Pair of Lovebirds - Hand Taming??? Screeching Shrillllllll

Question
Hi Chrys,

I HAVE ONE ADORABLE LOVEBIRD THAT LOVES TO "SCREECH" IT'S EAR PIERCING!  HELP HELP HELP   it is so shrill my nerves jannnnnngllllleeee  I've taken to covering up their "condo" and walking away.

The screeching stops - about 4:00pm everyday the screeching starts - they are healthy, condo is clean, well-fed, LOVVED, played with and have kewl toys that I trade out so they don't get bored.  I can tell by the look in their eyes if it's a toy I'm not to remove<<<SMILE>>>

My Wonderful, Funny Lovebirds were not Hand Raised, therein lies a major delima.  I brought Fifi and Raphael home 1 year ago this month.

They are just now coming round and getting more friendly and not "freaking out or biting" as they first did.  

Until I have a DNA test run we're not sure which is male or female or both...sooo I'm not breeeeding so it's ok.  

Answer
Hi, Kady.  Thanks for posting.

Normally, parrots don't "screech" unless they are lacking something or want something.  However, be aware that parrots naturally "call to the flock" (you are one of the flock) several times per day.  This is simply natural.  "Calling to the flock" usually occurs in the morning, often times at noon, and again around late afternoon (4ish).  Perhaps your lovebirds are calling to the flock versus "screeching."  If s/he are indeed screeching, you need to determine the reason(s) why.  Some possible reasons are they want your attention (sometimes parrots want our attention all the time!), they need food/water, something is amiss (we may not necessarily know what this is...you have to think from a bird's perspective), they are too cold/hot, one bird could be upset with the other bird, they could be upset about something in the cage, something around them is strange/different, they may not like someone in the home (a visitor perhaps), if they are situated by a window where they can look out something outside might be upsetting them, etc.  If you pay a lot of attention to your lovebirds and then stop, they may be upset that you stopped!  There are many reasons why parrots might screech.  

Be careful that you are not reinforcing this screeching behavior.  In other words, the type of reaction you have to this screeching may actually be rewarding s/he for screeching, which causes the situation to become worse and/or actually teaches them screeching is acceptable behavior.  For example, when s/he screeches, you cover the condo.  If getting your attention is the reason s/he is screeching and then you cover the condo, you have provided the attention the bird wanted!  Thus, you have rewarded the screeching by providing attention (by covering the condo).  Another example of this type of reward would be hollaring at the bird and telling it to "be quiet."  This is another form of reward.  Even looking at the bird is a reward.  It, once again, got what it wanted.  Therefore, when your lovebird screeches, you should NOT pay it any attention whatsoever...not even a nasty look!  Eye contact with the bird is a reward.  You have to teach this lovebird that screeching will get it NOTHING...nothing at all!  However, you need to go through a process of elimination to determine the main reason for the screeching to begin with before you can begin to correct the negative behavior.  And, be sure you understand the difference between "screeching" and "calling to the flock."  You don't want to "punish" your lovebird for doing what comes naturally.  In addition, when training, EACH AND EVERY time your lovebird(s) do what you want them to do (positive behavior), you MUST positively reinforce the positive behavior by providing some type of incentive (reward) for behaving properly.  In other words, teach them right from wrong by rewarding positive behavior and not rewarding negative behavior.  This would be the same as teaching a human child right from wrong.  A child might get ice cream for being good at the store, whereas when a child misbehaves, no ice cream!  Also, make sure you don't "punish" the lovebird for screeching when s/he has a legitimate reason for screeching.  

You state they are just now coming around and not biting or freaking out.  Perhaps s/he is screeching because s/he is "freaking out" about something going on in it's environment that is scaring it.  Parrots tend to bond to single people in the home.  A visitor, car driving down the street/noise outside (birds can hear/see things we can't and/or we don't pay much attention to), a fly in the room, another pet, children playing, something on TV, etc., etc., are all things that can frighten an already-nervous parrot.  Again, the process of elimination and your diligent observation (from a parrot's perspective) of all going on around your birds will help you figure out the problem.

Your lovebirds are still youngsters and, at their age, they are going to see just what you will allow them to get away with and what you won't let them get away with (they are using psychology on you!).  You must set the boundaries and teach them what is/isn't acceptable in your home (reverse psychology).  

If I can help further, let me know.  Thanks.

Chrys