Cockatoo Advice Wanted

[DawL]

Hello everyone,

 

I received an email from a family the other day about a U2 that needs a new home. The email didnt say much, but when I called them, I learned much more. Barnaby is an 8 year old Umbrella Cockatoo. He has been with this family most of his life. He had one previous owner, and was hand fed by her. Unfortunately he suffered crop burn in her care during this time, but luckily, he survived. Now, the mother in this family got him because he was "pretty" and she wanted a bird. Now he has been passed around the family because no one wants to keep him. The father and the step mother cant stand the screaming (although they dont let him out of the cage, and keep him covered up most of the day to prevent the screams) and the daughter is just simply afraid of him, as he has bit her before...so she ignores him. Bottom line, they are doing a good thing by recognizing that they cannot meet his needs, and wanting to find him a home with someone that can, and will.

 

Here are my issues.... I was told by the father that every morning he gives the bird coffee... I was honestly shocked by this. Is this something I should be concerned about health wise with long term behavior? He will be seeing our avian vet right away, but I have never heard of anyone doing this, that is why I am curious. Also, and here is a huge one...he refuses to eat ANYTHING other than seed. He will not eat pellets, fruits, or veggies of any kind. I was told by the daughter in the family that when they try to give him anything aside from his seed, he forces himself to regurgitate it (they didnt say "forces to regurgitate", they said he throws it up... I am just assuming). This is very alarming to me. Has anyone ever heard of this behavior? It really worries me. I absolutely MUST get him onto better food, and I know it will be a long road, but I really just found this ODD.

 

On a brighter note, he does not pluck, or mutilate....although I am certain he is not far off. I am going to be driving 4 hours there, and 4 hours back to go and pick Barnaby up right outside of Raleigh, NC.... but I cannot do it until the end of the month. I have close to 30 people in my home for Christmas, and I think it will be too stressful on him to take in so much at once. I just worry so much about leaving him that situation for another 3 weeks. Dont get me wrong, they seem like good people, just not very knowledgeable, and CERTAINLY should NOT have a Cockatoo. Any thoughts or advice is welcome.

[DawL]

I need to bump this, as I really need some advice on this subject!

[Greywings]

Dawl I have 2 rehomed Too's one is from several homes including a druggie one. The best advice I can give you is to visit Tooztalk for some specific Cockatoo advice, keep trying all kinds of foods, try different presentations and eat some in front of him to show it is yummy! Do not give this bird routine attention, vary your schedule and there will be about a 2 week honey moon time slot where he will be on his best behavior prior to feeling at home and slip into his usual activities (screaming). Like a small child distract with toys, activities, music or Tv to avoid some of the negativity. It is a challenge to help one of these guys but they are smart and quick to learn so do not reinforce the screaming with any reaction at all-just walk away & cover your ears. Reward any quiet time immediately food or attention what ever works for you both.

[Luvparrots]

A cockatoo was my very first choice of parrots, I so loved to watch Fred the cockatoo on Baretta. Luckily I spent some time at my local pet shop which had two cockatoos that needed to be re-homed. Both were very attention demanding and I decided too much bird for me. I love parrots but I also "like to be alone". If you can spend some time with this cockatoo to see if he fits into your lifestyle I would do it. Perhaps he will not be overly demanding and a screamer but the only way to know is to check it out. I have meet other too owners that say their toos are okay in the screaming/demanding department. Personal choices. things that only an individual can decide.

[DawL]

Dawl I have 2 rehomed Too's one is from several homes including a druggie one. The best advice I can give you is to visit Tooztalk for some specific Cockatoo advice, keep trying all kinds of foods, try different presentations and eat some in front of him to show it is yummy! Do not give this bird routine attention, vary your schedule and there will be about a 2 week honey moon time slot where he will be on his best behavior prior to feeling at home and slip into his usual activities (screaming). Like a small child distract with toys, activities, music or Tv to avoid some of the negativity. It is a challenge to help one of these guys but they are smart and quick to learn so do not reinforce the screaming with any reaction at all-just walk away & cover your ears. Reward any quiet time immediately food or attention what ever works for you both.

 

 

I appreciate this advice. We are very much looking forward to him coming to live with us.

[DawL]

A cockatoo was my very first choice of parrots, I so loved to watch Fred the cockatoo on Baretta. Luckily I spent some time at my local pet shop which had two cockatoos that needed to be re-homed. Both were very attention demanding and I decided too much bird for me. I love parrots but I also "like to be alone". If you can spend some time with this cockatoo to see if he fits into your lifestyle I would do it. Perhaps he will not be overly demanding and a screamer but the only way to know is to check it out. I have meet other too owners that say their toos are okay in the screaming/demanding department. Personal choices. things that only an individual can decide.

 

I should have elaborated, but I absolutely LOVE Cockatoos. I grew up with a Moluccan, and have worked with many Too's over the years. The difference is, my Dad's M2, and the other Too's I have worked with were not neglected like this bird has been, so I really need to do my homework, and make sure I am as ready for him as I can be. I even made my family go spend time with 2 U2's before we made the decision to get a Cockatoo, because I wanted them to really understand the noise level, and their demanding nature. Finally, we decided we were ready, but it has been a year since then, and we still had not gotten one...and them I got this email. It just FEELS RIGHT.

 

He is a screamer, but honestly I would be too if I NEVER got to get out of my cage. Also, they sent me pics of him, and there is 1 toy in his cage, that is all. I am looking forward to him coming home, and I am hoping to give him a much happier life.

[Luvparrots]

Well then, you are an experienced cockatoo owner. So go get this cockatoo and give him the life he deserves. I can't wait to see him!!!!

[DawL]

Well then, you are an experienced cockatoo owner. So go get this cockatoo and give him the life he deserves. I can't wait to see him!!!!

 

We are hoping to go and get him right after Christmas. It is a 4 hour drive there and back, so it will be quite a full day! As soon as I get him home and settled in, I will get some pics of him for sure!

[Greywings]

It sounds like a Christmas miracle for this guy, a new beginning for a better life-good work Dawl. It will be challenging but so worth it if you are able to overcome his fears and prior neglectful "training".

[katana600]

I know nothing about cockatoos other than their beauty and a reputation for being velcro birds with big indoor voices. LOL. I was afraid to chime in because we have a rescue bird who was offered "with issues" that were straightforward and honestly explained. The day he came home, I knew it would be a long haul. It has been a thousand times better than I could have imagined and I had very sparse grey experience to begin with. So, since you have already had experience, you know what you are getting into with the general aspect. I believe you really are getting a Christmas miracle. Barnaby is going to have the biggest miracle of all though. You know the areas where you will have to focus first so you are already half-way to solving those things. The biggest thing I can see in this match is that you are choosing with your brain at the same time as you have already made the decision with your heart. It would be hard enough to be a step child... but to be the object of infatuation of the ex wife is lower on the totem pole and practically screams baggage. The day he comes to your home and sees love and acceptance instead of hard looks and negativity, he will show you his issues were their issues. It will take a lot of work on your part to win him over, but really, that part sounds like it is already a well greased slide.

[DawL]

Thank you to both of you... he really is a Christmas miracle for me, and I hope I can be just as much a miracle to him. He deserves so much more than what he is getting now. Honestly, I am nervous though. It is really like bringing home an adopted child. I worry so much about doing everything right, but I know after he gets here, and we both settle down a bit, it will all come naturally. My biggest worry is him not eating the foods that he needs. As of now, I think I remember them saying he will only eat seed, which is just awful. I swear I am going to go to the grocery store and picking up everything I can possibly think of for him to eat, and will find SOMETHING he likes! Also, I know it will be quite a task to get him onto pellets from the seeds after 8 years. It is going to be a long road, but it will be worth every step taken.