I have a 4 year old Cockateil and I need help?

Question

I have had my cocktail since he was 2 months old, and he is a very social bird. He is out of his cage all day and only in his cage at night and when I leave the house. For 2 weeks I had my 2 grown children visiting then right after that, for 3 weeks I had my 4 nieces visiting. Now for the past 2 weeks since they have all gone home, my bird has done nothing but squawk all day long. I have tried to ignore him, I have tried putting him in his cage for a time out. I have given him extra attention, but nothing seems to work. Please can anyone help and tell me what I can try next. I am at the end of my rope...But I love my bird I would never think of giving him away so that is not an option. Thanks

Answer 1

You need to get this turned around before it becomes a habit :-)

Don't respond to the screaming.  I know it's difficult but try very hard to ignore it.  Teach him instead to whistle or make some other soft call for your attention.  When he does, immediately praise him and give him a tiny treat.  Only respond to the whistle or soft call.  

The next time you hear him screaming from another room, call back softly that yes, you hear him.  Then make the call you're trying to teach him.  If he responds with an acceptable call, break your neck getting in there to tell him how wonderful and good he is.  If he screams, ignore him.

Birds are very intelligent.  If he gets it in his head that screaming will produce results (you come running), the screaming will become ingrained.  

If you think he may lack stimulation now that everyone has gone, turn on a television set in his room; give him a bunch of new toys; sing to him!  You want to make his life enriching and rewarding (and your life quieter).

"Time Out" rarely works.  The bird screams.  By the time you go over and retrieve the bird, walk down the hall, step over the dog, and go through two more rooms to deposit the bird in his cage - he has absolutely no clue what is happening.  He'll never connect the "Time Out" with the fact that he screamed two minutes ago.

Hope this helps.

Colette

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Parro...

Answer 2

He has probably enjoyed the extra attention given by your visitors,

Try a different toy something unusual this may return him to his old self.