Clingy Bird

[GlassOnion]

I don't believe that the birds even remotely understand the 3 strike method. It works because he connects behaving badly to a punishment, but I don't believe that he connects the previous two tries with the third one.

[pennyandrocky]

punishment might take months,but in my experiance reward takes days.

[Andromeda]

That's your opinion, and you're fully entitled to it. I don't use the cage as punishment. I use removing him away from the common living area as a consequence for screaming. He is very intelligent, it might take months but he will get it.

You're taking away a pleasant stimulus in order to decrease screaming. While you may not think of it as punishment, "the taking away of an appetitive stimulus to decrease a certain behavior" is the very definition of "negative punishment" in operant conditioning: Positive and negative reinforcement.

For what it's worth using positive reinforcement is more effective than using negative punishment. That's not an opinion, that's a fact, and the research supporting that fact goes back over four decades.

If you don't believe me (or Shelby or Pennyandrocky) you can research it yourself if you so desire.

Another consideration with punishment is that while you're trying to teach the bird what not to do, the bird may or may not see it that way. For example, when the bird screams, if you approach him, look at him, talk to him, take him to another room, etc. it's possible that he may end up perceiving any or all of those things as a reward, in which case you've basically "taught" him to scream when he wants you to approach him, look at him, etc.

It's also possible that he may end up screaming when he wants to return to his cage, because he's learned that when he screams he gets taken to his cage.

That being said, it's your bird, so you're entitled to train it as you wish.

[Rohan]

I'd recommend the extinction method. Basically you try and ignore the bad behaviours and reward the good. Screaming gets no attention at all, zip, but if they quiet for even one minute you go in there and reward them, I use praise, some use treats or a clicker. Even if you have to lurk around corners and jump out as soon as he stops yelling. lol. Eventually the quiet time will increase. Even if he's not screaming and just sitting preening or what not, a happy bit of praise for such a good bird is welcome. It's continual positive reinforcement.

The aim is to make the unwanted behaviours extinct, and promote the good. Your bird will soon work out what doesn't work. Refrain from calling back or shouting at him to shutup, this is just flock talk and serves no purpose at all except to escalate the screaming.

It's also important to note that birds make noise, they welcome in the day and the night with a good gob full lol. Some birds squark in play. Watch and listen you will soon work out their different calls.

Make sure he has plenty of enrichment too, toys, foraging etc, then he won't be so dependent on you and will learn to amuse himself.

Good luck

Rohain, FNQ, Australia