what does it mean when a cockatoo screams?

Question

our bird screams wayyyy to much. and its soo annoying. it gives me a headache and it only screams when i have the tv on or womething. what does it mean when they scream alot or at all? he cant even talk yet tho. help me! im going to end up killing this thing... hahaha (just kidding!)

and also, sometime he will kinf of contract himself and just whine... does that mean hes scared or somthing?

Answer 1

I'll tell you what worked for us.

Rio is a Military Macaw, he's almost six and when I got him a few years ago, he was a severe product of his neglectful environment. He had a LOT of issues. Screaming was just one of them.

Find the one thing he loves the most. In my case, it's me. He loves me the most. When he screams, I simply take that away, right away. When he screams, I literally stop whatever it is that I'm doing immediately, and I leave the room for five minutes. Birds HATE it when you turn your back on them. You are part of what they consider their "flock". So, when you turn your back on them, it must mean that they've done something horrible and must correct their ways. This, actually didn't work right away for us, but that's what the 350 dollar a day behavioralist told me to try first.

The second thing we tried, that actually worked, was, the second he starts screaming, cover his cage for five minutes. Don't yell at him, scream at him, don't even talk to him or reason with him. He's there to "calm down". After five minutes of silence, take the cover off the cage and then act like a lunatic: "YAAAAAY!!! GOOOOD BOOOOYYYY!!!! WOOOHOOO!"

Now, his screaming is limited to morning and night. You can't completely eliminate it, because well...it's just who they are. But, I don't do anything about Rio's screaming between 8-9 am and 6-7pm. Those two hours a day are his to be as loud as he wants. And, I'm ok with that.

If you need help, let me know. I just actually got my second macaw, and we're going through the ropes with new baby behaviors. LOL It's kind of cool to be able to go back over all the issues we had with Rio because we already know what works and what doesn't for Katie's sake.

By the way...the turning my back on him thing...that's the most effective way now to get whatever I want out of them. If I turn my back on those two birds, they immediately stop what they're doing and are begging to be petted...

Good luck!

Answer 2

Now, sometimes parrots scream because they are frightened or hurt or lonely or they are baby parrots who have not been weaned properly and are hungry and need more handfeeding. Also, parrots like to scream for fun! A certain amount of vocalizing is normal and just means your cockatoo is happy. Presuming that you bird does not fall into these categories...

Parrots often scream because they are trying to get your attention. What do you do when the bird screams? Do you run over and talk to it? Do you yell at it from across the room? Either of these reactions is reinforcing the behvaior. The bird will learn that when it screams it gets your attention. It does not really care what kind of attention it is, i.e., you cooing over it or yelling at it. Try simply to ignore it when he is screaming. When he is quiet make sure to go over to the bird and give it attention and tell him what a "good bird" he is. It will take time but you can redirect the bird's behavior in this way.

Keep in mind that cockatoos are one of the most sensititve pet birds available. They are very intelligent and absolutely need lots and lots of daily attention and toys to play with. Cockatoos are one of the most challenging pet parrots to own for this reason and are not for everyone. Keep in mind that you are this highly intelligent, social animal's only entertainment.

Answer 3

They are sometimes quite noisey, but they usually have to have a reason. When I had a cockatoo, it was very quiet, even as a baby. If it's just a baby, then it may be lonely. If you have any friends or relatives with a cockatoo, try getting them together (in their own cages, of course, and see how it reacts..good, bad or indifferent.

If all else fails, maybe a trip to the vet is called for. It could have medical issues...or they may be able to suggest something. They'll ask you what type of seed or foods it is injesting and if there could be an excreation problem. Or, if the extreation is too watery and not solid, there could be another type of problem. Sometimes fear can bother them. When he/she starts making a lot of noise, but a cover over the cage and leave it in the dark. Birds like to go to sleep early sometimes and it may not be too happy about the lighting.

Answer 4

The bird probably hates My Super Sweet 16 as much as I do. Try Animal Planet.

Answer 5

Your bird may be defending his territory. Especially if he screams upon hearing the TV, he may be proclaiming "I'm here, this is my territory, no trespassing!" I have heard that, if your bird screams too much, the best thing to do is put him in his cage (if he is not already there) and cover the cage.

Answer 6

he could be wanting attention
birds are ALOT of work
almost if not more than dogs
they need alot of attention

or he could be just screaming like other animals make noises birds do too. he just may be more vocal

Answer 7

It needs attention and you're obviously not giving it enough.

When he does it with the TV on, he is trying to compete with the TV for your attention which it sounds like he desperately needs.

Please spend more time with your bird.

Answer 8

you should probably get ur bird a toy to pull on or you should try buying one of those treats you hang of the cage so ur bird can nibble on it so it wont be screaming and it should also keep it busy! trust me my birds are the SAME WAY!

Answer 9

Stop pulling it's feathers!...lol... well sounds like something it's hearing is bothering it so start paying attention to what sounds are going on when it screams... then AVOID THOSE SOUNDS!

Answer 10

You know how a Dog barks and a Cat meows? Guess what Cockatoo's do?