything you could help me with under payment? Im really really desperate to solve this issue because i adore my little best friend.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

@@ssoffia._.t with our consultations you'll get dedicated 1-1 help and a full written training plan to follow! More info here: bestbehavedbirds.myshopify.com/

[@ridstarrevoloution]

my bird bites barley lets us touch him and is so aggressive and like doesn’t like me or something and he was from a breeder

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Have you seen my videos on trust and how to tame and bond with your cockatiel?

[@ridstarrevoloution]

@@BirdNerdSophie i havnt i will but i only get have the week with him because my parents are split so it’s kinda hard

[@BirdieLovers]

This is amazing videos 👍

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Thank you 😊

[@candicet5973]

Helloooo

[@BirdieLovers]

@@candicet5973 henlo 😀

[@inu1ful]

One of my female buddies doesn't let other female budgies eat. She started to be very territorial and mean that the other one was scared to eat. I am so nervous because she is not getting enough food. Should I have a separate cage and separate them? If so how long?

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Do you have one food bowl and one water bowl for each bird?

[@inu1ful]

@@BirdNerdSophie I have 2 stainless steel, added one more plastic one .. but hormonal one will attack the gentle one Everytime she try to eat. Do I really have to separate them? They are maybe 6 months old and don't know why only one is so aggressive.

[@lilyeplayz3106]

Hi sophie! I am a young bird owner and me and my sister own 3 male cockatiels altogether. one of them is very keen on biting your hands especially if you are not doing what he wants such as scratches/petting. He reacts to any form of hand movement but not as though he is scared. We have had these guys since birth. how can we correct this behavior?

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Have you heard of a technique called soft targeting? Also when a bird bites, we recommend moving them to a neutral area like the back of a chair (not in the cage) ignore them for 5 seconds, then resume the interaction and give them a chance to earn a treat!

[@fancyycomet]

@@BirdNerdSophie This worked really well

[@candicet5973]

Btw Sophie, is it possible to make diy avian tea? Bc we can't find any avian tea here so I am wondering if it is possible to make it diy out of spices and stuff

[@BirdNerdSophie]

If you have organic dried flowers like chamomile, calendula, dandelion leaf, hibiscus etc you can brew some as a tea!

[@candicet5973]

@@BirdNerdSophie ok thanks ☺️

[@nothingness390]

Hi sophie! Ik this doesn’t relate to the video (however I loved the video!), I will be getting a bird soon (specifically a cockatiel) however my mom is not willing to throw away her 20-30 pans that might have Teflon on/in them bc they costed us over 3000 dollars. I was wondering if it was ok if my mom uses her pans if my bird was in a room upstairs with the door closed and the kitchen door closed? Or would that still be a risk? Tysm! (Btw I love the flock!)

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Hey! It' always risky so I can't tell you it'll be fine - you can reduce the risks by having them elsewhere, ventilating the kitchen and not overheating he pans, but having parrots in our lives means making lifestyle changes which can be hard for the whole family.

[@inejunta6569]

My bird just found a carton of eggs on the counter. Ripped the top of and started getting weird. Took her and put her on the stand (after making sure she knew she was a weirdo). I study at home so all the food I make they can eat. I didn't make anything today and just gave them pellets. Walking by and tried to give her a pellet, not sure why but she actually lunges at it. Thinking... Tf... I go to pick her up and she can have little temper fits and pretend bite all over me. (I usually ask to pick them up, only force them to if they are being off) she actually bit me a little hard. I put my hand out again and she pinched my finger hard enough to give me a blood blister! She has never done that before and I am so surprised, I think it was the eggs. No one hates eating healthy that much.

[@inejunta6569]

It's weird because she does get hormonal and droops her wings but you pick her up and she gets over it. And seems unbothered even. It happens a few times a day. But wow. Wasn't expecting that. Maybe it was a combination of healthy eating and me taking the eggs away. She doesn't even bite toes...

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Sounds like there’s a lot to unpick here, but we are definitely coming into hormone season!

[@ridstarrevoloution]

he’s also a cockitiel

[@vanessafarber3043]

Hi sophie, I've emailed you. Can you let me know if you've recieved it please. I'm rubbidh with tech. Its regarding your bird boxes. Thank you

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Hi Vanessa, Yes it came through and I just replied to you :)

[@ornithologydude8649]

Goos stuff!

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Thank you!

[@alanahjade27]

I was wondering, aside from Best Behaved Birds and managing your KZbin channel, do you have another job? Just curious!

[@candicet5973]

She has a red bubble store 😃

[@BirdNerdSophie]

No, David and I both work full time on our channels as well as Best Behaved Birds now and we love it :)

[@alanahjade27]

@@BirdNerdSophie Wow that's amazing!

[@westdeaf]

0:41 im here because i like watching your videos :p

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Thank you so much 😊💙

[@westdeaf]

@@BirdNerdSophie

[@neonlights3977]

My female love bird is 4 and will not stop screaming it is un real

[@BirdNerdSophie]

There’s always a reason for it so it’s good to step back and work out why! Hormones? Attention seeking? Etc!

[@kxllermxssy]

So informative friend💙 And congrats because you will rech 43578899097543466667 subs soon💙 With your cutie and inocent parrots💙

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Haha I'm not sure about that but I appreciate your kind words! Thanks for watching! 💙

[@candicet5973]

I totally agreeeeee 💙

[@kxllermxssy]

😁😁😁😁😁 I know you will get it