Since parrots are prey creatures, it is easy for them to flutter off their perch in fright on slightest actions or sounds.
Unlike humans, animals cannot express themselves.
Anyone or anything, which may appear seemingly inoffensive, can scare them and provoke them to behave unusually.
A wall décor placed right next to the parrot’s cage can scare the parrots out of their wits!
If that’s the case with your parrot, you should pay attention to your pet’s unusual behavior and try to identify the reason behind it.
Being a parrot owner, you must look after your parrot responsibly and ensure that it is happy and comfortable.
You should know how to appease your scared parrots.
After all, a frightened parrot is why biting, feather plucking, and other undesirable behaviors happen.
Why Is My Parrot Afraid of Me?
Resistance to Change
When it comes to change, humans and animals are the same.
They interpret change as a threat and, therefore, get scared.
Any change inside or outside of the parrot’s cage can scare them.
For instance, a newly installed ceiling fan can make a parrot feel like there is a raptor — a bird’s natural predator — looming above it.
Newly painted walls may appear unfamiliar and give them creeps.
Fear of other pets
Is there another pet in your house that frightens your little companion?
Your dog may be cheerfully playing hide and seek with you, but his sniffing sound can scare a parrot.
Parrots look at the other pets in the house as their natural raptors, and therefore, feel threatened by them.
Night-time Frights!
Parrots, especially, cockatiels are susceptible to night-time frights.
Most owners cover the cage, so their pet sleeps peacefully.
However, surrounding noises and distractions such as a loud truck passing nearby, a flashing emergency or searchlight, vibrations from a super loud stereo speaker can scare the parrots and make them uncomfortable.
Visits to Vets
Just like a doctor’s clinic, injections and other medical equipment give us creeps; the same is the case with parrots.
Vets should be the last people parrots should be afraid of, yet they are super scared of them!
After all, the veterinarians give scary injections and prescribe bitter medicines that taste awful.
Bird Toys
Sometimes parrots get frightened of the very things that are meant to bring them joy – bird toys!
A bird’s cage is its sanctuary.
The sudden addition of a new toy is often met with a scrutinizing eye and provoke parrots to escape their cage like a bat out of hell.
What Do You Do If Your Parrot Is Scared of You?
After identifying the reasons behind your parrot’s unusual behavior, it’s time to come up with solutions and pacify them!
Several owners worsen the fear in a phobic parrot by being too excited, aggressive, straight or demanding.
So, the most significant thing to do is to stay calm and composed around your parrot.
Give them sufficient time and space to get comfortable.
Let them initiate interaction with you.
A little attention would mean the world to your parrots.
Instead of astounding them with changes, make them part of the process.
Communicate the changes to them.
You may not believe it, but parrots listen and understand you in their own ways.
Check out my article – How much time should I spend with my parrot?
Introduce your parrot to all the family members, along with the other pets.
If the giant size of your Dog is still scaring your parrot, then keep both of them in separate rooms for the time being
To ensure a good night sleep for your parrot, you can play some “white noise”, which alleviate the sound of any outdoor noises that may scare it.
If you want to go for the natural white noise, a fan, an air-purifier, or a white noise machine are your best option.
Before taking your parrot to the vet’s clinic, put it in a carrier, walk around the clinic to tell him that the place is safe and secure.
To help your parrot overcome its fears, try to get it to familiarize with the usual checkup done by the vet, which includes having a wing looked at, having feet touched, and more.
Don’t force the new toy onto your parrot.
If it shows discomfort, take some steps back and hold up the toy until your parrot shows comfortable body language.
Leave the toy dangling on the outside of the cage to make your parrot familiarize with it.
While all this is happening, make sure you communicate to your parrot softly, reminding him that it is just a toy.
Why Does My Bird Keep Getting Scared?
Despite following all the measures, if your parrot is still scared, you need to re-evaluate your measures and identify what is wrong.
For instance, if your parrot is still scared of the new toy despite your efforts to make it comfortable with the new toy, then try doing that again.
Try placing the toy outside of your cage for a little longer and give your parrot time to get comfortable with it (we know you can’t wait for your ‘kiwi’ to play with it, but you got to be patient).
If that still doesn’t work, try replacing the toy.
Maybe your parrot is scared of the color or the design of the toy.
Consider the cage placement.
For you, the cage is ideally placed near the window where your pet can enjoy the beautiful city life.
However, for your parrot, it’s not a safe place.
Parrots are vulnerable to their predators.
The crow flying outside, hovering over your parrot’s cage, may be the reason why your parrot is so frightened.
How To Get Your Parrot to Stop Being Scared of You?
Everyone craves attention.
And parrots, they are known to be attention-seekers and drama creators.
Whenever they scream, they’re just yearning to have communication with their owner.
So, give them more time than you usually do.
Try interacting multiple times in a day instead of limiting it in the morning or evening.
Just showing them your face or a cheery hand wave will make them happy and comfortable.
Give your parrot out of cage time
This is a great way to bond with your parrot
Have a read of my article – How long should a parrot be out of it’s cage?
Final Words
Every parrot is different from the other one.
Anyone or anything can scare a parrot.
While some parrots get scared with the colors of the wall, others may find the cage placement intimidating.
Being an owner, it is your duty to fulfill all their needs, provide them with a comfortable shelter and help keep their fears at bay.
Here’s a related article you may be interested in – Why is my parrot ignoring me?
