Why Birds Scream
All birds vocalise, but constant loud screaming can be stressful. The goal is not to make a bird silent, but to reduce unnecessary screaming and encourage healthier ways to communicate.
- Normal flock calls: Morning and evening “hello” calls are natural.
- Attention-seeking: If noise brings humans running, birds repeat it.
- Boredom and lack of stimulation.
- Fear, anxiety or sudden changes in the environment.
- Hormonal/territorial phases.
Core Strategy: Don’t Reward Screaming
If a bird learns, “I scream and my human comes,” it will keep screaming. The key is to ignore unnecessary screaming and reward calm, reasonable sounds.
Step-by-Step Plan
- Track the pattern: Note times, triggers and what you usually do in response.
- Ignore scream episodes: No eye contact, no talking, no walking over to the cage.
- Reward quiet: The second your bird takes a break from screaming, calmly go over, talk, and offer a treat or attention.
- Meet needs before they scream: Scheduled feeding, play time and interaction reduce the need for “demand” calls.
- Enrich the environment: Foraging toys, chew toys, puzzle feeders and safe flight time burn energy.
- Give a “contact call” cue: Teach a whistle or short word you will answer to, so the bird learns a softer way to check on you.
- Protect rest time: Ensure 10–12 hours of quiet, dark sleep. Tired birds are cranky birds.
When Screaming May Signal Illness
- Sudden change in voice or pace of screaming.
- Screaming combined with low appetite, fluffed posture or weight loss.
- Bird cries when touched in certain places (possible pain).
In these cases, an avian veterinarian should examine your bird.
Printable Checklist – Screaming Control
- [ ] I never rush to the cage while the bird is screaming.
- [ ] I praise and reward my bird when it is calm and using softer sounds.
- [ ] My bird has daily foraging/enrichment time.
- [ ] My bird has a regular sleep routine.
- [ ] I have logged triggers and patterns for the screaming.
- [ ] Vet has checked for medical causes if screaming is new or extreme.
