Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I adopted an adult parrot a few months ago from a family friend who is fighting lymphoma cancer. I've never had a parrot before but have a soft spot for any and all animals in need. Anyway, she has this issue with screaming. Not constantly, just when she feels she isn't getting enough attention. Lately she has started screaming when I start doing something that is in the same room as her but doesn't involve her. Like cleaning the frog tank, doing a water change on the fish tank, etc. The screaming hurts my ears and sends my dog running from the room like a lightning bolt.

** What effect is this random high-decibel screaming having on my White's Tree Frog and Rose Hair Tarantula who reside in the same room? **

I was hoping that her screaming would subside as she became more accustomed to her new home, but no such luck. Being from jungle-ish environments where screaming birds are prevelant, is my tree frog perhaps used to this sound? Or is it worse since the screaming is confined to a small area (compared to an open jungle canopy!) and seems to be amplified? I have been reluctant to move their tanks because they both are more active at night and if I move them into a room other than my bedroom, I will not be able to see them much. But if that is what I should do to keep the healthy, then I will. The parrot's main cage is in my bedroom due to it's massive size and moving it to another room would require major furniture re-arranging.

The tree frog and tarantula seem to be eating fine and acting normal. But they are both relatively young (2-3 years) and I don't want to damage their health. Am I worrying over nothing?

I wouldn't worry too much unless it's a constant noise. This honestly, is one of the major reasons I run from birds Give me a bark'n gecko or a chorus of frogs, but man can parrots scream! Other options you may have are some type of insulation. Folding walls might work (a bit), keeping the other animals in the closet might be an idea. They are nocturnal anyways, you can open the doors when the bird is asleep. Some effort should be made to allow them somewhat of a day/night cycle though.

If this is your bedroom, I'd probably consider moving the parrot for other reasons, they are rather filthy animals.

Ian

i now have 2 parrots but they are nolonger near my herps (Ian, they are in my dinning room, so you comments about them being filthy hurt our feelings LOL)

but for years my amazon was in with the herps and i didnt ever see any effect on the herps from her screaming, and shes a loud one. i guess they could pass some mites, but if they are captive born or long term captives i wouldnt worry. herps dont seem to care much about sound, i know i play music quite loud int the house and have not noticed anything.

the funniest thing we ever saw between the herps and the bird was the first time we feed quail to the snakes, the parrot saw the carpet python strike and made the saddest little noise.

good luck witht he bird, both of mine are rescues, its a long road to get them used to a new life, but its worth it.
-----
hanging out under heat lights burns up my brain cells!!

Thanks for the info! That makes me feel much better!

joeysgreen - I have considered insulation before, not just to help the animals' ears, but to help mine! I wonder if thick cloth, carpet (I happen to have an extra 30 feet or so), foam eggcrate, etc. hung on the walls around her cage and maybe even something on the ceiling would help?

po - that's so sad about the quail! Your bird must've understood what he was seeing! Ouch. I have a snake as well but he's just a little garter snake. My parrot is scared to death of him just the same. If I have her on my shoulder and walk anywhere near the snake tank, she takes off and flies to the other side of the room. My snake eats minnows and is seriously no bigger around than my pinky finger, but instinct is instinct I guess! Other than my fish, all of my pets are rescues. It's a wonderful feeling isn't it?