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Scream Time
Excessive screaming is a learned
behavior that we teach our birds. Covering your feathered companion with a
blanket, teaches him or her that you will cover the cage when scream gets out of
hand.
Yelling at a screaming parrot,
gives the parrot the attention it seeks. Ignoring a screaming parrot is not the
answer either. Ignoring bird’s screams could result in finding injuries too late
(or water had run out). Options are to make sure all your Psittacines needs are
satisfied. Large hygienic cage, clean water, fresh food, working toys. Twelve
hours of sleep (uninterrupted), soft wood and other materials to chew, and
plenty of exercise.
Start with a signal to stop loud
parrots. Ring a cowbell in the room next to the screaming bird. They hear the
bell, they stop to listen, Show up from the other room while they are quiet to
praise and reward. Set them up to succeed. Use a time when you know they are
quite loud. Distract them with a new noise in the next room. As soon as they
stop to listen, appear and praise.
Lengthen the time between the
signal and your appearance each time. Try and take a whole day at first and
only work with the parrot and the screaming. Initial rewards should be
substantial, a known favorite treat. Use the same signal just before
feeding fresh food. Wait until the parrot is noisy, give the signal, praise,
and feed.
Not all parrots will quiet down
for the same signal so you may have to try several noises before finding the one
that works for you.
Note: Do not use your voice.
They may try to mimic you.
Scream time is a time during
the day that you allow your parrots to be noisy. This should be given somewhere
between 3p.m. and 7p.m. each day. Encourage your parrots by playing stimulating
music. Dance, sing or scream along with them. Scream time should last no less
than 15minutes and no more than 1/2 hour each day.
Some parrots enjoy screaming to
the vacuum, this is fine to encourage but play music as well. Find music that
your parrot gets excited over. Use that same song every day for scream time.
Change the music from time to time but be consistent overall. When Scream time
is over, lower the music volume Talk your parrot down. Lower the music
slowly, turn it off, and play their relaxation code music. Give them
afternoon snacks when “cool down” is over.
Birds will wait for their
"Scream Time” because they know they will be rewarded for their patience.
Courtesy,
Michelle
Karras
The Polite Parrot
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