Teaching Parrots Patience

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Congo African Grey Parrot

I have a 7 year old (female I believe) African Grey Congo.
She screams when she has no fresh water or food, (she is very picky) no complaints on that, lol. Problem is that even though she knows that every morning she will get her fruits, she MUST be the one to be served first! or else she starts screaming till I get annoyed and give in to her demands. What can I do about teaching her patience?

Thanks in advance!
- Valerie

Our Swainson Toucan, Fiji, does this too. She screams whenever she is out of food, water or wants the light on or off. We reinforced this on purpose so that she tells us when she needs something and those are the only times she screams.

However, some birds are dominant over food and water and things like that. Our Camelot Macaw, Tusa, is this way. He must be fed first AND last, otherwise everyone will hear about it. He will turn aggressive towards the person providing the food, and the other birds around.

It’s necessary for you to do the same for your Congo Grey parrot. Make sure you feed her first, before all the other birds, as well as last. For example, when giving your birds a treat; give your grey one, then everyone else, and then go back and give your grey another one at the end. This will keep your grey from feeling like it has to fight for what it wants. You will notice a change after making this a habit in YOUR actions.

After a while your grey will realize the new routine and won’t feel the need to keep up the old habits. Just make sure you do it everytime for positive results.