Companion birds vocalize for multiple reasons. This behavior has a purpose for the bird but can be undesired in the human world. Birds are extremely social creatures.  When a bird hears a loud gathering, they want to join in.  

 

I have seen the below advise given on undesired vocalization. Most of these options, may not resolve the issue, create frustration, and break the human-avian bond.

​

- When you scream at your bird, your bird may scream back because they think you are having a social gathering conversation.  This option does not teach your bird an alternative option but reinforces (continues) the current undesired behavior.

​

- If you ignore the undesired vocalization, this can cause frustration for the bird looking for information from human companion. Additionally, the bird will learn to do the undesired vocalization longer.  At some point, you will make a noise (or walk into the room), thus unintentionally reinforcing (causing) the continuing vocalization.

​

- When start saying "No' at the bird, you are reacting to the bird (by saying No), you are unintentionally reinforcing (causing) the continuing vocalization.

​

- A Spray bottles can make the bird insecure (and afraid of water).  The spraying water may not resolve the issue, and will damage your human-avian bond.  

​

- Covering the bird may seem to work, but does not teach the bird what it should do instead of undesired vocalization and can damage your human-avian bond. 

​

All of these items may seem to resolve the undesired vocalization at that moment, but if the undesired vocalization returns, these options are just frustrating both you and your bird.  The bird learned the undesired vocalization because a human acknowledged the sound by visiting the bird.  This is a learned behavior, and it will take time to redirect the behavior to a more desirable vocalization or a different behavior. 

​

Sign up for a consultation for assistance on undesired vocalization to learn about forage/enrichment ideas and redirect behaviors.