If your parrot gets loud right around sunset, you’re not imagining it—and you’re not failing. Evening screaming usually means your bird is overloaded, under-tired, or stuck in a routine loop. If your flock also got noisier this week, start with our daylight-trigger breakdown. And if sugar-heavy seed snacks are part of the late-day chaos, this 30-day pellets transition plan helps fast.
Here’s the simple routine I use with clients: drain energy early, feed smart in late afternoon, then lower stimulation before lights out. Most birds calm down in 5–10 days when this is consistent.
Why evening screaming spikes
Parrots are hardwired for predictable flock rhythms. In homes, sunset often brings TV volume, kitchen activity, and people moving room to room. Your bird hears all of it and starts flock-calling to keep contact. Add a late nap or too much simple carbs, and the volume jumps.
The 20-minute pre-sunset reset
- Minute 0–5: Target training or recall reps to burn mental energy.
- Minute 5–12: Set a foraging station (paper cups, folded coffee filters, pellet rewards).
- Minute 12–20: Drop room stimulation: softer lights, lower voices, same perch spot daily.
Don’t reward the loudest screams with immediate eye contact or dramatic reactions. Wait for a short quiet window, then reinforce calm behavior with attention or a tiny food reward.
Feeding timing that actually helps
Give the richer food earlier in the day and reserve evening for lighter foraging activity. Big, high-fat treats right before bedtime can keep birds amped up. Most parrots settle better when dinner is predictable and not too exciting.
One more key: keep bedtime stable. A 45–60 minute drift in lights-out can undo a lot of progress.
When to call an avian vet
If the screaming is sudden, intense, and paired with appetite change, feather damage, or droppings changes, get a medical check first. Behavior plans only work once pain and illness are ruled out.
Bottom line: Evening screaming is usually a routine problem, not a “bad bird” problem. Run the reset daily for a week, track what happens at the same time each evening, and you’ll usually spot the exact trigger.