Conures are one of the most vocal parrots in the world. They can make a variety of sounds, such as whistles, chirps, squawks, and screams. Screaming is a natural and normal behavior for conures that they use to communicate with their flock, express their emotions, or attract attention. However, sometimes conures can scream excessively or inappropriately, which can be annoying and disturbing for you and your neighbors.
If you want to train your conure not to scream, here are some tips and tricks to help you:
- Understand why: The first step to stop screaming is to understand why your conure screams in the first place. Screaming can have different causes and meanings depending on the context and situation. Some common reasons why conures scream are:
- Flock calling: Conures scream to stay in touch with their flock members, especially in the morning and evening when they wake up or go to sleep. This is a natural and instinctive behavior that helps them feel safe and connected.
- Alarm calling: Conures scream to warn their flock members of potential danger or threat, such as a predator, a loud noise, or a sudden change in the environment. This is a natural and protective behavior that helps them survive and avoid harm.
- Contact calling: Conures scream to locate or reach out to their flock members when they are separated or out of sight. This is a natural and social behavior that helps them maintain their bond and relationship.
- Attention seeking: Conures scream to get attention from their flock members when they are bored, lonely, or neglected. This is a learned and manipulative behavior that helps them get what they want or need.
- Emotional expression: Conures scream to express their emotions, such as excitement, happiness, anger, frustration, or fear. This is a natural and expressive behavior that helps them communicate their feelings and needs.
- Redirect: The second step to stop screaming is to redirect your conure’s attention and energy to something else when it screams or shows signs of screaming, such as opening its beak, raising its crest, or flapping its wings. You can redirect your conure by offering it a toy, a treat, or a different activity that will distract it from screaming and satisfy its curiosity or boredom. You can also redirect your conure by changing its position or location, such as moving it from one room to another or taking it outside for some fresh air and sunshine.
- React: The third step to stop screaming is to react appropriately when your conure screams or attempts to scream. You should never react by yelling, hitting, or throwing your conure, as these actions can scare, hurt, or anger your parrot and make it scream more. You should also never react by laughing, cuddling, or giving extra attention to your conure, as these actions can reward, encourage, or reinforce screaming. You should react by calmly saying “no” “quiet” or “shh” and ignoring your conure for a few minutes until it stops screaming. This way, you show your conure that screaming is unacceptable and has negative consequences.
- Reinforce: The fourth step to stop screaming is to reinforce positive behaviors and interactions with your conure. You should praise treat or play with your conure when it behaves well and doesn’t scream. You should also spend quality time with your conure every day, providing it with enough mental stimulation, physical exercise, and socialization. This way, you build trust, respect, and bond with your conure, and reduce its stress, anxiety, and loneliness.
Training your conure not to scream can take time and patience, but it is possible and necessary for both of you. By following these tips and tricks, you can teach your conure not to scream, and enjoy a quieter and happier relationship with it.
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