Comments on: Parrot Screaming Training DVD Release

By: Diane

Diane — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:42:03 +0000

Hi Chet, I have a Quaker and he screams if I’m not paying him one-on-one attention or if I leave the room he is in. He only started doing this recently. I’ve had him for 3 years. Help! Thanks!

By: Mary

Mary — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 03:52:51 +0000

Just a quick note to let you know that I’ve done a pretty good job of winning over my abused and neglected Meyers Parrot, as well as teaching him some new annoying habits. When I got him in December, he was afraid to come out of his cage and was constantly biting (hard enough to draw blood!). Now I can open the door and tell him “come to Mama” and he practically runs out of his cage. He’s only bitten a couple times in the last month and is much more comfortable in his new environment. Unfortunately, he is so attached to me, that he’s started screaming whenever I leave his sight. I am currently working on replacing the screaming behavior with more acceptable interactions. He’s learning lots of new sounds and often goes through his whole repertoire before he resorts to screaming. I try to ignore the screaming and reward him for more pleasant sounds.
Your newsletters have been very helpful in giving me insight as to why birds behave as they do. I have never owned a bird before, so I was somewhat puzzled by their actions. I’ve had behavior modification training, but it only helps when you have a clue about why the behavior is taking place originally. I have learned to watch his body language much more, and can now recognize things I’m doing that scare or annoy him. Thank you for your help in improving the relationship between Kiwi and I.
I truly love this Bird!

By: Tracie

Tracie — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:38:32 +0000

Hi Chet,

Our Green Cheeks scream loud and continuously on 3 occasions:

1) When someone who has been in the room leaves the room and they know they are still in the house. (They can see outside where the vehicles are parked.)

2) When either my husband or daughter come in to sit and talk to me for more than a few seconds or I am on the phone for a while. As long as we are having a conversation, they will scream. They are only 5 feet from me and my desk faces the cage. (Covering them does not make any difference. When having a serious conversation, holding them is not an option.)

3) While eating, they will scream for whatever we have, even though we have already shared. They want to keep eating what we are eating as long as we are eating.

By: Debbie

Debbie — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:42:00 +0000

My Blue & Gold Macaw - Jonah - goes crazy sometimes when the telephone rings and I answer it - he will continue to scream as long as he hears me talking - this does not happen ALL the time just periodically…and it does not have to be that is talking on the phone - whoever answers it!

Jonah is 5 years old…

By: Ralph Walter

Ralph Walter — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:44:48 +0000

Ernie screams at very specific times and for very specific reasons.

In the morning, when the sun is shining brightly, ans is warm on his body, he will scream for joy about 4 or 5 times.

If a stranger walks into the yard, be it dog, cat or human, Ernie will scream a warning - a much louder and aggressive sound - once every few seconds until someone tells him to “stand down”.

At night, Ernis does “big wings”, a ritual flocking activity (we all flap our wings and yell in unison) that signifies all the birds are in for the night.

If he persists in screaming we simply tell him ” the babies are sleeping”

In short we don’t really have a screaming problem with Ernie.

Ralph

By: Denise

Denise — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:35:04 +0000

hi Chet,
My Quaker screams when ever my adult son is anywhere around or if she even hears him open his bedroom door. He’s tried everything to get her to like him.
We stay at camp during the summer and I have to keep her in the bedroom because she screams so bad. I bring her out so she can spend time with me but have to keep her cage in there. I started out hanging it in the middle of the camper and if anyone at all came into our site she would scream non stop. Covering her cage or if I hold her are the only things that get her to stop. I don’t want to reward her for negative behavior though. (except in a case where she’s scared during a gathering).
She’s pretty much just my bird anyway. She’s only let one other person hold her, even my husband can’t hold her anymore without getting bitten. I can do anything with her though.
thanks!
Denise

By: Kristina

Kristina — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:51:30 +0000

I have a cockatiel that lost his mate and screams constantly for her. He sings and talks in between screaming, and if we sing or whistle back while he is talking or whistling, he’ll keep talking and whistling. But we can’t talk to him all day long! Ignoring his screams have not worked. The only thing that does work is covering him up, which I hate to do. And as soon as we remove the cover, he starts right back up again. I feel so bad for him and we tried to get him a mate, but he has completely ignored her while they are out of their cages. (She is in a separate cage until if/when they get along or bond.)

Is there anything else we can try?

By: Sharlene A Wade

Sharlene A Wade — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:00:09 +0000

I have several screamers.. because I use to rescue .. My Umbrella Cockatoo barks like a dog when ever we leave the room, my too macaws just scream bloody murder when you leave the room.. and two of my amazons scream too… one says “drink of water” constantly and the other one just yells…

By: Rosemarie

Rosemarie — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:15:52 +0000

Hi Chet,
My mom’s Redcapped Amazon is over 35y/o. She came to live in my home with my mom and slowly has become attached to me as I am the main caregiver.
As soon as she hears any noises in the morning, she starts to squawk, so I try and tiptow around as long as possible. Then I go and uncover, feed, change and take her out until I’m ready to go to work. This usually means, she is in the shower with me and going between the bathroom, living room and kitchen until I put her back in her cage and say, “goodbye and have a nice day.” If for any reason I don’t leave immediately after that, she will start her squacking incediuoulsly. If I am home all day on weekends, she continuously squacks until I bring her out and keep her with me. I’ve tried covering the cage, having lots of play toys, variety of foods and on and on. The same happens when I return from work.
I’m currently looking for the manzanita branch (as I can’t afford the one you mention) to see if this might help. Although, I remember she did have one years ago.
Any other suggestions will be valuable to me. Thanks again for all you do to help us featherless lovers of the feathered ones.

By: Deb

Deb — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:31:47 +0000

I have a blue and gold macaw that screams every time i talk to the dog or pick her up. I can sit on the couch and pet her and he screams bloody murder. He gets attention too. I cant cover him because he has a T stand for a cage. Any ideas?

By: Michael Picard

Michael Picard — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:32:40 +0000

Hi, just a quick note concerning the screaming issue. I have a “second hand” medium sulpher crested cockatoo. Casey is 12 years old and we have had her for 4 years.
Casey will scream not stop whenever she is “locked” in her cage after wandering around looking for trouble. This is a way for her to “puinish” us for her incarceration. If my 15 year old son is home and she knows it, she will scream until he acknowledges her. Then she will scream if he is in the same room as her and she is stuck inher cage. BTW if my scarlet macaw Chase hears her from the room next to her, he will keep saying “shut up” until she does.
Sometimes she will scream whenever she needs more food, but I wait till she stops and then I will check to see if that is the issue.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:42:49 +0000

I have a 9 year old cockatiel (also afraid of hands, except mine). I am the only one he lets touch and pet him, he likes everybody and wants to go to everybody, just not their hands.
My real problem is with contact calling. The second I am out of his sight he seems to panic. Screaming and screaming. Not only is it very annoying, I am concerned about him being so panicked like I will never return. And I feel so guilty. I try to ignore it as much as possible and wait until he is quiet to return, But after 9 years, nothing has worked. That’s about it. Best of luck.
Melissa

By: Fran Bennett

Fran Bennett — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:48:32 +0000

I have two Eclectus parrots, one male and one female only 6 months difference in age. They are both 8 to 8 1/2 yrs old. They are jealous of each other and there is only one of me. The male will scream ‘lightly’ to let me know the female has left the room. (Yes they are wanting to mate but not each other…oh my)

Also, the female is quite mute as she resented the male’s presence in the first place. The male has a great vocabulary and sense of humor, however, anything that startles him will set off the ear-piercing screech. A door bell ring, the new telephone ringer (we’re working on this), if I walk in the room and he’s busy then realizes I’m there it startles him and he screeches a few times.

If the attic stairs come down (they squeak too) then he gets set off as they are near his cage. These are seldom and random but he does screech at the ceiling fan when the sun hits it as we are in a loft room and the ceiling fan is really high - 2 stories. It kind of creates an annoying strobe effect and I have to agree with him, it’s irritating.

Other than basic startling sounds, he’s quite good. He’s second hand and very afraid of baseball hats. I think someone must have scared or hurt him once while wearing a baseball hat. He will screech at those no matter if he likes the person.

He’s also beautiful, loving, happy, singing, very vocal and best friends with his rope perch!! The little female only ‘clucks’ hello, goodbye, kiss, I love you. They are my family and I love them, time-outs and all.
Fran

By: Will

Will — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:49:30 +0000

Maxine is a seventeen year old Severe Macaw. I rescued her seven years ago from a very severely neglected situation. I am sure she was abused by her first owner. We are her fourth family. I was always able to handle her but it took almost three years to fully gain her trust. She worked with me only and hated my wife.

A year ago she changed alliances, completely,from me to my wife. Since then, Max screams where ever she can see my wife untill she picks her up. Max won’t let me pick her up anymore

We have tried severl different approches to stop this but none have worked.

By: Sandi

Sandi — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:55:13 +0000

Chet,

My African Grey “Nichi” is about 6 years old and doesn’t really have a probelm with screaming per say. He does however like to make this one particular high pitched “beep” noise. It sounds like a beep from the microwave. Annoying as the beep may be, it was very useful when he accidently flew away.
Miraculously, I found him because of that annoying beep. He’s shy to talk when strangers are around or when he is in an unfamiliar enviroment. He flew away on a Friday afternoon, and I spent all day in the rain with my husband looking for him until it was just to dark to look any longer. I had taken him 3 weeks prior to have his wings clipped to avoid this problem in the first place. Unfortunately, they did not do that great of a job as he flew away with no problem at all. I saw him fly and ran out the door after him, and he was gone. I couldn’t believe it.
The next morning I went out right when the sun was coming up. During the quietest time of the day for where I live. With the cars and the rain and the kids in the neighborhood making alot of noise, it made it hard to hear. After hours of looking I heard that beep. The beep he makes when he’s calling me when I’m out of the room. I was like, I know that annoying beep, that’s Nichi. Sure enough, there he was on top of roof two stories high. Unfortunately, while trying to get him down, he flew away. I ran after him, but could not keep up. I live in a community of about 900 homes. He could of landed just about anywhere. I nearly lost my mind thinking that I had lost my only chance at finding him. I continued looking until dark and turned in, cold, exhausted, frusterated, distraught, you name it. At this point he had been in the rain for quite some time and it was probably in the 50s and 40s at night. I knew if I didn’t find him again soon it was going to be too late. I thought about, what if I find him, and he’s so sick that I watch him die regardless. That thought alone made it hard to sleep that night.
The next morning, I got up early again to look. After 4-5 hours, I was just about to go inside to take a break. At this point my husband and I were driving around the neighborhood too tired to walk anymore with the cold, rain and lack of sleep. As we decided to head home, my husband took a right instead of a left, (taking the long route home). That right turn probably saved Nichi’s life and my own from agonizing questions of “where is he?”, “is he safe?”, “is he warm?”, “is he dead”?
It was the beep. I was like “STOP THE CAR”!!!! That’s Nichi. I got out and narrowed it down to two houses. I could hear him and he could hear me. From what I could tell, he was in the backyard of a house that had not been moved into yet. I went to the gate, opened it, and there he was. He looked tired, slightly wet and I’m sure thirsty and hungry. It was Sunday morning, about 2 days since he flew away.
I warmed him up by the fireplace for the radiant heat, gave him fresh water, food, grapes (his fave), and purchased vitamins that disolve in water. I kept him very warm, around 80 degrees at all times, but not over heating him. He never got sick and 6 months later is doing just fine.
Annoying as some of the noises and beeps and screams your birdy might do to drive you crazy, it just might save their life one day. It made it the impossible possible to find Nichi not only once, but twice. Nichi and I were very lucky.
I will admit tho, when he makes that beep, it’s not so annoying anymore. I however do try to make him make another noise when I hear it. So if he beeps, I make meow sound like a cat. He beeps, I meow. Pretty soon, he justs meows.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:05:11 +0000

I have macaws — a lot of different macaws. Most of my guys do NOT like noise, therefore, screaming is not a real issue at my house. Note I said most … I have a Buffons macaw that just loves to scream when I talk on the telephone. He just cannot stand it. I don’t even believe it is attention he wants — he hears me begin a conversation and joins right in. The minute I stop talking, he stops screaming. Gotta love that boy.

By: Yoyo

Yoyo — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:18:03 +0000

I screamed for a whole day once. But I was a baby then and my parents had taken me visit with friends in Toronto for about three days.

When I board at my Vet’s I hear the other parrots talking (screaming) very loudly. I do not imitate them. I am a good bird. I have never repeated this baby episode and I am 15 years old now.

By: Deborah

Deborah — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:31:22 +0000

Dear Mr. Womack,

I have a cockatiel named Sugar that loves to scream. I acquired him as a screamer and he’s much better than when I first got him, but he still screams. My husband thinks that because he lived on a ranch and his cage was outside a lot, it’s possible that he may have been threatened by birds of prey, but we don’t really know. We’re just guessing. He screams for different reasons. Sometimes it’s because he sees my Maximillian Pionus, Michael, doing something that Sugar thinks he shouldn’t be doing, like chewing on the blinds, or maybe Michael got scared and flew down and is walking on the carpet. Sometimes he wants more food, or sometimes Sugar himself got scared and flew down and is walking on the carpet. But, sometimes, Sugar screams for what we think is absolutely no reason at all. We’ll check his cage and see the he has plenty of food, his water is clean, they’re both on or in their cage. The screams are absolutely blood curdling from the top of his lungs, like he’s being maimed or killed or something. He also doesn’t like being touched. We would appreciate any help you could give us. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.

By: Jenifer Mcphee

Jenifer Mcphee — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:14:31 +0000

My umbrella cockatoo, whom I have had for several years and has had several homes screams on and off alot. One week he is perfect, next week hes terrrible. What seems to set him off is as follows: Answering the phone, When I leave for work and put him in his cage. When he is in another room and can hear people. When he hears me come home he screams bloody murder. I also have to keep him on a schedule of attention, if I give him any extra attention he gets confused and its a day of screaming literally then. I have had him 5 years.

By: joseph king

joseph king — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:19:30 +0000

amazon screams when dog barks and keeps on even after dog stops green ringneck screams for no apparent reason and jenday conure screams when hearing any bird chirp

By: Mary

Mary — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:41:34 +0000

My 6-yr-old male Greenwing Macaw will scream in the morning a few harsh times to call me to the room, or to protest if I walk away.

In the afternoon/early evening, the Greenwing will get set off by my 15-year-old rescue Double Yellow Head female, and the 2 of them will get louder and Louder and LOUDER in what seems like a competition to make the most noise (their cages are only a few feet apart—they can see and hear each other just fine). The DYH is actually vocalizing REALLY LOUDLY (i.e., she is going through a whole range of noises and vocabulary), while the GWM just screams one loud blast after another, with no actual “vocalizing”.

By: Julie

Julie — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:43:28 +0000

Hi Chet,

I recently moved into an apartment and just took crystal my yellow amazon with me to let her adjust. A family member has my grey and eclectus. She screams if i am on the phone, if I basically am not paying attention to her. She is smart enought to know she is not supposed to as she says “whisper whisper be very quiet” or there is no fire. I have tried putting her in the shower which she loves, but shes begs for more attention and then screams. I then have to cover her because of apartment life.

I want to bring my other two babies home, but as they talk, and need attention as well, i have to get the attention screaming under control. I as well cannot afford the manzanillo toy. she has plenty of toys, it seems to be attention seeking.

Please help!

By: Nathan Clifton

Nathan Clifton — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:47:41 +0000

Chet,
I don’t think I can be of much help because, I have purchased some of your material and I think its great. I learned a lot. I have changed my attidude and I have allowed my birds to regress as far as human contact with me and have let them going back to be bird relaxed with the other wild birds that I have them all in the same area, and they are feed, watered, healthy with loving care and live in big cages in the Beer Garden. I enjoy them being their natural selves, and to watch them interact with each other. Even the different breeds. Others (14) Happy home

By: Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 02:21:23 +0000

Chet,

I have a 6 year old green-wing macaw who happily plays on her playstand and all of sudden for no reason at all will let out a blood curdling, ear piercing scream. It’s even caused my eardrums to pop on several occasions. This, of course sets of my two sun conures and spectacled amazon and they start screaming. I am extremely concerned because the decibal level increases so much from my green-wing at unexpectant intervals that I worry I am going to lose my hearing.

The macaw also screams bloody murder whenever we come in the door after having been gone for any length of time, even if it’s just to the mailbox and back.

By: Kathryn

Kathryn — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 02:42:11 +0000

Chet,

My Sun Conure will scream whenever he sees me. I don’t think he is really even screaming he just has a VERY loud voice. He seems to be just saying hi, over and over again! My cockatoo screams whenever he wants attention. He also whines to get attention, even when he gets ignored. He also likes to scream when anyone comes to my house. The only thing that will get him to stop is if we take him out of his cage and hold him. If you put him down or back in his cage he will start to scream again or fly around the house until he finds the one person he wants at that moment, usually me or my mother. He will also scream to get my fathers attention if talking to him doesn’t work in about 2 seconds. He is a very sweet bird, he just seems to have a “I’m the center of everyones world” complex. Ignoring him doesn’t work, he just gets worse.

By: Eve

Eve — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 02:58:12 +0000

Our Ernie bird screams when there is tension in the air. Our son-in-law does not like the screaming so of course when he comes over, he is anxious about the bird screaming and we are anxiously hoping that Ernie will not go into a full alarm scream that seems to last forever. It seems to be getting better over time but when he has not been around for awhile, it is just like the first while.
Also Ernie screams when the lady across the road leaves or returns home. They have never met but he screams like he is sounding an alarm.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:09:58 +0000

Every time my red lord amazon see me or heres me he starts creaming.If I should cough at 5am he starts screaming.or If I get up to got to the bathroomin the night.the only way to stop him from screaming is site by his cage and put my hand in the cage when I can not let him out.when im trying to clean he will not shut up at all.I love him but need some help with this!!! Iv tryed other things and they have not helped at all.If you cover his cage it make him yell even more.HELP!!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 05:43:31 +0000

i have a blue and gold macaw called zola. He is almost 5yrs, for the past 2yrs his screaming is becomming out of controll!!! i cant do anything in the house where he can see me, and im not paying him attention: cooking, talking to other people in the house or in generall where he can here me and not see me will set him off. The only time there is no problem is 1st thing in the morning and a night time or i am in the house alone then he is the perfect parrot. can you help.

By: Deborah

Deborah — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 06:06:21 +0000

I have over 100 birds of different kinds…Africa Greys,Lesser Sulfer Crest, Goffin,Green Cheeks,Quakers,Love Birds,Cockatiels,Parrolets,Mustache Pakettes,Finches,Goulians,Sun Conures,and more but the loudest of all is the Goffin Cockatoo. He doesn’t like being alone, and will start by saying hello over and over, when he sees it gets him no attention he will sounds as if he’s crying. If that doesn’t work he screeches very very loud. I’ve tried ignoring him,babying him,giving him treats,moving him to a different room,even put him outside in a very large cage. I love Boomber as much as any of my birds but his screams drives me nuts at times.

By: Alana Fletcher

Alana Fletcher — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 06:08:21 +0000

I live in Australia and every time the white cockatoos fly past, screaming, my alexandrian joins in. He will not stop until they are long gone!

By: Wendy Hyndman

Wendy Hyndman — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 06:38:11 +0000

Hi Chet, I have 3 Indian Ringnecks. My original (& favorite) Darling (latino female). She screams to get up in the morning if she hears me make any sound, & any time of the weekend if she wants to come out of her cage. I work 5 days a week so only hear the screams when I leave & when I come home. If I sit on the couch on weekends watching TV with my partner, she screams for attention & to be let out. Only way to stop her is to either give in or shut the sliding doors so she cannot see me. The other 2 are a blue female, Sweetie, who was found as a young bird near death with other wild birds & given to me. She has settled in quite well finally but her and Darling dislike each other intensely. It seems to be a jealousy thing over me. The 3rd is a young blue male, Misty, who I bought as a mate for Darling. He seems to be too young still & can’t seem to make up his mind which of the 2 ladies he prefers, even though he is only in a cage with Darling. When they are all let out it is delightful to have them swooping around the house yelling at each other & having fun. It makes for a few ducking & weaving moments for us humans so that we don’t get bowled over. The birds seem to love to scare the whoopsy out of us with their dive bombing. All in all, screaming isn’t as much of a problem as we first imagined. Sometimes it gets the better of us & closing the doors seems to make them realise we have had enough. My main problem at present is Misty’s bad habit of chewing everything in sight but I am hoping he will grow out of this as the other 2 have done. Thanks, Cheers, Wendy

By: Terry

Terry — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 06:39:41 +0000

Hi Chet,
I have 6 conures (3 suns, 2 green-cheeks, and 1 nanday) that range in age from 3 years to 17 years, all have their very own cage. All are very loving and good natured birds that get lots of attention, healthy food, regular baths, and fun toys. One of the suns is an attention HOG! (he is 16 years old and we adopted him about two years ago from a neglectful home). He will scream until it is his turn to be held and played with, and when I do hold him to play he will scream if I say or give any attention to any of the other birds (or humans for that matter!) Sometimes he will sit nicely with me and just start to scream for no reason.
Also, one of my green-cheeks cannot stand it if he doesn’t constantly see the other green-cheek (FYI all of our birds are pets only, I don’t allow any of them to mate. Both green cheeks are 3 years old and they will fluff up and try to bite each other if they happen to get too close together). He will scream “Pretty Baby” at the top of his little lungs until he sees her again. Sometimes when my husband or I leave the room he will scream “Pretty Baby” for us until we come back as well. We love all of our birds and want them to be happy. We need to know what they are trying to tell us by screaming like they do. Thanks!

By: Sharon

Sharon — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 06:52:02 +0000

My short billed-corella has taking a new habit to screeching like th children do when they are fighting with each other he is doing this the moment they walk in of an afternoon and after they go to bed. He gets wrost and louder if you cover his cage. HELP between the kids and himi dont want to lose either but i cant wear ear plugs forever..

By: Joan Lane

Joan Lane — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:22:13 +0000

I have a breeding pair of B&G macaws kept in an indoor/outdoor aviary. They scream at dawn and dusk but by ‘putting them to bed’ before the light changes I have managed to stop this behaviour. They also scream when they play and squabble with each other, when they want attention or meal times are delayed! They are very well behaved really.
I would be interested to know how to bring up their babies (who are mainly parent reared) so that they don’t develop a screaming habit.
Many thanks for all you helpful advise - it has been invaluable. Keep up the good work

By: Sandra

Sandra — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:33:01 +0000

I have two rainbow lorikeets. One was a still pinfeathered foundling blown from a nest. I had to spoon feed him. (Archimedes) He was loving and sweet…. until (you knew that was coming) I got a call from our vet about 6 months later, saying they had an injured rainbow lorikeet. Broken leg. This one was an adult.

I brought it home, housed it in a separate cage. This poor thing would just screech and screech and screech if you even looked at it. So, I wound the clock back, and put some dark cloth over 3 of the sides of the cage, leaving the front uncovered, making a ‘nest’. This seemed to comfort the bird (Eileen), and it would only screech once in a while when someone walked by.

Archimedes went ‘mean’ afterwards, biting and drawing blood, but I can still handle him. I did use your training package to help with them both, especially Eileen.

But now, Eileen screams…. repetitive over and over. Imagine a dog barking non-stop for 20 minutes, and that is what is going on. Doesn’t matter if the cage is covered, or uncovered. Toys, cage trundled outside for some fresh air, water to take a bath, company, some fruit to have at, nothing stop the barking screaming .

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:40:36 +0000

I have a male Hahns Macaw, a female Cockatiel and a male Cockatiel. The male Cockatiel seems to be in a constant testosterone rage! I had him injected by an avian vet once with Tardak I think, to reduce his aggression. It only helped marginally and didn’t last for long. Sometimes he just screams and screams for seemingly no apparent reason, whether he’s in the cage or not. I’ve had to resort to putting them in another room when I’m home, but this does not stop him. He will scream for hours! I’m worried also that he’s stressing himself out and wonder what else I can do. I’ve also tried Rescue Remedy (Bach flowers) in the water, and calcuim supplement. He seems to settle down more in the evening, probably out of tiredness!
“H-E-L-PPPP!!”

By: lyn jordan

lyn jordan — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:50:04 +0000

i have an alexandrine she screams when i’m in the kitchen,when she is sitting right next to me, even when she is on my shoulder. It used to be when i left the room but now it’s any time she feels likes it.She is three years old if this helps.

By: Odette

Odette — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:19:08 +0000

I have a green indian ringneck, who screams continuously, I’ve tried ignoring him, but that doesn’t work, I hate to cover him and soon realised that even covering him doesn’t work. He is 5 years old, I even tried to get him a friend, she is a blue ringneck and only 6 months, he fed her when we got her, but now she attacks him. I normally splash him with water, and the screaming goes quiet, as he wanted a bath, but is to spoilt to bath himself.

By: maurice

maurice — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:26:06 +0000

My cockatiel does not scream. He just does a wolf whistle, whistles the song ‘Road to Gundagai’ and his own wild whistle type song. I think I could train him to climb on my hand if I could find a ‘treat’. He is not greatly interested in sunflower seeds unfortunately.

By: Sue

Sue — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:26:11 +0000

I have had in my time all kinds of birds from finches to my last bird who was a cute alexanderian, but nothing prepared me for the african grey I have now. dont get me wrong hes cute, cuddly, talks really well and likes kisses. I took over the hand rearing when he was very small and Ive had him for 4 years. Hes great when my husband and my kids are in the house but when Im on my own he screeches and screams all the time, It doesnt matter how much attention I give him he will just screech in my face. Ive been told to ignore him too when he starts as I could just reinforce bad behaviour but nothing works and after 4-6 hrs your ears hurt and you start to loose your sanity, Ive even tried going around with ear plugs or head phones on to block him out but hes just too loud, he has a cage full of toys and gadgets but still he screams. I love him and wouldnt want to loose him and if he talked or sang all day it would bother me at all but with the screaming and screeching I feel I am unable to spend much time in the house when everyone else is out. If you have a way of stopping that I`d love to hear it.

By: Wynand v Dyk

Wynand v Dyk — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:26:14 +0000

Hi Chet,
We have two Indian Ringneck parakeets. Scrooge we have for three years now and she will scream when we get visitors, obviously jealous for attention and also when we leave the room. She will scream frantically when she see our gardener and also our maid.

The newest addition Polly - not used to being handled will scream for attention but do not like to be touched.

We keep the two birds in seperate cages.

Regards

Wynand

By: TANJA

TANJA — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:27:14 +0000

I have a green cheek conure, he is 2 years old and he screems sometimes when I walk into the room where his cage is (sort of in the middle of the day. Then he also screems when my two daughters are raising their voices against eachother. This started around 6 months ago. It is not that bad at the moment, but I guess could get worse…

By: elizabeth

elizabeth — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:43:32 +0000

we have a black headed caique , jake the caique and he screems continually

By: Tina

Tina — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:45:45 +0000

Hi. My Gang Gang Cockatoo screams (if you can call a Gang Gang call that -it’s more of an old grumpy man grumble, but loud!) when I put him outside in the morning and he knows I am still home. He also does it lately (I presume) as soon as he hears the garage door open. He has also started doing it when I leave the room, even though I ignore this behaviour and don’t talk back. He is bonded to me and is being really naughty and biting anybody else who tries to talk to him. Thanks!

By: Ann Zachary

Ann Zachary — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:53:23 +0000

I have a Goffin Cockatoo. His screaming is horriable, when my friends come to visit he screams the entire time they are here, now no one comes and if they are brave enough to have to put babe in the laundry room and thier vists are very short. Babe also screams when ever I leave the house or if I pick up my keys even to move them. My neighbors joke that he alerts everyone that I’ve left. Nothing works it would be nice if you could help me and others.
Thanks for the oppertunity to correct this.

By: nancd777

nancd777 — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:57:29 +0000

Thanks for offering this help. I have a rescued Double yellowheaded Amazon. She was badly poked, teased and abused. She has a huge vocabulary but at times will stand at the bottom of her cage, whirl around and scream at some imaginary torture behind her. Then she will whip around to the other side and scream again. This goes on for some time..almost psychotic. Of course, the poor dear bites and lunges at the cage any time I come near to feed etc. She’s been with us for about 8 months now and lives close to two other orange wings. They all get along very well and I feel the socialization is helping and she will come out of her cage now and go back in when I feed her….as long as I am careful and move slow while telling her what I’m doing, she will not scream or lunge. We have many birds in the aviary so as you can imagine, the noise level is high. Thanks again.

By: Sandra

Sandra — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:58:39 +0000

I have a 3 year old male Hahn’s macaw. His noise may not be considered “screaming” per se but it is his little version of it. He does not like any change in his environment whatsoever. No new toys can be put IN or taken OUT of his cage and if you bring a foreign object into the room he starts squawking. EEEK EEEK, EEEK EEEK. This can go on for over an hour and I just ignore it but my husband loses his cool and yells shut up Gizmo alot. I often give him a popsicle stick to chew up as I do not want to use food to keep him quiet. I really want to get to the root of this as I want to address the CAUSE as much as possible and not just the noise. He does this for no apparent reason sometimes as well. I have 3 other birds and no one has any issues yet.,not even my Cockatoo.

By: Caralyn Streamer

Caralyn Streamer — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:00:05 +0000

My lesser-sulpher crested cockatoo, Sunshine is pretty good as far as screaming is concerned - except when he sees my sister. He screams blue murder from the minute she comes through the door until she leaves. Very often we go out and I can only think he knows she is going to take me away from him for a while but he doesn’t seem to do it with other people. Apart from that he does the usual screaming when I leave the room but he knows I’m still around but usually only for a few minutes. So any help in making my sister less of an issue?

By: Shannon MacPhail

Shannon MacPhail — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:00:50 +0000

My Blue & Gold Macaw sounds like most of these other birds. He screams when I am in the kitchen and I take out one of his favorites ie.peanut butter,crackers. Also @ mealtime even after we have shared. I took your advice and only award when he is good(he will say “give me a kiss”when he wants a treat. One problem I have is when I iron or fold clothes within his sight. He for some reason hates this and screams to let me know it!!!!

By: Evelyn

Evelyn — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:20:54 +0000

My Sun Conure - Go Go, ‘hates’ me to talk or for anyone else to enter the room and walk by me, even when I’m holding him. He will scream and bite me.

My Cockatoo - Ivy, doesn’t scream often but will just suddenly start screaming when she is on her cage and looking out the window (I tried moving her cage but she started plucking feathers)

My Greenwing Macaw will scream when it is time for me to come home (that’s according to my Mom & husband) and when I first get home if I don’t respond to taking him out of his cage for dinner right away.

By: Nee,nee

Nee,nee — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:34:56 +0000

Chet, funny you mentioned the screaming now-as we have a Calico Macaw who is 3 years old and an African Grey that is 1 year old, both do the screaming when we leave by the front door to go anywhere, but what is going on now is where we need the help, my Husbands parents are not doing well, so my Husband has been going over and spending 3-4 days at a time, when he leaves Angelica (Calico Macaw) starts screaming for “D_A_D_D_Y”, then its “hey Dad”-alittle more quiet but over and over, then its the ear deafening Macaw scream, and when she starts that scream, our baby Bella Donna- (African Grey) starts screaming the Macaw scream she has mastered so well! This goes on for about an hour or so, until they both realize that Dad didn’t come back, and that they didn’t get any attention. “But an hour or so is TOO long-H-E-L-P M-E P-L-E-A-S-E” Thanks, Nee,nee

By: Kisayne

Kisayne — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:37:46 +0000

Every morning when I leave the house to take my son to school my two green winged macaws (according to my daughter) scream blue murder until I return. This sets off the dog howling as well. Other incidents of screaming are when aircraft fly overhead, or sea gulls, or there are children screaming on the playing field; but the worst
is when we leave the house in the morning.

My neighbors as you can imagine love me to bits, and I suspect have tried to ’spook’ my macaws on several occasions. Flash and Punch (the 2 GWM) are 16 years old and have lived in Zimbabwe,South Africa and now the UK. They are well traveled. We used to let them fly about in Africa - but cannot do this in the UK.

By: K

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:44:50 +0000

Howdy, just wanted to let you know I’ve come to realize and accept the fact that my Senegal parrot hates me. He loves my husband and my girlfriend but when I come in the room the feathers on his head stands straight up and he’ll even bite him if I stick around. He even waits for me to get right beside his cage as I walk by and screams this high pitch right to the middle of your brain kinda scream right in my ear - waiting for perfect timing. He’ll even wait for me to get too close as I walk by and stretch that beak as far as he can to take a chunk of what ever he can get ahold of outta me. Bites at me when I feed him, if he can’t get me he’ll bite the bowl real hard twisting it trying to get me to spill it. I’ll set here at the computer and he’ll come to the back of his cage and stare me down thru the banister and just keep screaming this same pitch but real long and drawn out like he truely just wanting me to go nuts. I ignore him and then go cover him up before it’s over, sometimes that don’t do it either. He won’t attack me though if I get in his cage to clean his grate or arrange his toys and it amazes me everytime, He will try and get me while I open his door to his cage though, but once in he usually goes up in the back corner and watches me (he will now cause I’m braggin huh hee hee) but I’m tellin him the whole time Alex ya better not bite me, it only works when I’m in his cage though. He even attacks at me when I give him his treats I just have to put them in his bowl and leave then he’ll eat, only once in awhile take it right out of my hand. I know what happened and It’s my fault but the pain was awful, he was about 6 months old and I was holding him low like your suppose to, like to my lap setting on the couch, he was nice before then so I always held and loved on him - not having hormones yet I’m guessing. Well he got them this night, he haunched way backwards and with all his force launched at me 3 times quick as a whip bite completely thru my bottom lip in two places and one about 1/2 way. I was hurting so bad I couldn’t see straight. I made it up on my feet, blood gushin everywhere and as he’s eating me alive I got to his cage and just threw him into it to get him off me. It was terrible pain and I didn’t mean to toss him like I did but let me tell ya he remembered it and has hated me every since with a passion. I’d let him out after that and just let him walk around on his cage I think he purposely flew off thinkin he’d lure me in like he’d look at me then look where he always ended up flyin then back at me and off he’d go. Huh I’d get him up with the broom handle and he’d be trying to bite thru it as he’d make his way up the handle towards me. He’s ancient now this was back in 1992 when I got him. We almost lost him to a bird diabetes I believe it was here awhile back but have a smart vet cause he pulled him out of it. He said he was really old. I never knew that, I thought they lived a longer time but needless to say I have to accept he will not ever like me. I know they’ll pick out one person to like (now). I paid 850.00 for a 200.00 bird thinkin at the time. a petland bird being around people like they are and from petland itself would make a difference and if he ever did bite he certainly couldn’t get me like that blue n gold did. huh don’t fool yourself guys that don’t work. The longer I had him the more I learn how truely dumb I really was for thinkin such things. The reason I had bought him was because we found a ad for a blue and gold said he was really a super sweet bird kinda thing we went clear up north to see him. We got there and he was nice letting me scratch his belly bein all friendly, then he got me by my finger and slowly but surely kept putting pressure so hard finally he had me off the couch and on my knees on the floor. I know he was just testing me but he had me good. I was telling my husband to get him off me he’s gona take my finger off. By the time it was over I was ready to throttle him. I t took 10 minutes to get him to let me go. I really thought my finger was gone. My husband sayin there not gona let you take this bird home. I’m crying tellin him it isn’t ever going home with me. Then he got up on ron and climbed right up on his shoulder and grabbed him by the ear immediately and he knew how I felt, then ate the snap of his coat. On our way out the door the woman that had him was cringing throwing her head back in pain trying not to let me see he was doing the same thing to her. So thats when on my way home I decided the little apartment bird they call the senegal parrot was the one I wanted. We’d seen him at the pet shop before going to see the blue and gold and I went right back there and got him. I’m sure it all had to do with that night he had got me in the lip & whatever I done that made him so mad to do that to me and continue it for this many years. My mom and dad are brave enough to scratch his head but even they gotta be careful cause he’ll play possum bein all nice and then sneak attack them real quick like. He thinks he’s a hoot cause he’ll laugh, like truely chuckle at me after he gets me. I don’t think it’ll ever get better between me and him. I just want him happy bein in his old years now so keep toys for him and let my husband do the playin with him. I just stay in another room while he does is all. I don’t know if this will help your trianing video but I know it has to sound like one funny made up story but believe me when I say It’s oh so true.

By: Karen

Karen — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:04:02 +0000

Hi Chet, my Blue & Gold Macaw screams when he sees us eat anything! That includes sitting down for our meals and sneaking a snack from the fridge or pantry (he can see most of the open-plan kitchen from his cage in the lounge).
I know it’s because he “want’s some”, but I can’t give him something every time… (or should I??).
Love your letters, training videos/DVD’s, etc.! You’ve got the knack!
Regards
Karen
Johannesburg, South Africa

By: Peggy

Peggy — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:15:59 +0000

My sun conure screams when I leave the house for too long. She makes a flock call to bring me home. It is a problem for the neighbors, I’m sad to say. She also screams when I have people over and she wants to be part of the group but can’t. (Her cage if full of toys and foraging places, by the way). She screams to wake me in the morning, regardless of when I go to bed. She can be a telephone and leave-the-room screamer, but that’s been easy to correct.

By: Joan Paprocki

Joan Paprocki — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:20:59 +0000

Hi Chet!
I acquired a 20 year old yellow front amazon from a friend who had the bird the entire 20 years. CharleyBird hates women (me included) but sort of likes my husband. He was owned by a man. We’ve had CharleyBird since Thanksgiving. He was pretty good at first until he realized his previous owner was not coming back. He has fallen in “love” with my macaw Zoe. He is insanely jealous of Zoe (she loves me) and will HONK just like a blow horn every time I talk or play with Zoe. He also will HONK non-stop when I am on the phone and in the morning and evenings. He stops if you talk to him, but will continuously lunge at the bars if I get too close. My husband has pretty good luck at handling him, but he’s away at work most of the day. He has an excellent vocabulary, so I don’t get the honking. I know he is going through a period of mourning for his former owner. We can’t give him food treats very much because he is obese and we are trying to get some weight off him. His owner had him on 9 Harrison’s pellets a day and he was starving whe he came to us. He had gone from 750 grams down to 400 grams. He has regained some weight, and is now overwieight again (around 600 grams). He has a big fatty tumor on his thigh. He has been to an avian vet and is otherwise healthy. We feel so bad for the bird. I try to ignore the behavior as much as possible. This bird not only lunges at women but will actually hurl himself off a playstand in full attack mode. He landed on my chest one time and luckily I got him off me before he bit my face. I’ve gotten a few nasty bites from him so I’m pretty careful around him. So we have more issues than just screaming with this bird. I also have 11 smaller parrots, mainly conures, that I have taken in as re-homes, but none with issues this big. They have their own special bird room, so they aren’t around the amazon and macaw. CharleyBird and Zoe are in our dining room/kitchen area where they get alot of attention. I will be interested in hearing your comments. Thanks.

Joan

By: Ritz Henson

Ritz Henson — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:26:03 +0000

Hey Chet, the only time my parrot, Beaureguard, screams is on the rare occasion he thinks he’s not getting his way. We have trained him not to do this for the most part. The thing that worked for us was positive and negative reinforcement. Simply said, when he screams, we either ignore him, or cover him up. When he stops, we uncover and play with him. It didn’t take too long for him to figure out that screaming is a bad thing. He’s a pretty smart fella’ . Thanks for all your tips. Peace, Ritz & Beaureguard (17 year old Congo African Grey)

By: Mr. M

Mr. M — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:28:26 +0000

I have a little parakeet named Pierre but he doesn’t scream. I just wanted to let you know I’m still going to buy your screaming information as the other info you’ve put out is such high quality. I can’t wait to learn more

By: Christine

Christine — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:29:27 +0000

I have a quaker that screams constantly. Especially when he is in the bird room with the other birds. But also when he is outside on the patio, on his playstand and when I leave the room. It is repetitive and loud. If I can’t get it under control, I will have to find another home for him. It is disrupting the household and the other birds.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:43:36 +0000

I have a rescued female Cockatoo, who from day one will scream if left alone. Judging from her reaction to long thing objects (like brooms or brushes) she may have been abused because of the screaming. It can be hilarious when the Scarlet Macaw starts screaming “Shuddup” at her. Structure does not seem to make a difference. She screams even when no one is home. She will stop when people are in sight, or of course, if she is picked up.

By: Sallie

Sallie — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:54:43 +0000

My Sun Conure Princess screams more and more often than the other 2 birds I have. I think she does it because she cannot talk as much as the African Grey and the Eclectus Parrot can. She only says step up that is understandable so she sits there and screams when she wants to be out of her cage or when she knows we have come home to let us know that she is still there. My Grey has learned to say I hear you, and what’s the matter when she is screaming.

By: JoAnne

JoAnne — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:02:11 +0000

I have a Macaw that screams in the early morning hours and then evening hours. My vet says that although it is annoying it is the way they let the other birds that its time to start off the day and time to head back to the tree. She also screams when ever someone sits in my desk chair. She is right next to my desk. She really screams when my husband tries to kiss or hug me in front of her. When the phone rings, dogs bark or the rescue sqads or fire trucks go through. It drives everyone else nuts but I guess even though I would prefer she not scream I have tuned it out as you would a childs temper tantrum.

By: Pamela Clopton

Pamela Clopton — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:05:04 +0000

My African grey never screams, just lives to bite me and anyone he can get. My Blue front amazon only screams when she scratches her head and she only scratches occasionally mostly early evening or when I am on the phone. She is outside the cage most of the day.

By: CONNIE

CONNIE — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:14:08 +0000

GOOD MORNING,
RESPONDING TO YOUR E-MAIL RE SCREAMING EPISODES, MY FEMALE ECLECTUS MAKES THE WORST LOUD PITCH SCREAM WHEN I LEAVE THE ROOM. SHE ALSO CONSTINTLY MAKES A LOW BEEPING SOUNDS.

I HAVE AN AFRICAN GREY WHO HAS STARTED TO PLUCK HIS FEATHERS WHICH IS CAUSING ME ALOT OF STRESS. I’VE TAKEN HIM TO THE BIRD VET WHO ADVISED THAT THESE TYPE OF BIRDS STRESS OUT OVER ANYTHING AND THAT HEALTH WISE HE WAS FINE.

THE AFRICAN GREY WON’T STOP WHISTLING WHEN HE WANTS TO HAVE HIS CAGE UNCOVERED IN THE MORNING AND WHEN HE WANTS TO GO TO BED AT APPROX. 5P. HE WON’T STOP THIS WHISTLING UNTIL HE GETS WHAT HE WANTS.

HELP, WHAT CAN I DO?