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I have to ask. Are you trying to say leave this bird out even while not attended? I hope not. I have left the room with my M2 out and have regretted it. They have to be supervised the damage they can do in just a few minutes is a scary thought.

For us if we give our boy lots ot chew on branches by the arm loads, phone books that kind of thing he calms down. Mine needs someone in the room too. If he knows we're outside talking without him he goes nuts. He's in the main part of our living space so he's always in on the action, I would prefer he were in the bird room with our others but his cage wouldn't fit through the door.

hookfins wrote:[b][/b Have u ever tried leaving him out of his cage?? when your gone? Does he get off his cage when your home that is? Mine will scream when he's in his cage but when I let him out he stops still wants the attention but he's not out yelling the football game 20 miles down the road lol Anyhow if he stays on his cage try leaving him out ... Don't give him away....I have 6 of the different two's they are all different in their actions and the amount of yelling they do....may I ask what state your in? thanks for the story and hope your able to keep him they do become part of ya at least mine do

I feel for you! My cockatoo screams too, but, surprisingly, only occasionally when I'm home, and never when I'm away from home, regardless of whomever else is home. Because I refuse to be her pet, my concentrated interaction with her is at specific times, and just with her. My interaction with her consist of no more than a half hour of actual preening or petting her. She gardens with me, hanging onto my clothes and occasionally diving for bugs. We read out in the garden, her perched on a limb above me, usually plucking off leaves. We also travel together (she is a delightful traveler) and go on walks. While on our walks, whenever anyone asks about the novelty of having a cockatoo... I tell them the real situation; the destructiveness, the need for stimulus and interaction, and the screaming. I also tell them there is a huge number of cockatoos in shelter and rescue situations.

My cockatoo is fortunate to have an outside and an inside cage, plus a sleeping cage. She gets a full 11 hours of darkness a night. I make her toys, lots of toys, with a large variety of the items to destroy. She doesn't like big wood blocks, so we have items appropriately sized for an African grey or a conure. I am the only one in my household that has any desire to interact with her. Any of our interaction in the home take place in the porch and bedroom/bathroom. However, she is the best companion I've ever had. Her future care is provided for in my will. I want her to outlive me, because I couldn't exist without her.

So how does all this help with the screaming? I advise you to have a schedule. Hold to the schedule. I totally agree with the prior contributors about making sure he has enough sleep, the right food, etc. Provide lots of stimulating toys that are switched out frequently and are toys that he likes. Provide distractions like tv on a Nickelodean or Disney station, or children's music cds, or a window that faces a street or playground, etc. Don't try to over power him with noise, he will always be louder. Don't pet him too much. Limit your petting to his upper wings, head, neck areas. Get him out and about. with a very long leash.

You didn't say if his wings were clipped or not. If not, you might also teach her bird to recall and eventually venture forth for some free flights. I only free flight my cockatoo when I am in an area fairly free of hawks. If we are in an unfamiliar place, or if lots of activities are going on, or if there is a potential for predatory birds, I use a small dog harness, modified, for my cockatoo. It has made her a much happier bird being able to fly outside.

Good luck with Casper. Don't give up or better yet, give up the boyfriend!

This is a very old thread, from 2009. Thank you for the advice, but the original poster has already made their decision.