First associate the clicker and treat with one another. In front of your pet, click the clicker and “immediately” give the treat afterwards. Do this until your parrot starts watching expectantly for a treat after the clicker–this is a sign that they have successfully associated the two together. [1] X Research source Use the clicker as you would a treat. The clicker replaces the need of providing a treat, which can be expensive over time, messy, and difficult if your bird is a picky eater. Mark each correct behavior with a click. If needed, follow up a click with lots of praise and treats to fortify the “clicker and treat” association.
Try a variety of treats with your parrot until you learn what it likes. Then use the treats that it responds the best to, but reserve these “special treats” for training purposes. Eventually, your parrot will associate that treat with its good behavior. [3] X Research source Birds tend to prefer colorful treats with a lot of flavor. Some bird experts recommend treats like Nutri-Berries or yogurt-covered nugget treats designed for parrots, like Kaytee Yogurt Dips. [4] X Research source Break treats into small portions. This allows your parrot to eat quickly and remain focused on the training, without getting too distracted by the reward. [5] X Research source Reward your bird immediately after it obeys you. It’s important for the reward to be seen by your bird as a quick and immediate response. Otherwise, your parrot may not make that association. [6] X Research source Give your parrot verbal praise every time you give it a food reward for its good behavior. [7] X Research source
Ignore your parrot when it screams. It will take some patience, but ignoring attention-seeking behavior is the best way to train your parrot out of its excessive screaming. Even a facial expression can give your parrot the reward it was looking for. It’s best to leave the room and completely ignore your parrot when it screams for attention. Be prepared for louder screaming. Just like a toddler throwing a tantrum screams louder when it doesn’t receive a reaction, your parrot will scream even louder. But be patient and be consistent, and eventually it will stop. Return to the room once your parrot has been silent for at least 10 seconds. When you return, give your parrot the attention it is craving. Over time this will cement in its mind that desirable behavior is rewarded and undesirable behavior is ignored.
Continue to ignore undesirable behavior. [10] X Research source Speak softly to your parrot. Use hushed tones, or “communicate” with it through whistles. [11] X Research source
Set up a strobe light near the cage, controlled by a remote control switch. Any time the bird screams, you can trigger the flashing strobe light without being the room (entering the room would be seen as a positive in the bird’s eyes). Your parrot will find the strobe light unpleasant, and will quickly learn that acting out results in undesirable flashing lights. [13] X Research source
Allowing your parrot to scream during the morning and evening may be helpful in training it not to scream throughout the day. [14] X Research source Parrots are also curious and bright creatures. Training your parrot will give it mental stimulus and interesting things to learn. The mental task might decrease squawking on its own.
Make sure there’s enough air flow coming in under the sheet you use. Do not use polyester, as this fabric does not breathe well. For best light blocking, use a black cloth.
Talk quietly. Birds will often quiet down to hear what you are saying. Try providing white noise for your parrot, especially if it screams when you’re not home. The television is fine (at a low volume), but be wary of leaving nature shows on, as the sound of birds squawking could provoke more noise from your parrot.
Always supervise children when they handle or interact with the parrot. Discourage children from running through or around in the room your parrot is in. This may frighten or excite your bird.
Blood feathers (aka pin feathers) may be difficult to diagnose at home. A blood feather is a new, growing feather, which will always have a vein and artery that runs the length of the feather. If irritated or broken off, this feather can cause bleeding. It is not usually life-threatening, but can be painful for your bird. Apply pressure to the site of the bleeding. If it continues to bleed, you may need to take your bird to the vet to have that feather removed. [16] X Research source Overgrown toe nails can be painful for parrots, making it difficult to perch properly and posing a risk of getting snagged and broken on fabrics around the house. [17] X Research source
Parrots need a diet of around 70% pellets of formulated parrot food, supplemented with plenty of healthy vegetables and the occasional fruit. [18] X Research source Parrots require at least an hour of playtime with you. Also expect to provide plenty of interaction throughout the day in addition to at least 1 hour of play. If you’re unable to provide this, consider finding another home your parrot. Parrots need ten to twelve hours of sleep every day or they can bite or scream; you can use a bought cage cover or simply a blanket to cover their cage every night to ensure they receive enough sleep. [19] X Research source
Birds like toys with a variety of sizes and stimulating textures that are conducive to chewing or standing on. [21] X Research source Toys with sounds can be particularly attractive to parrots. [22] X Research source Birds like mirrors. It allows them to look at themselves, and some birds may think they are seeing a different bird. [23] X Research source Provide your parrot with interactive toys. Something with a ladder or some type of puzzle component will engage your bird and challenge it intellectually. [24] X Research source Make sure the toys you choose are not too big or too small for your bird. [25] X Research source
