Cockateil behavioural problem

Question
Dear Chrys,
   I wonder if you can help me? I bought a hand reared four month old cockateil from a pet store and it was the last one left and all alone in its cage. The rest had all been sold a few weeks before. I think he was left because he wasn't the prettiest but he is so cute! Basically after getting him home he seems to display distress whenever I leave the room. Its not just me, he does it to anyone. He just doesn't want to be left alone and screams the place down until you go back in. I have tried covering him up, talking to him, putting him in different rooms, ignoring him and also getting him out. I get him out every day to play and when he is with someone or near them, he is completely silent. His screaming is so loud it is driving me crazy and I can't leave the room because it sets him off. What can i do to remedy this, or is it too late because of his age. I have tried toys and games but nothing works. Would getting another bird help? Being next to another caged bird doesn't help at all.
   I hope you can help me as he is such an affectionate bird and loves to be around me. I would just like some advice on keeping his screaming under control.
   Thank you,
         Becky.

Answer
Hi, Becky.  Thanks for posting your questions/concerns. My ISP kept booting me offline last night, so I waited until this morning to respond.

I really need some more information in order to help you out, but I'll explain some things first.  I don't know how much you know about parrots, so excuse me if I repeat things you already know.  You have several things going on here and I'm going to try to break them down so you can try to deal with the situation.  You can't make this bird stop screaming, but you can "retrain" him.

You have to look at this situation from the young tiel's perspective.  This bird LOVES you...you've taken him from a miserable life in the pet shop into your loving home and he is so very happy.  He reacted to this happiness in the only way he knew how.  He was so lonely in the pet shop and now he's in this wonderful place, and he's going nuts because he loves human attention.  He was imprinted on humans during the handfeeding/rearing process, i.e., humans are his "parents"...they cared for him, fed him, etc.  Now, all of a sudden, his favorite people in the world are reacting differently toward him and he doesn't understand...he's confused.  Therefore, the behavior problems.  Although you may not realize it, I believe you are feeding/fueling his negative behavior by reacting to him the way you describe.  Things need to be turned around so all can live together happily.  Let me explain......

When your tiel behaves negatively (the screaming), you are rewarding this negative behavior by reacting to him in some way (covering the cage, scolding him, putting him in another room, etc.).  ANY type of response toward him on your part is rewarding him, even looking at him (eye contact).  This is EXACTLY what he wants...he wants some reaction from you (or a member of your family)...this is why he screams.  For example, often times human children act out because they want their parents' attention (good or bad atatention).  Same thing with birds.  So, what I recommend you do (or not do in this case) is react in any way to his negative behavior.  This will be difficult because you'll want to ring his little neck before it's over (and it could get worse before it gets better).  However, it's VERY IMPORTANT that you react positively to his acceptable behavior by rewarding him EVERY TIME he displays good behavior or does what you want him to do.  Reward him by giving him his favorite treat or taking him out of his cage or just talking to him.  You have to do this EVERY time he is good, but ignore him EVERY time he is bad.  It's a matter of retraining him and you/others in the home shouldn't confuse him during this process.  When you leave the room and he starts screaming, just keep going...don't look at him or in any way acknowledge him.  But don't forget that when he STOPS the screaming, you must go to him with a reward.  Don't go in immediately when you might think he's stopped screaming...wait a few minutes to ensure the screaming episode has stopped, then go to him.  In time, he'll learn the difference.  He's a young bird and they learn fast (the older they are, the harder it is to retrain them).  You have to be sure you show him a clear distinction between acceptable and unacceptable behavior.  Most behavior problems with parrots are learned behaviors based on unknowledgeable human companions, i.e., their humans teach them the negative behaviors (most of the time unknowingly).

You have the makings of a VERY NICE pet cockatiel.  I certainly would hate to see you end up hating this bird or vice versa.  Be sure to continue to spend time with your tiel...allow him to sit with you while you watch TV in the evenings or work on the computer or whatever it is you might do during the day/evenings at home.  Be sure his cage is suitable, that he has toys he likes available, that he's on a good diet, has proper lighting, etc., etc.  All this bird wants is human love and attention....can't blame him for that!  However, there have to be set times for this interaction or you'll never get anything done that you need to do.  You have to set the boundaries, but you also have to understand how a parrot thinks and why they do what they do (you have to be in control).  I don't know your situation at home, but this tiel needs to be right in the middle of all the activity that goes on in your home.  He's curious (as are all young, male tiels) and wants to be part of the family.  Keeping him in a separate room away from every day family life (and humans, which he thinks he is), I think is making matters worse.   

Birds prefer other birds to humans.  If you get this tiel a companion, he will most likely bond to the bird eventually (because you will most likely spend less time with the tiel), and you may lose the good pet bird that this tiel could be (although a lot of tiels remain tame even when paired up).  Then again, you may end up with 2 problem tiels instead of just one...the other could pick up the bad habits of this tiel.  

My questions:  Do you have other birds in the home (your comment about putting another bird next to him doesn't help)?  If yes, what species do you have, are they all in 1 room, spread through the house?  Do you have children in the home?  How old is this tiel and are you sure he's male?  What type of diet is he on?  What size cage do you have him in and what type of toys?  How long do you interact with him daily?  Are his wings clipped?  Does he see you playing with other birds when he's not allowed out of his cage?  Any other detailed information would be helpful.

This won't happen overnight...it will take some time.  The amount of time depends on how well you and the tiel work together on the behavior problems.

I have a website still under construction if you want to visit for more information:
http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo/index.html

Let me know how things go.  If you provide more information, I might be able to help out more.  If you have questions about any of the above, please come back.

Thanks.

Chrys