Hi, I'm hoping someone will be able to help me, a week ago I was given a four or five year old cockatiel called Jennie. She's a lovely bird and I'm already feeling quite attached. The problem is she's usually quite quiet, she doesn't speak but whistles often which is a nice sound, but whenever the TV is put on, she screeches until it's turned off. When I spoke to the previous owner I was told this is something that she always does, and to keep the TV volume low. I've tried this and she screeches anyway, as well as not being able to hear the TV! I've taken to just not putting the TV on for the last few days but can't see this a being a solution. I've tried ignoring her when she does this so she knows she's getting no attention, incase she thinks I'm praising her if I speak. I've also tried covering the cage but she still screeches! The previous owner also had a cat so Jennie was not ever out of the cage and sometimes seems very timid and hisses when I put my hand in the cage to feed her, could this be she just needs more time to get used to me? I would love to think I could retrain her if this is possible, but I'm seven months pregnant and feel I may have taken on too much of a responsibility, even though I'm very reluctant to lose my little friend. Please someone offer advice!

She is probably competing with the tv for attention. Does she have plenty of toys to keep her occupied?
When my tiel used to screech I would initally ignore her and she would normally shut up if she knew she wasnt getting attention. As soon as she went quiet i would go and make a fuss of her. That really helped although occasionally she would really go off on one and the only thing to do would be to remove her from the room and place her somewhere dark and quiet to calm down.
Worse thing you can do (not saying you do this) is shout at her to be quiet as she will only screech louder! Good luck!