tiel will not stop!!

[Stasia]

Please help! My 4 year old cockatiel Marley will not stop calling/screaming!! He's driving me nuts!! I am home on vacation this week and he hasn't stopped since yesterday! (except to sleep, which he did quiet down for 2 naps yesterday and at night) It is the same tone call over and over! Even varying the call would give my headache some relief at this point. I have tried everything...moving his cage, new toys, taking out new toys again, food treats, checking out his view, tv, radio, time out with me.....nothing is working! He seems in perfect health and had a full vet check with blood work and everything less than a month ago. He is an adoption so it's hard because I don't know the details of his past. The first week he has here he was silent, then he started getting more vocal the more comfortable he got, which was great....but now he's way past the "I'm happy he's comfortable stage". DOes anyone have ANY suggestions other than the ones above? I've even tried moving my other bird out of the room to see if it was him he was reacting to, but still no change. I'll try anything!!

Stasia

[kp_in_scott]

OH, I FEEL YOUR PAIN! We have 4 cockatiels, that we THOUGHT we wanted to possibly use for breeding. HA! That was a joke, we got 3 males and 1 female who ain't interested in the least. The males sing to the female all day, and their song is quite annoying. We've tried everything, moving the cage, hanging different things in the cage for distraction, squirts with the water bottle(which they love instead of hate and spread their wings for more). The only thing that helps is darkness, and since they live in my very sunny kitchen, it is only dark at night. If you figure something out that works, please post it.

[basketbagley]

Stasia,

HOw long have YOU had him? Has ANYthing changed since the screaming?

Do you react to him when he's doing it? or ignore him?

Does he sit on your shoulder? does he scream while he's on your shoulder?

Is everything else normal for him? diet, playfulness?

Have you tried music?

Not sure if I can help or offer suggestions, but to know these answers may help me or someone else helpyou!

[carriesb]

I have alot alot of experience with this my Dandy which we believe is a girl became a huge screamer and I'm gonna tell you what really works location! What is around his cage
where is his cage
How's the lighting to bright not bright enough.
think like a bird is there something that is making him nervous or unsure of himself. Vaccums, ceiling fans, things like that.
I finally figured out my girl wanted a nice quiet corner by a window where she could look out but she also has room to retreat if scared. She so far hasn't been screaming. Other tips are try to ignore him if he's doing the loud yelling but if he does an acceptible call to you praise him. When he's quiet praise him even if he's quiet for a minute. It sounds like he is wanting attention and thinks you'll come running when he screams. Just stick with it I know it can be difficult.
Also how long is he sleeping I've noticed my tiel needs about 12 hours opposed to my budgie who needs only a little sleep. She gets really cranky when she's tired.

[Stasia]

Thanks so much for the replies everyone!!

Kim: That is not what I wanted to hear! haha!

Basket Bagley: He is about 4 years old but we have only had him for about 2 months. I really can't think of anything that has changed except that he seems to be getting more and more comfortable around us. At first he was VERY quiet and shy to come out, but not so much anymore! He likes his time out A LOT! He still takes some time just sitting with you before he starts wanting to be petted, but he's been getting more and more affectionate.

I would have to say more than not I do react to the calls (I wouldn't call it screaming I guess, just this awful high pitched call over and over in the same tone everytime!). Of course I have my times when I am busy or just to sick of it to respond, but most times I do talk to him or go over to him and try to figure out what the deal is. Sometimes I take him out to sit on my shoulder, sometimes this stops it and sometimes he'll just call in my ear, ouch! The only times he is not this way is when he is either sleeping or when both myself and hubby are home at night just sitting on the couch watching tv or reading. We open up his cage and he tends to go inbetween his cage and us and at these times is completely content, but obviously I can't accomodate this all the time.

I am not sure how much sleep he does get only that I never see him sleep. My little parrotlet just gets in his bedtime spot and goes right to bed whenever he is ready and sleeps like a log, but the tiel is a VERY light sleeper and will not go to bed if he hears us at all and everytime I try to see if he's asleep, he's awake. I don't know how to help this. I have tried the music, doesn't seem to have an affect either way, same with the t.v. One thing I wonder is that all we know from his history is that he came from a bird hoarder who kept 30 of them in one large cage, at first he seemed to LOVE the peace and quiet, now I wonder if he wants a cagemate but I am so weary about doing that. Could he possibly be having seperation anxiety from my husband (his favorite) this soon after adoption? Let me know if this gives you anymore ideas please! :)

CarrieB: Thanks for the suggestion of cage placement! I am definitely going to take a look at this in the morning. I have tried moving him around and I can't see anything he'd be scared of where he is now. Although one thing he's had in both places is cathedral ceilings. I wonder if they could be too much for him?? I thought he would like the large open space but maybe it's too open. I'll try putting him in a cozier room and see what he does. I posted info. about his sleeping habits above also.

Thanks so much for all your help! I'll keep you updated!!

Stasia

[carriesb]

coming from a bird hoarder may be an issue he may be used to a lot of noise and now is insecure of quietness but just keep working with him sounds like he has a good home now. And keep us updated.

[Tiki]

I have 9 tiels and they don't make much noise at all. They have each other for company. Birds are flock creatures and don't like to be alone. Maybe if you get another one of the same sex so he has a friend, he would be happier.