New cockatoo owner; Having a hard time adjusting to her new home

This is my first post and I'm happy to have a community of cockatoo owners to chat with!! From the moment I met my umbrella cockatoo, Lily,we bonded instantly. She gave me little kisses (which her previous owner said she never did with them) and is a major cuddle bug. Her previous home consisted of being out of her cage in their garage all day, basking in the sun with two other birds and her transition into our home had traumatized her. It's been 5 days and pretty much every one except me freaks her out. She has charged at my boyfriend a number of time and tried to nip him. Yesterday morning he came in the room and it scared her so bad she actually ended up biting me on the calf but I know she didn't mean to hurt me, poor thing is so scared to leave my room but I am happy that her and I have such a strong bond I just don't know how or when she's going to start adapting to her environment. Is there any advice anyone has on how to help her get to know and TRUST anyone else? I get so many conflicting answers. She's my little baby and I love her so much but it feels like I'm isolating with her and not spending time with my son or fiancé because I'm scared she will freak out. Prior to charging them I feel her body start to shake before they enter the room. I don't want her to get too attached to me but at the same time I know she is still adjusting to her new environment. She is 10 and was with her last family 5 years. Her previous family said she never had this problem when they brought her home and that she was always a very happy bird and I believe them because when we went to visit, everyone in my family had a chance to meet her and she was friendly with everyone!! Why has her personality changed so drastically!? Help!!



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Hello and welcome to the forums!! You'll find great information and advice from members with lots of advice about cockatoos. I don't personally own one but a Moluccan is a dream bird of mine!

For some birds, especially the larger species, it can take a while for them to adjust to being in a new home, new situation, new environment. At 5 days, it is still very early. Just try to imagine it in her eyes -- she went from being comfortable in a home where she had been for several years, and then all of a sudden uprooted and moved to a completely different home. It's great that she has chosen you, and all she needs is time.

Maybe it would help to know about her current setup. Where is her cage in your home? Does she have a room of her own? If she's in, say, the living room, she could be just very overwhelmed with everything going on around her, people walking by, and may do better in her own room, at least for the time being. Give her several weeks, and make sure to develop your routine with her now.

As far as her fear of you boyfriend/other people, again, it will just take some time. Be patient, work at HER level. Give her several weeks to settle in to her new environment, and then start desensitizing her to your boyfriend and others. The key is not to force her.

Welcome to the forums, thanks for joining! Cockatoos are among the more temperamental and complex parrots, and Umbrellas are perhaps the most challenging.

That Lily chose you is a promising sign, but you are all still in the adjustment and honeymoon phase, an oft times lengthy period. It may be best to initially limit close contact with others, while keeping an awareness of their existence. Whether she will become receptive to your family is hard to determine. She must first feel safe and have basic needs met.

Have you had prior experiences with parrots? You may find these threads helpful:

http://www.parrotforums.com/cockatoos/17694-owning-cockatoo.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/3100-bond-forming.html

Nutrition is crucial and many parrots have sub-optimal diets: http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...7-converting-parrots-healthier-diet-tips.html

While this superb thread is based on macaw experience, there is much wisdom all! http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/56384-big-beak-o-phobes-guide-understanding-macaw-beaks.html

Good luck, you'll find differing opinions and methods for socializing Lily.

Thank you!! Yes I can only imagine her sadness and shock of being with a new family, I put myself in her shoes every day and it makes my heart so sad, especially because she came from a good home from a kid going off to college (typical story). her cage is in my room (I have a very large studio sized room) at the other corner of my bed. It is a quiet environment and I try not to let too many people enter unannounced. When I'm not around I try to have my boyfriend sit at the other end of the room so she can get used to him but she still seems very frightened. My 8 year old son on the other hand, she doesn't seem to mind, he sits in the room with me while she is out of her cage and she doesn't fluff up or start shaking unless he makes sudden movements so maybe is because she doesn't see him at a threat? My other issue that I wanted to know is if it is ok to leave her on her perch on top of her cage while I'm at work so she doesn't feel caged in, she'd be enclosed to my room but have the ability to go on her perch, would this be safe? I don't want her to be in her cage too much and I'd come check on her during my lunch break 3 hours later


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Okay, having her in your room sounds like a good plan, but I would advise against letting her out of her cage while you are not there. For her safety, keep her in her cage when you are at work. That way she won't be able to injure herself or chew on things she isn't supposed to.

Lily probably sees your son as less threatening, but please ensure his safety at all times. An Umbrella beak can be a devastating weapon against flesh. I say this not to scare you, but full disclosure to prevent heartache is mandatory! She may never pursue in anger, but this is still a stage of discovery for all. Nor should she be permitted access to shoulders until thoroughly trustworthy.

Cockatoos are incredibly talented home decorators. In a 3 hour span you may find holes in walls, chewed wooden mouldings, mangled fabrics, and ruined electronics. Worse, she may discover electrical cables and cause serious problems or worse. The phrase "busy beaks are happy beaks" was coined for a good reason. Even if Lily's cage is well stocked with toys, she may prefer to wander. For this reason, you should never leave her unattended until/unless she has proven over time to stay on her cage.

Scott said:

Lily probably sees your son as less threatening, but please ensure his safety at all times. An Umbrella beak can be a devastating weapon against flesh. I say this not to scare you, but full disclosure to prevent heartache is mandatory! She may never pursue in anger, but this is still a stage of discovery for all. Nor should she be permitted access to shoulders until thoroughly trustworthy.

Cockatoos are incredibly talented home decorators. In a 3 hour span you may find holes in walls, chewed wooden mouldings, mangled fabrics, and ruined electronics. Worse, she may discover electrical cables and cause serious problems or worse. The phrase "busy beaks are happy beaks" was coined for a good reason. Even if Lily's cage is well stocked with toys, she may prefer to wander. For this reason, you should never leave her unattended until/unless she has proven over time to stay on her cage.

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Thank you so much for the advice! I'll heed to your advice and keep her in her cage, she just got a huge wood chew toy that should keep her busy for quite some time.


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Scott said:

Lily probably sees your son as less threatening, but please ensure his safety at all times. An Umbrella beak can be a devastating weapon against flesh. I say this not to scare you, but full disclosure to prevent heartache is mandatory! She may never pursue in anger, but this is still a stage of discovery for all. Nor should she be permitted access to shoulders until thoroughly trustworthy.

Cockatoos are incredibly talented home decorators. In a 3 hour span you may find holes in walls, chewed wooden mouldings, mangled fabrics, and ruined electronics. Worse, she may discover electrical cables and cause serious problems or worse. The phrase "busy beaks are happy beaks" was coined for a good reason. Even if Lily's cage is well stocked with toys, she may prefer to wander. For this reason, you should never leave her unattended until/unless she has proven over time to stay on her cage.

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I did not know that about the shoulders, that you for the advice


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Having Lily out of the cage will do wonders for her socialization, but keeping her under supervision at will do wonders for the relationship!

Scott said:

Having Lily out of the cage will do wonders for her socialization, but keeping her under supervision at will do wonders for the relationship!

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Advice taken, I just bought her over $100 worth of toys but she loves so she should be pretty occupied while I have to leave the house, I have the next two days off so I'm looking forward to spending some good quality time with her, maybe see if I can take her out on my patio, she is used to being outside but is still getting adjusted to her new home, I just feel bad having her cooped up in my room all the time


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