www.ParrotAdventures.com

Typed this up for someone else... perhaps it may be of help to you as well.

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Is there anything that has changed prior to him screaming? Does he have a large cage? Does he have a variety of toys? Does he have foraging toys? Does he play with his toys? Does he get bathes regularly? Is he clipped or flighted? Does he get enough exercise? Is he on a good diet? Does he get enough sleep? Does he get enough sunlight?


The best way to stop screaming in parrots is to prevent it. There are techniques that are often used during the process of a bird screaming their head off, but they are not as pleasant as being able to try and prevent the screaming in the first place - and no, I am *not* recommending putting a blanket over his cage or ignoring his screaming. What I am suggesting instead is to have him do a behavior that is incompatible with screaming - and make sure that everything in his life is good.

Sleep
Sometimes, when birds don't get enough sleep, they can get cranky. Many people often recommend 12 hours of sleep year round. I am of the belief that birds should experience the differences in seasons (including daylight hours), which helps prevent my birds from laying in the winter. You may need to see if Archibald may benefit from a change of sleep hours.

Diet
There have been cases of a "poor diet" being bad for certain birds. I don't mean poor as in bad, but that some birds are sensitive to the foods that they eat. It could be corn, sunflower seeds, grapes, pellets, etc. Try taking a look over his diet and seeing if you can make any improvements to it or changing it.

Baths
If he loves bathing and drying off, he's less likely to scream. He's busy taking care of himself. If there's a certain time he starts screaming, consider giving him a bath prior to him screaming. This may keep him busy until his feathers dry.

Exercise
Clipped birds can't get as much exercise as a flighted bird can. Flight works their muscles as well as builds up their stamina. A bird with a high stamina is less likely to tire out in a short period of time. If you exercise a bird via flight to the point that they start to tire, it will take a bit of time for them to recuperate. Birds who have been flighted their entire lives tend to "think on the wing" and can make quick decisions while in flight. Birds who have been clipped most of their lives tend to think prior to taking off flight and tend to fly in one direction - to their goal. They may have a harder time learning to think in mid-air.

Toys/Foraging Opportunities
A bored bird is not a happy bird. If Archi is not an independent player, he needs to be taught how to play with toys and to forage for food and treats. A busy bird that has something to do is a happy bird. Keeping him busy and entertained may help keep him from screaming. Easy ways to keep a bird busy/entertained is to wrap their food/treats up in mini muffin papers, small coffee filters and twist the ends, covering their food dish with a paper towel, offering fresh *safe* branches from trees outside that have not been sprayed or fertilized with any chemicals, offering fresh green grasses, especially those that are seeding! There are a variety of things you can try to spice up his life!

Sunlight
This goes back to keeping his mind entertained - as well as keeping him healthy! If you have a cage you can take him outside in, go and sit out there for 30 minutes or so per day! Maybe make it 15 minutes, twice per day! Three or more times per week! Being outside in the shade with maybe some access to direct sunlight will help him absorb the UV Rays that will help him produce vitamin D3 for his body, while also keeping his mind busy with whats going on around him. *DO NOT* ever leave him outside unattended or without a cage, carrier or harness.

Training
This once again goes back to a busy bird is a happy bird. Training isn't so much about teaching neat little tricks, it's about learning how to communicate as well as stimulating the birds mind! And heck, it can be fun for both bird and owner! With training, you can teach birds acceptable behaviors, and the more these behaviors are rewarded over unacceptable ones, the more likely the bird will perform the acceptable ones over the not so acceptable ones! Barbara Heidenreich and Melinda Johnson both have great articles and materials that are worth reading or watching! 


I could go on about things in the environment or perhaps something outside a window that could be upsetting him, other animals, humans, etc... however, I hope the information I have already provided may help you on your way to a happier Archibald! 

http://www.senegalparrot.net

Sometimes, playing some music or nature sounds may calm them (after all, it's not quiet where some birds come from, and it's never completely silent out in the wild). Other times it may require foraging opportunies, toys that they enjoy playing with, new foods, etc.