Cockatoos squawk- it’s a well known fact. They squawk for fun, they squawk out of boredom, they squawk because they love the sound of their loud little voices. A certain amount of squawking is tolerable. A good bird owner will come to love, appreciate, and perhaps even promote squawking. But even the most patient of people have their days where they just wish for a bit less loud vocalizations. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help your bird tone down it’s voice for a bit. Here are a few different ways to deter your bird from screaming its little heart out. Picture Credit Given To UK Cockatoo Sanctuary & Rescue Inspire other vocalizations: Work with your cockatoo regularly to inspire other kinds of vocalizations. Whistling, making clicking sounds, making other animal sounds (meow, bark, ect), and talking can all inspire your bird to mimic back. So when your bird’s squawking begins to get out of hand, try making other sounds and inspiring your bird to copy them. Most likely- if they’re feeling extra vocal- they’ll happily tune along with you. Offer a variety of toys: A common reason cockatoo’s squawk is because they are bored. By offering a variety of toys and changing toys in and out of their cage regularly, you give your bird new and exciting things to play with. Give your bird lots of things to distract them from squawking. Although this won’t always shush them, it will give them lots of fun stuff to do while they are quietly sitting around. Promote foraging: Toys that you can hide snacks within are sure to keep your bird quiet and entertained for hours on end. Try shoving some millet into a wiffle-ball or creating a kabob of apple slices and dried fruit and then hang it from the cage. Intertwine some vegetables or leaves through the cage bars. There are a variety of ways to inspire your bird to forage for food. And foraging is a great way to keep your little feathered child quiet. Have free flying time daily: Cockatoos need to stretch their wings, so make sure your little bird gets a chance to do so every single day. Free flying time alleviates stress, promotes good health, and helps your bird get the mental and physical stimulation they need in order to be happy. And the happier your cockatoo is, the quieter they will be. So let them stretch those wings! It will pay off with some much appreciated hushed time later. Interact affectionately with your bird: Birds pick up on their family member’s emotions. If you are upset, stressed, or angry your bird will also become stressed, upset, or angry. Cockatoos deal with negative emotions by letting of steam- and one way they let off steam is to scream (they also love to bang their toys around- that always helps too). But to avoid a hissy fit, simply always make sure to treat your cockatoo with respect. Interact affectionately with them, and even when you have a bad day- make sure they know they’re loved. Get them a feathered friend: Sometimes cockatoos get lonely. Loneliness would cause anyone to become vocal. If you feel you aren’t offering your bird enough stimulation, it may be time to get your bird a friend. By getting your cockatoo a companion you give them someone to love, interact with, and receive emotional and mental stimulation from. All of these things will significantly decrease your bird’s screaming. But, it will double the squawking when it does occur- because of course, it will be coming from two lovely voices rather than one.