Typically all cockatoos scream, and it is their natural habit. Their screaming can be unbearable in captivity, and the owner usually wants to stop the cockatoo from screaming. But do you know everything cockatoos do explain something about them. So does their screaming.
Before we proceed to solutions for stopping cockatoos from screaming, you must also understand why your cockatoo screams. Once you identify the reason, you can train him to stop screaming.
Cockatoos can be stopped from screaming by not responding to their screams and keeping them busy. They develop a screaming habit if their screams are responded to. Moreover, keeping them busy helps as they usually scream when bored. Also, interact with them every day to ensure they are not depressed.
Now let’s talk about different ways of stopping cockatoos from screaming.
Ways to stop your cockatoo from screaming
Let’s discuss all the ways that Avians and cockatoo experts recommend for stopping cockatoos from screaming.
Interact More Often
Cockatoos cannot bear separation; they get separation anxiety. Keep your cockatoo close, somewhere you or your family can interact with him most of the day. When you start interacting with your cockatoo, you will observe that he will scream less often.
Place his cage in the most crowded room of your house. Usually, corridor corners and lounges are the best places to keep your cockatoo cage. Whenever you pass by his cage, call his name, whistle, or say something that he responds to.
Hopefully, he won’t feel alone and will stop screaming. Also, note the time when he usually screams; look for reasons for screaming. Probably he screams because of some activity occurring at that time or someone visiting at that time. [1] Make a routine to interact with him at that time.
Establish His Routine
Establish a routine for your cockatoo so that he stays busy all day. Turn the light on and off at a specific time to help him maintain his sleep cycle. Also, feed, play with, and let him out at a specific time. Try to keep him busy with toys, food, and other things when you are not interacting with him.
Divert His Attention
Some cockatoos develop the habit of screaming even when you are playing with them. Apparently, they don’t scream because they feel lonely. In such cases, their attention should be diverted.
You can give him a toy or encourage him to talk. When you frequently interact with him and keep diverting his attention from screaming, he will stop doing it.
Avoid Too Much Cuddling
Cockatoos shouldn’t be cuddled a lot. Otherwise, separation becomes more difficult for them, and they start screaming to call you. If such cockatoos are not trained to bear the separation, they can fall into depression and pluck their feathers. This does not mean you shouldn’t cuddle with your bird; just do it less often.
Ignore Screams
Cockatoos scream when they want to interact with you, and they make it a habit when you respond to their screams. The best way to make your cockatoos stop screaming is to ignore their screams and his them proper attention every day. [2]
When you start ignoring him, he will feel that maybe their vocals are not audible to you. Moreover, when you give him attention at other times, he won’t be bored or frustrated. Gradually, he will stop screaming.
Final Thoughts
You can stop your cockatoo from screaming a lot and all the time if he is bored or wants attention. All you have to do is give him a little more time and try to keep him busy all the time.
Just took in an umbrella cockatoo that is 16 years old. No knowledge of his first 2 years but the last 14 years has been spent in a one-room apartment with a confined owner (along with 2 dogs and a cat). In other words, this bird has never spent time alone. The owner recently went into a hospice situation and the animal shelter asked me to take care of the bird. He’s in a sun room with an African grey and an African Senegal – both quiet and well behaved. If I’m in the room with them even when I’m interacting with the other birds, he’s content and quiet. The minute I walk out of the room, non-stop screaming from dawn to dusk. He has a large cage, lots of toys and good food. I’ve only had him 3 months. Please tell me this is going to get better with time!
Hi Shirley, this will get better with time. The bird’s behavior is unstable as he has been attached to the owner (rather than with other parrots or a mate), and he is finding it a bit difficult to adjust to the new environment. Good to hear that your other parrots are calm, surely, the cockatoo will start getting along in the next few months or maybe a few weeks. I recommend not spending a lot of time with the cockatoo, preferably not any more than 1-3 hours a day, even if he screams. He will eventually start getting along with the other birds and will adjust to the new environment.