Animal Stories - People Talking About Cockatoos



Select Pet Atlas	Select A Family	Species / Breed

Latest Animal Stories on Cockatoos (244)

Lily - 2013-05-22
I recently acquired a goffin's cockatoo. Rescue bird. The previous owner that had him, I heard, got evicted and went to jail for drugs. He is extremely afraid and plucks his feathers. I have had him for about 4 months. I got him a large cage. He previously had a small one. He has lots of toys and gets fed well. I have recently gotten him off seeds, which is what he was sent with, and on Harrisons as well as fresh foods. He is still pretty picky with eating but getting better. I have taken him to the vet and am still waiting on results to see if there are underlying issues for his feather picking before I do anything else. He is supposed to be approximately 3 years old. He sometimes makes a few noises but most of the time sits in one spot and doesn't seem interested to get to know me. I also have a sun conure, approximately 12 years old and their cages are right next to each other. My sun is more bonded to me, and humans, but my goffin seems to identify more with my conure. I have had mainly dogs all my life except for my conure and am not too familiar with cockatoos, which I understand need a lot of stimulation. My boyfriend has had birds his whole life, 3 amazons growing up and the last just recently passed a few years ago. Any information on goffins, feather picking, fearful birds (cockatoos) than anyone can give would be extremely helpful. He is gaining weight and looks healthy but his feather picking is getting worse and he has developed some abscesses under his wings from picking. I got an ecollar from the vet but Im worried that this will be damaging to his mental health because of how he already acts. I tried it on my conure because he can handle a lot of situations and he had a hard time with it and would only flop around. Any information on a feather picking (flight suit) would also be useful as I think I may want to try that first. Im in this too the end and would not think of rehoming this bird another time as I understand its very damaging. I am planning on trying the foraging bit as well as tv for entertainment while I am at work. Thanks again for any help!!!

Click For Replies (1)

Clarice Brough - 2013-05-22
It's so great that you're giving this bird a great home, and a chance to get normalized. Here's a few thoughts. Birds have incredibly long memories, so it will take a long time for him to get brave with his new world. Birds also prefer other birds over people, so it's no surprise he does best with the Sun Conure, and it's actually really great that you have a companion for him (and for the Sun, though they're not as needy). But don't give up,he's smart and he is watching, so he will learn about you from observing you and your conure interact. Something that can help with the plucking, besides all the normal stuff you'll read and hear about... try a soft cotton blanket in the cage with him, or covering one side where he can pull on it. We've had success with that. If he likes it, he will chew on it constantly and it will be destroyed, but it offers him a soft replacement for his feathers and can help keep him occupied. Good luck and all the best to both of you:)

Anonymous - 2012-02-01
I have a 10 month old goffin and I was told to start teaching her tricks and how to speak. She is very hyper most of the time and I really don't know how to teach her to talk or do tricks. I've gotten her favorite seeds as treats, but she will either just go for the seeds or lose interest and do her own thing. Help?

Click For Replies (2)

Charlie Roche - 2012-02-01
AHH it is sooo very ,much easier to let the goffin train the human - honest. Let's start with some really easy stuff. When your feathered one comes up on your hand say 'UP'. When you just sorta grab her beak and plant a kiss on the beak say 'Kiss' When you tickle scratch under her wing - just gently pull it out (extend it) and say 'PRETTY' I would say 'I am a bird I fly high, I am a bat I lay down' and I would raise my bird really high above my head and then lower it down on its back. Put words to the things your feathered companion does naturally. You can bop 'UP and DOWN' in a beat and she will learn to bop 'UP and DOWN' in rhythm - think country with a good bass works best for this. Start just putting words to the things she does naturally, then show her new behaviors. Remember, she is just 10 months - still really a baby. I found that most birds aren't all that receptive to actually training before 1 - 1/2 years but putting words to their actions just like you would a human child - works great. Let them train you - definitely works best. You will learn. She also does not associated her treats wityh a behavior. It is too soon - just put the words to her actions first. (NO TREAT) and when you know she has that one thing down - then say the 'Command' and give her a treat. No treats for regular obediance though such as 'UP' 'DOWN' 'POTTY' You wouldn't give a child a treat for those things - right. A feathered friend is a 3 year old human dressed in feathers but yours is just 10 months old.
Mary - 2013-05-06
Goffins cockatoo's don't usually talk. I've never seen one that did. I had one for over 23 years. I would talk to her and she'd listen. She liked to scream and try to ram the other bird she saw in my mirrored walls. She became best friends with my female chihuahua when she was a pup. My goffins did not like people. She was a mature hen when I got her and needed medical intervention immediately to save her life. She lived a long time with me. I didn't trim her wings. I allowed her to fly freely throughout my condo. She ate my vertical blinds, tryed to nest in three couches and ate any plants I tried to keep indoors. She also ate my floor boards,furniture, kitchen cabinets and electrical wires till I started to lock her in her cage when I left my unit. It was hard but we found ways to get along. A squirt gun works great when trying to get her to settle down. I think she liked it. Water mist is helpfull to a cockatoo so that they can cleam up. So is a large water bowl. Also, loved to shred apples hanging on a spiked metal toy in her cage. Small PVC pipe can be fitted over your electrical wires, even use elbow joints at table edges so the bird can't chew the wires. a replacement electircal plug can be reinstalled at the end of the wire after the pipe is installed over it. Her name was Kiwi. I thought of getting another, but another bird might be afraid of my dogs. I have three of them. She used to dive bomb my boys (dogs) because she felt they were not freindly enough. She used to walk pigeon toed into my bedrooom in the mornings, looking for the dogs. She was content to sit on the edge of the bed an take a p**p. Kiwi decided where she wanted to sit. I just accomadated her. She was wonderful. I will miss her for a long time.

Denise Fisher - 2013-04-19
I have had my Cockatoo, a male for 22 years! Over the past year, he has become a biter! If I have people over, he will run towards me and start pecking at my ankles. A couple weeks ago, I let him out of the cage while a friend was over and he went right by my friend on the couch and attacked me. I quietly put him back into the cage were he bite me two more times, sending me to the hospital for a very serious bite. I am told he is hormonal and sees me as his 'mate.' I am petrified to let interact with him for any length of time. This was once a darling, bird, with excellent temperament. Now, obviously, I am aware I can't let him out with anyone home. But how can you build trust after this... He is unpredictable.

Click For Replies (1)

Clarice Brough - 2013-04-19
That's a challenge, but a 22 year relationship speaks of a good friendship. I would analyse the environment and all the things you are doing to see if there are any changes in your lifestyle that may be causing some sort of upset with your bird. Try to figure out what's become different (besides your bird's reactions) over the past year.

Olivia - 2013-04-07
I am thinking of selling my goffin cockatoo he has became to much work for me. Between school and homework I don't have enough time for him. how would he do if I sell him? would he adapt well since I have had him for a few years?

Click For Replies (2)

Clarice Brough - 2013-04-08
You could sell him yourself, or consign him with your local pet store. In either case it helps to have the prospective owner spend some time with the bird. This helps them make sure they really want the bird, that the bird likes them, and that they are prepared to give it a proper home. The better the match, the easier it is for a bird to adjust.
Brent Trehern - 2013-04-17
Cockatoos, especially Goffins, are a mystery unto themselves. How he was raised will greatly affect how he will adapt to a new home and owner. One of my Goffins (this is not the first home for all three of them), a male named Coconut by the previous owner, has something of an unknown past and is afraid of men. He will listen to me and step up, but is otherwise afraid of me (or any other man for that matter). However he will cuddle with my fiance...even though I've had him for a year and a half and she's been in my life for only a year. If you raised him from a baby (and I mean after he was fully weaned...not from when he was hatched, mind you), and he's a sweet bird you've introduced to various people over the years, then he should adapt well to any loving home. However there are cautionary notes to selling or rehoming your bird. First, if you choose to use a local pet store to consign, make sure of the store's reputation. A good example (I live in Phoenix, Arizona) would be a store we have around here called Cageworld. The last time I visited this bird store I knew much less about pet stores than I do now so I was ignorant of how horrible it was to house a dozen birds in a single large cage. Not only did they pack the birds in cages but there were more than a few reported incidents (which you can find online) of birds being boarded there who 'accidentally' got sold. So be sure the place you go to has a positive reputation from either word of mouth or multiple websites (reviews can be faked so...check around). Whether you consign or sell directly to an owner, as recommended, make sure you meet the potential new owner and ascertain their suitability. You don't want the bird going to a home for the wrong reasons such as for breeding, being a gift to a kid who will lose interest once the newest video game comes out, or someone who says they can't afford the price of a consigned bird (if they can't afford the bird from a shop then how are they going to pay for food, toys, and vet visits?) just to name a few. Finally check with family who may be able to home the bird for few months (or years) to give you time to either catch up with school or finish it. This would be the easiest on your heart, as you would not truly be parted from your companion...as long as someone agreed to it.

Klitsie - 2013-04-02
Hi, I would just like to know at which age a Goffin Cockatoo would normally start talking?

Click For Replies (1)

Jasmine Brough Hinesley - 2013-04-04
I really can't give an exact age, but I do know that cockatoos in general are not known for great talking abilities. I've heard that it can take a few years for them to really say comprehensible words. If you work with them a lot as they are coming of age you might have better results.

Kristine - 2012-08-28
Hi. I have a 8 month old Goffin who is cute as a button. I can't get him to stop crying. It is a high pitched wine, not loud, but worries me. He does this even when I'm rubbing his head and spending a lot of time with him. I'm also worried that he isn't eating any vegetables and fruits. He likes carbs, and does eat pellets but not many. Please help....I want him to be happy in his new home. Thanks.

Click For Replies (3)

Charlie Roche - 2012-08-28
It is 1000% normal and by the time you are totally crazy, it wil stop that sound. It is a baby sound - they will make that sound their entire life at times but for the most part they just revert to that baby sound when they want attention - of course that baby sound comes first and then there is the temper tantrum. The baby sound will go away but up to a year. I would go to a seed mix - as they also make this sound constantly when they are hungry. May not like pellets and .... Try cooked sweet potatoe, try giving it some baby foood, (apricots, sweet potatoe, with a spoon) of feeding him cooked sweet potatoes or pieces of vegetables (string beans semi cooked) with your fingers. I know stress is given to fruit/veggies and pellets but a good seed mix will have dehydrated fruits and vegetables etc right in it. Look up Goldenfeast and look at the contents of their seed mix. Dehydrated apricots/peas/beans have the same nutritional value as fresh - at least that is what i was told by a nutritionist. The spound is normal - it is chronic but is also a sound they are hungry.
Kristine - 2012-12-03
Wow. Thank you for the response. I really appreciate it! I don't feel so alone now...
Darlene Kessel - 2013-03-26
Mu goffin cried like that for almost 2 yrs. and she is a very good eater. sometimes she does that when I'm petting her and she's content. Now we are on the vocal stage when she wants her own way which is all the time. I offer food that we eat. loves noodles and oatmeal, potatoes. I do cook the veggies so they are not that hard sometime she eats them or will throw it. You just have to try different things

chante greene - 2013-01-16
Hello everyone! Im desperate here! I have a female goffin who is 1 year 6 months. I love her to bits but for the past few months she has been screeching,nonstop! All day,whether she sees me or not. I am 4 months pregnant and people say its not good for me too be getting so worked up and stressed. She is driving me insane! I dont want to give her away :( is there anything that can be done? Im at the end of my rope....thanks

Click For Replies (2)

Cynthia Orsburn-Lopez - 2013-01-20
I think you might want to talk to an audiologist about the bird's loud voice.. The pitch that the bird use may be damaging to ear drums,, Also please make some type of plans where your baby and the bird can be seperate whenever the bird is being too noisy.. I believe that all that screamming while making convertations, while doing homework etc can effect on the kid's mind and personality.. Heck you might even be fustrained by trying to talk to your kids over the bird's voice..Everybody being in a good mood and can hear eachother makes the difference in kids life.. I'm not saying get rid of the bird but make a ' family and pet time' and family time without the noisey pets..It's something to think about and if you agree.. Now's the good time before the baby's born.
Darlene Kessel - 2013-03-26
I got my Goffin at that age and for the first six months I had no problems then she would start yelling to the point that my Severe tells her to shut up...lol. They are very needy birds and if my Cricket had her way she would be with me 24/7. I would put beaded things and straws and white paper in her cage as well as her other toys and that would keep her occupied for a while, also paper cups. I do take my bird out for a couple hrs at a time throughout the day and the last after dinner til bedtime. I also sew beads on an old purse and have it on top of the cage and she will spend hrs taking them off and gives me quiet time. I know sometimes it drives you crazy and that's when we take a ride..lol. If you know what your bird likes try working that into the cage. I wish you you luck

chris miller - 2013-03-23
I have a rose breasted cocatoo for sale in sevierville tn. Please call if you are interested . 865-621-9758, girl . 4 year old verry friendly

chante greene - 2013-02-18
My goffin is almost 2 years old and ive tried all i can to get her to eat fruit and vegetables. She only eatsif there are seeds for her. Please help....how do i get her to eat better?

Click For Replies (3)

Jennifer - 2013-02-21
That's tough. My bird doesn't really care for fruit and vegetables that much ether; I suggest you try all the ones you can and your just going to have to find the one he likes. Best of luck!
KNinVA - 2013-03-13
Hi, I am finding the same thing. However, lately I've tried cooked corn, carrots, peas, and broccoli heads and he seems to like that---but they have to be cooked and warm. Be careful not to give hot food to your bird. I have also noticed that he will eat apples, but only if they are cut up in very small pieces. I've also noticed he is liking freshly squeezed grapefruit and orange juice... My problem is, once he tried seeds, he has decided not to eat any pellets. So, I have to tackle that issue. Oh, another couple things mine like is oatmeal (cooked), rice, and cooked noodles (love this). Hope my discoveries help you. Basically when I talked with the vet about my concerns, he said that over time the bird's taste for things like veggies and fruits will change. He said just make them small bites, periodically available, and change the options regularly. Having the same food daily is not something they like...just like us humans....
jayashree - 2013-03-13
offer some corns in the morning then followed by few seeds. repeat i t for a week and gradually add some seeds with a cup of fruits. u must give variety of fruits (seedless grapes. similarly with vegetables. at beginning my bird was also refuse to eat fruits and vegetables. but now he is good in eating. so try this

Joseph37 - 2012-10-29
I have a goffin and he's around 3 years old and he keeps like gaging his self with his foot. why is he doing that ?

Click For Replies (2)

Charlie Roche - 2012-10-29
They do that and it is pretty normal but to be on the safe side I would take a look at the inside of his mouth and make sure there is nothing stuck on the top of the roof of his beak or toward the beack to the mouth. Easiest way to do this is to hold him on his back and place a screwdriver/wrench/ something metal that he can bite down on but not break which will keep his mouth open and just look with a flashlight. He probably won't like it but should look.
KNinVA - 2013-03-13
I recommend you have your vet do this. If you in-inadvertently hurt your bird, he will remember that is loving owner hurt him....you don't want to start behavior problems. Your vet also has good tools and more helping hands...

About Animal-World

Animal-World offers animal pictures, videos, and animal information on all different types of pets and animals. Included are animals that are commonly kept as pets, exotic pets and wild animals. Check us out for information, education, and fun. We strive to aid in responsible pet ownership and an understanding of the importance of preserving and honoring our world and its inhabitants. Animal-World members and contributors are from all over the world. You too are invited to be an active participant in this community. Post your own personal pet stories, contribute pictures of your pets, and join the forums for pet and animal discussions.

Visit Animal-World

Animal Stories - People Talking About Cockatoos

About Animal-World