Cockatoo Owners: Whats your experience with incessant screaming?

As the current owner of a CAG, my wife and I (along with our toddler) are thinking about adding another bird to the family.

When I got my CAG I was deciding between a Cockatoo and CAG, but the CAG won over since my schedule was busy at the time and couldn't spend a lot of time with the bird. However, I always planned that my second bird (and once I had a family and more people at home), I would add a Cockatoo to the family. However , upon research (with my wife part of it) our local bird store was advising against a Cockatoo. Since they tend to be very noisy and many of the Cockatoos they sell end up back in the store after a couple of years due to their incessant screaming.

But I wanted to ask you all, current owners, whats your opinion. How do your cockatoos do? Do they need to always be with you when your home (otherwise they are screaming for attention)? Can they amuse themselves and play quietly at times? How long do the scream for (any particular times of the day)?

Thoughts, comments and opinion are requested.

Thanks,
Joe

Interesting and strange that a pet store would sell a bird that they themselves recommend against. I don't disagree with their reason, cockatoos are dumped like crazy, but then why are they perpetuating a problem they know exists? But, that's just my 2 cents on that.

I would personally be concerned about a 'too with a toddler. The 'too won't care if the kid is napping if he decides it's screaming time. And, yes, they all make some noise - some way more than others.
We recently had someone on this board (I think) rehoming a 'too because the bird would start to scream every time her toddler ate.

I'd suggest waiting until your kid is older, and any other kids you may have are also older. Cockatoos are like having yet another toddler, for the rest of your life.

I personally have no experience with cockatoos. I would just like to share the following link as I find it extremely informative and helpful.
All About Cockatoos - MyToos.com

My dad has had his goffin cockatoo (one of the smaller species) for 40 years. Alfie is 100% a one person bird (my dad) and he does like to screech A LOT (and very loudly!). Especially around 5:30 p.m., as he knows that's when my dad comes home from work. He'll go for a solid 30-45 minutes straight. I don't think it's a behavioral issue, he just gets super excited and as a bird, thats how he expresses himself. He also needs blackout covers because if the smallest amount of light enters his cage in the morning, he's liable to give the neighborhood a 4:30 am wake up call. He is pretty quiet most of the day and entertains himself. There are 2 amazons also, and while he doesn't interact with them (they fight) they chatter at tolerable levels back and forth. Since he is rather unpredictable when anyone but my dad handles him, he is locked up all day, so he does spend mornings and evenings out with him (which works well, since the amazons can be out all day and go up when he's out). He has some significant jealousy issues surrounding my dad. Another note, he has the WORST bite of any parrot I've encountered. He clamps down and does not let go until he's pried off and his beak is razor sharp. When I was a toddler, he bit me in the cheek and I vividly remember running around screaming with that bird hanging off my face. In fact, he bit me more frequently and more viciously than the 2 amazons ever did (they gave nips, he gave bites). Given you have a small child, it's something to consider what you would do if you found your bird and child had a negative interaction like that (though that can happen with ANY species of bird).

Personally, I wouldn't consider a cockatoo after growing up with one. Too loud, too sensitive and too unpredictable for me. They are not exactly a species suited to domestic life and it takes a special kind of person to own one. While my dads bird has always been pretty well adjusted and never plucked, cockatoos are prone to plucking and self mutilation more than other species too. You also don't hear of too many who get along with other species and after sexual maturity they are prone to becoming one person birds. Of course, some people do very well with them, but the pet store isn't lying when they they say they don't last long in most homes. It is extremely rare to hear of cockatoos who have been in the same home their entire lives (and by entire lives, I mean 20,30,40+ years) and haven't suffered any behavioral issues. Not saying you shouldn't, but they are a species that, IMO, takes extra consideration before deciding to buy or adopt one.

I have eight cockatoos, some for as long as 27 years and have no regrets! Five are Goffins, my absolute favorite species!

That said, heed the many opinions and warnings, particularly those of mytoos.com. We are discussing vibrant, intelligent, and temperamental creatures that deserve proper homes. I attribute some of my success to allowing most of them to live in an open-cage "flock" environment. They are given much personal attention, and almost certainly consider "their people" to be flock members.

The only mild plucker is the M2 who has always picked at a nickel-sized patch of his chest. One Goffin is a neurotic over-groomer but has not one missing feather.

Noise! Some raucous activity in the AM and early PM but is short-lived. For the occasional overbearing chorus, I use the somewhat controversial method of squirting the offender(s) with a jet of water from a spray bottle. Stops immediately, yet they are not frightened when the same bottle is used for misting when it is hot! (adjustable nozzle)

They can be left alone for many hours unsupervised, with absolutely no ill effects. Some will feel more comfortable with multiple birds caged while unsupervised. Very critical to know your flock and safeguard their environment!

The intermingling of various species is variable. My Goffins, Citrons, and Moluccan hang out and groom together. They ignore the single Timneh uncaged in the same room. I occasionally put my female Ekkie in the same room; just one Goffin shows interest, otherwise no aggression.

FWIW, my absolute worst biter is a male BFA. Clamps hard and does not release! The Goffins will on extremely rare occasion bite just hard enough to puncture skin with a hint of bleeding. They never bite with full wrath!!

Thanks for everyone's advice.

A few comments. Im not so worried about noise with the toddler... we do have 4 dogs and they can bark at any moment. I guess with the 'too we are more concerned about incessant screaming and ability to entertain itself.

@Kiwibird... thanks for the input. I definitely know they are more prone to plucking... and Im aware of their biting too.... but then again my CAG can be a biter... and they are very much a single person bird.

As an FYI, I have a good friend that has an Umbrella since its birth (he used to breed) and is going on 20+ years. While he has very positive things to say about his 'Too, I wanted more feedback.

Thanks for the comments, and please keep them coming.

joco said:

Thanks for everyone's advice.

A few comments. Im not so worried about noise with the toddler... we do have 4 dogs and they can bark at any moment. I guess with the 'too we are more concerned about incessant screaming and ability to entertain itself.

@Kiwibird... thanks for the input. I definitely know they are more prone to plucking... and Im aware of their biting too.... but then again my CAG can be a biter... and they are very much a single person bird.

As an FYI, I have a good friend that has an Umbrella since its birth (he used to breed) and is going on 20+ years. While he has very positive things to say about his 'Too, I wanted more feedback.

Thanks for the comments, and please keep them coming.

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Remember, noise- possibly akin to a smoke detector that can't be silenced!

If you aren't afraid of the noise then don't worry about the noise.

I have one that screams when I come in and when I get ready to leave. She absolutely hates the fact that I have to walk the dog after only being home for a few minutes. She doesn't require a lot of attention from me and I wish that she did. Hopefully that will get better.

I have lots of toys for her to play with and I know that she does because sometimes I find them at the bottom of the cage. When I first got her I put several kinds of toys in her cage. Natural wood, colorful ones, plastic, wood, java wood, cardboard, anything and everything. She loves to tear apart cardboard. She is not interested in figuring out how to get food out of the treasure chest. She wants it in her bowl.

I don't regret the too. And she and my Severe Macaw get a long treat and share a cage every evening.

Before I got my U2 I read everything I could...mostly negative...so I would know what to expect and get an idea if I could handle it. My children are all grown and out of the house so I don't have to worry so much about that end of it. My grandchildren come over but they know to respect the birds and there is no problem. I consider myself extremely lucky with my Peanut! I know from my research that it doesn't always go smoothly with toos. I have her on a schedule and try my best to stick with it, even though I really want to over-spoil her and hold her all the time, I know that would be a mistake. As far as noise goes, she only does her flock call once or twice a day and only for maybe 5 minutes. Any other time she vocalizes it is talking/singing and is the cutest sweetest "noise" ever!:09:

Peanut was 7 years old when we took her in. I knew her past. I'm amazed she is as well behaved as she is, given her past! Hubby and I love her dearly and not a day goes by that we don't wonder how anyone could be mean to her! She over preens, but I'm surprised she is not plucked bald. I keep her toys rotated and she self entertains.

Best advice I can give is read the sticky's on here about cockatoos. Read the negative and realize what "could" happen. If you can accept and adapt and have your heart set on a too, then go in with eyes wide open.

So, after typing all this, I just realized, you didn't say what kind of cockatoo you were thinking of adding. I took it to mean an umbrella, but it is my understanding that the smaller toos may not have the potential for as many behavioral problems. Again, that is just my understanding, not personal experience.

Good luck with whatever you decide. I have never regretted getting Peanut! That said, I don't think I would take on another one. I feel we were blessed with her and would never get that lucky twice.

I agree with all the previous warnings you've received. Keep doing research before you make the decision.

My U2 is nine years old, she lost her first two homes due to screaming. I believe in Poppy's case the owners unintentionally taught her to scream. Once a learned behavior becomes ingrained it's difficult to turn things around. Not to say, it can't be done. Poppy flock calls a few times, most mornings and early evenings. She is very vocal and she's learning to use her inside voice instead of screams. Noise tolerance levels vary according to individuals, if anyone in your household is sensitive to noise, a Too might not be the wisest choice. I've heard people complain about cockatiels and budgies being loud, a cockatoo in the right frame of mind can scream loud enough to drown out a live band and send dogs running for cover. They are loud, that's one reason so many are re-homed again and again throughout their long lives. Adopting a Too is very much like adopting a perpetual toddler.

It takes a lot of effort to keep a Too happy and healthy. Like 4dugnlee, I got lucky when I adopted Poppy, screaming was her biggest issue, and with a lot of work that's pretty much resolved, but there was a lot of noise during the process. IMHO Toos are wonderful, magical creatures in the right homes, but of all the parrot species, I think the Toos have a harder time adapting to life with humans.

I'll say this too, I personally could not have given a Too the care and attention required when my kids were small.

Best of luck with your decision.

Have you looked at galahs at all? They have all the good qualities of cockatoos - goofy, affectionate cuddle bugs - but they're much quieter and a little more independent than other toos. The little beak can still pack a punch but an argument with a galah is a lot less likely to end in a trip to the emergency ward than one with a U2 or M2. If your grey is thriving in your current environment I don't think a galah would be too much of a handful. I've heard of one person galahs but mine at least is very sociable and always keen to meet new playmates - I wouldn't let her near children myself but only because she's not used to them. There are certainly other galah owners on here with kids in the family.

Cockatoos do have a reputation as incessant screamers - and for being willing to keep going for as long as it takes to get their own way - but no bird is programmed to scream incessantly in the wild. It tends to be neurotic or learned behaviour that can be addressed. A happy cockatoo that has been taught how to self-entertain may still be pretty loud from time to time but if it's just sitting there screaming all day long something is not right.

joco said:

Thanks for everyone's advice.

A few comments. Im not so worried about noise with the toddler... we do have 4 dogs and they can bark at any moment. I guess with the 'too we are more concerned about incessant screaming and ability to entertain itself.

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The noise would be the first thing I would be concerned with!! A toddler has sensitive ears and the 120+db screaming of a cockatoo in an enclosed space WILL do damage to an adult's hearing and can certainly cause permanent damage to a child.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Children | American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Noise-induced hearing loss in children: A ?less than silent? environmental danger

I will say that our RBC is pretty quiet, but he was cagebound for most of his life and doesn't interact as much as the rest of the flock!

Allee said:

My U2 is nine years old, she lost her first two homes due to screaming. I believe in Poppy's case the owners unintentionally taught her to scream. Once a learned behavior becomes ingrained it's difficult to turn things around.

It takes a lot of effort to keep a Too happy and healthy. Like 4dugnlee, I got lucky when I adopted Poppy, screaming was her biggest issue, and with a lot of work that's pretty much resolved, but there was a lot of noise during the process. IMHO Toos are wonderful, magical creatures in the right homes, but of all the parrot species, I think the Toos have a harder time adapting to life with humans.

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THAT'S A BIG KEY RIGHT THERE!!!

Despite being told ten million times that you absolutely cannot hold a large too all the time, and being told a large too MUST BE TAUGHT TO SELF ENTERTAIN preferably from a young age, people hold them too much, and become the bird's main source of amusement.

Set the bird down, they scream their little heads off...

Stop entertaining them, they scream their little heads off...

Come back and pick them up again, or entertain them again to get them to stop screaming - AHAH MOMENT FOR THE BIRD... all I have to do is scream my little head off, and I get what I want...

GUESS WHAT YOU JUST TAUGHT YOUR BIRD TO DO... AND IF IT WORKS FOR THAT, WHAT ELSE WILL IT WORK FOR?! THAT'S RIGHT... ANYTHING I WANT, WHEN EVER I WANT IT... AND I WANT WHAT I WANT WHEN I WANT IT!

Welcome to the wonderful world of cockatoo spoiled bird syndrome.

This is the pattern. And it's a fairly common pattern.

With a baby too, you don't know what you've got until the bird turns 5, and the bad behaviors start to kick in... then it's too late, you've created a monster, and you have a major tantrum throwing behavior mod on your hands.

Suddenly that sweet cuddly baby is a holy terror tantrum thrower!

More than all of them, Toos need Structured Interaction.

M2's are the neediest of the bunch, with U2's a close second, and Triton's not far behind them...

I don't think there's a white too I haven't worked with at one point or another.

If I were to recommend a too, the too to get would be an RB2 (galah)... NIGHT AND DAY BETTER OVERALL DISPOSITION!!! And they as toos go, they're one of the least prone to screaming...

A friend of mine has a 20+ year old M2...

Not a single feather out of place. Loud at times, but not a screamer, never been a screamer. Self entertains well. Gets along with all the other birds, including the GW Mac...

So, yeah, it can be done.

Rachel's M2 didn't pluck, and screamed, but not excessively...

So it can be done.

But those are unfortunately, the exceptions rather than the rule.

The majority of M2's unfortunately (and the stat is 7 out of every 10 birds introduced to the pet trade!!!) get re-homed multiple times for problem behaviors, pluck themselves down to their very last head feather until they are covered with sores, and end up deeply unhappy, and voice their displeasure rather vehemently...

It's very, very heartbreaking to witness. And I've seen it too many times.

Thanks again everyone.

I think I am hearing what I expected... and what I learned with my CAG. Yes they scream, but most of the "problem" 'too are a result of poor upbringing. People that spoil them, hold them all the time, etc.

Its not about the bird species its about how the bird is raised... like a dog that's crate trained, you need to ignore the bad behavior (like the screaming) and not let them get positive reinforcement for it.

I was thinking of getting a goffins one day, and this video cured me of wanting one because I know we can't handle that on a daily basis:
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUOEKdGHUCs"]Gimli the Goffin's Cockatoo Screaming (turn down your volume) - YouTube[/ame]

So that dream in over. Our macaw is rather chill usually, her noises are low as a rule. She does have a startle reflex because of loud noises. My vacuum makes her scream once or twice at full blast, fans make her scream. She's nearly sent my poor dad running and once made him nearly topple out of the desk chair because she got scared over a noise and screamed full blast. But her screaming is really rare and her daily noise is quite manageable for us to deal with. I'm officially cured forever of thinking of a Too because I think it's very likely in my house that it could become spoiled and then drive us batty. I have my conure spoiled and he's quite upset when I put him back in his cage. I'd have a Too rotten and then we'd all suffer for it.

As a general rule I wouldn't mix macs and toos anyway due to macs sensitive respiratory issues. Otherwise I'd be very tempted to get an RB2. Chili has sold me [emoji5]

Yeah I know what you mean. I heard that some people get a really good air filter so I figured that would be the solution. Plus I sweep up messes daily and I'm constantly wiping up everything because the mess bothers me so I figure the housekeeping would keep it good as well. But no matter now because now I know I can't do it anyway. [emoji22]

True, my in laws had a Goffins and LSC2 and that goffins about made me crazy with his yelling. The lsc2 wasn't too bad, but she did want to eat me.

When my in laws died the goffins went to a nice couple that had recently lost their goffins due to illness and the lsc2 went to some friends who had recently lost their tiel.

We just got our 'too and he does scream, but we figured out that he loves music, and if we play and sing for him, he stops screaming. In fact, he wants to sing, too, and he usually sings in tune. His worst screaming is around dusk and he goes to bed early (his choice) so when he's gone into his cage and is hanging on the side shrieking, we cover him up and he goes to bed and that's the end of it. But birds are individuals just like people are. We have nine birds counting Rocky, and each and every one has a different personality.