Boy can they scream!
We call it screaming. We run for the door with hands over our ears or we shout SHUT UP at them, but is it screaming?
What would your bird call it?
He would probably say he was calling to you and as you did not seem to hear him, he called louder and louder till the door slammed in his face. Or you called back to him.
You have been out all day at work or visiting friends, you come in and he is screaming at the top of his delightful voice. Why?
Well he is just welcoming you home. I allow this scream, in my opinion it is acceptable behaviour.
On the other hand you go from one room to the next, and off he goes in to a full scream, that would out do any boy racer's speakers on full blast. It hits at the very point of your fight or flight instincts and you fantasise about feeding him a very chewy toffee, or worse!
This is not acceptable behaviour and it is so easy to stop.
Did you, or do you run to the cage, and say stop it, that's enough or shut up?
If you do you have just told him that if he wants you all he has to do is scream.
What should you do?
Firstly, please do not go down the road of using punishment. Implements like the pet corrector are positively Victorian. Parrots do not respond to punishment. If you want to gain your birds trust then DO NOT use air cans, water sprays or any form of punishment. You will only create a fearful parrot.
Positive reinforcement is the only way your bird will trust you and comply with human requests.
Do not react; it does not matter if your eardrums feel as if they are going to explode through your eyeballs. Stay calm and do not look at him. Even move to another room if you cannot stand it. If you watch parrots, they turn their backs on another bird to punish it. They do not scream or shout at each other except when they are playing. So within about two or three weeks of this treatment his screaming will stop. BUT remember it will get worse before it gets better. The worst thing you can do is run to him after a week or two. If you do you will have to start all over again.
When is screaming a sign that your bird is unwell.
In all the years of my experience I have found that if your bird is unwell it tends to hide or sit quietly.
Screaming can be a sign of boredom, frustration, afraid of a new toy, loneliness or a spoiled child syndrome. Or it can be a sign that your bird has been caught on something and is in pain. This has a different sound and you should be able to tell the difference.
So like a child, check that everything is well with your bird and then follow the instructions above.
Never hit, squirt water, shake the cage or use an air can!
Covering the bird will only add to his frustration.
Be patient and wait it out, he will stop.
