Unexpected rescue

Hi all,

Last night we unexpectedly rescued a Goffin's Cockatoo. I am familiar with basic bird care, behavior, and things like that but know nothing about cockatoos them selves. I have a ton of homework and research to do now. lol Any tips you all suggest or any good sites where I can get some info on these fellows?

I have a 27 year old male (so they say). He does not look no where near 27. Looks VERY healthy! (BTW vet check is coming up). Very tame! Like all too's love cuddling and the human bond. Within in the first hours of being home he was already talking and dancing for us. He definitely settled in fast. I am just waiting for his personality to come through after he settles completely.

He was placed in an outdoor cage with NOTHING in it. Just 2 sticks that stuck through this man made cage that wasnt made well. With a small board on the top for some shade. Had a dish of nothing but sunflower seeds and a dish with dirty water. The caretaker was yelling at him and told us he doesnt like the bird. My, did I have to control myself then. I am just glad he is with us now and in good hands.

Is there any way to get an approximate of age? Unfortunately, there is no leg band to tell what age may be. It is just unbelievable to me that hes 27.

He is housed with a CAG, Sun Conure, 2 tiels, lovebird, and a bulbul bird. In all separate cages of course.

Any and all tips/suggestion and comments are welcome.

Take care and have a great weekend all!

Congrats on taking in this bird, but sorry, can't help with any 'too info.....

Good luck.....

I absolutely adore Goffins, so much so I live with five of them - two wild caught parents and three of their now adult offspring.

Goffins tend to be very active and are considered the "clowns" of the 'too family. Vibrant personalities, very cuddly, but capable of more independence than many of their white cousins.

They thrive in large cages filled with toys and seem partial to wood and fibrous items that can be chewed. Mine are kept (except for the parent male) in a large room and freely interact with their own kind, a Citron, Moluccan, and a Timneh Grey. (the latter has no real relationship with the others) They enjoy plenty of unsupervised time outside the cage, with the caveat they have already "altered" some moulding and baseboards, but have grown tired of such mischievous behaviors.

They are offered a wide variety of fresh foods and vegetables, but are partial to sweet potatoes/yams, garbanzo beans, peas, banana, pomegranate seeds, whole cranberries, corn on the cob, melon seeds, watermelon, and cooked whole-wheat spiral noodles. Once or twice weekly they are offered whole grain bread, Cheerios, and a small piece of string cheese. Dry food consists of Zupreem fruit pellets and small quantities of a safflower-based seed mix. No sunflower seeds, ever.

It is difficult to determine age; my wild-caught parents are at least 40 years old and going very strong. The male is almost indistinguishable from his offspring, though the female has a few scars of aggression which is why the former is unfortunately segregated from his family.

There are many threads "stickied" to the top of this Cockatoo subforum that have a wealth of information. Feel free to ask questions, and thanks for rescuing this bird!!

I can't add a thing to the wonderful info and advice from Scott. I just want to say thank you so much for taking this wonderful little guy from a horrible existence and giving him the home he deserves. Best of luck. Please let us know how it goes.