Cockatiels are wonderful birds, but occasionally they have behavioral problems. One of these problems is screaming. The bird's only objection is to gain attention. You can control the screaming and, in some cases, end it all together.
Instructions
- Are you really ignoring him or her? If you are not socializing with the bird, it will get lonely. If your bird is usually content, check their food and water. Even the best bird parent spaces on the basics on occasion. Also check to see if the bird is showing any signs of illness or distress. In many cases, this behavior issue is from neglect suffered at the hands of the previous or current owner.
- Ignore them, like when your 2-year old throws a temper tantrum. If you come running and coddle them every time they act up, you are just enforcing that behavior. They learn that if they scream, you will pay attention to them. Ignore the bird. Go on about your business. If you have multiple birds, talk to them but do not acknowledge the screaming bird. Walk away if you have to, but do not yell at, talk to or give any other type of attention until the bird stops screaming. Once the bird as stopped, then you may praise him or her for being “good.”
- Cover the cage. Keep a blanket or cover near the cage. Once you have ignored the bird and it keeps screaming, it is time for a birdie timeout. Pick up the cover and gently put it over the cage. Do not make eye contact with the bird, or talk it as you do this. Keep the bird covered until he or she stops screaming. Remove the cover at this point. It is not usually a good idea to leave the cage covered for more than 15 minutes at a time. You want the bird to learn that being covered is a punishment. They aren’t getting attention, and now they are losing “daylight.”
- Start correcting the behavior. Many rescued and adopted birds come with huge amounts of baggage. Giving them one-on-one attention, plenty of out-of-cage time and praising them for vocalizations that are not screams can help. Give positive re-enforcement on the sweet and happy behaviors and ignore the temper tantrums and hopefully the screaming should stop or at least subside.
- Be Patient. The Screaming did not start over night, and it will not be corrected over night either.
- Cockatiels make loud vocalizations, but not all loud noises are screams. Do not punish a bird for just making its natural noises.
- Use the cage cover only as a last resort.
Author: Jennifer Hammitt
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