Crying baby Alexandrine

[Trigger]

First, thank you for adding me (1st post)! I’m hand feeding a ~6 week old Alexandrine. I’ve fed babies for years, but got this as a personal pet about 3 weeks ago. It’s not my first bird, but it is the first time I’ve raised a baby from birth as my own. Naturally he cries for food, and I’m familiar with the sound, but I’ve inadvertently created a situation where if I’m anywhere in sight he cries incessantly; let me add (because I know someone will ask), he’s been to the vet, he’s in excellent health, I’m a very experienced feeder, it’s not due to lack of food or comfort, it’s typical imprinting. Trigger (that’s his name) has imprinted on me as Mom and I can’t spend any quality time with him because all he wants to do is eat my fingers and cry! When he’s in a room alone, he’s quite content, but the sound of my voice will ‘trigger’ long spurts of crying. Any suggestions on how I might spend time with him, outside of feeding, that will allow us to bond? Or do I simply wait out the baby stage and build from there? I feel like a momma with a colicky baby

 

[expressmailtome]

Bump.

 

[Peachfaced]

This is going to sound really silly, but I'm curious if it would help. Could you dress (wear a hat, put your hair up) and act very different when you feed him? When you speak to him, use a heavy accent, choose a "persona" or "role" to play when you feed. Do that for a long time till he gets used to that, and when it's play time, you get to be yourself.

 

[sunnysmom]

@karen256 ? @Laurul Feather Cat ?

And welcome to the forum!

 

[Laurul Feather Cat]

Parrots do not do "typical imprinting" like geese, ducks and chickens. However, a baby is a baby and your infant is asking for constant one on one attention like he would get from his parents in the nest. In the wild, a chick is never left alone at such a young age; there is always a parent close by guarding it if not sitting right beside or on top of it. In my opinion, you are dealing with the needs of a typical infant. Since I have never raised a chick from this age, I am at a loss to tell you what to do except give the poor bird the attention he wants and wait out the constant needy stage.

Oh... Welcome to the forum and I wish I had some help for you. He is doing what babies do.

 

[Peachfaced]

Then, perhaps having a stuffed animal would help? He could cozy up to it.