Rehomed Cockatoo Behavioral Issues

PolyParrotParent

New member
Jan 29, 2013
2
0
Hello everyone. I'm new to the forum but I really need help. My boyfriend and I adopted a 15 year old moluccan cockatoo we renamed Zulu. He's been rehomed 5 times in his 15 years and my boyfriend and I refuse to give up on him. We knew he had a screaming problem and we were prepared for that. What we weren't prepared for was for him to be aggressive toward me. He isn't aggressive towards my boyfriend, but yesterday when we brought him home I offered him a walnut and he bit me. My boyfriend offered him the same walnut and Zulu just walked away from him. I picked him up yesterday after the walnut incident and he didn't behave aggressively towards me, but I'm nervous around him now and I don't know what to do to help rebuild the trust between Zulu and I. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
 

aliray

New member
Jan 28, 2012
2,269
1
Rotonda West , Fla
Parrots
yellow sided green cheek conure,Chiquita Quaker parrot Sweetie Pie, African red bellied parrot Tiki, spanish timbrado canary Lucas
If you only got him yesterday that is way to quick to judge his personality. He needs time to adjust and settle into his new home and get used to new people and sounds. They are very intelligent birds and being rehomed 5 times in 15 years is a lot . He needs time and lots of patience, and needs to get comfortable and to learn to trust you. start spending time near him just talking or reading let him get used to you both. Open the door to his cage and let him come out and sit on top at his own pace. There are lots of too owners on here that I am sure will come along with more ideas:). Congrats on your new baby:)
 

moni.k

New member
Sep 2, 2012
275
0
Pasadena, CA
Parrots
~SI female eclectus: Nalani~
~pineapple.turquoise GCC: Layla~
I'm sorry you're going through so much, especially after you have given this bird good home. My friend has two U2s (male 7yrs old and female 34yrs old) and the problem is very similar with the male. The female is very approachable with everyone (except men) she prefers females and was raised with women her whole life. The only time she shows aggression is towards guys. However, the male is very unpredictable. At times he will stand on my shoulder and will be as happy as a clam. But other days he will pace back and forth and want to rip my arms out. Sometimes with re-home birds, they have been living in situations where they haven't been socialized at a young age.

I think in your case you have to start from the beginning. One way you can let him know that you mean no harm is to have him on a perch and approach him. Don't go close enough to touch him or for him to lunge and bite you. When he feels comfortable at that distance click the clicker and walk away. A few seconds to a minute later approach him again, but come a bit closer. Repeat the step over and over until you can finally touch him. This will help him realize that you mean no harm. After you have built a foundation of trust, you can begin clicker training him with other tricks. Luckily cockatoos are huge babies that love attention, so he will really enjoy the mental stimulation and interaction. Teach him to spin, touch train him and more. It will build a bond with you and your bird.

It may be a slow process that can take days to weeks or even months. But be persistent, he will get there. Unfortunately this is the only advice I have for you. Let me know if you have any improvement with him.
 

terry52449

New member
Feb 11, 2012
178
Media
11
4
The Villages, Fl
Parrots
Umbrella Cockatoo: Cameo
Aggression from a bird can be for several different reasons. You have to determine why the aggression and then overcome that fear,jealous or what ever it may be. I would say your bird is still very frightened from the new people and surroundings. Patience will be your biggest vurtue. A bite does not mean the bird hates you. It will bite protecting its cage, mate, eggs, food or what ever. They get moody just like you & I so consider the birds attention and focus when you try training. I have a U2 and she is the best pet I could ever have. So good luck.
 

CoCo1

New member
Jan 15, 2013
69
2
Omaha, Ne
Parrots
1 African Grey "JJ" and 1 M2 "Lola" and my 2 yorkies...while not feathered they are still part of my flock!
I have to agree don't believe that he does not like you or is aggressive towards you. It is far too soon to tell. Sit next to his cage and talk to him. Tell him all the wonderful things about being at your house- how much love you have for him, the toys you can't wait to play with with him- also I start out in a normal voice, then gradually get softer in my voice until it is at a whisper..it will draw him closer to you and have a treat ready for him at the end of your conversation! Cockatoos are snuggle babies but they take their time in trusting-and you absolutely have to earn it.
 

NWQuakers

New member
Jan 6, 2013
149
0
Everson, WA
Parrots
Lucky, Quaker, abt 18/male?
Previous birds: 2 Quakers, 2 budgies, Nanday conure, Indian ringneck, 2 tiels, Red Lory, 300+ finches.
One amazing life lesson I took away from my few years having a milk cow is how important it is to really put yourself into that calm and soothing space, no matter what else is going on.

My cow was kind of pissy and wouldn't let down her milk if I was cranky or in a hurry. I had to learn how to get my head in the right place on demand, or no milk that day.

The same thing works great with parrots, since they are also so emotionally-attuned. And I think it helped Mark when she was doing poorly and we had to have her put to sleep. She was afraid and stressed, so on the way to the vet I put everything I had into being calm and loving, and I know it made her last ride more peaceful.
 

Tammy

New member
May 4, 2011
268
0
Pennsylvania
Parrots
Orange Wing Amazon
Trust takes time. Thank you for not giving up on him. I adopted a 10 yr old OWA almost 4 years ago. With patience & time you can start to read your birds moods. Mr. Precious will let me know when it's okay to pet or scratch his neck. Time, time & more time.
 

Codybird

New member
Jan 31, 2013
3
0
New Zealand
Parrots
Oli the galah cockatoo
From everything I've read about moluccan cockatoos, they're some of the most complex and emotional parrots you can own (hence the rehoming 5 times). I recently just brought home a baby galah cockatoo, and even he's a big handful. My avian vet recommended two reputable sources of information on solving behavioral problems:

Welcome to BehaviorWorks.org
Training Parrots | Parrot Training DVDS & Books

Best of luck!
 

lee62

New member
Jan 25, 2013
27
0
West of Brisbane
Parrots
All
My cow was kind of pissy and wouldn't let down her milk if I was cranky or in a hurry. I had to learn how to get my head in the right place on demand, or no milk that day.QUOTE]

I know exactly what you mean we had a guernsey cow when I was a kid and it was my job to milk her morning and evening and she would sense how I was feeling and act accordingly.

Birds/animals read our body language, tone and sense our moods and they go by that more than by what you are saying.
 

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