crazy cockatoo issues

johnandjessi

New member
Aug 24, 2010
4
0
Parrots
Green Cheeked Conure - Bananas
Cockatoo - Tinkerbell
B & G Macaw - Arti (for Artichoke)
okay, so i posted a few weeks ago about this and it hasn't changed... so want some more ideas... we got a cockatoo about a month ago, shes 13 years old, we had went to the peoples house (who were more like a rescue but had her a while) she would talk up a storm, do tricks, cuddle with us, just the best lil sweet bird... got her home, she was the same for about a week, then one day she'd run from me, like freak out and hide and run away litterally sometimes... then a few days later she has done the same from my wife... my friends and anyone else can be all over her and shes as sweet and cuddly and comes right to them like a dog, but the 2 of us can't barely open the cage b/c she acts scared... its been about a month of this now, i still slowly open her cage door everyday so she can get out if she wants, idk what to do, and its really starting to frustrate my wife.... at the moment shes cuddled w/ my dad, he said he thought she was jealous but she did come from a hoouse w/ other birds.. we have 2 others, we never clipped her wings or anything to her yet... anyone please give me ideas of what to do.. nothing has changed i try to keep my appearance the same and everything..
 

greycloud

New member
Mar 21, 2010
1,034
1
Baltimore, MD
Parrots
Sammy-Umbrella Too-rescued,
Dexter-CAG-rehomed handicapped,
Sterling-CAG-rehomed retired breeder.
Sunshine-12 yo CAG-adopted
I recommend you start over. Each of you spend some private time with her while she is in or on her cage. No one else should be in the room. Give yourselves about 15 mins each twice a day. Talk quietly, read and show her pictures, sing to her. You must find the most yummiest treat you can. Only use this treat when working with her. Start by walking by her cage and dropping the treat in the bowl. When you sit with her drop a treat in her bowl. If she looks at you or eats the treat in front of you, praise her.
If she will take a treat from your hand, offer it. Praise if she takes it. No direct eye contact with her. Keep your eyes averted. You are the predator and she is the prey. Any time you see positive behavior you must praise and treat. Play with toys in your lap, have fun. If she shows interest, offer them to her.
She needs to learn to trust you. She remembers you as someone who took her from her home. Birds are extremely smart. You went through the honeymoon period and now her true colors are shining through. She needs to know this is a safe place for her and she can be loved and have fun. If she behaves in a way that is unacceptable then you should not walk away. That gives her what she wants. Just turn your back for a few seconds. Turn back around and make conversation. Remember, you are starting over, so you must have patience. It isn't going to happen overnight.
 

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