I've had my cockatiel, Kiwi, for about three years, and she's always been pretty chill - chirping softly and enjoying her toys while I work from home. But over the last week, every time I leave the room for even a minute, she lets out these loud, piercing screams that startle me and the neighbors. I’ve tried leaving the radio on softly and placing a mirror in her cage to keep her company, but nothing seems to help. I’m worried she’s feeling really lonely or anxious, but I’m not sure if it’s something else like a health issue or a sudden change in her environment. Has anyone else experienced this sudden shift in their bird’s behavior? What helped calm your cockatiel down when they started screaming after being left alone? Should I be looking into any specific health check-ups or environmental tweaks?

On 02/07/2026 at 9:50 AM, FuzzyPalZ said:

I've had my cockatiel, Kiwi, for about three years, and she's always been pretty chill - chirping softly and enjoying her toys while I work from home. But over the last week, every time I leave the room for even a minute, she lets out these loud, piercing screams that startle me and the neighbors. I’ve tried leaving the radio on softly and placing a mirror in her cage to keep her company, but nothing seems to help. I’m worried she’s feeling really lonely or anxious, but I’m not sure if it’s something else like a health issue or a sudden change in her environment. Has anyone else experienced this sudden shift in their bird’s behavior? What helped calm your cockatiel down when they started screaming after being left alone? Should I be looking into any specific health check-ups or environmental tweaks?

Kiwi’s sudden screaming sounds really tough, especially since she was so chill before. Sometimes cockatiels can get extra vocal if they sense a change in routine or if they’re feeling a bit insecure, even if we don’t notice anything obvious. You mentioned the radio and mirror, which are good starts, but maybe try introducing a new toy or some foraging treats to keep her mind busy when you’re out of sight.

Also, have you checked if anything in her environment changed recently - like new furniture, different lighting, or even a new smell? Those little things can unsettle birds more than we expect. If the screaming keeps up or seems linked to discomfort, a quick vet check might be worth it just to rule out any health issues. Fingers crossed Kiwi settles back down soon!