Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everybody! I have a cockatiel (i am not sure if it is a boy or girl) that is very noisy all day long! I mean he chirps all day long, and wakes me up during the night.
I did move him to a new cage, and it seems like he is even louder since i did. The cage he is in now is like a birdy mansion.
Do you all think it would quiet him down if we got him a buddy?

Thanks!
Catie

I definitely don't think it would be quieter with a buddy. More likely you would then have twice the noise. If you are worried he is bored or too lonely then put soft music on in the room or turn a tv in that room to cartoons or animal shows they seem to like the bright colors and funny noises on cartoons or the nature sounds on animal channels. Also you could try getting a birdie mirror for him. Don't leave it in the cage at all times because some will get very protective of their mirror buddy. But if he percieves to have a cage mate at times he may try using quiet chattering to talk to his mirror buddy instead of louder screams. Make sure he has plenty of toys both noise makers, wooden chewing toys and colorful toys.

How long have you had your cockatiel? If not long it could be he is just still settling in, also now it is getting closer to spring and depending on his age many are noisier when hormonal.

You can try to curb the screaming by doing the ignore/reward technique. When in the room with him speak in a quiet voice or whisper many birds will quiet down when they hear everyone else doing the same, if he is quiet reward with praise and even treats. If he is noisy ignore him and go into a different room try to stay out of the room until he quietens then return to the room with praise and treat. He will after a seemingly long period of patience start to notice he is rewarded and has company when quiet and is ignored when loud.

Do you have a schedule sleep time for him with around 12 hours of "dark" "quiet" time? Many birds will not sleep unless it is mainly dark and quiet in the room they are located in and they will become noisier and more aggressive if not getting enough sleep. Do you cover the cage at night? If not you might try this as well.

Well, i have had him for about a year. I have tried putting a mirror in his cage, but he was afraid of it. He is afraid of about everything, and he doesn't like treats. He is weird. I do cover his cage up with a blanket at night.

Thanks!
Catie

Catie,

I have, or should say had the same problem. My little female would scream whenever I left the room, she still does but not to the same extent. I tried giving her toys and mirrors. She too was afraid of them all. What I found was that all she wanted was to be close to me or whoever else was in the room. Namely on someones shoulder. Try interacting a little more with your bird and he/she may quiet down.

At night my birds room is completly dark except a small night light near her cage. She used to hate the dark and would scream and fly off her cage onto the floor. The nightlight seemed to stop all of that. It provides enough light for her to see but not enough to explore with. I hope that this helps.

Ok, Thanks! I do have to admit that i have not been paying as much attention to him, as when i first got him. But, he won't let me near him. If i stick my hand in his cage he will climb to the other side of the cage away from my hand. What should i do to get him used to me again?

Well, i tried the music thing, and while the music was on he did not chirp once!! I guess he likes beethoven! lol.

Thanks!!
Catie

just adding to the previous message when a bird *flips out* at night these are refered to as night frights and can be dangerous(broken necks/wings/legs)

I too had a very noisy female. She would scream at me. She came from a pet store and has not warmed up to us yet! We have had her about 3 months. I had one of those soothing sounds machines that has nature settings such as woods, rain, birds. I put it on the "birds" chirping or "woods" and she was better. I also bought her millet sprays which she loves and that keeps her content. She has many toys and I switch them every week or so but she doesn't seem to play with them. I put my lovebirds in a cage beside her for company and she likes that too. She occasionally screams at me and I just do a whistle or two that she likes and we sing back and forth for a awhile. She is much better then. But I am learning that birds, like any other animal, have very distinct personalities. So keep trying!