New Moluccan Cockatoo owner

I have a few other parrots, but Sam is our first big parrot && he just happens to be one of the most demanding parrot species. He belonged to my mother, she recently passed away. She asked me to take him, && I promised to do right by her. I knew I was going to be getting him soon before she died, so I spent a lot of time researching them. This is my first day with him, he is sweet, doesn't bite, but I feel a little out of place, all the research hasn't quite prepared me for everything. He is shy right now, && I'm trying not to push him. He lets me pet his head and neck though, I've read not to pet below the neck, so I am avoiding that.

One thing that is worrying me, and I do realize he just got here is he is hand-tamed, but I haven't been able to step him up like my other birds. He is on top of his cage, and I have to work here in a while, so a little worried. I know how to step up a bird, but I feel like I am stressing him out. When I have tried to, as I am going to have to in a little bit, he pants and looks scared. I am not my mom, so I can imagine his fear. I really just want to do everything I can the correct way. I would like to bond with him, but also promote his independence since I have read that overdependence with cockatoos can be a big problem especially with Moluccans and Umbrellas.

Also one thing I could not find in the books i bought or even from doing a simple google search is just different expressions and behaviorism that indicate emotions such as fear, happiness, anger, etc. It would be nice if someone could share with me some of these little secrets. I can only seem to find the negative behaviors online, and when they're going to bite, but I have already read those over and over.

It would be nice to hear the positives of owning a Moluccan, I hear a bunch of negative but this paticular bird was my mother's joy, and I intend to make him just as happy here.

I'm so sorry to here about your mother's passing.

Best of luck with Sam, I'm sure the Too people here will be able to help you better understand your g-fid.

Forbey

Ive never had a M2 [but how neat] . But I have had other 2s.From my experience the attention is most important to them . I find if I put them on a realistic [time out ,and to see you schedule] That works well . Otherwise it seems they can get all worked up about worrying when they can come out. Right now just work on building your relationship like your doing .

Thank you Forbey, she was very dear to me, which is why it's so important to me to make Sam happy, and to transition as smoothly as possible.

I read about that, so far I have tried not to mess with him too much since I know he needs a realistic timeline in which he can expect me. I am trying to get him to accept some treats from me now, he took a peanut but then immediately dropped it haha, I'm just super worried about him mentally. The books have me scared because of all the psychological problems they can develop, I don't want that happening to him, especially not after losing his primary caregiver.

It's a big step, taking on a cockatoo, and to be honest, no amount of research can really prepare you. But it sounds like he will have a good and understanding home with you.

Does he need to step up? I'm only asking because our cockatoo doesn't like stepping up (we're working on it, but slowly, taking it in his pace), but it's not a problem. He will fly to where we ask (usually, lol!), and he will go anywhere for a nut. Bribery works every time. Well, I say bribery, but it's only bribery if you try without and only resort to the treat when they play up and won't go in - look at it as a reward for doing what you ask, positive reinforcement, and not as a way of "tricking him to do something he doesn't want".
Need him to get into the cage in a hurry? Offer him a nut. Now, obviously all individuals are different, and that might not work with everyone. But if you haven't already tried it, offer him a treat (maybe almond or walnut? Or something you know or suspect he will love) if he goes into the cage. You can either put it in his food bowl, or hold it by the perch you want him to go to. This is, I find, the most stress less way of getting a parrot that doesn't want to step up, into the cage.

If you can find a way to manage out of cage time etc without him stepping up, you can then work on the step ups in a slower pace, as he becomes more and more trusting and comfortable.

You can also see if he'd be more inclined to step up onto a hand held perch, a cushion, or maybe if you wrap your hand around a towel?


Body language... Cockatoos are, as I'm sure you've noticed, quite different from most other parrots. I remember seeing a good site on cockatoo body language - I'll see if I can dig it out, or maybe someone here will beat me to it.

A short summary (and I'm sure others can add to it, these are just the first things that came to mind, and they're based on my particular individual - they're all different):

Crest up means interest or excitement. The excitement can be positive (for example happy, interested) or negative (for example angry). Unless you know the individual well, I'd caution from approaching the bird (as in, get hands on) when it's excited, because even positive excitement can easily turn to a bite from over excitement, if that makes sense.

Crest up together with tail feathers flared is a level up in excitement - Io usually does this when he's VERY excited about something, is surprised by a sudden noise, or if he's showing an aggressive stance. Basically, be careful with approaching a cockatoo with a flared tail.

Crest up, flared tail, puffed up, maybe moving in a snakelike fashion (kinda slowly moving head from side to side) usually means NOT HAPPY. Approach and you shall die a horrible death. Often accompanied by hissing.

Io hisses when he's not happy, but also without tail flare when he just wants to demonstrate his annoyance, or if it's something he doesn't like but can't be bothered to actually get upset about it, or even sometimes when he seems perfectly content.

He also makes a clicking noise with his beak when he's very happy and content (for example if I've just come home, let him out, and he's flopped down in my lap).

Fluffed feathers around the beak: I've seen this referred to as "hiding the weapon", lol. Usually indicated a content bird, comfortable, means no harm. But again, depends on the individual.

"Tickling" themselves on the head with a foot: this is just so darn adorable. Usually a hint for you to give them a tickle

Strutting walk: excited/displaying. Again, could go over to negative excitement. Or just playfulness

Hopping/jumping up and down: excited, playful, annoyed.

Trying to grab your finger with a foot: totally adorable, but Io likes to pull your finger to his beak and then he'll chew on it, and he's surprisingly strong so I tend to just avoid that situation.

Over time, you'll learnt to read your individual, you'll learn his moods and what he likes and doesn't like. The same thing

Io is very tactile and likes to taste everything with his beak. I've got the impression that that's the case with many cockatoos. It's easy to be wary of that large beak (and you'd be right to be wary of a Moluccan beak - they can do a lot of damage), but a lot of the time, they don't mean to cause any harm. They might not have learnt how hard a bite hurts a human, or they might have learnt that a hard bite is the only thing that will make humans listen. I let Io preen around my fingernails and explore my fingers, because I think it's a good social bonding thing, and if he uses too much force, I let him know by making a noise, and he responds well to that. Basically, I want him using his beak in a gentle manner be the norm, I don't want it to be just a tool for making humans behave, and this is my way of encouraging that. Again, individuals are different and us humans have different views on stuff like this. It's all about what works for you, in my opinion

I adore cockatoos, but I'm by no means an expert, and I've not got any experience with moluccans. But I think some of the other members on here do, so insure they'll be along with more info.

(This has taken ages to write as I kept getting interrupted, so I'm sure someone's already posted - wanted to add this just so no one thinks I've ignored previous posts, lol)

Oh && I got him to step up for me, I let him swing on my arm && he seemed to enjoy by swinging his body and head when I swung my arm back and forth. He even let out a little excited squeal and gave me this excited bright look, I could be misinterpreting. I havent got him a swing, which I am tonight, but I did read that they love swinging and flipping on their owners hands and arms && I figured we could try it. I placed him in his cage now, he's been out all day && I have to go to work for about 4 hours, but my husband should be home when I leave.

He still seems to pant when I bring my hands near him, like he is unsure, although I have read this could be a breeding thing, God I hope not. Any advice given will be appreciated.

crys said:

I read about that, so far I have tried not to mess with him too much since I know he needs a realistic timeline in which he can expect me. I am trying to get him to accept some treats from me now, he took a peanut but then immediately dropped it haha, I'm just super worried about him mentally. The books have me scared because of all the psychological problems they can develop, I don't want that happening to him, especially not after losing his primary caregiver.

Click to expand...

Some people say that it's really important to have a strict routine that you keep to, because cockatoos need it, but I don't agree at all. They need to know what to expect from you, as in that they'll get fed, they'll get to spend time with you, etc. But I don't believe they need to be woken up at a specific time, fed at specific times, have time out of the cage at set times, etc. We just go with the flow, and all our three seem to do great with it.

The two cockatoos that I've had in my home (the first one was a stray we took in temporarily until her owners could be found), have both been very confident and happy birds. That's obviously not the case with everyone, but I think that if you get a parrot, any parrot, used to a strict routine and use that for years, they will find it hard to adapt. And, our lives are bound to change, so I'd rather they were used to having a varied routine.

Do you know what Sam's routines were before?

Don't worry to much, just take every day as it comes. It's a really big upheaval for him, yes. But most parrots are quite good at adapting, as long as they feel safe. So talk to him, maybe sit next to him and read to him, see what treats he likes, explore different foods, eat together (you can eat something that is safe for parrots so that he can "share" your meal) - even of he doesn't eat himself straight away, it's a really important flock activity, eating together. So it will foster that feeling of belonging to a flock.

If he's not keen on toys, he might get more interested if he sees you play with it first. A really simple thing to do is to scrunch up a piece of paper, then toss it to him
He might start ripping it apart, or he might toss it back and you can make it into a game. Either way, lots of fun

Sounds like you've made a great start!

Many parrots make a sort of panting noise when they're displaying/hormonal/in breeding mode. Our Grey has done it from when she was little, if she gets overexcited. I just tend to leave her be if she does it, so as to not encourage any mating behaviours. In any case, it's best not to encourage behaviour that might lead to the bird thinking you're a potential mate - that path tend to lead to lots of disappointment and misdirected aggression/hormonal behaviours. But I've not much experience with that sort of thing, to be honest.

Thank you so much! That was extremely helpful. It is so nice to get some information on body language and really just anything positive, I keep finding so many negative things. Which I understand is just to inform people what can happen and the amount of obligation they are, but I'm in this no matter what so I really just need help establishing myself with him. I will admit, I was a little intimidated by his large beak, it's a lot bigger than any of my other birds, however I decided to just go in for the swoop and he obliged by stepping up, although like I said he tends to pant a little when I go near. I work at petsmart part-time, and go to school in the morning. I am home though almost all the time. Stepping up is essential to me right now, because my father brought him with the cage and then let him out, but I needed to get him in while I get ready for work and leave. I played with him for several minutes before placing him in his cage, he didn't offer to bite or even get upset about going inside, he just got on his perch, shook his tail feathers and started preening. I've got a long way to go, && I'm so thankful for the help I am receiving on this forum already, this bird means a lot to me && we haven't even bonded yet haha. Thank you so much!

I had read that, but when I have seen him do it is when I try to step him up or go near the cage earlier, he seemed a little scared. Hopefully in this case it was fear, because I feel like that can be fixed easier haha after time.

riaria said:

crys said:

I read about that, so far I have tried not to mess with him too much since I know he needs a realistic timeline in which he can expect me. I am trying to get him to accept some treats from me now, he took a peanut but then immediately dropped it haha, I'm just super worried about him mentally. The books have me scared because of all the psychological problems they can develop, I don't want that happening to him, especially not after losing his primary caregiver.

Click to expand...

Some people say that it's really important to have a strict routine that you keep to, because cockatoos need it, but I don't agree at all. They need to know what to expect from you, as in that they'll get fed, they'll get to spend time with you, etc. But I don't believe they need to be woken up at a specific time, fed at specific times, have time out of the cage at set times, etc. We just go with the flow, and all our three seem to do great with it.

The two cockatoos that I've had in my home (the first one was a stray we took in temporarily until her owners could be found), have both been very confident and happy birds. That's obviously not the case with everyone, but I think that if you get a parrot, any parrot, used to a strict routine and use that for years, they will find it hard to adapt. And, our lives are bound to change, so I'd rather they were used to having a varied routine.

Do you know what Sam's routines were before?

Don't worry to much, just take every day as it comes. It's a really big upheaval for him, yes. But most parrots are quite good at adapting, as long as they feel safe. So talk to him, maybe sit next to him and read to him, see what treats he likes, explore different foods, eat together (you can eat something that is safe for parrots so that he can "share" your meal) - even of he doesn't eat himself straight away, it's a really important flock activity, eating together. So it will foster that feeling of belonging to a flock.

If he's not keen on toys, he might get more interested if he sees you play with it first. A really simple thing to do is to scrunch up a piece of paper, then toss it to him
He might start ripping it apart, or he might toss it back and you can make it into a game. Either way, lots of fun

Click to expand...

I had also heard of not getting them to used to a schedule. The biggest thing is making myself hold back from wanting to spend every minute trying to bond with him at first. I had read that some people make the mistake of giving them too much attention at first but then realistically having to step back and not offer the same amount of time, giving the guy unreal expectations. I am going to try to take this day by day, && get to know him. I'm just a little nervous, I honestly never thought I would ever own a large bird, not bc I didn't want one, but because I just always thought we would have medium size, it was very unexpected. I'm going to give him the best home I can though.

Wow you have gotten a lot of good advice so far! I feel that riaria really hit the moluccan behaviors square on the head even though she doesn't have one! I see Jojo, my moluccan, exhibiting almost all the same behaviors.

Cockatoos are very sensitive creatures and by what you are describing it sounds like he is scared. Jojo was the same way when he came to me two weeks ago. Unfoutunetely you will continue to build his fear if your training strategy for stepping up is not changed soon. We don't want him to learn to fear hands!

Jojo came to me not knowing how to step up either and he too loves to sit on top of his cage. Being the shy bird that he is I started teaching him what a clicker means and then target trained him. By doing this his confidence has blossomed and he no longer fears me when I approach his cage. Instead he follows me around! Here is a post detailing what I did with Jojo to earn his trust if you want to do the same with your bird.

Our next step is to use his target training to teach him how to step up. After that crate training is next!

Good luck and keep us updated!

CaitlinBird said:

Wow you have gotten a lot of good advice so far! I feel that riaria really hit the moluccan behaviors square on the head even though she doesn't have one! I see Jojo, my moluccan, exhibiting almost all the same behaviors.

Cockatoos are very sensitive creatures and by what you are describing it sounds like he is scared. Jojo was the same way when he came to me two weeks ago. Unfoutunetely you will continue to build his fear if your training strategy for stepping up is not changed soon. We don't want him to learn to fear hands!

Jojo came to me not knowing how to step up either and he too loves to sit on top of his cage. Being the shy bird that he is I started teaching him what a clicker means and then target trained him. By doing this his confidence has blossomed and he no longer fears me when I approach his cage. Instead he follows me around! Here is a post detailing what I did with Jojo to earn his trust if you want to do the same with your bird.

Our next step is to use his target training to teach him how to step up. After that crate training is next!

Good luck and keep us updated!

Click to expand...

Well, Sam already knows how to step up. My mother got him almost immediately after I moved out when I was 18. She had him for 5 years, && was always a very well mannered bird with her. I have had birds all of my life, but they were all medium sized birds. I also have an Indian Ringneck && a Quaker parrot. I found today that the problem was not Sam, but me. I was very intimidated by his beak, && I was also very anxious about not scaring him or pushing him to move too quickly, at the time I really just needed to place him in his cage so I could get a shower before work. So, after handling my other birds, I decided to just try and step him up. I held my hand out, asked him to step-up && he complied. I knew he knew how to step-up, I'm just so worried he will not like me, && I don't want to rush him, I'm trying to give him time to get used to his surroundings before I handle him too much at a time.We had some fun swinging on my arm before I placed him inside, he enjoyed enough to start flipping around and squeal with joy while using his body to propel his self forward in back as I swung him (something I read in a book that they enjoy lol). I think so far, we are doing okay, but this is only the first day && I know we have so many things to learn about each other.
I read the information you wrote about JoJo, I think clicker training would be a great thing for us. I also have a Doberman Pinscher && a German Shepherd that are clicker trained through a schutzhund program. So it would be interesting to use that with Sam. Thank you so much for letting me know about that, I didn't even think about clicker training any of my other birds before. I had heard of it, just never thought to do it with them. It's definitely something I would like to try.

Welcome to the forums!!! Sorry to hear about your mother's passing!!

It sounds to me your mother have trained him right to begin with which is very very important to do when they're young!!! Once strayed, they can be very problematic! I had to give up my Umbrella because of his issues that I can no longer deal with it. For the safety of my other birds, my partner, my house, and me. I had to give him up after I did all I could for a year and a half. He was an absolute terror....

From everything you've said about him so far, he sounds precious! No wonder he was a joy in your mother's heart! I do hope everything works out for you and please post some pictures of your flock for us to see!!!

Sorry to hear about your mother. I fostered an M2 for a while, let me tell ya, not the easiest birds to live with! But they make wonderful companions to the right people. Some positive behaviorisms: Tongue Clicking- A sign of contentment and happiness. The "beard"- Another cute sign of contentment, when the feathers gather around the beak looking like a beard. Puffed up feathers- If minorly puffed, can be a sign of contentment, but, if puffed for a long time your bird is sick and needs to visit the vet. You will know the difference. Don't give your bird hours of cuddles the first month or two, when the "novelty" of the bird wears off (happens for everyone) You will still spend a lot of time with your bird, but not as much. This will upset your 'too and he will, bite, scream, pluck and self mutilate. One of the most important rules is boundries. Teach the bird to stay in it's cage and play by itself for at least 6 hours a day. WHen your bird has learned that, he will be okay to snuggle ALL you want. Hope i helped!

Thank you for al the information. Sam is doing a lot better, he has come to really enjoy out company. He was seriously shy before. I cooked for him this morning, but he hasn't touched it lol. I would touch my cooking either though. He does that tongue clicking thing a lot too.

I do not have a an M2, but we do have a G2. I have been around M2's though.

Though limited experience with an M2, I offer the following "general" Cockatoo advise:

• Patience
• Bribery
• Patience
• *Consistancy
• Patience
• *Randomness
• More Patience
• Do NOT show your fustrations to the bird. Stay low key and no raising your voice.
• Did I mention ....... Patience?
• Birdy Pyschology

So, one time I list Consistancy then on anther note I say Randomness ....... YES, I meant to say that.
"Consistancy" in regards to how you train them. (i.e. step up means, .... step up)
"Randomness" in regards to not doing the same thing all the time (i.e. do NOT get the Too out the same time every day, say like after work. The bird willexpect EVERYDAY ay 5:10 pm my owner will be getting me out and I expect tthat. Instead, mix it up every day as to when you get them out for socialization time. Do NOT get set in a routine with a Too, ... they will demand and OWN YOU.

Good Luck!

How is he doing today?

I admire your loyalty and bravery for taking in your mother's bird!

here are some behavioral patters:

Raised crest: sometimes an attempt to intimidate/be aggressive, sometimes an expression of happy excitement, sometimes fear, sometimes pure joy

to help figure out which crest emotion it is, pay attention to the feathers on the body:

if they are sucked in and flat on his body, making him slim - it is generally not a good thing. He is probably very nervous/anxious. he may be hissing at this point

if they are all fluffed out/standing on end with a fanned out tail, he is either super happy and playing, or displaying aggression (is he squealing with glee? screaming with anger? this helps identify which one it is)

When he is motionless and fluffed out, he is usually going to be approachable and receptive to "pets"

are his feathers over his beak? he's just relaxing or is sleepy. this is always a good thing

if he is petting himself with his foot, he's inviting you to join him

if you approach him and he whispers, he may just be nervous. whisper back and try to give him treats

if he's ever leaning off his cage, wiggling his wings, bobbing his head, all his feathers tight against him, beak open - DO NOT ATTEMPT CONTACT. this is an act of war! ignore ignore ignore


You are right, though, there is a ton of negative stuff about M2s out there. I pretty much agree with all of it. However, I still love my bird to death. He is weird, funny, and affectionate. I admire your decision to take in this bird. Don't be dissuaded if he does bite - it's very normal (albeit painful). you'll learn to judge his behavior over time. Good luck!!