Major Mitchell behavior help!!! =[

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10154413110340061&l=7426670476850099104

Please see the above video.

I know that there is always a reason for a cockatoo's behavior and I really need to know what the hell is behind this. It is driving me crazy and the only way to stop it is to put him to bed. That doesn't even always work though. Even if it did always work, it's still not a viable solution.

He has seed and pellets in his food bowl and plenty of clean water. He has multiple perches within his cage and loves to play with them. He has a few hanging toys in his cage, and even has his spare bowl full of chew and foot toys. Not to mention while he is out of his cage, I keep a stash of chew toys nearby to give him.

As you can see in this video, his cage door is OPEN and he is perfectly free to climb in and out as he likes. In fact only minutes before this, he flew a couple of laps of my room before chirping away happily for a bit.

This behavior is starting to drive me crazy as Olly gets more and more insistent as he goes on - and this can last for a long time. He is asking for something, or trying to tell me something but I don't know what. I can't think of a single need that is not being met.

I already ended up yelling at him today, which I feel AWFUL for as it's not his fault. It didn't seem to phase him, but I don't care, I feel bad.

The behavior itself is not new, although to start with it was only the crouching and wing quivering. He has always done that. We used to think he wanted to fly but when he was let out, he'd keep doing it. It used to be a pretty constant behavior but has gotten less and less common until I almost never saw him do it.

Now he does it again sometimes, with the added sound.

To give you more supporting information, Olly has now been put to bed and is sitting on his favorite perch clicking and grinding his beak as he winds down. He sounds very content right now.

Please help

I don't quite understand what the problem is, he's not being loud - is it just the action that's driving you crazy?

To me, that behaviour looks a lot like sexual excitement/breeding behaviour, not much you can do to stop it except wait until he calms down.

How old is Olly and are you sure he's a boy? That looks sexual to me and looks more like female behavior (however, with parrots raised in captivity they get all screwed up in how to handle their hormones).

Also, I doubt there is one person on here who can honestly say they haven't gotten frustrated and raised their voice to their bird. Sometimes, they just push all our buttons... Obviously don't make a habit of getting upset with him, but if every once in a while you get ticked enough to raise your voice, don't fret. Olly probably doesn't even remember or care. He knows he is loved.

1. How old? Did this bird just turn 5-ish?! That's when it starts. I suspect the bird is becoming hormonal, and just going through a phase.

2. I also agree with the assessment by the person on facebook that the bird needs to be taught to self entertain with toys more. Give the bird a box to play with. put toys and treats and paper to shred in it. Perhaps she will occupy herself and satisfy herself by making a little nest... and playing in it.

3. Mix up the toys on her.

4. More structure on the interaction. Don't hold the bird too much, if you are...that's a tough oine to train a bird out of.

5. Be thankful it isn't a full volume U2 OR M2!!! An annoying little squeak beats a jet engine noise scream that shatters glass, nerves, and eardrums!!!:11: And they can keep it up for weeks on end at full volume.

6. Screaming NEVER helps. It won't do anything except make the bird LOUDER!

I'm sorry you're having problems with your new love. I thought this behavior looked like hormones in one of your previous posts. I'm guessing here, but if the behavior is bothering you as much as you say, I have to ask how you respond?

He is asking for something, or trying to tell me something but I don't know what. I can't think of a single need that is not being met.

Click to expand...

IMHO he's clearly manipulating you. If you are constantly trying to pacify him with any kind of attention, including screaming or drama on your part, you are only enforcing the behavior that you want to stop. Thankfully hormones are seasonal and he will return to normal when his hormone levels drop. Try not to handle him very much and offer him lots of foraging toys, as April and Mark suggested. Good luck to you and Olly.