Cockatiel Screaming Problems?
Stop Your Cockatiel Screaming
A screaming cockatiel can be a problem at one point or another for its owner.
Cockatiels scream because of boredom and frustration. Sometimes the screaming is negatively reinforced by the cockatiel’s owner by paying attention to the screaming. This is actually a reward that reinforces the cockatiel’s behavior.
Cockatiel screaming is a learned behavior, and there is no magic cure for it. This is a behavior that only the proper discipline and altering the owner’s behavior patterns will fix, but just as it took time to create this behavior, it will take time to correct it.
The first thing that you want to make sure of is that your cockatiel knows the “step up” command. Be sure that your cockatiel knows the “step up” command and “walking up the ladder” exercise.
These are very important lessons that are very helpful in training as they show your bird that you are the leader of the flock. Keep in mind that status is everything in the world of a bird, and once you have established that you are the leader of the flock, getting your cockatiel to do what you want it to do will be much easier.
You need to have an established routine with your bird. Birds do not like spontaneity. They like their lives to be predictable and they like a set routine. If there is a lot of activity in your house, this will make your bird insecure and nervous and your cockatiel will start screaming.
Some people will throw a cover over the cage of a screaming cockatiel, but this should be done quickly and quietly as possible. Do not make a big fuss while you are doing this. If you yell at the bird while doing this, the bird takes this as a reward, and it will reinforce the cockatiel screaming. As soon as the bird is quiet, take the cover off. If you leave it on, the birds will not associate the cage being covered to its screaming.
If your bird sees you as its mate, it may scream when you are out of the room. It is trying to keep track of you and make sure that nothing has gotten you. If you have a cockatiel screaming for this reason, be sure to call back to the cockatiel to let him/her know that nothing has gotten you.
Many times, cockatiels get loud, but they are not screaming, although it may seem like the cockatiel is screaming. A cockatiel will greet the sunrise and sunset with quite a bit of energy. This is just showing the world that life is great and the cockatiel is happy.
A cockatiel will also make noise if you walk in from going to work or running errands. This is not necessarily screaming, it is just sounds of happiness. This is especially true if your cockatiel thinks of you as its mate.
Some people that have a screaming cockatiel think that it helps to get a second cockatiel, however, if you have inadvertently taught your first cockatiel to scream, then the new one will learn this unacceptable behavior. The best thing to do is to get the problem of screaming from you first bird under control before bringing another bird into your home to avoid having two cockatiels screaming.
I hope this article was useful to you. I recommend you to check the following site for parrot training and taming tips:
The Parrot Training and Taming Blog
Also, right now, there are free copies of the 3-day parrot training and taming course being given away at the above site so make sure to check it out.
