How to Control Bird Squawking
All pet birds squawk and scream to some degree, with the exception of songbirds. Habitual, constant screaming, however, is not normal. If your bird squawks and screams all day or seemingly for no reason, behavior modification may help. It is also critical that you provide your bird with plenty of attention and enrichment. A bored bird is a loud bird.
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Instructions
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Eliminate health problems as a cause of squawking by visiting a qualified avian veterinarian. Your veterinarian should evaluate your bird for any health issues that could cause pain and distress leading to excessive vocalization.
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Modify your bird's lifestyle to avoid anything that might stress or frighten him, such as loud noises or cats staring at him. Try moving his cage into a room with few or no windows in order to prevent him from becoming frightened by people and animals seen through a window.
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Begin modifying the squawking behavior by ignoring your bird when she makes noise. Don't respond at all, even by leaving the room. Sit right down where you are and ignore the bird completely until she is quiet.
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Reward quiet behavior with treats and attention. Offer a favorite toy for interactive play. Avoid enthusiastic verbal praise, as this may encourage your bird to join in by making some more noise of his own.
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Give your bird daily noise-making opportunities that are safe and acceptable. Some bird owners shower with their birds and encourage singing and shrieking on cue in the shower. Don't pay attention to a noisy bird that has not been cued to make noise. Cue noise-making by singing yourself, playing loud music or by using a verbal cue like, "Sing, Polly!"
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Practice clicker training with your bird every day for at least 15 minutes. Teaching tricks and learned behaviors to your bird will encourage her to use a variety of behaviors other than squawking to get your attention when she is bored or lonely.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider hiring an animal behaviorist who specializes in birds. The behavior of birds is highly complex, meaning behavior problems often involve so many triggers and stressors that a professional's help is needed in order to make changes that eliminate problem behaviors. If your bird is screaming while you are away from home and bothering the neighbors, experiment with leaving the television or radio on to stave off birdie boredom. Prevent excessive vocalization in any new birds brought into the home by rewarding quiet behavior and ignoring loud behavior from day one, even with young birds who don't yet scream and squawk.
Never hit a bird, shout at a bird or throw things at the bird's cage. Punishment will always, without exception, worsen bad behavior in birds. Avoid apartment living with birds. What a parrot considers a normal noise level will likely drive sedate neighbors up a wall. If you can't tolerate your bird's noise, please do not harm the bird or let it go. Instead, find a local bird rescue and relinquish the bird to find a new home.
