Cockatiel Screaming

[Zukarin]

As of the past couple days, my new cockatiel, Hebe, will not stop screeching when she wants something. Sometimes, I have absolutely no idea what she wants, but she will just continually screech as if I’ll get her what she wants. I try not to give her what she wants, but I think she thinks that screeching will get it from when she would get a reward for being quiet. It got worse last night.
When I ignore her, she will not stop (I didn’t count the time, but I sat still for at least a minute while she screeched for Lord only knows what and did not stop). I tried putting her in her cage, but she would resume once I let her out. Last night, it seemed to stop her when I would shake my head around as she screeched (whether she was on my shoulder or not), but that does nothing today.
I know this is a new behavior, but I’m very distressed by it and how I have no idea how to stop it.
What should I do?
Will it go away if I ignore her?

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

How old is Hebe? A youngster will vocalize for his flock,which is now you. Does she have toys to amuse her? Does she do this when you leave the room? (BB does to me) it's like " Hey! Where you going don't leave me!"


Jim

 

[Zukarin]

Hebe is about 2 1/2 months.
I’ve tried to put together a lot of DIY toys in her cage along with a few perches. I’m not sure how many of the toys she really likes to play with because she only tries to get out when I’m in the room. She could also be sleepy. I don’t know why, but she has trouble sleeping when it’s bed time. I hear her climbing around (I even heard her in the middle of the night when she woke me up).
Her screech is not a bored or “where are you?” screech; it sounds more like a hiss crossed with a screech. She tends to do it when she sees food, so I think it’s her trying to tell me, “You better give me that food right now.” In general, I think she does it whenever she’s the least bit uncomfortable. (While typing this, I coughed because some water went down the wrong pipe, and she screeched for a bit).
Thinking about it, it could be her way of saying she’s upset since it gets my attention more than opening her beak. If that’s the case, I need to do more so that she can be entertained and happy more.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

2.5 months old is still a BABY. She is learning to vocalize. Do you cover Hebe's cage at night? Cockatiels are known to get night frights. BB used to..until I covered his house now he settles right down and stays quiet. Remember,birds need at least 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Where is her house located? In a room by herself or in a main room with activity while she tries to sleep? Even though my two are in the living room lights go out at 9:30pm and I go to my bedroom to watch tv so the living room is dark AND quiet.


Jim

 

[Zukarin]

I have her cage in my room which I cover at night. I tend to stay up later and get up earlier than her, but I try to be as quiet as possible She doesn't seem to like to sleep enough though.
I think she has trouble sleeping because she's not very comfortable in her cage since she tries to sleep when on me, but tries to get out when I put her to bed. I'm hoping that, when I start going back to school, shell take that time and explore her cage more. At this time, I let her out for hours.

If this is something babies tend to do, thats relieving. My biggest worry was that this is something either behavioral wrong or that she's sick.

 

[noodles123]

The "seems tired" part concerns me. Where are you located (roughly)? I'm think about vets etc and I know how those vary based on city/state/country etc.

 

[Zukarin]

I have a vet nearby. I’ve had Hebe for a couple weeks, but my mom, I’m still in highschool, said that she intends on taking her to the vet within the month.
Other than issues with sleeping, she doesn’t have any issues that I’m aware of (I am a new owner, but she looks healthy)

 

[noodles123]

I'm not saying she isn't healthy, but birds hide illness way more than any other animal I've met.


Do you weigh her?


I will post a link to my "new to parrots" reply (which I wish all bird owners would read, because it's stuff that pet shops etc don't usually mention).

http://www.parrotforums.com/conures/88384-new-bird-owner.html


Keep us posted--- please do read my reply on that post. It can be hard to have a parrot and keep them healthy if the whole house isn't on-board in terms of lifestyle changes etc.

 

[Zukarin]

Thank you! I read it over, and I will be changing something accordingly.

I think Hebe may be sick because she’s always cold. I have a Bearded Dragon, and Hebe began to fall asleep in the Bearded Dragons basking area which is around 100 degrees. (I had the terrarium front doors wide open if she was too hot, but she sought after the basking area)

I just weighed her, Hebe weighs 75 grams.

I have an appointment for a vet who specializes in birds for next Wednesday.

 

[ssteckov]

I have her cage in my room which I cover at night. I tend to stay up later and get up earlier than her, but I try to be as quiet as possible She doesn't seem to like to sleep enough though.
I think she has trouble sleeping because she's not very comfortable in her cage since she tries to sleep when on me, but tries to get out when I put her to bed. I'm hoping that, when I start going back to school, shell take that time and explore her cage more. At this time, I let her out for hours.

If this is something babies tend to do, thats relieving. My biggest worry was that this is something either behavioral wrong or that she's sick.

A vet wellness check might be in order. Restless behavior can be related to discomfort caused by mites, which come out at night.
It seems, this bird is very bonded to you, and wants contact at bedtime. You can try letting her vocalize for a few minutes, then comfort her with your presence, and a scratch in the cage. Over a few weeks, make your comfort sessions less and less, and eventually, she should feel safe.
However, birds are not solitary creatures. You can try leaving some quiet classical music playing, or get her a friend so she's not alone.