Macaws are known for testing the limits, and that may just be what Rico is doing, in a very extreme way.
When he starts screaming, how do you react? Do you try to shush him, ask him to be quiet, or worst of all... run into the room screaming `stop it!` (such wonderful drama!)? What does the rest of the family do?
It should be stressed to the entire family that screaming should never be rewarded. Looking at him, talking to him, and going towards him all reward the screaming. Ignore him completely (I suggest getting earplugs!). If possible, get up and leave the room until he stops (it`s a punishment to him, and it saves your ears). Wait a few moments after he stops, and go back in all smiles and praise. Learn to hear and notice silence. Whenever he`s quiet, reward him.
If he`s being quiet, taking him from room to room with you is a great idea. Just remember to make sure you give him plenty of things to keep him occupied while you`re busy with your tasks. If his mind is busy he`ll be more occupied, happier, and more confident. Find out what tasks can absorb him for hours on end, and be sure to keep him challenged. Also make a special point to look up at him as often as you can and talk to him, just to prove to him that you know he`s there. Ask him questions, offer a brief scritch, and just let him know that he`s involved in the flock`s activities.
Continuing with the `keep his mind busy` line, its a good idea to spend instructive time with him. Walk around the house with him and introduce him to things he`s never seen before. Teaching how to use a new toy. Introduce him to new foods. You can also try trick training. I`ve just started using clicker training with my birds, and they seem happier and more playful lately. Maybe I`m just imagining it, but it seems like there`s been changes for the better! So that might be an option.
What happens at dinner? He has his own food, right? Is it what you`re eating, or is it his usual faire? Maybe he`s just wanting something a little special. Something... a little like what you`re eating? If you aren`t doing so already, share your own dinner with him. Toast some unbuttered garlic bread for him, while you`re toasting the family`s. Give him some veggies before you add butter or salt to them. Pull the skin off the fried chicken, so you can give him some ungreasy breastmeat. Depending on what his tablemanners are and how tolerant your family is, you can even give Rico his own chair at the table. Keep his stand nearby, though, so you can quickly scoop him up if he steps over the line of proper table ettiqute and put him back on the stand. (Make sure to bring his food with him when you put him back on the stand.)
Other ideas you can try: some people have had success teaching their bird that there is an appropriate screaming time, and that`s when the loud, obnoxious rock is playing. Once or twice a day, put on loud and obnoxious music, and get everyone in the house jumping and screaming and bouncing and dancing. After a few songs, switch to a more soothing CD to try to get the energy back down and quiet Rico up again.
Some people have also tried turning their back to their bird when he`s screaming and talking or singing in whispers. Some birds will quiet out of curiousity to listen to you. Some will even try to repeat those quiet sounds. Reward him for quieting, reward as extravagently as possible for imitating you. THAT`S a good way to get your attention! Try to find ways to encourage more appropriate ways to earn your attention then screaming.
Biting should be treated similarly to screaming. Rico should be taught that biting will get him ignored. If he bites, give him a stern, displeased look and a firm NO, then set him down on a playgym, in the cage, or on the back of a chair and turn and walk away for a few minutes.
The best solution for biting, though, is to try to find the cause. There`s always a reason for it, it`s our job to learn what our birds are trying to tell us. What are some of the circumstances surrounding the bite?
Sally Blachard wrote a book called `The Beak Book` which is about biting behavior in parrots (why it happens, what we can do about it). It may be able to help you. I`ve never had to deal with a really aggressive bird, so this isn`t my best field of expertise.
Goodluck! I know it`s hard, but if you don`t give Rico a chance to turn around and become a better companion, who will? Get those earplugs and hang in there. It`ll take a while to fix these problems, but it can be done. And in most cases it gets WORSE before it gets better. If it seems like nothing is helping a reputable behaviorologist can help you work through these problems.
