Things You'll Need
- Noisy parrot
- Cage
- Dark cloth that completely covers the cage
- Parrot treats and toys
- Patience and a sense of humor
- Avian vet, if all else fails
Instructions
Understand the Behavior
Remember: If your bird is being noisy, it̵7;s not doing it to irritate you.
Often the bird is just lonely. Or it may be trying to tell you that something is wrong. Parrots are much like small children in that way ̵1; and most larger parrots have the intellectual capacity (and sometimes the vocabulary) of a 2-to 5-year-old child.
If your parrot has formed an attachment to you, you are part of its flock. In the wild, parrots constantly call out to let others know where they are and to make sure no one̵7;s gotten lost or is in trouble. Therefore, your parrot wants to know where you are--all the time.
Dos and Don'ts for Everyday Noise Management
To keep the noise at a manageable level, give your bird as much positive attention as possible, just as you would do with a dog, cat or child.
Never hit birds. They don̵7;t connect their behavior with your retaliation, and they are fragile and have hollow bones, so you could easily maim or kill them without intending to.
Yelling at the bird also doesn't help--it may prompt them to show off their vocal talents as loudly as possible.
Distract your bird by giving it something to do (a new toy, newspaper or box to destroy).
What to Do in Extreme Situations
Sometimes, parrots just keep yelling. Put the bird in its cage and cover it with the dark cloth you use at night. This will make the bird̵7;s body think it is evening and time to settle down. Almost all parrots function in the daylight only and ̶0;switch off̶1; when it gets dark.
Five to 10 minutes after your bird has stopped calling, remove the cover from the cage. Think of a simple phrase with which to praise the parrot, such as, ̶0;Good bird. Good, quiet bird.̶1; Repeat it several times in a calm voice while presenting your pet with its favorite treat.
If your bird remains quiet, give it something fun to do.
If it starts being extremely loud again immediately, repeat the process. For some birds, this may take several go-rounds.
Do not leave the cover on the cage during the day for more than 10 to 15 minutes; a lack of light can depress a bird just as it can a human.
When to Seek Help
If high noise levels continue to be a problem, take your parrot to a veterinarian who specializes in birds. Your pet may be ill or injured.
If the vet gives your bird a clean bill of health, but it continues to make too much noise, discuss your options.
It may be that your home or personality is simply not suited for parrot ownership, or that you have chosen a particularly noisy species (conures and very large parrots are notorious for being extremely loud). Enlist your vet̵7;s help in finding a new home for your parrot.