Expert: Rev. Dr. S.August Abbott - 6/9/2009

Question
I've recently been given a youngish Indian Ringneck  that was found in a friend's garden. He (we think he's a he), seems to have been hand-reared as he's very tame BUT has a bad squawk/screech that he 'lets rip' with often. How could I get him out of the habit? I've been treating him like a child and will ignore him/put him in 'time out' in the bedroom, so that he doesn't take our response as positive and encouraging. I've only had him for about a month but interact with him every day and he seems to have bonded with me. What can I do to stop him squawking as my husband has already had enough and wants to give him away!

Answer
You're on the right track with ignoring him.   The worst thing you can do to a bird is deny them your attention. So, when there's screaming going on, stop and silence everything.  Put the t.v. on mute, put the kids on mute and everybody freeze, turning your back to the bird or even leaving the room.


Sure, this is an effort on your part, but think about it. If it stops the screaming, isn't a few days of effort going to be worth it?  There are no quick solutions, no magic or secret tricks.  

Once the bird stops screaming - and your timing needs to be impeccable to catch them during those few seconds as they catch their breath - turn or re enter the room, face them, quietly praise them and interact.  The moment they start again, turn your back and hit all those mute buttons again.


Set aside a couple times a day for the bird to be a bird.  Usually in the morning and just before going to roost in the evening most birds will chatter and call out to touch base with everyone else in their flock, which under domestic conditions is you and your family.


Prepare the neighborhood and remind them that at least it's not loud music, annoying boom-cars, screaming  children, barking dogs or fighting spouses (although you want to be careful about what you say and to whom) - this is just a few minutes a couple times a day of a bird exercising their vocal chords.



When screaming is out of control, the bird can upset itself, sort of like a child having a tantrum.   You may need to break the pattern and get their attention, so using a water bottle set on stream, aimed at their feet or tail might be an option.   


Always plain, clean water; never - ever at their body or head and do not do this repeatedly.  You want it to be a surprise that distracts them from the screaming, not something that terrifies them of  the bottle, the water or you!






This is far more effective if done just once  - when the screaming seems out of control and there is no calming your bird with other measures such as silence, leaving the room or whispering.  A squirt should be used just to break the pattern.



It doesn’t take too many times before you'll find you don't need to squirt at all, just point the bottle in their direction., or in some cases, just aim your finger when they start getting out of control with the screaming.   


What people need to do is look at things not from a human point of view, which makes perfect sense to us since we're human; but, look at things from the parrot's point of view.  This is really much harder because we're not parrots.



Once you understand why they do something it's much, much easier to be understanding and patient.  Give them time, let them learn at their own pace and never be harsh.  You see, since most of them have many, many years to live, they don't see what the hurry is.  If you keep in mind that this bird will probably be around to see you go through significant life changes, it helps put it in perspective for you too.


More great tips and pics here:  www.4AnimalCare.org/birds