Animal Stories - People Talking About Cockatoos



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Latest Animal Stories on Cockatoos (243)

Lava Richards - 2013-01-11
I have just bought a cockatoo, yet I am concerned about his feathers, they are in terrible shape mostly his tail and around the edges .. is there something I should be doing for him.. I'm waiting on an appointment with a bird guy. So I figured I'd ask you all.. plus it sounds like he grinds his beak ::(

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Clarice Brough - 2013-01-12
I love cockatoos, they are so social and friendly. One of their best attributes is their loving nature. But this strength is also their greatest weakness. They have such a high need for social interaction that they often develop behavioral problems when kept as pets, common ones are feather plucking and screaming. I'm so glad you are taking him to a bird guy. You should be able to learn about lots of things you can do to make your new pet happy and comfortable.

Darren - 2012-12-10
Just four days ago my family and I became companions to a mollucan Cockatoo named Jamie and he is approximately 30 years old. His owner was unable to give him the required attention any longer and she reluctantly needed to find him a loving home. He had been plucking out his feathers and generally misbehaving so I eagerly took him in. He is doing well but he is slightly nervous with me, although I am able to hand feed him he is not willing to allow me to touch him yet. Last night while spending some time w/ him my wife approached the cage and to our surprisese he came out of his cage and was extremely affectionatete w/ her, allowing her to pet him, hold his back, and even climb onto her arm. I will admit that I am a bit jealous but very happy to see Jamie in such a happy state. Does anyone have some advice on how to teach him to accept me and the rest of my family or has chosens his person?

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Charlie Roche - 2012-12-10
Cockatoos are usually a family bird and will get along with all members. The moluccan probably went to your wife right away as she sesnse or sees some familiar between your wife and the previous owner. I would think given some more time and a few treats for bribes he would adjust to other members of the family. Feed him/her treats with your hand. Let him be closer to you while on his perch when you are eating dinner/lunch and feed him from your plate. Talk to him. If the previous owner had similar hair or was the same sex or etc etc - the molluccan senses the familiarity. It has only been 4 days and this takes awhile so hang in there.
Darren - 2012-12-11
thanks for the advice Charlie, I will keep you posted on our progress. I am sure in time he will adjust and be very happy in his new home but if i may, any additional advice on his feather plucking would be greatly appreciated as well. I am aware that this is one of the hardest ticks for them to stop but it is very sad to see him continue pulling his new feathers despitee almost constant attention . is there a product than can help w/ this? he also picks at the dry skin on his feet which leads me to believe that perhaps he is uncomfortable. I am allowing his to sample every thing we eat ( except Avocado's and fatty processed meats) along w/ fruits and veggies.
Charlie Roche - 2012-12-11
Lots of toys, lot of wood to chew up. Buy an untreated pine 2 x 4 and cut into pieces and let him at them. Aloe Bird Bath that you spritz him with can sometimes help with the dry skin. Walnuts - just crack them in half and they are on sale after holidays really help cuz oil for dry skin. Almonds help. You can think about possibly a collar later. They work as they prevent them from plucking but I am not crazy about them as can upset them also. The flight suits birds wear - some birds like and some don't but they can help. Go slowly when introducing and make a game out of it for him. I'd wait till he is a little more settled in the home and used to your guys though. He won't be plucking when you are holding him. Good luck - it is hard -
Darren - 2012-12-12
Thank you so much! that was more valuable information that I was able to find after hours of research, I will check back in to update you w/ our progress.

Wendy Miller - 2012-12-08
I was hoping that u could recommend an in-depth book on cockatoo behaviors/psychology-I have a 5-month lessor sulphur-crested cockatoo and when I play with him-he loves to play 'gonna get ya' He runs away on the floor and I play chase him-then he will turn around and runs at me-laughing because that's what I do, anyway this is a game that we have played for about 1 month and my concern is that when he gets older is this going to be a bad thing that I have started-a couple of times when he was playing this with my 16 year old-I noticed that he was more aggressive than he is with me. As he matures could this potentially become even more of a problem. He loves this game but I am concerned! Can someone give me some insight into this? Thank You!

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Charlie Roche - 2012-12-08
It is nomal - although may seem a bit strange. It's the typical tag. I had many people actually call me and so scared cuz there bird was 'chasing them' and they would be standing on a chair or whatever and would want to know what to do. The answer is just stop running. Puppy will chase you and then when he catches you - he will turn around and run the other way and you have to chase him. More agressive with your 16 year old than he is with you - mine would really seem way more agressive with my daughter than me. He'd just would pound his feet and bob his head and holler out and then chase her and catch her. When he would catch her - he would hit her shoe sideways with his beak. Odd. If you are nervous or it seems to be getting out of control cuz sometimes a parrot will get wound up - just like a child - then time out time or calm down time.
Charlie Roche - 2012-12-08
Forgot about the book. I don't know of a specific book on cockatoo behavior but I am confident if you think of a 3 year old child dressed in feathers - you will underatdn the behaviors. Don't eat in front of a 3 year old with out sharing. Do not attmept to put a 3 year old to bed when the company is around. Do not

reaperess67 - 2012-12-06
I have just rescued a mollucan cockatoo - had her about a month and a half. She's wonderful. A little loud sometimes. We've been working on trust issues. She now comes on my arm frequently if I go to her cage, not all the time, but most. Then she rests on my chest and just wants me to pet her and talk to her. Tonight she was a little weird, so I figured she just needed more talk and contact and she started rocking back and forth while laying on me. Next thing I know, she laid an egg on me. I know absolutely nothing on birds, and was wondering if this is normal? I also will be going on vacation for 6 days over christmas. My brother in law will be staying here to take care of her. Should that be sufficient for her? Any comments are greatly appreciated.

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Charlie Roche - 2012-12-07
Not abnormal. Parrots will sometimes lay eggs without a mate. I have to admit i have never heard of a parrot laying an egg on a person but there is a first time for everything. Take a bowl/ box anything and put some shredded newspaper or paper towle in it and put the egg in the bowl or box. She will probably lay two more. After about 30 days or when she gets bored with the eggs just throw them out. Don't be too concerned if she gets a little protective of the eggs or testy with you while this process is going on. It is obvious she loves you and trusts you cuz the laying of the head on the chest and waiting to be petted is the love a cockatoo has for its human. Good luck.

Danny Bryan - 2012-06-18
How do I stop my male Citron-crested Cockatoo from being agressive and screaming for hours. I recently got him from my parents he is used to me but bites any chance he can get.

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Charlie Roche - 2012-06-18
Doesn't sound fun. Cockatoos, by their nature, are extremely loving and affectionate parrots. Yours has been moved and relocated and the people he was attached to are gone. Big adjustment. Think of trying to babysit a two year old. Give him some time but talk to him, leave the TV on, let him see you and most important try and get him away from his cage and on a separate perch. Perch on wheels that has toys and food dishes would be great cuz then you can move him by you as you are different places in the home. Go slow with him and let him get acccostumed to you and your home. Then I would just wait till he came to you - sorta like a pupppy does. Was he affectionate and loving with your parents? If he was then he will come around with you. Toys - even sawed up 2 X 4 pine non treated will help give him something to do besides sceam. If he wasn't loving around your parents - you might need books on training.
Charlie Roche - 2012-06-21
If I get all of this, you have a male and female Citron? If so, the male is going to be very loud if you approach the cage and yes, he will bite. He is protecting the female. The female will also become very loud and extremely agressive during breeding season. I don't know that they will return to their loving/ pet natures with humans once theyhave decided breeding season is over - or they have laid eggs. Some do and some don't. I'd put up a nest box. They will need to learn mating and breeding behavior (as will you) and the first couple of clutches may not result in babies, but they will catch on.
Danny Bryan - 2012-06-21
He was not to friendly with my parents in the last few days. He's been getting alot better but the female is getting louder and louder
Richard - 2012-12-03
Do NOT give your bird any milk, that is NOT good for them. Neither is caffeine, which can kill your bird. No chocolate You can give your bird apples, but NOT the seeds - that can kill the bird.

Caryn Williams - 2012-11-26
Hi, I have a five year old lsc. He is my baby boy and I love him to pieces!! He's very spoiled! We just got another one (4month old) we have two large cages so they can see each other. Do you think they will get along? The 5 year old is a male. Can two birds of the same sex get along together? We will DNA test the baby soon.

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Charlie Roche - 2012-11-26
Sure - two same (or different) birds of the same sex will get along. If they are a different sex - they can easily pair bond - keep them in separate cages. People have had good luck with their cockatoos - even if they pair bond - going back to being pets even if they do nest. Good luck and have fun - enjoy them both.

JOHN - 2011-01-22
I have a pair of citrons that are approx 11 and have been together a long time. I want to put a breeding box on or in their cage and have been told to build a 12"x12"x24" t box. I don't understand the layout of a t box. Can someone help me 850-653-5114

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Charlie Roche - 2011-08-18
If you use a wooden box for Citrons = they will eat it faster than you can fix it. Suggest you go to China Praire farm and buy one. They are made from PVC = I blelieve. Still will chew but pretty indestructible. Other thought is a drum = I like the China Prarie with see doors and easy removal if need be.
enchilada111 - 2012-11-11
Google a metal cockatoo breeding box. They come in a particular shape and are attached to the outside of the cage.
Charlie Roche - 2012-11-11
China Prarie farm makes excellent next boxes for all types of birds including cockatoos. You select the box based on the bird - in your case cockatoo. Link is http://chinaprairie.com/

samantha ochs - 2012-08-22
PLEASE HELP!!! I recently purchased an '8' year old citron cockatoo. And lets just say this bird hates me..I'm not being dramatic one bit..I have always adored all animals and wanted a bird since i was very little..So Kacey is my first bird..I've done all my research and I just don't understand what the problem is. Any male can go to Kacey, stranger or not, and pick him up, cuddle him, pet and touch him anywhere..He isn't bothered by any of it...which i've seen that birds are either partial to males or females? Don't know how true this i but i can understand that..But whats strange to me is Kacey has had a few different owners recently which were all homes with a husband and wife and children. But they all just said the women didn't really mess with him much..BUT the kicker is, his first and longest owner was a woman, who he apparently lived with for '10' years or so until she passed away...I just don't get why he would suddenly hate women? He will step up on my arm and sit with me but wont let me touch him with my free hand...but a total stranger, as long as its a man, can do whatever he wants to him..he will even lash out at me when I just quietly walk by his cage and he's sitting on top...Please give me your opinions on what i should do...I've tried sitting quietly just one on one but he wont come around...if he doesn't stop the lashing out i'll have t find him new home..

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Charlie Roche - 2012-08-23
There is no way to know anything for certai. She is obviously bonded to fellas and probably a gal. I would think that a woman might have abused her or possibly someone like you might have abused her. In any case - for whatever reason and just might have been a fluke - the bird is frightened of you and protective of your husband. Ths may turn around but maybe not. You can try giving her Stella Dora Almond Biscuits (just a 1/2), asthey love them, pieces of toast, cashews, essentially treats as you approach the cage. You can try going slow and seeing if she will loook upon you with geater favor - but don't expect it. Never buy a bird or a puppy or a cat you can not handle. If you are willing to tame/train the bird - great but if you want a lovey , cuddly pet right now - don't buy one you can't love, hug, kiss and pet NOW.
Mack - 2012-08-28
Do you want to sell your cockatoo
Anonymous - 2012-11-03
Although, your bird might be acting up now, they can be tamed. I have a 14 yr old that I adopted 10 months ago, After he spent years of abuse that I will not even talk about. He preferred men. Acted like he hated me. But we kept working. I would pick him up on a stick and carry him to my outside cages with my other birds. Slowly, he is now stepping up on my arm instead of the stick. I need to be very slow arround him, and tell him what I'm about to do. Like 'touch' to touch his beck or his neck or shoulder. We are working towards his letting me touch his head or crest. Don't give up and celebrate small vistories. Now this is over 10 1/2 months. But he's going to make a good companion that now even calls me by name, 'Beverly'.

linus chung - 2012-09-26
I have a young blue and gold and have fallen in love with keeping big parrots. Recently I found a white cockatoo in a friend's neighbour's house...it has no feather on his chest and back. The head feather is beautiful and complete...how do I tell if the bird is just feather plucking or if the bird is having a medical condition of the skin. The owner is willing to give me the bird, not wanting it anymore but I do not want to bring home any contagious disease to my blue and gold.

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Charlie Roche - 2012-09-26
Chances are the bird is plucking. Reason is because the feathers are gone where the bird has easy access. Back and chest. You say crest is fine. You can take the bird to the vet and make sure - probably the best course of action just in case but probably plucking. Could be an underlying reason though so best if see a vet. Good luck. Cockatoos are frequently pluckers and need lots of toys. You can get a untreated 2 x 4 at home depot and cut it up and put a chain through it. might keep him busy for a week. Paper cuts or toilet paper rols. They love to chew on things. They also love cartoons and music. Attention/toys might help with the plucking. Take to a vet though -

Nikki - 2012-09-15
I was recently given a Goffin's Cockatoo by a co-worker. She was hatched in April of 2007, so I guess that makes her just over 5 years old. So far she is like having a small child. She enjoys spending time on my lap while I watch television, and she will scream until I go to the cage to pick her up. I have two cockatiels as well that I was given a month prior to adopting my cockatoo. My cockatoo has started crouching down on my hand while I am holding her, and she will try to sit on my hand. The only time I see her do it is when she is on my hand. I am not sure I know what she is doing, but I have a pretty good idea. Is she trying to mate with my hand?

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Charlie Roche - 2012-09-16
She is just reaching puberty and a natural behavior but chances are you have the behavior correct. Just remove your hand and pick her up and hold her like the baby she is and tell her you lov her and put her down for a minute or so.
Nikki - 2012-10-23
Thank you.

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