Animal Stories - People Talking About Cockatoos



Select Pet Atlas	Select A Family	Species / Breed

Latest Animal Stories on Cockatoos (246)

Neil - 2010-09-14
I was wondering what the comfort temp is for a Mollucan Cockatoo? I've just became a proud owner of a beautiful mollucan cockatoo named Miestro. My
family and I are just in love with him and I think the feelings are the same back.

Click For Replies (1)

jim - 2011-10-15
i also just got one i was told 70 degrees

kacyliew - 2011-10-13
I had a goffin too. Three years ago I moved out of my landed property where it was allowed to move along a long bamboo placed in the garden to an apartment. At the apartment, it was left unchained on the balcony on a T shaped clothes bamboo holder that allows it to look out on to the greenery and tree tops as its 12th storey high. One day, it was attracted by some other wild parrot and later flew down to the tree top. As it was captive for sometime, it could not fly very steadily but landed on the tree below. We went down to the car park where the tree was grown to try to
persuade it to come down but to no avail. It spent the night perched on the tree. Next morning, we went down to check and that poor fella, hungry and
lonely flew down to land on my maids head. The maid regularly fed her and there was this bond established so it chose to return to her.
Goffins are affectionate towards their handlers and its a pity that I had to give it away because I felt unreasonable to keep it at a limited space environment. Now I want to buy a yellow crested cockatoo. Any suggestions where I can get one baby bird at a reasonable price??

Dave - 2011-03-14
I'm excited because I'm getting a 15-year old Umbrella Cockatoo this week. For most of her life, she'd been abused by her female owner, and as a result she doesn't like female Humans. I've been visiting her at the Pet Store a couple times a week over the last month, and she seems to be warming up to me more each week. The noise of the pet store (mostly puppies yipping) seems to wear her down. I want to give her an environment where she can be comfortable. She's a sensitive girl who has seemed depressed; sometimes when I've arrived at the pet shop, she's on the floor of her cage with her head in the corner, and it breaks my heart to see her that way. But the last time I was there, she climbed my onto my hand and was playing; her crest was fully extended as she was gently hitting the palm of my hand. I have two main questions...(1) Many afternoons I'm away from the house, so I hope that my being with her in the mornings and checking in at night will be enough for her. Will it be? (2) Is there a chance someday she'd be comfortable with Women? I don't have anyone special but who knows what will happen in life. But I want my house to be a sanctuary for this bird. I want her to be happy. Her name is "Sweet Pea" and if she can live up to her name even Half the time, I'll be happy.

Click For Replies (5)

Jerry - 2011-05-13
I was doing exotic bird rescue before my divorce in 2009. One of the first was Romeo, a 5 year old male Umbrella Cockatoo. Although it took about 3 months because of past abuse, he finally stepped up to me. We have been best buddies ever since. I have discovered that female Umbrellas seem to want male humans as their primary handlers and vice-versa for male Umbrellas. Romeo still loves the women in his life, but he always knows who is best buddy is. I expect the Sweet Pea will chose you as her primary friend and protector. I am sure though that once she warms up to having a female human around, she will eventually accept that female into the family as well. It will take time and patients
Charlie Roche - 2011-05-13
Yes, being there in the mornings, sharing your breakfast, playing with her or watching TV with her will be enough. She will get used to your routine and look forward to it and you coming home. Just make sur she has plenty of things to entertain herself with - toys and chewies. Mine have their own TV and movies - sound snuts but they really get into Kung Fu Panda and Surf's Up. She may or may not like another woman around. It doesn't rally make a great deal of difference. Sweet Pea is not going to dive bomb a lady friend or chase her around the house. Sweet Pea is just not going to want the lady friend to pick her up etc. It may change but frequently birds attach themselves to one person anyway. A cockatoo is not a dive bomber so I wouldn't worry about it. My cockatoo does not like my husband and my husbands grey does not like me. It isn't a problem. It would be nice if she accepted your lady friend but may not happen so just don't worry about it.
Derrick - 2011-08-03
This is not necessarily a "not-to-worry" deal. My cockatoo Penny was previously owned and abused and does not trust men (with the exception of me for some reason). He knows my work schedule and spends most of the day screaming until I get home and he sees me. Another reason this may be a concern is when cockatoos roost,they call their flock together much like parents telling their children bed time and good night.

Maybe Penny is an exception,maybe Sweet-Pea might be the exception,but a good 70% of behavior is determined by early training and the bird's personality.
Julie - 2011-08-31
My 12 year old Cockatoo, accepted me a few weeks after my husband died. Freddie was his bird. Now, I have remarried after 7 years and Freddie has now accepted my new husband, but he worked at it. He's is the one who cleans his cage and feeds him every morning. She still screams a lot when I am on the phone or if I don't come running into greet her if we've been out of the house, but she's a loving, sweet pet. Of course, my two dashhounds, and cat know enough to stay clear of her beak. She loves to travel we take her in her cage in our camper van when we go on vacation trips.
Charlene - 2011-09-29
Thanks for re-homing a 'used' bird!! My first parrot was abused and came out of it really really well, even accepting a man into the household. Your best course of action when you take her home is to keep strictly to a routine. We humans tend to want to lavish tons of attention/affection on our new friend up front and then we slack off as our regular life intrudes which causes confusion for the parrot. A routine is as much for your benefit as hers. They like structure. So, breakfast every day, then shower (my birds bathe with me) then back to her cage with toys for x amount of time. Passive interaction where she's nearby on a stand with something to do as you watch tv or read, etc. is just like flock behavior - together but not always touching. Of course cuddle time is essential, or play time if that's what she wants. My U2 sometimes just wants to be on me a while and she'll preen my hair as I read. Other times she's into everything to see if it's a toy. Anyway, my 4 birds were trained to expect breakfast daily, showers a couple times a week and then my absence at work 8-12 hours every day. They knew when I came back I'd cook dinner and then we'd all sit down to enjoy it together. Play time and snuggle time were generally for the evening as well. Now I work at home and they know that for 8-10 hours I will be unavailable and at the end of that time, it's Bird time. Yes, they'll scream if they think I can be convinced they're in mortal danger - thank goodness for earbuds. Ignoring them really is the only thing I've found to work.

Nikki Van Court - 2011-09-22
FYI.. it is us Humans that make these birds aquire the behavior issues like screaming and acting infantile in their later years.. TEACH them to be birds and allow them to be birds and DO NOT over bond and the relationship and home will be HAPPY BETTER AND QUIET...

Click For Replies (1)

Charlie Roche - 2011-09-23
Many people do not realize a birds typical behaviors and essentailly train the bird to do some peculiar and unwanted things. A young bird uses it's beak to balance until confident it can stay upright and balance. It doesn't want to fall. It isn't a bite and doesn't hurt - just using a hold with the beak. People jump up and down and get scared and the bird thinks this is play. Many times humans will teach the bird this is play and then the play or hold gets too rough. Basically we teach the bird to bite as they think funny. Eating dinner in front of the bird - hey a person is eating in front of a 3 year old. Chewing on our fingers - hey they are playing and humans should have toy in their hands to play. Tug of war is great with a sock but not with fingers or our clothing. Their is sometimes agression but bird postures for that and we need to read the body language. Humans need to understand sometimes we just have a headache too. Humans need to try and understand our language too. Thank you for you rpost and insight,

kristin - 2011-09-19
I recently got a female goffin named cookie. I was told she was under 10 and I wanted to get a male for her I've heard that if I had a pair that they would get mean and unsociable. I don't want that so does anyone maybe have a pair that could shed some light onto that rumor or keeping them in sperate cages or the odds that they would bond and not hate each other.

Click For Replies (1)

Scott Reid - 2005-06-02
I used to have an LSC. She was given to me on my 13th b-day in Singapore and had her as my companion for 20 yrs. I think in hindsight that she had been wild, for she bit me for the first year I had her, but after we were pretty much inseparable- I guess we "bonded". They do need a LOT of attention, patience, and love, but they return it in spades and can be very entertaining and loyal- jealous, even, in my case. I miss her(she passed away last year) and wish there had been a website like this I could refer to, but I wouldn't trade those memories for anything!

daboddy

Click For Replies (2)

Lori Schaller - 2011-09-18
That is awesome, but I am sorry to hear that she passed away. I felt better knowing that I am not the only one who is going through living with a very loving and jealous friend. I thought that my bird, Baby, is just a bird with mental issues. LOL
Clarice Brough - 2011-09-18
Sounds like you had an awesome pet. I love the Sulphur-crested, they are such beauties and clowns, a bit more rambunctious than the umbrella's. They have always been a favorite. I'm sorry for your loss Scott, my birds are part of my heart too, and those that I've lost (or had to re-home) are still a big part of me and such fond memories.

anna - 2011-09-17
I have had my one goffin cockatoo for 36 years, and one for 25 years, very funny birds they do flips, they are fun to watch, as they get older,they get a beautiful peach color, but i never thought i would have them this many year's, if you have alot of year's, i would get one, they are alot of fun, just make sure the one you want is young, and it make's good eye contact with you, a bird that wont look you in the eye is alot harder to train, you can tell how old it is by the color, baby's are white, it take's time to get that color in them. hope this helps you. anna

Click For Replies (1)

krauss51@yahoo.com - 2011-09-17
P.S. they are great escape artist,mine have a very heavy lock on there cage, if i leave the key in it, they can unlock it, that's why her name is houdini. anna

Jennifer Randall - 2011-05-29
I have been thinking about getting a Goffin's cockatoo for sometime. However i work 8 hours a day from one pm to ten pm. i would be more then willing to give this bird all of my time before work and after work. But i am not certain with the hours that i work if this will be enough. has anyone else worked these kinds of hours and been able to maintain a healthy relationship with there bird?

Click For Replies (4)

Charlie Roche - 2011-05-29
Yes, you can have a cockatoo - a little goffin. I have had birds for a long long time and I know they know sunrise and sunset. However, my birds think sunrise is when I get up and sunset is when I watch the last TV program. I had a moluccan and I worked. I had breakfast with my Sam and I left him lunch - human food and I got home about 7 pm. He knew when I got home that it was dinner and we would eat, then he would sit outside the shower and then we would watch the Equalizer that came on at 11 pm. Then he knew it was bedtime. It isn't the hour of the day but the time you spend with them. Today, my Czar (another cockatoo) knows when late night Law and Order goes on (at 11 pm) and he will holler till I get him to play and watch the program. They adjust to your routine. You have the morning and I am sure a little time in the evening. Get one and enjoy and they will love you. Just do plenty of toys and leave music (preferably a TV) on for them during the day. I buy movies for my guys so they can watch Surf's Up or Nemo or whatever. They learn talking that way also and they love the movies.
Karen Stevenson - 2011-07-10
Hi Jennifer! I've had my Goffin Cockatoo for four months now. His name is Casper. He is fun, loveable and very playful. I felt like you too. I was worried about not being able to give him enough attention, but he gets plenty. My hushand and I work the 2nd shift and are away from home 9 hours a day and Casper does pretty good. He is so happy when we get home, he even dances. I'm always so happy to get home and hold my bird. He is a great tv buddy, he will even watch tv with me. I don't regret buying him at all. Casper has been such a delight to our family. Good luck picking out your new bird. Make sure you get your Goffin a lot of toys, it helps out a lot, especially when you go to work. My bird even likes to chew on straws and peel the paper off.
Tammie - 2011-08-29
Hello Jennifer,
Obviously several months after your posting. I have a 6 yr old Goffin also named Molly. I work a day job 8-9 hours and I leave a radio playing for Molly and I change out her toys often. She knows when I get home and will start bouncing up and down and if I don't acknowledge her within approx. 20-30 min after I get home she will yell. I give her a little food and fresh water and pet her and then she is fine. On weekends she loves having coffee with me. When I first got her she did bite and hard but we went thru that for awhile and then she was great - now with others if she's out she will walk up to them and get on their arm, but just for a few minutes then I take her back just in case. She loves attention and because my children yell "mom" and I answer "what" Molly will yell "mom" so I will always answer her back to with "what". She is really a good bird - I cover her at night and she's quiet now since I get up by 7:00 any later she will put out a scream. I think they get use to your schedule and they stay on it. At night she will actually start screaming around 8:30-9 if I don't cover her to put her to bed.
anna - 2011-09-17
I have had my one goffin cockatoo for 36 years, and one for 25 years, very funny birds they do flips, they are fun to watch, as they get older,they get a beautiful peach color, but i never thought i would have them this many year's, if you have alot of year's, i would get one, they are alot of fun, just make sure the one you want is young, and it make's good eye contact with you, a bird that wont look you in the eye is alot harder to train, you can tell how old it is by the color, baby's are white, it take's time to get that color in them. hope this helps you. anna ps they are also escape artist and can pick locks,mine have a very heavy lock on there cage, and dont leave the key in it, they can unlock it.

Jennifer Arckivy - 2008-04-12
I am about to purchase a Goffin Cockatoo and I am very scared because of all the different things I keep reading. I have been wanting a Goffin for so long and have read up on them so much. When I read great stuff I get all excited and then I read bad and get nervous again. I think that he would get enough attention with our big family. I work from 6:30 am to 2:30pm and will be home the rest of the time as so will my husband, 4yr old daughter, and twin boys 13yrs. We also have a cat and a dog. I would do what ever I needed to make sure the baby is happy. Please if anyone can write me back and let me know what you think, PLEASE. Jennifer

Click For Replies (3)

Donna Throckmorton - 2011-05-02
Hi Jen, our Goffin girl Shera, gets along with our 17 year old Shelitie. Our Collie Dora died a year ago. Shera really misses Dora. I also have Persian cats and they get along well together. But I never totally trust the cats, They are afraid of my amazon Max because he bites them. So I gues that's why they respect Shera.She likes kids as long as they aren't jumping around being crazy. She likes quiet kids.
She also likes to chew the lamp shades. Or her favorite is the key board on the computer. You can't do anything about the chewing except kept an eye on it, and give it lots of toys. Small foot toys. Encourage independent play .
That way it knows how to amuse its self when you can't be there to amuse it. Try if you can to get a young one. Easier to train. Good luck
Lisa - 2011-09-06
A Goffin loves to chew. Buy a box of popcicle stix at any craft store like A.C. Moore for about $4.00/ 1000 stiz and put them in a bowl in his cage with other wooden blocks.Mine likes to ring his bell and chew on the wooden blocks. You can get these pieces in any bird catalog like Foster and Smith in the (make your own toys) section.Yoy don't have to spend lots to entertain your buddy.

SLISS FAMILY - 2004-05-25
We have a rose breasted cockatoo for over 3 years. She is very caring and loves to be around people and other animals. She is over 3 and a half years old. We take her out whenever we can (most times) with a harness. This type of parrot is the best we have ever seen!!! She will be with us always and she is a great alarm system when any one or other animal is around the home! These bird are not biters but will peck sometimes for play!

Click For Replies (4)

diranben - 2010-05-22
Hi
I'm diran I have two Breasted Cockatoo birds that I am giving out for free do let me know if interested. Here is my email (diran626@yahoo.com )
THANKS
Linda - 2011-05-15
Hi my name is Linda. I read on one site that a male Gala makes a better pet. Have you ever been around a male? I met a female Gala today and she was something else. She was friendly enough and very playful, she would pinch, have you ever had to deal with this behavior? I would appreciate anything you can tell me about a Gala. Thanks, Linda
Charlie Roche - 2011-05-30
It has been done. The rose breasted (gallah) has been bred with the corella and the umbrealla and possibly others. This is a site where there are photos of a couple of hybrids of cockatoos. I know it is far more prevalent with macaws and in many cases you wind up with extremely gorgeous birds. ARBC (a huge aviary let his macaws select their own mates and many did select mates not of their own kind. I don't know if that is in any way true of the cockatoos. From the photos, it doesn't seem that you wind up with a more beautiful bird. Why not just allow her to breed with another rose breasted? Rose breasted are excellent pets, fun to hold and play with and unique onto themselves in personality and looks. I am not against hybrids and I did breed them and found that many times, the hybrids were totally gorgeous and pleasant personalities but from these photos it just doesn't look like the same thing is true for cockatoos. I let my birds (pets) select their own LOVE and macaws didn't necessarily pick one of their own but all the cockatoos did. Anyway here is a link with photos. http://www.freewebs.com/windsongaviary/mutationsandhybrids.htm
frankie - 2011-05-30
i have a rose breaseted cockatoo...and i would like to know if I can breed her with any other kind of cockatoo like umbrella cockatoo or goffin cockatoo...thanks. Can I?

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