Last Updated on February 16, 2023 by Mitch Rezman

Barbara S. doesn’t know what to do,

I have an African grey named Rocky who is 29 years old.

 

Over the last couple of years, he started to make these strange noises day and night out of nowhere.

 

So we took him to our aviary vet and after several visits and numerous tests, it was determined that it is a behavioral issue.

 

They explained that when he first started making the noise because I responded to Rocky with concern and babied him, that he knows that it got my attention, so he will continue to make the noises because that’s what gets my attention.

 

I have tried everything and anything that anyone has recommended with no luck and it’s been years.

 

We even thought that perhaps he is mimicking our snoring. Is there anything you can suggest or possibly take a look at a short video that shows exactly what he does? I need help desperately.

 

Dear Barbara

Yes, your vet is correct. 

Your very smart bird noticed that you were responsive to the sound he mimicked and being a grey, he could do it so well.

 

This is common for greys to copy sounds they make and most grey owners find it charming even if it gets annoying like making the sounds of the microwave, alarm clock, or telephone ring.

 

Even your remote control clicker.

 

All you can do is ignore the sound when he makes it in hopes it will eventually drop out of his vocabulary.

 

I recall many years ago I was traveling to a bird show and had a baby lovebird that I was still weaning in a small carrier.

 

Well, that smart little bird figured out very early that if he rang a bell that hung in the carrier that I would turn my head and look at him.

 

That little guy would ring it and then look at me until I came to see him.

 

That is the same thing your grey is doing. Enjoy that he loves you and you are communicating.

 

Sure, send the video or recording to us. We would love to hear it.

 

We just don’t want you spending the rest of your life “answering the bird”.

 

Thank you soooo much for the response, Catherine!

Please see and listen to the 2 video clips of Rocky during the day as well as in the middle of the night when you have a chance. 

 

We have learned to live with it but at times it is so unbearable that I cry because it literally happens ALL NIGHT LONG to the point that my husband and I have to wear earplugs to sleep and it’s been this way for years. 

 

I now sleep on the couch and Rocky is in his sleeping cage upstairs with my husband at night.

 

It is very loud as well.

 

Sometimes it seems like he just needs to be snapped out of it like if he hears a noise in the middle of the night, he will stop for a little bit but not for long.

 

Any advice you can provide would be so greatly appreciated. We are willing to do or try anything and love him so much. 

 

Thank you again!

 

Sounds Bobbie’s birds are making ~ Video

 

Dear Bobbi

We watched and listened. I recommend that you make NEW sounds to entice your bird to learn them. 

 

Sounds Bobbie’s birds are making ~ Video 2

 

You and your husband can call out short sentences, phrases, and whistles as often as you can stand to do it. 

 

Completely ignore the bird’s odd sounds, don’t react, don’t get up and leave the room, don’t look. 

 

But in a short time (not too quickly), repeat one of your new words or whistle. 

 

Respond to anything your bird says except the whine he is doing. Better yet, your husband should follow up and call the same back to you. This is how birds in a flock communicate.

 

Your bird is looking for ways to communicate with his flock and you will be giving him new ones to connect you.

 

Now, beyond this. I have a few questions. 

 

The room is dark so I am unable to see the bird’s cage and furnishings. 

 

I am assuming you took the pictures at night to show the sounds he makes.

 

Your bird is a plucker I see. How long has that been going on?

 

What toys and perches are in the cage? Can you send me pictures of the cage in better lighting? The stand(s) too.

 

Do you have supplemental lighting over the bird’s cage on a timer of 12 hours on during the day and 12 hours off at night?

 

Why Do Pet Bird Keepers Get The Lighting Thing Wrong?

 

This is very important for the bird to have bright daytime lighting.

 

I recommend a cover for the dark 12 hours. Not pitch-black darkness, just a light cover so he can’t see you and is forced to rest in his cage.

 

I also recommend that he be closed up inside the cage.

 

Unless he thrashes about, don’t peek and leave him until morning.

 

You can talk to him, but do not respond to his whines.

 

He should have a soft rope perch for sleeping placed up and in the rear of the cage. 

 

The dowel perches should be removed and replaced with natural wood ones.

 

Single-ended bolt-on perches are best placed around like tree branches.

 

Please get back to me with more pictures (not videos) and answers to my questions. We would like to help you further if we can.

 

Regards,

Catherine