Looking for Cockatoo or African Grey in need of a home in Florida

[TheLuizs]

Hi There,
My wife and I are looking for a Cockatoo or a African Grey that needs a loving home. I am 59 and disabled and wheelchair bound. I want a companion that loves to be held and spend the majority of time out of the cage. Must enjoy being handled and loved! I'm on a fixed income and can't afford a lot but will pay for the right bird if need be. I have had birds before. When I was young I had a military Macaw for almost 15 years. When my Dad was transferred to California he made me give up my bird. As a young adult I had my best buddy Saxxon! He was a Moluken Cockatoo and went everywhere with me. I had him for 13 + years when my vet diagnosed him with cancer. He lasted a few more months before I had no choice but to put him to sleep. It broke my heart!! I haven't had a bird since. But I am ready to share my life with another bird again. My wife is all for it as well. So if you have a bird that you think would do well with us. Please get in touch and we will see if we make a match.

Thank you and sincerely,
John and Rachel Luiz

PS: We live in Clearwater, Florida which is just North of St. Petersburg.

 

[Flboy]

Clearwater! You must find a way to visit Zaksee’s Sanctuary! The man has a pure heart!
Nothing is paved, so hopefully, you have a way to maneuver in sand!
https://zaksee.com/

And, FB,
https://www.facebook.com/Zakseebirdsanctuary/

 

[TheLuizs]

Thank you David (Flboy) I appreciate the referral!!

 

[Flboy]

Something else, if you are thinking of a Quaker and are wanting a baby, take a ride to Leesburg Pet Center. Birds are their passion and it shows! They have incredibly socialized birds and their prices will shock you! Low!
Leesburg Pet Center

 

[TheLuizs]

Thank you David! We will do that!!

 

[noodles123]

I love that you are looking to adopt instead of shopping.

In my opinion, birds are not good pets for cuddles.. (even though many will seek them out).
Here are my reasons for saying that:
1. some birds just don't like it.
2. if a bird does like it, it quickly becomes sexual and unhealthy unless kept in very small doses and on the head and neck only. You do not want to stimulate them inappropriately and that happens pretty easily (if you pet a bird like you would a cat or dog, you will have a bird that thinks you are its mate and it is like making a promise you cannot keep).
3.it is also a disservice to hold a bird all of the time, as they become overly dependent on that level of attention and freak out if they are in a situation where that is not possible. They are flock animals by nature, but they must learn a level of independence in order to keep their anxiety in-check when you are away etc. They also live such a long time that they often end up in multiple homes where their old habits are less compatible, so it's important to think about that. I always wonder what would happen if something tragic happened to me and Noodles had to live with someone new.


Although I have one (an Umbrella) and I love her dearly, I wouldn't recommend a cockatoo due to the fact that holding and petting on your lap etc sends these birds into hormonal overdrive and they can get very aggressive and have health and extreme behavior problems when their desire to cuddle is indulged-- many people make this mistake and it backfires quickly (very bad for the bird's mental health).

I know you had one (sorry for your loss, by the way) but think about how your situation has probably changed since then. They need to be SUPER active and are very high maintenance-- it would also be very tempting to over-indulge a velcro-bird if you are already looking for that kind of a relationship...I know you said you wanted one that loved being touched and held etc, so keeping that in check could be very challenging.

They are also nearly the polar opposite of an African Grey and they are VERY VERY expensive in terms of cage size, toys, foods etc. The bigger the bird, the higher the cost. The bird itself is the smallest expense when compared to the lifetime cost of owning one. All birds are expensive...but the bigger ones especially. They need yearly check-ups etc and all of that adds up fast (as you know).

I actually got mine because her last owner (home #3) could no longer keep up with her due to mobility issues (she had a degenerative joint condition and she couldn't do all she needed to keep Noodles content anymore. When I think about my future (say, having Noodles in my 70s) my head spins a bit because I feel like a pre-school teacher 24/7 as it is...I will never get rid of her, but she's a handful. I am in my 30s currently and she wears me out.

 

[Flboy]

Number is a scam! Do not call it!

 

[TheLuizs]

Hey David,

What number is a scam? What number are you referring to?

John...

 

[TheLuizs]

Hi Noodles123,

Thank you for all that wonderful information! I will definitely file that away for future reference! I couldn't agree with you more about Cockatoo's!! They are more than a handful and demand a lot of attention. I got lucky with Saxxon. He was primarily mine. Or shall I say I was primarily his. But Saxxon loved the entire family. He would go to everyone and spend time with each member of the family. I had a military Macaw before I had Saxxon. He was named Kiddo. I got him when I was 8 years old. Actually I should say that he adopted me. He was a gift to my eldest Sister and didn't want anything to do with her. Kiddo was my education into bird ownership and care. All the DOS and do nots!! I thought I knew a lot! When in reality I had hardly scratched the surface!

As far as the cuddling and petting goes, Saxxon would make his rounds like I said, he would give and get a little love the he would either sit up at your shoulder and watch what you were doing or watch tv. Or he would try to figure out what you were doing if you were working with your hands on something. He would try to do the same thing as you were doing. Monkey see, Monkey do! Most of the time he would do a pretty good job except when it came to spelling and punctuation if he was trying to work on a computer like I was doing most of the time. With most of the things you were saying about Too's you are right on target. But I have got to say that in my experience and what I've seen with others is raising Cockatoo's is very much like raising children. One, You need to live the example and be consistent with everything you do with them. They just want to emulate their parront! And they want to please you. They will communicate with you with what they know. If they don't feel like they are being heard or getting what they want. Then it's frustration and screaming and or temper tantrums! Just like kids!! So I just use structure and a common sense approach! "With structure comes peace!!" Know what I mean?

Now about health and caring for a feather baby. I am wheelchair bound and have a bone disease that is degenerative and very painful. I have found that when I'm caring for someone or a pet. The more involved I am, the more I get out of myself and away from my strife and pain. And the happier that I am! Also, with me getting to be 60 this next month. I do think about what will happen after I'm gone. That's why I plan to involve whoever is going to inherit my bird into the birds life as much as humanly possible. So that any stress that comes from my passing and the turn over to the other person will be as stress free as possible. Of course II could just not get a bird cause of my age and health. But then I would be denying myself of the benefits of having the bird. To my health and otherwise. I have thought about it long and hard and the benefits far outweigh the bad points. So that being said, I will try to adopt, and that adds to the benefits to the bird. Giving it a good home with love and companionship. Plus helping me to feel better in my life.

Thank you for all your information and advice. I will reference them often I'm sure. And thank you for your time that you put in to getting that info and advice to me. It's appreciated.

Sincerely,
John & Rachel Luiz
TheLuizs

 

[Flboy]

Hey David,

What number is a scam? What number are you referring to?

John...

A scam post got deleted! The mods missed my reference to it!

 

[Flboy]

You really should reach out to the Zaksee Sanctuary!

 

[gibson2503]

Hi There,
My wife and I are looking for a Cockatoo or a African Grey that needs a loving home. I am 59 and disabled and wheelchair bound. I want a companion that loves to be held and spend the majority of time out of the cage. Must enjoy being handled and loved! I'm on a fixed income and can't afford a lot but will pay for the right bird if need be. I have had birds before. When I was young I had a military Macaw for almost 15 years. When my Dad was transferred to California he made me give up my bird. As a young adult I had my best buddy Saxxon! He was a Moluken Cockatoo and went everywhere with me. I had him for 13 + years when my vet diagnosed him with cancer. He lasted a few more months before I had no choice but to put him to sleep. It broke my heart!! I haven't had a bird since. But I am ready to share my life with another bird again. My wife is all for it as well. So if you have a bird that you think would do well with us. Please get in touch and we will see if we make a match.

Thank you and sincerely,
John and Rachel Luiz

PS: We live in Clearwater, Florida which is just North of St. Petersburg.

Have you found a bird yet? I have a 9 year old goffins cockatoo. I am trying to decide if I should re-home her.

 

[noodles123]

Hi There,
My wife and I are looking for a Cockatoo or a African Grey that needs a loving home. I am 59 and disabled and wheelchair bound. I want a companion that loves to be held and spend the majority of time out of the cage. Must enjoy being handled and loved! I'm on a fixed income and can't afford a lot but will pay for the right bird if need be. I have had birds before. When I was young I had a military Macaw for almost 15 years. When my Dad was transferred to California he made me give up my bird. As a young adult I had my best buddy Saxxon! He was a Moluken Cockatoo and went everywhere with me. I had him for 13 + years when my vet diagnosed him with cancer. He lasted a few more months before I had no choice but to put him to sleep. It broke my heart!! I haven't had a bird since. But I am ready to share my life with another bird again. My wife is all for it as well. So if you have a bird that you think would do well with us. Please get in touch and we will see if we make a match.

Thank you and sincerely,
John and Rachel Luiz

PS: We live in Clearwater, Florida which is just North of St. Petersburg.

Have you found a bird yet? I have a 9 year old goffins cockatoo. I am trying to decide if I should re-home her.

For the bird's sake, it would be extremely beneficial if you explained what caused you to feel the need to re-home. Cockatoos are disproportionately re-homed when compared to other parrots...you clearly acquired one and are now considering re-homing (and many get re-homed for normal cockatoo behavior..)...OP wants one..so, you can see why this is all important, if OP is going to consider yours (or another)...

Cockatoos and Greys are so very different, so a description of activity levels , noise, attention needs etc would likely be beneficial.

 

[cneuhauser]

Here's a Grey in Georgia!!! I'd make the drive and go see her...

https://www.petfinder.com/bird/ally-48420855/ga/marietta/papayago-rescue-house-inc-ga858/

 

[Kitilas3]

I have two umbrella cockatoos. They need more attention then I can give due to the coveid19. They started plucking. We doing every thing we can. Bambam the male is coming back nicely. Pebbles is more of a challenge. I own a veterinarian clinic and I am going start drugs on her if she does not let up soon. We are using collars and aloe on them. If any body is wanting more info please contact me.

Edited to add: Please feel free to PM anyone on the mod team (names in purple) if you wish to contact this user. We will be happy to assist.

 

[noodles123]

I have two umbrella cockatoos. They need more attention then I can give due to the coveid19. They started plucking. We doing every thing we can. Bambam the male is coming back nicely. Pebbles is more of a challenge. I own a veterinarian clinic and I am going start drugs on her if she does not let up soon. We are using collars and aloe on them. If any body is wanting more info please contact me.

Edited to add: Please feel free to PM anyone on the mod team (names in purple) if you wish to contact this user. We will be happy to assist.

You know separating them is likely going to make this even worse, right?
How are their sleep schedules? They need a bare minimum of 12 hours...
Also, if anyone is petting anywhere other than the head or neck, that needs to stop (it's sex).
Finally, no huts, boxes, shadowy spaces, tents etc.
Have you taken them to an avian vet? Sometimes plucking is medical.