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Question about Screaming/Singing

Gigglemug

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So I just finished doing laundry and I just finished putting up my clothes. I go and sit at my desk and I'm working on editing a video for a client when Mickey starts screaming on his perch. When I last asked why he was screeching, people suggested it may be him calling for other birds. How does one tell the difference between a fear scream and a call for other birds, and is there other reasons he screams like he does? He was puffed up and then started to screech out of nowhere, but when I started to whistle after a bit he stopped and went back to puffy. Any idea why he just does that sometimes?
 

Sparkles99

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My budgies interrupt TV/movies, join in singing & must have their share of any conversation.
 

SunnySandi

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In my experience, you will know the difference between fear scream and the loud attention scream.

It’s hard to put into words, but Valkyries normal scream for attention or boredom is a higher pitch and almost has a trilling tone to it, an “ekkkk-ekkkk-ekkk” if you will, and will happen only when perched and will usually settle with a little whistling. Sometimes she gets the “Why are we yelling? Come here”

Her fear/panic sound in contrast is throatier and deeper and is like a repeating “agh agh agh!” type noise, like you can envision an angry face, and she will make an angry face, mouth open, crest down, ready for battle. (I’ve only ever heard this when she gets herself into trouble, like getting her feet tangled in my hair because god forbid she lands on my shoulder instead of my head)

I’m sure you can find examples on YT as well
 

Gigglemug

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In my experience, you will know the difference between fear scream and the loud attention scream.

It’s hard to put into words, but Valkyries normal scream for attention or boredom is a higher pitch and almost has a trilling tone to it, an “ekkkk-ekkkk-ekkk” if you will, and will happen only when perched and will usually settle with a little whistling. Sometimes she gets the “Why are we yelling? Come here”

Her fear/panic sound in contrast is throatier and deeper and is like a repeating “agh agh agh!” type noise, like you can envision an angry face, and she will make an angry face, mouth open, crest down, ready for battle. (I’ve only ever heard this when she gets herself into trouble, like getting her feet tangled in my hair because god forbid she lands on my shoulder instead of my head)

I’m sure you can find examples on YT as well
I can't say I do. He makes the same scream when someone's trying to grab him as when he's sitting and chilling out. I had a friend who said he may be singing for attention but doesn't know any songs or may just be scared of me sitting beneath him rather than at his height/above him. Can birds forget songs?
 

SunnySandi

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I can't say I do. He makes the same scream when someone's trying to grab him as when he's sitting and chilling out. I had a friend who said he may be singing for attention but doesn't know any songs or may just be scared of me sitting beneath him rather than at his height/above him. Can birds forget songs?
I would say they can forget, or they can be stubborn and decide they don’t want to sing that way anymore. They’ll pick up on things you wouldn’t think of. Valkyrie being male means he’s more inclined to sing and mimic. For a year I’ve been trying to teach him “September” by Earth, Wind and Fire. Instead he decided to learn how to mimic the texting sound, my phone chime and the squeegee on the shower glass sounds.

If they aren’t showing any other fear signs, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. It could very well be their way of talking. If they were truly scared, I don’t know if they would whistle back to you when you respond.
 

Gigglemug

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I would say they can forget, or they can be stubborn and decide they don’t want to sing that way anymore. They’ll pick up on things you wouldn’t think of. Valkyrie being male means he’s more inclined to sing and mimic. For a year I’ve been trying to teach him “September” by Earth, Wind and Fire. Instead he decided to learn how to mimic the texting sound, my phone chime and the squeegee on the shower glass sounds.

If they aren’t showing any other fear signs, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. It could very well be their way of talking. If they were truly scared, I don’t know if they would whistle back to you when you respond.
I tried whistling at him and he didn't really whistle back; I made the generic cat call whistle and he made a similar sound, although it was still technically a screech. Do they just tend to scream if they're bored? I bought him some toys when I went to pick up his cage and he hasn't really touched them, they're hanging off the side and top of his cage. How would I know what kind of toys he'd like to play with?
 

Vittror

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About the screeching: could be that he's just communicating/finding his own voice.
Did he have a checkup by an avian vet since he came living with you?

Maybe this article could help about introducing toys: article

Sometimes it also just takes time before birds start playing with toys so I wouldn't really worry about that.
 

Gigglemug

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About the screeching: could be that he's just communicating/finding his own voice.
Did he have a checkup by an avian vet since he came living with you?

Maybe this article could help about introducing toys: article
I don't even know if West Virginia has an avian vet. I'd need to check and see if we do. What kind of condition could he have? The breeder said he was healthy and recently had a checkup done on him before the expo.
 

Vittror

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There is a site to search for avian vets worldwide but can't remember what it's called at the moment.

I didn't mean to say your bird might have some kind of condition or anything, just wondering if you went with him to a vet for a standard global checkup.

When I take a new bird home I go with them to my avian vet just to know how their overall health is and if there might be things to keep an eye on.
Just to know where things stand.

I'm not a doctor and can't armchair diagnose across the internet but so far your bird sounds like a bird, so that's a good thing, right? :D
As in: I don't hear or read anything worrisome, it seems like you two are getting to know each other and settling in.
That progress can take time and that's okay, every bird moves at their own pace.
 

Gigglemug

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There is a site to search for avian vets worldwide but can't remember what it's called at the moment.

I didn't mean to say your bird might have some kind of condition or anything, just wondering if you went with him to a vet for a standard global checkup.

When I take a new bird home I go with them to my avian vet just to know how their overall health is and if there might be things to keep an eye on.
Just to know where things stand.

I'm not a doctor and can't armchair diagnose across the internet but so far your bird sounds like a bird, so that's a good thing, right? :D
As in: I don't hear or read anything worrisome, it seems like you two are getting to know each other and settling in.
That progress can take time and that's okay, every bird moves at their own pace.
Ha, yeah, I suppose you are right about the pace thing. AFAIK I looked around the map in my area, nearest vet is up to two hours away. I can't imagine the vet cost, let alone the gas to drive to and from Charleston. If my bird needs it though, I'll see if I can't find some time to get him scheduled an appointment with the vet. I was hoping that the vet closer to us would see birds but it's more for farm animals and dogs and cats.
 

Respect

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Ha, yeah, I suppose you are right about the pace thing. AFAIK I looked around the map in my area, nearest vet is up to two hours away. I can't imagine the vet cost, let alone the gas to drive to and from Charleston. If my bird needs it though, I'll see if I can't find some time to get him scheduled an appointment with the vet. I was hoping that the vet closer to us would see birds but it's more for farm animals and dogs and cats.
I did some web sleuthing, and it looks like there's an avian vet in Charleston! Animal Care Associates, Inc. Their website says they see pet birds, and that one of their vets (Dr. Jeffery Patton) is a member of the AAV. Hopefully this helps :)
 

SunnySandi

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Not sure what normal vet pricing is in WV. But in FL, my normal dog and cat vet is $60 for a visit, while my avian is I think $75 for a walk-in.

You can always call and see what they’d quote for a wellness visit and Psittacosis test (my vet recommended it due to coming from a place where there were other birds), but since Valkyrie now has no other bird contact, I’ve not had to repeat the test.
 

Khizz

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Sometimes they are just screaming for the heck of it. Occasionally I will notice a pattern (ambulance sounds set them off) and once Mabel was being unbearable for weeks and I couldn't understand why.

Turned out I'd left a yellow spray bottle on the cage and she was threatened by a more yellow being than her encroaching on her space :rolleyes:

Be sure you don't start encouraging a pattern where you reward their screaming with attention - it can cause problems later on. If you know there isn't a serious reason for them screaming, best to ignore it.
 

Gigglemug

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Not sure what normal vet pricing is in WV. But in FL, my normal dog and cat vet is $60 for a visit, while my avian is I think $75 for a walk-in.

You can always call and see what they’d quote for a wellness visit and Psittacosis test (my vet recommended it due to coming from a place where there were other birds), but since Valkyrie now has no other bird contact, I’ve not had to repeat the test.
Just called the closest exotics vet and they said it's $98 dollars for a first time checkup I know Mickey was around other species of birds like lovebirds and budgies, but now he's alone. Should I still see a vet for him about the Psittacosis if the breeder confirms whether or not he's seen one for it?
 

Gigglemug

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I did some web sleuthing, and it looks like there's an avian vet in Charleston! Animal Care Associates, Inc. Their website says they see pet birds, and that one of their vets (Dr. Jeffery Patton) is a member of the AAV. Hopefully this helps :)
Thanks. I called and they said exotic appointments costed $98 dollars, and looking on their website, they don't have any available appointments for the months of November or December :(
 

SunnySandi

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Just called the closest exotics vet and they said it's $98 dollars for a first time checkup I know Mickey was around other species of birds like lovebirds and budgies, but now he's alone. Should I still see a vet for him about the Psittacosis if the breeder confirms whether or not he's seen one for it?
I mean I’d see what the vet recommends. Also if the breeder has a copy of the result, the vet might take it into consideration. Normally my vet wants one done yearly, in my case she was okay skipping it because of no bird contact.
 

Gigglemug

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I mean I’d see what the vet recommends. Also if the breeder has a copy of the result, the vet might take it into consideration. Normally my vet wants one done yearly, in my case she was okay skipping it because of no bird contact.
I asked the breeder earlier if Mickey had recently seen a vet, and apparently has within the past year.
 
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