Three weeks ago I acquired a pair of 2 year old pied cockatiels from a pet store, where they were being sold (along with their cage, toys and playpen) for $25 total! (Their previous owner was moving and had to get rid of them.) They're very affectionate with me, and seem to be adjusting well to their new home except for one thing: the male Rodin, screeches and whistles a lot. This often begins as the sun rises at 5:45 am despite a cover on the cage. I have had cockatiels in the past, both female, and never encountered any problems with noise at all, unless they needed food or fresh water or were frightened at a noise. So I'm confused by Rodin's outbursts. He often appears to be begging for attention when he squawks, particularly because we are sometimes within earshot, but out of sight of the bird when he goes off. I'm trying to speak quietly to him and when he goes on a screeching rampage, I put him in a dark closet for 3-5 minutes until he calms down. That works sometimes, but often he's at it again just a few minutes later. I am also around the house a lot of the time, since I'm unemployed, so they are allowed to be free in the house and go in and out of their cage as they like. The female (Tashi) is fine and I have no problems with her. So my question is: What else can I do to train Rodin to be quieter?

Jennifer