What is the right home for a cockatoo

I'm doing my research, trying to figure out what kind of bird will fit in with my home.

We had a CAG, but no longer, and despite how much we miss him we have learned several things along the way: Bobby, our CAG, did best when we got him out of the cage and brought him along and included him in everything that we did, that wouldn't kill him. But, for everything that we did with him, he was still very nippy and unaffectionate. Now, I understand that this is just a staple of the species and not just him.

Now the wife and I are looking for a new parrot, one that will not be left alone and very much a part of out lives and out of his cage while we are home. We both want something that is more affectionate or just willing to be pet/cuddle with us but, at the same time, not be in as much danger of the cat that we currently own/live with.

So, what I want to know is, before we decide on anything, what is the right home for a cockatoo?

One big thing to remember with cockatoos is they are probably the most social of all parrots and tend to be real cuddle monsters while juveniles and have a rough puberty when they hit it. The best home for a cockatoo is one where the will be someone around pretty much all the time LONG-TERM (such as a stay at home spouse or who works from home and will probably not go back to working 9-5, or retired people who don't travel much) who is willing and able to play with the bird all day every day. Of any parrot, tops' are the MOST like a toddler in regards to their CONSTANT care needs.

Another big thing to keep in mind, there are THOUSANDS of very sweet cockatoos in shelters all over the country who would flourish in a home as described above. They are arguably the most frequently rehomed parrots because of their need for constant attention.

Wow, this is a really tough question to answer... and to answer without sounding mean or negative....

First, again, sorry about losing Bobby... Have you thought about another CAG? They really are awesome birds and tho not known to typically be super cuddly, there are some wonderful CAGs out there. Just a thought for what drew you to Bobby to begin with...

Back to a right home for a cockatoo... honestly, think we're a bunch of nuts Toos are such needy and often neurotic for no reason, you have to wonder why we bring one home in the first place. I never thought a too was right for us, but Ivory and Folger both picked us out (well Ivory us, Folger just picked Victoria!!).

I joke that cockatoos are like having a 2 or 3 year old that new grows up in your lifetime. They are very very high maintenance. And even if you do everything right, they can still start neurotic behavior for reasons only known to them...

My biggest concern about your post is reference to your cat... is your cat really bird aggressive? We have cats too and a cat living with us has a basic requirement that it is not bird aggressive. Showing interest, not happy about it, but to stalk a bird and wait for no one to be looking to pounce is not okay for any bird... a dangerous cat is a worry for a budgie or moluccan too, cat bites and scratches are a major issue. But only you know your cat and if a bird can safely be there.

Anyway, back to toos.... I am on disability due to my health. I do work part time cause I'd be bored out of my mind otherwise and they give me the luxury of working from home whenever I want and in this cold weather, I do not go out too often. That allows me to be home probably 90% of the time on average. If I was not home so much, Ivory would not be a happy too... Folger on the other hand after living at the shelter for 6 years is much more capable of spending all day alone in his cage with lots of toys. If I was still in my career, I do not think I would ever have agreed to Ivory, especially knowing she was a rehome with some issues (neglect and cage bound).

Toos are awesome, but I don't think anyone could say what is a right home... easier to figure out one that won't work then figure out exactly what makes a right one! Does that make sense??

Another thought... toos can be very one person. Ivory is fairly social and can be handled by most anyone, but she prefers me or when she is startled, I am usually the safe zone she flies to. Folger on the other hand, can only be handled by Victoria, he is downright vicious to me and literally has chased me down to try to bite my butt! For being such flock birds in nature, they do have a bit of an issue with selecting one person and bonding too strongly to that person. So, that is a thought to have, a too might select you and see your wife as a threat (or vice versa).

I personally would recommend if you consider a too that you look into a rehome or rescue too that is not a baby or so young they will go thru puberty. I am a big rehoming advocate, and toos have such a capacity for love. No one would ever guess that Ivory has not been with us her whole life! But in the same breath, getting a too does not guarantee a sweet or cuddly bird. We have met toos at the rescue that would do best in a sanctuary flock environment, they just do not tolerate people at all. But, same can be said of individuals in all animals (humans included!!).

I hope this help some and is not just random babble!!!!

Kiwibird said:

One big thing to remember with cockatoos is they are probably the most social of all parrots and tend to be real cuddle monsters while juveniles and have a rough puberty when they hit it. The best home for a cockatoo is one where the will be someone around pretty much all the time LONG-TERM (such as a stay at home spouse or who works from home and will probably not go back to working 9-5, or retired people who don't travel much) who is willing and able to play with the bird all day every day. Of any parrot, tops' are the MOST like a toddler in regards to their CONSTANT care needs.

Another big thing to keep in mind, there are THOUSANDS of very sweet cockatoos in shelters all over the country who would flourish in a home as described above. They are arguably the most frequently rehomed parrots because of their need for constant attention.

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No matter what bird we end up getting, it will be adopted, from a shelter or craigslist, somewhere other than a pet store or a breeder.

I hope to be moving to a more at home job very soon, but currently I work an 8-hour a day job as does my wife. We loved having Bobby out of the cage when we were home, minus him trying to bite us, and he enjoyed teasing the cats while we weren't home.

We definetly want a more sociable bird.

MrBackpack said:

Kiwibird said:

One big thing to remember with cockatoos is they are probably the most social of all parrots and tend to be real cuddle monsters while juveniles and have a rough puberty when they hit it. The best home for a cockatoo is one where the will be someone around pretty much all the time LONG-TERM (such as a stay at home spouse or who works from home and will probably not go back to working 9-5, or retired people who don't travel much) who is willing and able to play with the bird all day every day. Of any parrot, tops' are the MOST like a toddler in regards to their CONSTANT care needs.

Another big thing to keep in mind, there are THOUSANDS of very sweet cockatoos in shelters all over the country who would flourish in a home as described above. They are arguably the most frequently rehomed parrots because of their need for constant attention.

Click to expand...

No matter what bird we end up getting, it will be adopted, from a shelter or craigslist, somewhere other than a pet store or a breeder.

I hope to be moving to a more at home job very soon, but currently I work an 8-hour a day job as does my wife. We loved having Bobby out of the cage when we were home, minus him trying to bite us, and he enjoyed teasing the cats while we weren't home.

We definetly want a more sociable bird.

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IF it were me, I wouldn't consider a too if I couldn't be reasonably sure I could be home pretty much all day, every day in the long-term. Toos' do not tend to adjust as well as other species to being alone all day and let out whenever you're home. I have heard caiques and senegals are typically friendly birds who can adjust to a daily routine where they are alone for a while each day (with toys and other stimulation of course). Some of the smaller amazons (lilacs, GCAs, orange wings) are known for being friendlier and do well with some alone time. The largest of the amazons, mealys, are known for being one of the sweetest parrots, but they are more difficult to find and are quite large. The more common amazons (BFA, DYH and YNA) are not typically "friendly" birds and probably not what you're looking for.

Is size of bird a factor? I would have to say one of the most social and cuddly bug birds you can find are sun conures. And don't fall for the myth that they are all super loud, its training just like any other bird. Victoria's baby Loki is quite quiet, only time he really squawks is when its time for bed (or so he thinks) and he announces this by walking to the back of the sofa, stand on the corner and demands to be returned. But he is so funny and lovable, I would recommend one in a heartbeat. They are really wonderful birds and way less demanding then any too... Loki can easily spend all day when Victoria has classes in his cage entertaining himself... He has never once screamed to be taken out of his cage when she is gone and I am home.

Just a thought... not trying to change your mind, but after reading your second post, Loki popped into my mind!!!

I work a seven hour day and manage to cope with a galah cockatoo. It's not ideal but I make sure I'm about for company for a couple of hours in the morning then several in the evening and she seems happy enough - and it's much better than her previous life stuck in an 18" square cage all day. She has a big cage with lots to occupy her, and she tends to sleep through the afternoon and wants to be up in the evenings. I keep the cage open whenever I'm home so she can be out and about as much as she wants. Although certainly not a low maintenance bird, galahs have a reputation for being less neurotic and demanding than the white cockatoos - so if your CAG was doing well with your lifestyle I think a galah would be ok. They're certainly very cuddly if that's what you're looking for.

Toos probably do best in the kind of setting that you described. The problem being is that then they tend to hate to be set down... EVER!

I also have a very good interactive CAG, who just isn't all that big on the touchie-feelie stuff.

I am perhaps a tad biased... but there is no better lap bird than a big mac, in my opinion. Greenwing/B&G perhaps? Or one of the medium sized BTM or Red Fronts...

My red front and my greenwing are both about as cuddly and playful as these things get. And there is no smarter bird out there, mechanically speaking, than a BTM...

Jayyj said:

I work a seven hour day and manage to cope with a galah cockatoo. It's not ideal but I make sure I'm about for company for a couple of hours in the morning then several in the evening and she seems happy enough - and it's much better than her previous life stuck in an 18" square cage all day. She has a big cage with lots to occupy her, and she tends to sleep through the afternoon and wants to be up in the evenings. I keep the cage open whenever I'm home so she can be out and about as much as she wants. Although certainly not a low maintenance bird, galahs have a reputation for being less neurotic and demanding than the white cockatoos - so if your CAG was doing well with your lifestyle I think a galah would be ok. They're certainly very cuddly if that's what you're looking for.

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I should have mentioned that, if we get a cockatoo, we would be favoring the Galah over the larger 'toos out there.

Size is a factor that we have to consider, our CAG lived in a HUGE macaw cage and loved every minute of it, but it has 1 3/8" bar spacing. So if I were to go with a conure(s), I would have to figure out some what to modify the cage.

Birdman666 said:

Toos probably do best in the kind of setting that you described. The problem being is that then they tend to hate to be set down... EVER!

I also have a very good interactive CAG, who just isn't all that big on the touchie-feelie stuff.

I am perhaps a tad biased... but there is no better lap bird than a big mac, in my opinion. Greenwing/B&G perhaps? Or one of the medium sized BTM or Red Fronts...

My red front and my greenwing are both about as cuddly and playful as these things get. And there is no smarter bird out there, mechanically speaking, than a BTM...

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Now, I'm all for a mac, I love them, the wife on the other hand is very much afraid of the 'can opener for a face' thing with macs, expecially since she got a hard bite from one yesterday.

I know some people work and have toos. With my Jasper though, I do think he would be miserable if he had to be in a cage other than for my drives to drop off and pick up kids at school and at night for bedtime. I'm literally home all the time and when I do have sessions on the weekends (photographer), my husband and four kids are home.

My conure on the other hand is not nearly as needy. She loves her cage and will happily play. Jasper stares longingly at me and his cage appears to have brand new toys because he will only play on his stand when he is out of the cage.

Like it said though, I'm sure some cockatoos are able to be alone for longer stretches but from my short experience so far, I very much have a dependent life long toddler with Jasper. And I adore every second of it

IMHO if beak size is a major factor (especially for your wife) then a smaller 'too would be better....there's an umbrella at our local pet shop and her beak is huge and very intimidating to me compared to my galah's beak lol

Chili is very cuddly at times, and very playful- she spends a lot of time self-entertaining though...which would be key if you plan on being away from home for work regularly.

I'm a stay-at-home-mom so Chili is out of her cage most of the time.....she is LITERALLY like having another toddler in the house. Not kidding. I have a 2 year old child as well, and between the two of them...oh boy- I'm always on my toes!! LOL

Another thing- Galahs tend to be a bit beaky....chili is very beaky- but she hardly ever bites hard, but I work with her A LOT on what's acceptable bite pressure.

If you thinking galah, toss all my typing my understanding is that galahs are nothing like white toos... I have no galah experience and with Ivorys personality I do not think I could safely bring home another interactive bird. She gets upset when I just talk to Folger and screams like shes being attacked if I just have one of the conures step up on my hand.

Good luck with your decision and look forward to hearing how things go.

We found a local ad on craigslist for some cockatiels, I think that we're going to start with a couple of them and eventually work our way into a larger bird.

Now I just need to find some chicken wire for the big mac cage.

I've heard cockatiels are lovely, friendly and smart little birds. They're small enough you can have a couple housed together so they won't get lonely during the day. And technically, they are still cockatoos, just a miniature version of the big boys. How wonderful you found some, sounds like it was meant to be .

Hi! Sorry about your CAG.

I have three birds. A Yellow Collared Macaw, a Military Macaw and a Citron Crested Cockatoo.

Both my schedule, and my boyfriends schedules are completely ERRATIC. I feel like a complete weirdo telling you this, but our Cockatoo is fine with it. She makes hardly ANY noise, and is not very cuddly. She will accept minimal affection, and ONLY from me. She likes to observe activity, but never fussed about being on her own. I am waiting to wake up one day and find an African Grey staring at me, and a discarded cockatoo costume unzipped and crumpled on the floor of the cage.

That being said, BOTH of our Macaws are SUPERRRRR cuddly, provide noise at acceptable levels/duration, and LOVE to be included in everything. Loki, our YCM is the smartest, and most accepting of training. She is cuddly, but small, so you have to be gentle with her. If you a want mushy-mushy, hands on, cuddle me, hold me like a baby bird, you might consider a larger Macaw. Our Wingnut will literally follow me around like a puppy. I can massage his entire body, stick my hands in his mouth, wrestle with him anything, and he is ok on his own.

So please consider a Macaw. I was convinced that I was a staunch Amazon person (I love them sooooo much), but our Macaws have made me realize that my heart is big enough for more than one favorite, and they make me sooo happy, every day.

Cockatiels are AWESOME!

BirdyMomma said:

So please consider a Macaw. I was convinced that I was a staunch Amazon person (I love them sooooo much), but our Macaws have made me realize that my heart is big enough for more than one favorite, and they make me sooo happy, every day.

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Despite why my wife experienced, and I was later told that it was not a good day for Kai in general, I am going to get a macaw one day and I am still waiting to see if a B&G is going to be available from a closing pet store. If he's still there, I'm going to be taking a day off of work to drive up there and pick him up.

They are challenging and let you know what you're made of, this is fact. If you don't have what it takes, you end up with a rehome for sale. So sad for the bird. These are magnificent birds for the right home. You better have a strong spirit and a strong heart, don't ever give up. Once you feel their love, it will be worth every sacrifice.

My first bird was an umbrella 'too. NIGHTMARE x2! Five years later, we have a family member that will be remembered in the will! It takes special people to take care with this special type of bird. Keep this in mind if thinking of taking one on.

MrBackpack said:

We found a local ad on craigslist for some cockatiels, I think that we're going to start with a couple of them and eventually work our way into a larger bird.

Now I just need to find some chicken wire for the big mac cage.

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I would be real careful in using chicken wire! They will rust and they're considered toxic as well. They need to be treated first before use. They do sell stainless steel wire mesh!!!!

Cockatiels are a great intro to the whole cockatoo 'behaviour'.

Do you guys get corellas in America? (Or wherever you're from)
Long-billed corellas are - in my experience - all the personality of a cockatoo, with less of the "bad" parts.