Cockatoo afraid only most of the time?

Hi, I'm wondering what to do about my 3 year old Sulphur Crested Cockatoo. She's always been jumpy and afraid of people and passing cars/bikes; Suddenly one day about a year ago she decided she was terrified of me, especially my hands. I still let her out of her aviary into the backyard every day with the other Cockatoo, they seem to be fine foraging together and have done so for the last 18 months. She will approach me warily and even nibble my feet but if I move, even very slowly she'll run away. Every now and then she decides she isn't afraid of me and will climb up onto my lap or sit by my feet and click her beak and present the back of her head for scratching which she then enjoys, she'll even step up when she's being nice again... then at some point she suddenly remembers she's scared of me and frantically gets away. I was heartbroken when this first happened and have become weary, guilty, worried and stressed... I have considered rehoming her but am hesitant for various reasons. She seems fond of my boyfriend, he's the only person able to approach her these days and he doesn't see her that often. I have tried getting her trust back for months months through talking to her without intending to handle her, I have tried other ideas out too but nothing seems to work. I can't even hand her treats or put treats near her without her freaking out and running. Does anyone know what to do or have any ideas about why she'd go like this? we used to be best buddies and now she seems to only come near me for attention when it suits her.

It sounds like she's reverting to a more wild state, but remembers human interaction. Being with the other bird she's bonding to them and not wanting to spend time with humans. It's unfortunate but it does happen. Are you certain nothing has happened to cause a sudden increase in fear? Something minor for us can be horrific for a bird and permanently damage their trust. Hopefully someone more experienced with too's is around to offer better insight. You're in a better position than others though, some birds go 100% wild when introduced to another bird to the point the human can't handle them at all anymore so it should hopefully be possible to win back her trust.

Has your level of one-to-one and handling time changed over the past 18 months? At age 3 she may also be reaching reproductive maturity and experiencing a hormonal peak. Also possible she is more interested in your boyfriend. Cockatoos are perfectly capable of loving more than one human.

All may not be lost with time and patience. Food is a great motivator, and you may try to rekindle the relationship with a return to the basics: http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

Hi there, now that you ask, Winnie was spoilt rotten when she was very young, too much, and I realise I shouldn't have done that. She was inside with me all the time, just her and I, she used to follow me everywhere. Then my boyfriend came along and she and I began to slowly drift and eventually Lee the other cockatoo, who has never been subject to the same level of over the top attention I gave Winnie and does seem a lot better off for it. I did wonder for a very long time (and still do) whether this might be at the core of the issue. I feel terribly guilty and responsible for the way things have panned out with Winnie as I know that somehow I've done this, I'm just not sure how exactly. I will have a look at the link you put in your post and see if I can alleviate the issue through the advice given there. Thank you for that. I am determined to try and provide her with some sort of quality of life that is better than what I have managed to give her so far, she seems to live in constant fear and this makes me quite sad. She made a friend with an escaped pet cocky and his band of comrades (they occur wild where I live) which is also sad to watch because it feels like she is stuck in limbo between being a wild bird and being a domesticated bird which I could understand would upset her.

someonewithbirdyproblems said:

Hi there, now that you ask, Winnie was spoilt rotten when she was very young, too much, and I realise I shouldn't have done that. She was inside with me all the time, just her and I, she used to follow me everywhere. Then my boyfriend came along and she and I began to slowly drift and eventually Lee the other cockatoo, who has never been subject to the same level of over the top attention I gave Winnie and does seem a lot better off for it. I did wonder for a very long time (and still do) whether this might be at the core of the issue. I feel terribly guilty and responsible for the way things have panned out with Winnie as I know that somehow I've done this, I'm just not sure how exactly. I will have a look at the link you put in your post and see if I can alleviate the issue through the advice given there. Thank you for that. I am determined to try and provide her with some sort of quality of life that is better than what I have managed to give her so far, she seems to live in constant fear and this makes me quite sad. She made a friend with an escaped pet cocky and his band of comrades (they occur wild where I live) which is also sad to watch because it feels like she is stuck in limbo between being a wild bird and being a domesticated bird which I could understand would upset her.

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Can you explain this a little more please?

If you are interested in getting closer to Winnie again, is it possible to bring her indoors with a large cage? There will be a period of accommodation from the aviary, but she will remember the earlier times. It will then be her decision whether to revert to a more captive state.

Dear Plumsmum2005,

Winnie has got attention from a flock of sulphur crests that live in the local area, I believe one of them is an escaped pet as he can be heard saying "hello" as he flies overhead. These guys must have noticed Winnie in her aviary one day and have been visiting her from time to time, they sit in the trees around her and have been known to come right up to the aviary and look at her. On occasions, I've let Winnie out to forage while I supervise (daily routine), they've come around while she's out and one of the wild birds has come up to her. I've seen them both showing off? to each other with their crests up and their wings out.

Thank you for explaining.

This is a real difficult one, Winnie sees her own species and is pleased to interact with them and then there is you. Winnie doesn't try to fly off with them or is she clipped? It will always be difficult to make any real headway with this current situation. Shame the escaped male doesnt come join her in the aviary?