Animal Stories - People Talking About Cockatoos



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Latest Animal Stories on Cockatoos (244)

crystal - 2011-05-22
Well, my goffin was a family friends for over 20 years, and the first 5 years she was a classroom pet for 3rd graders. But some how a family friend needed to get him a new home, and I jumped at the chance. She has a 1800. cage, and we thought she was a girl until she laid an egg. lol She is the most affectionate pet I have ever had. She likes to steel your soda, and she loves to boogy! I have a 4 yr old and she loves to cuddle with all of us. and when she gets sick of one of us she goes on to the next. It is all how the bird was raised. the earlier you get it the better. good luck we love our Sammy.

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Charlie Roche - 2011-05-23
Cockatoos make excellent family pets especially when they are well socialized (as this one has been) early on. They adapt, love all and goffins are especially great easy going pets that love their humans.

MsBabyBlake - 2010-01-08
I first bought a goffin cockatoo for my father in law. He had a African gray that died and the same time he had his disabling stroke. Clyde was in a bird store and the workers said he was a loud bird and had a problem with pulling his feathers out. Even with that I still paid 1200.00 for him. He rode home on the steering wheel and we stopped at a chicken place to order some chicken before bring him to Papas. He had a large vocabulary! Called out my on by name told people to shut up, and shut the door. Then the not so favorite words that pops taught him. When my father in law was approved to go into a VA home we took Clyde back. He adored me and would sit on my shoulder and say Pits which meant I had to rub under his wings. He would bite any one else in the house. But, I was attached to him and I was happy he was a good bird. We where transferred to Washington state from San Diego. I brought all the pets in my car and Clyde loved going for rides. I was worried about the weather change. We stopped by my Step Father in-law for a few days in San Francisco on the way up. He had free fly in the house. I clip the wings so he can not fly far. Then we headed up north to our new home. The first night we got here Clyde slept with everyone on the living room floor. The first day he was throwing up, I thought it was from the change and not having his cage yet. We got his cage in and he seemed happy, but not Clyde's usual self. I pet him frequently. But the move hurt my back and I had to go to the emergency room. While I was there we received a call that Clyde was sitting on the bottom of his large cage not responding very well. Of coarse I went into a frantic. I wanted my IV out and to get out to get to him. I instructed my son to get him to a vet asap. In the mean time I fought with the doctor who where telling me I might have cancer. Yes I was scared but I knew I was going to die right then, Jesus I went in for a back ache! So I demanded they remove the IV. I would come back after I have seen my pet get the help he needed. We went crazy trying to find our son and beloved Clyde. When we reach there I was told we where too late, he had passed. I was crushed! it has been a year and it still bring me to tears. I cried so hard. I had him cremated and kept his bracelet. My husband knew it was heart wrenching for me and we look for another little guy. We found a goffin breeder about an hour from our home and went to look at a 1 month bird and 2 month old. I wanted both of them, unfortunately we could only afford one. My husband wanted the older one. I was pulled between the two so I agreed. He still needed to be feed with a syringe but was a little large and thought it was better for the kids. Valentine is his name, Vally for short. He is the most personal little guy you would every meet. He loves to leap on my head at night, and yes I let him sleep in bed with us for several months. Until I left my lap top open and he tore all my keys off. So now he sleeps in his cage and when my husband has duty he sleeps with me. He loves to be right by me and will go under my hand like a dog or a cat and want to be petted. He cleans my teeth, sits on my head (I am short) and I give this little 8oz wonder as much attention a I possible can. He loves oatmeal with cinnamon and nutmeg a little butter and milk and I top it with whatever fresh nuts I have. I make him what ever we are eating minus the salt and pepper or other harsh seasonings. He sits on my shih zu and chases the cat. He forgets he is small and can be crushed with one innocent love bite from another animal, so I keep him within reach when he is out and about. Our cat Sabby and he play. Sabby lays on his cage and then plays between the bars. He talks, but not in front of me, when he can't see me. He has a beautiful voice and talks very clear. When I come down in the morning he sqeeks out HI HI HI. All happy the morning has started and he is getting his fresh water and food for the start of the day. I change his food and water morning, noon, and night. And make it a point to spend at least an hour a day with him, if not more. Birds are a beautiful pet and you can raise them to be very cuddly and loving, enjoy!

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Donna Throckmorton - 2011-04-27
Hi, Your post made me laugh. My little Shera was 11 weeks old when I got her. She was just this little ball of fluff. And she would fluff all her feathers and make the most pitiful crying sound until I picked her up. Well she used to take naps with me. One morning we were taking a nap, and when I woke up I found she was busy with out me. She had chewed the whole cord to the computer mouse. She doesn't sleep with me anymore. But it only takes her about 20 seconds to pull off about 15 keys off the key board. Now I remember to cover it when she is out. Her next favorite thing, is chewing up the lamp shades. But, hell their cheap.
Barb Bialy - 2011-05-19
We just lost our Goffin this week. We had so little warning. He was 5 years old and just as amazing as everyone describes their Goffins to be. He let out a horrid squwak which got my attention, then he seemd ok so I turned to leave and he did it again. The dog, who never bothered with him, suddenly glued her nose to his cage. I knew then we were in trouble. He seemed to cough up a bit and then pooped, so I thought, ok he's fine. But looking at him I could see he was in distress, chest pounding, rapid breathing, wings starting to spread a bit. I was scared to death. Then his head started to droop till he almost fell off his perch. I called my son and said we are in serious trouble here. He got Buddy out of the cage and within a 2 minute space he was dead. We still haven't stopped crying. You who own a Goffin know how you can miss them terribly. Anyone have any ideas what caused this to happen? We didn't even get enough time to call a vet it all happened within 10 - 15 minutes.

amy - 2011-05-09
I just got a Goffin cockatoo and he screams and gets mean if I am here. Alone he is ok doesnt holler or try even to get off the entertainment center. I made him a ladder like so he can go to his cage and play but if there is my husband or kids here he will go into attack mode. He has already attacked my husband 3 times. With me he is ok and with my kids he will try to go after them until I stop him. I was just wondering if anyone has any idea why he is doing this { his screams are terribly loud } he will sit and talk to me but when he is in trouble he will say hello. I guess that is the only word he knows but I was playing peek a boo with him last night and he seemed to know what I was doing cause he would go unto a box I got for him then look out and I would say it again and he would do the same . I was just needing some information if anyone has any . I traded him for my 2 conures and he is a world of difference. Any info will help
Thanks

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Charlie Roche - 2011-05-09
Conures are more an every persons bird and will frequently like everyone in the family. Cockatoos usually show a preference in attaching to one person. My guess would be that your Goffin was attached to a particular female and somehow your Goffin associates you with that female. He is probably not used to children and possibly jealous of your husband.
Ovetime, this might change but probably not. Your husband can give the Goffin treats such as peanuts (as can the children) so the Goffin realizes they have some importance. It also sounds like he hasn't been handled a great deal and is used to being on his own. That is easy enough to change. Neutral perch, talking to him, petting the top of his head, teaching him "UP". It can take awhile. Do you have any idea how old the Goffin is? How long have you had him? Was the Goffin a "pet" to the previous owner? To turn this around, you would need to go slow, watch the Goffins behavior and start from the beginning in training. It could take 6 months to a year but Goffins make excellent pets. They were captured in the wild and tamed down as pets. It might take some patience but it can be done.

Lori - 2010-04-21
I have a Goffin, he's about 16m old,I've had him for a year. Scooter is his name and he is just beginning to talk, he loves to dance, kiss and walks around on the floor following my family like a dog. No joke you can be in another room and call him and he'll come, he also will knock on the glass door to come in or go out. This bird loves coffee but today I noticed the back of his tongue appears to be raw, little pink instead of gray, does anyone know if this is normal or if there is indeed something wrong?

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Anonymous - 2010-05-19
No no no coffee.. It is toxic to birds.. One of many common things, such as avocado, raw onion, and other foods.. As well as the fumes of most household cleaners.. paints, perfumes.. please get on web and look. Lots of sites with lists... avianweb.com pretty good.
L Johnson - 2010-05-23
Coffee is NOT a safe food for birds. You should also avoid chocolate and avocados. All of them contain caffeine which is a poison to them.
bryan - 2010-07-30
If your bird is drinking coffee you may wish to stop this. Caffeine can be fatal to birds and may be causing the color change to the tongue and raw can be from burns if the coffee is hot.
Donna Throckmorton - 2011-04-27
Stop giving the bird coffee, or caffeine of any kind. If it doesn't clear up or improve in a couple of days get it to a vet. Is it still eating its regular diet, and drinking water? Why would you give a Goffin coffee anyway, Lord knows they are wired all the time. My little girl never gets tired, and she is a free flier in the house. I can't say that she doesn't get treats she really should not have. Like she loves ice cream, cheese, and milk. But she only gets tiny bits. Because they have a hard time digesting it. She loves scrambled eggs. Hope your little one will be fine.
Dawsi - 2011-05-06
You should keep your goffin away from coffee, chocolate and salt. They are all extremly bad for your little buddy. As far as the toungue is concerened I am sorry I cannot help you. My goffin trys to drink my coffee in the morning (and everything thing else I happen to be eating) so I started giving her her own little cup with unsweetend apple juice. She loves it and feels like she is drinking coffee with me! Good luck!
Charlie Roche - 2011-05-06
I am not sure but the back of my Umbrella tongue is pink. The tongue part is grey but in the back it is pink. If her poop looks normal and there is no white dripping by the vent and her breath doesn't smell funny, I'd say she is OK. Now if her poop is diarrhea - or white dripping around the vent area, then she probably has a bacterial infection. If her breath smells bad then possibly a fungal. If everything is OK, then she is probably fine.

robin - 2010-11-11
Hi, my husband brought home a utoo about 3 mos ago, this bird loves him so much, she will let me pet her and feed her, even let me break and fluff her crest feathers, BUT! If I try to get her to step up see if she will get on me, she will bite me so hard it draws blood and leaves a mark for weeks. Anybody know why she would be so sweet and then so nasty?

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Dave - 2011-03-14
If your bird is in the cage when you try to get it to step up, they might see your hand as an invasion of their "space". Perhaps the bird needs to get out of its cage first, on its own, and will be friendlier to any overtures. Another possibility is that your bird, a female, prefers males; she might prefer your husband over you, and perhaps doesn't trust you as much. And, since your husband brought her home, she probably sees him as the object of most of her affections.
Anonymous - 2011-05-04
She has fallen in love with your husband.

Lisa - 2008-11-11
Hello, I have a goffin and she's 5. Love this bird dearly, so live up 2 her singing and screams when she wants something. Where I live they dont treat these type of birds. Last night she dropped an egg in her cage, which from a fall, it broke. This worries me because it was her first egg, and now she's having hard time walking, Made her a safe and smooth bed to keep an eye out. Her eyes are also looking like they're holding water. Should I be worried and will there be more eggs. This is taking all her engery and I am so worried I am gonna lose her. My email is lisaannpool@yahoo.com if anyone can help...Thanks so much....

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Donna Throckmorton - 2011-05-02
If possible, put her in a small cage with a heat lamp. Make sure she can get out of the way of the heat lamp. Or a aquarium with a heating pad on the bottom, but again only half in case she gets to hot. Try and keep her as relaxed and quiet as possible. I would call pet shops or other bird people in your area an try and find a bird vet as soon as possible. It sounds like she might be egg bound. A very serious condition. If nothing else try your area vets and ask them if they know of a avian vet. Even if you have to drive a long ways, its better that losing your little girl. Make sure to offer her food and water
Charlie Roche - 2011-05-02
They usually have two eggs and it sounds like your little gal might be egg bound. There has to be someone near whre you live that has been through this so try and contact any vet or breeder in the area. If not, try online - like you are. Keep her warm. Put your goffin in some sort of large container and put a heating pad on low wrapped in a towel under 1/2 the container so she can get warmer or cooler by moving there. Put care fresh, newspapers or bedding material on the bottom of the container. You can also soak her in warm water. You can take a cotton ball and put mineral oil around the vent which might help. It is lubrication. I have placed birds (egg bound) in containers and have placed birds in warm water that were egg bound. The egg came out so I was fortunate. I have not had to go in after an egg, however, and I don't know how to do that. If you can find an online breeder, maybe they would know how or have been through it before.
Charlie Roche - 2011-05-02
I don't mean to soak the entire bird in water, just the back end - vent part to relax the vent so maybe the egg will pass. Please do not soak the entire bird. Hopefully the egg has passed by now.
Charlie Roche - 2011-05-03
How is your little gal doing? Was there a 2nd egg? Did it pass. Hope all is well.

Jane - 2009-05-13
I've had my little goffin for about a year now, I got him at 6 months from a pet shop. He has changed my life to such a degree that I don't want to be anywhere alse but with him. He does come with me in the car, and enjoys it thoroughly. He does stay alone when I am at work, but he has my African Grey with him and he has a huge Macaw cage with lots of toys - it is so important for a Goffin to have the biggest cage that you can afford, as believe me he plays in ever corner of that cage, it is actually cruel to lock up a goffin in a cockatiel cage for the whole day, imagine that you were locked up in a small room for the whole of your day, you would go MAD.
He is my whole world and I can't imagine what my life would be like without him. Thank you my baby goffin, I love you so much and you have made my life so much richer!

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Donna Throckmorton - 2011-04-27
I know what you mean about the biggest cage possible. My Goffin Cockatoo, Shera, is in the same size cage as my amazon. 36in.Hx24in.Wx4Ft.long. She uses every inch. She has her own toy box, and of course hanging toys. She is so funny. Plus she is out every morning for an hour to two, and in the evening before bed time for an hour. I think more people need to be aware of the importance of teaching independent play. Or any cockatoo can be come very demanding and scream. Then they end up in shelters.
Oh one more thing, I got Shera when she was 11 weeks old, she is now three (April 14). She is a spoiled rotten brat. Of course she is sexually mature now, so its like she is going into her teen years. Now she is a big girl, and doesn't have to listen to mom all the time anymore. She has taken to ripping my glasses off my face! Then she flys around the house with them. Kids and cockatoos need rules to.

Gloria - 2009-06-21
Hello everyone. I have a Goffin Cockatoo named BeBe. He is about 8 years old. He means the world to me. I find that cockatoos have the funniest personality. My Bebe loves to dance, jump around, give kisses and loves for me to pet him all over his body. They do require lots of attention. If he doesn't get it, he will squack and chew on things. I have had to replace molding in my house because of it. I almost lost him a couple of weeks ago. I took him outside and he flew off my shoulder. He flew so high into a tree, that we could not get him down. We tried throwing a football to try and scare him down but he flew out of sight. I was so devastated. That night I put his cage outside and prayed to god to please bring Bebe back to me. The following morning after putting out flyers on a lost bird I went out back and heard him squack. He was yelling "I love you". I found him high in a tree, and again tried to scare him down. He tried to climb down to me but couldn't get a grip of the branches. Finally after 4 hours of this, he tried flying down to me, but got startled and flew to another branch. This time the branch was low enough a ladder could reach. I put the ladder up there stuck my hand out and he climbed onto my finger. We just sat there and gave each other hugs and kisses. God answered my prayers. I don't know what life would be without him and I don't want to find out. I love you Bebe.

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Donna Throckmorton - 2011-04-27
Hi, If God forbid that should happen again, especially if it is going to be dark soon, put his cage outside where he can see it. Hang a light next to the cage. Like one of the work lights guys use when they work on cars. Get up at dawn and start calling him. Hopefully he hasn't flown off.
My husbands Sun Conure got out the back door an hour before dark. I stayed out to 1am talking to him. Then I put his cage out, and hung the light in the tree right above his cage so he could keep it in sight. Next morning I was up at dawn calling him. He was in the neighbors yard so high up that I could barely see him. He was scared, but three hours later he finely came back a little closer, and a little closer, then flew back on the house then hopped on his cage. When my husband got home, he cryed he was so happy to have his little buddie back again. I trained my Goffin to a harness, and thats the only time she goes outside unless she is in a cage. I take her lots of places in the summer time.

Marina Bomb - 2010-08-24
Hello! I am Marina and I'm 13 years old. I am bored all the day and I told my mom that I want a Cockatoo for Christmas. She said it's okay, I'm going to have one, but I need good grades at school! I'm so excited, I think this Cockatoo will make my life happier because I read what you wrote on this web-site. I heard that this Goffin's Cockatoo is quite, is it true? I actually can't wait to teach it tricks and teach him to talk! Is it better to buy a baby 'too or an older one?

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Gemma - 2011-01-15
Hi Marina! Okay, time for the toughie: Cockatoos are very likely to annoy you to no end very quickly. Goffins are not quiet at all. This website may not get down to the hard facts, so try out www.mytoos.com. Your whole family has to back you up and support you on this decision - it is not going to be just your pet, it will be the whole family's. Goffins Cockatoos are not known for talking ability, though they can learn a few words as this says. If you must get a too, go for a hand-raised baby from a reputable breeder.
Keep in mind though, that you're probably going to have this bird for over 30 years. Are you really okay with that? What are you going to do with your bird when you go to slumber parties? Is your future boyfriend going to like this bird? Is your future husband going to like this bird? Cockatoos produce a large amount of bird dust, so if you or anyone in your family are allergic, don't get one. Another thing is prices. Buying your bird will be about a thousand, a good cage about two hundred, and toys, vet visits, food, and everything else about another thousand. Do you have $2,200 dollars saved up? Will your parents pay that money?
Do a huge amount of research and make sure you - and the rest of your family - really know what you're getting into. Good luck - and if you do get a too, have fun!
Donna Throckmorton - 2011-04-27
Hi, just wanted to make the comment that Goffins Cockatoos are great. I love my three year old Shera so much. But they are a life long commitment. They can live up to 40 years. They also need a lot of attention. What happens when you get older and start dating?
If you do get one I would recommend a young one, 3 or 5 months old. Teach it to play independently. Meaning lots of toys, and change them frequently. They are very intelligent, more so than dogs. But they also need a lot of attention and training. Maybe you should start with something a little less demanding for a first bird, like a cockatiel. Cockatoos are not like other parrots. I have a amazon, and a Sun Conure. Goffins are not as loud as the other toos. But they can screech when they are unhappy. They can also pull all their feathers out if they are stressed or bored. That can become a life long habit. They also cost between $850.00 to 1,300.00. So please think it over carefully, for the birds sake.

Kelly - 2010-12-14
I have a three year old female Goffin. I've had her for about nine months. We are buddies and spend hours a day together. She'll Say "Hello Zelda" which is her name and night night when I cover her for the night. She used to say good morning. I don't understand why she stopped. I've also been trying to teach her new things to say but she hasn't yet said anything else. I say How are you? And my grandfather wants me to teach her how to say Oh hell. I say these things to her several times a day but she never says anything back. Also, she constantly squawks when she's in her cage. I do not let her out when I clean the house because I am afraid she'll get into something harmful. It takes me about an hour and a half close to two hours until I am finished. Does she squawk because I spoil her too much? I would really appreciate if someone could help me out. If anyone has any advice for me please let me know.
Sincerely,
Kelly

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Gemma - 2011-01-15
Hi Kelly! Goffins are really, really sweet birds, but they aren't great talkers, which may be why she isn't learning. To try and teach her, though, whenever you come over to her tell her "Oh hell" or whatever you'd like to teach her. Also, whenever you do anything positive (like give her a treat, feed her, pet her, snuggle with her, etc) tell her the same phrase. Hopefully, she'll associate this phrase with good stuff, and then say it expecting good stuff. Reward her when she says it!
Good decision not letting her out while you clean! No, she's not screaming because she's spoiled. When she screams, resist the urge to tell her off - instead, completely ignore her. Don't even look at her, just ignore her. Don't expect instant results and keep doing it even if you really want to walk over and tell her to be quiet. If she's still screaming, put a cover over her cage while you clean or consult an expert.
Good luck!
Donna Throckmorton - 2011-04-27
Hi Kelly, I suggest getting her lots of small toys. My Goffin Cockatoo Shera loves little plastic cat balls with bells in them. She also likes little plastic pacifiers that you get to decorate baby shower presents.Toys and toys. Like I take newspapers, and show Shera that I put a almond in the middle, then crumple it up, I also crumple up a few at a time an throw them in the cage. I taught her from the time she was 11 weeks old to play independently. She's three now, and spends her time happily playing. She is out in the morning for a hour and a half. Then in the early evening she is out for a hour or so. Depending if she is a good girl or not. Now that she has hit her teenage years, she can be a handful sometimes. But she is very forgiving of me on days when I don't feel well enough to take her out for long. I am in a wheelchair, and all three of my parrots seem to have a understanding that I am not like other people. Hope this helps you. Toys, all kinds her size. Donna
Charlie Roche - 2011-04-28
They squack cuz they squack - especially if you are running a vacumn. They want to be with you. They need a lot of toys and will eventually settle in. Try a perch or having her in front of the TV with cartoons. That sounds nuts but they seem to like it. I have most birds are not receptive to saying something like "Bells on a tree". If you clap hands in rhythm and say "CLAP HANDS" then they will say that. They need an association. It has to mean something to them. My daughter said "CRACKER GOOD" and then did this huge burb and the bird would constantly go WANT CRACKER GOOD and then burp. It was hysterical. So try rythm or association.

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Animal Stories - People Talking About Cockatoos

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