Adopting/rescuing

psychocircus91 · Oct 19, 2017

Well, some of you know I have been volunteering at a parrot sanctuary a couple times a week. From being there, I was pretty confident I would adopt a parrot at some point. However, I started to sit on that thought. Some of the birds there can potentially be adopted, but most have will have a wonderful permanent forever home in a huge flock.
I have decided to turn to finding a bird in need out in the community.
I am potentially adopting a 9 year old Goffin tomorrow. He was just taken in from a gentleman about a month ago who "Decided he doesn't have room for the cockatoo."
He is in a small cage with no toys. 20x16x36 inches. I will keep you updated.

(There will be a quarantine period, as well as a good air filter utlized.)

Side note: I lived with a Goffin, Nikki for ten years, years ago when I lived with my parents. She unfortunately passed away from fibrosarcoma.

Potential adoptee:

My Nikki:

Scott · Oct 19, 2017

She is beautiful!!! Good luck with the adoption process, she deserves a great new home.

Probably can't share much about Goffins you don't already know! They are bundles of energy and personality.

psychocircus91 · Oct 19, 2017

Scott said:
She is beautiful!!! Good luck with the adoption process, she deserves a great new home.

Probably can't share much about Goffins you don't already know! They are bundles of energy and personality.

Thanks Scott! You were first to come to mind when I came to post. I plan to pretty much use the same diet as I do with Kalani, except I may use Roudybush rather than zupreem due to the higher calcium content. Do you give any seeds at all as treats? It looks like he is probably on a high seed diet at the moment. Kalani only gets almonds, walnuts, pecans, ect. for treats.

LordTriggs · Oct 20, 2017

Aw she's lovely

To be honest, I'm happy the previous owner came to that decision rather than keep her in a space too small for her

Wish I was out your way. Would love to help out at a rescue like that

psychocircus91 · Oct 20, 2017

LordTriggs said:
Aw she's lovely

To be honest, I'm happy the previous owner came to that decision rather than keep her in a space too small for her

Wish I was out your way. Would love to help out at a rescue like that

Yes. Kalani lives in an indoor aviary. I haven't decided what setup this guy will have yet, but it will certainly be better than a 20x16x36" cage.

Kiwibird · Oct 20, 2017

Looks to be in good shape for a G2 living in a tiny toyless cage for 9 years. Hopefully things work out for you both! If you've lived with one before, then you know what you're getting into

psychocircus91 · Oct 20, 2017

Kiwibird said:
Looks to be in good shape for a G2 living in a tiny toyless cage for 9 years. Hopefully things work out for you both! If you've lived with one before, then you know what you're getting into

That was my thought too. Cockatoos are strange. Some pluck if the wind blows the wrong way. Others stay in good feather after a terrible diet, terrible conditions, and multiple rehomes.

I asked what his temperament is like (although never expect a fully accurate answer). He just said "He is so cool, but will be shy for 3-4 weeks." Anyway, I have no expectations. So long as I have a home and my health, he will have a home here. Even if it means deafened ears and bruised fingers.

Scott · Oct 20, 2017

psychocircus91 said:
Scott said:

She is beautiful!!! Good luck with the adoption process, she deserves a great new home.

Probably can't share much about Goffins you don't already know! They are bundles of energy and personality.

Click to expand...

Thanks Scott! You were first to come to mind when I came to post. I plan to pretty much use the same diet as I do with Kalani, except I may use Roudybush rather than zupreem due to the higher calcium content. Do you give any seeds at all as treats? It looks like he is probably on a high seed diet at the moment. Kalani only gets almonds, walnuts, pecans, ect. for treats.

Thanks Don! My Goffins get about a teaspoon of seeds each day mixed with their Zupreem. They enjoy almonds and walnuts as occasional treats.

When they are served chop the pellet/seed mix disappears, and they are ravenous when dry food returns at the end of the day.

He really looks excellent considering the conditions!!

Kiwibird · Oct 20, 2017

It makes you wonder what triggers plucking in some and not others. Genetics? How they were raised? Individual personality? I also suspect they don't do well with pellets (or perhaps certain ingredients in pellets), like a common amongst cockatoos food allergy or intolerance that drives some to pluck.

Terry57 · Oct 20, 2017

Don, I am so happy for you both! I so hope you can bring this beauty home, it would be like he hit the lottery.
I am keeping my fingers crossed that it all works out today, and I think it's fantastic what you're doing.

LordTriggs · Oct 20, 2017

I think the individual personality, shaped by the world around them is what makes them pluck/not pluck

Like us humanoids there are various reactions to stress be it anger, sadness, disassociation and even self-destructive tendencies.

Now as we know cockatoos appear to be more sensitive and more emotionally controlled than other parrots when taking a general look at the species so it's no wonder they are easier to stress especially considering how deeply attached they become to their humans. Combine that with their long lives and mental capabilities they're definitely able to worry about things much like we do IMO Take all that into account is it any wonder that they would begin to pluck more than other species?

The upside with all this of course is that if one picks you, you know you've been picked for life and will have a far more faithful companion than you could ever imagine. Exactly that is the thing that makes me steer clear of owning a cockatoo and why I have eternal admiration for those that welcome this amazing marshmallows into their life, I don't know if I could ever repay that amount of love to any creature on this planet. Plus the scream and the beak are frightening to a true coward like me!

psychocircus91 · Oct 20, 2017

He has arrived. Things went smoothly, but I was glad to get him out of there.

The diet, as anticipated:

I've removed all the peanuts and put the rest in a bag. He'll get a little bit of it with his pellets and veggies each day for a while.

Boy, is he cute:

Current cage situation:

LordTriggs · Oct 20, 2017

hey he's home!

he's a very pretty boy, all things considered the diet could have been worse, could have been an all sunflower diet like some people give

Cage is dire as expected but that can be rectified, I'm sure he's gonna love the penthouse!

psychocircus91 · Oct 20, 2017

Thanks Don! My Goffins get about a teaspoon of seeds each day mixed with their Zupreem. They enjoy almonds and walnuts as occasional treats.

When they are served chop the pellet/seed mix disappears, and they are ravenous when dry food returns at the end of the day.

He really looks excellent considering the conditions!![/QUOTE]

Thanks for the tip Scott. I'll keep that in mind!

Terry57 said:
Don, I am so happy for you both! I so hope you can bring this beauty home, it would be like he hit the lottery.
I am keeping my fingers crossed that it all works out today, and I think it's fantastic what you're doing.

Thank you Terry! I feel bad knowing how scary it must be for him being here. So much instability in his life. He was with the last guy for 26 days.

Kiwibird said:
It makes you wonder what triggers plucking in some and not others. Genetics? How they were raised? Individual personality? I also suspect they don't do well with pellets (or perhaps certain ingredients in pellets), like a common amongst cockatoos food allergy or intolerance that drives some to pluck.

LordTriggs said:
I think the individual personality, shaped by the world around them is what makes them pluck/not pluck

Like us humanoids there are various reactions to stress be it anger, sadness, disassociation and even self-destructive tendencies.

Now as we know cockatoos appear to be more sensitive and more emotionally controlled than other parrots when taking a general look at the species so it's no wonder they are easier to stress especially considering how deeply attached they become to their humans. Combine that with their long lives and mental capabilities they're definitely able to worry about things much like we do IMO Take all that into account is it any wonder that they would begin to pluck more than other species?

The upside with all this of course is that if one picks you, you know you've been picked for life and will have a far more faithful companion than you could ever imagine. Exactly that is the thing that makes me steer clear of owning a cockatoo and why I have eternal admiration for those that welcome this amazing marshmallows into their life, I don't know if I could ever repay that amount of love to any creature on this planet. Plus the scream and the beak are frightening to a true coward like me!

Interesting thoughts guys. I think there are so many factors. With both the greys and cockatoos, there is a high level of intelligence. Combine that with high social needs, captivity can be tough. I know with the eclectus parrots, pellets are a no go, so that's an interesting thought about sensitivity/intolerance to them. I think the fact the greys and toos are dusty birds makes their skin have more potential to get irritated as well. They have higher calcium needs, is my understanding.
Edit:I also don't underestimate proper fledging and being able to maintain flight

Kiwibird · Oct 20, 2017

Poor little guy has been living in a budgie cage

TBH, I can't believe he hasn't torn that cage apart. My dad's goffin would've had that joke of a cage in pieces in minutes. Glad you found him and will provide him a GOOD life. Just going off the photos, but he has a shy appearance to him. How's he adjusting?

Edit:I also don't underestimate proper fledging and being able to maintain flight

Is he flighted? If so, I bet you'll find he's like a jet fighter compared to your macaw in flight. Goffins are fast and fearless little fliers. Very aerodynamic compared to the somewhat bulkier large new world parrots.

Scott · Oct 20, 2017

Kiwibird said:
Poor little guy has been living in a budgie cage TBH, I can't believe he hasn't torn that cage apart. My dad's goffin would've had that joke of a cage in pieces in minutes. Glad you found him and will provide him a GOOD life. Just going off the photos, but he has a shy appearance to him. How's he adjusting?

Edit:I also don't underestimate proper fledging and being able to maintain flight

Click to expand...

Is he flighted? If so, I bet you'll find he's like a jet fighter compared to your macaw in flight. Goffins are fast and fearless little fliers. Very aerodynamic compared to the somewhat bulkier large new world parrots.

All of my Goffins are skilled and extremely agile flyers. Never had one hit a wall or mirror, and this includes both the wild caught and hand-fed offspring.

His mood will brighten once free of that cage!

psychocircus91 · Oct 21, 2017

Kiwibird said:
Poor little guy has been living in a budgie cage TBH, I can't believe he hasn't torn that cage apart. My dad's goffin would've had that joke of a cage in pieces in minutes. Glad you found him and will provide him a GOOD life. Just going off the photos, but he has a shy appearance to him. How's he adjusting?

Edit:I also don't underestimate proper fledging and being able to maintain flight

Click to expand...

Is he flighted? If so, I bet you'll find he's like a jet fighter compared to your macaw in flight. Goffins are fast and fearless little fliers. Very aerodynamic compared to the somewhat bulkier large new world parrots.

Scott said:
Kiwibird said:

Poor little guy has been living in a budgie cage TBH, I can't believe he hasn't torn that cage apart. My dad's goffin would've had that joke of a cage in pieces in minutes. Glad you found him and will provide him a GOOD life. Just going off the photos, but he has a shy appearance to him. How's he adjusting?

Edit:I also don't underestimate proper fledging and being able to maintain flight

Click to expand...

Is he flighted? If so, I bet you'll find he's like a jet fighter compared to your macaw in flight. Goffins are fast and fearless little fliers. Very aerodynamic compared to the somewhat bulkier large new world parrots.

Click to expand...

All of my Goffins are skilled and extremely agile flyers. Never had one hit a wall or mirror, and this includes both the wild caught and hand-fed offspring.

His mood will brighten once free of that cage!

I wouldn't keep even a budgie in there myself! It's early to tell, and I'm not going to assume anything about his behavior from day one, but so far:
-He is a little shy, but usually doesn't run to the other side of the cage when you walk up to the cage and talk to him.
-He will already take food from my hand.
-I opened his cage and let him climb out. He is, in fact, a fast agile flier.
-After his flight he did step up without trying to bite. After stepping up, he sat there for a few seconds, then flew back to his cage and climbed in.

I really have a strong feeling that he will become pretty social and just needs some love. I'm not saying he won't have his issues though!

Scott · Oct 21, 2017

psychocircus91 said:
I wouldn't keep even a budgie in there myself! It's early to tell, and I'm not going to assume anything about his behavior from day one, but so far:
-He is a little shy, but usually doesn't run to the other side of the cage when you walk up to the cage and talk to him.
-He will already take food from my hand.
-I opened his cage and let him climb out. He is, in fact, a fast agile flier.
-After his flight he did step up without trying to bite. After stepping up, he sat there for a few seconds, then flew back to his cage and climbed in.

I really have a strong feeling that he will become pretty social and just needs some love. I'm not saying he won't have his issues though!

Sounds like a great introduction. I believe you are off to a soaring beginning!!

Kentuckienne · Oct 21, 2017

Congratulations, he's lovely! Thank you so much for opening your heart and your home to this little beauty.

psychocircus91 · Oct 21, 2017

I've given him a couple small toys in the corner of this cage. I'm interested to see if he'll have any interest in chewing them. I have no idea if he's played with toys in the past. This guy only had Loki for 26 DAYS. His history is questionable. He'll be using this cage through quarantine (although it will be opened more than closed).

He is a charmer

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