Aw, yes, screaming! To tackle this question lets look at why parrots scream.
Parrots are very social creatures and need heaps of attention to maintain a healthy social life. Parrots are flock animals and spend large amounts of time with their partners or flock members. Constantly parrots are squawking and making contact calls to keep in contact with flock members.
As I was reading your post, I got the impression that you are attending college or some sort of schooling. As you mentioned, your time has dwindled and you feel you’re not spending enough time with your parrots. Schooling can take up large amounts of time, especially college. I know sometimes it’s easy to get so involved in homework and our parrots get the short end of the deal. Trust me, I know!
First things first, get the parrot out more. Every morning when you get up to change water dishes, cut fruit, or change the papers, include your Ringneck. Carry him around on you while you get ready for school/work or set him on the counter while you make breakfast. This will be a great help in securing the birds feelings with your absence. This way has already spent time with you and will not panic so much. After work, repeat the same thing, however, teach him a few tricks or sit and watch television with him. This is more bonding time with him that he craves.
Your Ringnecks yelling is his way of getting your attention for interaction or play time outside his cage.
Now that the attention part is tackled let’s get to the screaming part. Screaming is a difficult trait to reverse once it has been established; however, with hard work and persistence it can be done. Screaming as stated above, is usually a way for the parrot to tell you it wants more time with you. So you might be wondering how you can let the bird know that screaming is unacceptable. Simple just ignore it. Seriously! By walking over to the bird’s cage or entering the room to tell the bird to hush or quiet down, you are enforcing this behavior. Let’s look at it from the parrot’s point of view to help you understand why it is enforcing screaming.
Ringneck: I have been alone all day and only see my beloved human in the mornings and evenings. When I do see him, he is doing something with books and paper, what it is I don’t know, but if I were him I would chew it. I wish he would take me out so I can play with him and interact with him. I know! If I scream he might look this way, better yet, he might even take me out to play! Here I go – SCREAM SCREAM SCREAM SCREAM SCREAM.
Jules: Shhhhhhhhh. I am doing homework. Shhhhhhhhhhhhh. Keep down.
Ringneck: All right I got his attention. I’ll scream more! SCREAM SCREAM SCREAM SCREAM SCREAM SCREAM!
Jules: I told you, please be quiet.
Ringneck: Wow! I did get his attention! This is a great method. If I keep doing this, then he looks at me! This method is really starting to pay off! Here I got again! SCREAM SCREAM SCREAM SCREAM SCREAM SCREAM.
Hope that helped you better understand it from your parrot’s point of view. Now that you got a better idea as to why he is screaming lets talking about solutions.
First of all as soon as your parrot screams, walk outside the room or go into a different room. This lets your bird know that screaming equals my human leaving. Your parrot will soon catch on and you’re heading in the right direction. When you are inside the same room as your Ringneck and he is quiet, go to his cage and take him out. Praise him for it and continue to do this until screaming is to its minimal. This really does work!
My lovebird was trained to keep quiet inside the house. Every time he chirped I simply walked outside the room. As hard as it might be to stop what you are doing, do it! Never give in once because if you do then it’s like you’re staring over again. Your Indian Ringneck will catch on quick. Praise him for quiet behavior as well. Your Ringneck will catch on and will remain quiet to get your attention.
Also, if you look at this site listed below, you’ll find some great tips to help keep screaming to a minimal.
http://petplace.netscape.com/articles/a ... artID=3988
Hope this helps and if you have anymore questions please feel free to ask! Welcome to this board!
I.C.