Displacement behaviour - inappropriate and abnormal vocalisation - in a captive cockatoo

Displacement behaviour can be common in captive cockatoos that lack access to specific stimuli or resources. The incessant screeching or shouting can be linked to stress, boredom or (especially in hand-reared individuals) a lack of social stimulation. This is termed a displacement behaviour because the animal is thwarted in their efforts to achieve a specific behavioural goal or reward, so they redirect their energy and motivation into a different, seemingly inappropriate behaviour instead ( in this case, screeching).