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Posted by Sandie on Fri, 08/25/2006 - 11:36 :: Cockatiels
Hi,
My Cockatiel (Taz) screams so loud at night when the TV is on that my husband can't watch TV. He usually doesn't scream unless he is out of food I didn't catch, but when my husband gets home from work and turns on the TV he just starts screaming so loud that my husband turns off the TV and he is now telling me he wants to get rid of the bird.
I have started covering him up early because of the screaming and that seems to work, but that makes it so he isn't a part of our night that way and I don't know what else to do, I can't hold him every night when I watch TV. I had been trying to take him out for an hour a couple times a week but now I can't because he screams the rest of the time at night when the TV is on. I am not home alot during the day and have house work to do when I am, but when I am during the day and he sees me he doesn't scream even if I do have the TV on and I'm watching it? Just at night??
Any suggestions before my husband and I have big problems.

Thanks,
Sandie
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Posted by ppxstnr on Sat, 08/26/2006 - 20:46.
Try relocating the bird to another room either permanently or when he screams. He may be spoiled to getting out since you hold him when he screams. Also He may not be getting enough sleep. My cockatiel sacks out around 0 dark thirty which here is 9:00pm. He's in the room with the TV but doesnt make a peep. if the bird is that bonded to you then getting rid of him will be unfair to the bird. Maybe your husband can get to know the bird and hold him while he watches TV.
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Posted by karen on Sun, 08/27/2006 - 23:39.
You should be taking him out and giving him attention daily. They're very social and enjoy and need the attention. He's probably learned that screaming is a good way to get your attention (you come to feed him), and also may be competing/joining in with the TV.
The trick is to give him attention and treats when he's being quiet and well behaved. If he screams when you turn on the TV, then take him out first and give him a little attention and when you have to put him back in the cage, give him a treat like a little bit of spray millet and he will probably be content and quiet for awhile.
If he starts screaming when he's done, try to ignore it (unless you think he might be out of food of course), and when he quiets down, then go over and give him a little attention.
Cockatiels are good whistlers and can pick up tunes pretty easily, so you could also try teaching him to whistle for attention.
If it's getting late, then covering him up and turning the TV volume down a bit is probably a good idea. Birds need about 10-12 hours of sleep a day. If he's alone during the day he probably gets naps, but he should still always get a good 8-10 hours of quiet undisturbed sleep time. Birds who don't get enough sleep do become crabby.

Karen
Chico (conure) and Pippin (budgie)
WI
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