Cockatoo and a Grey

Hey everyone, I have posted this up for a couple other species as well, just trying to get some feedback. We currently have a Congo African Grey (Storm) who has been our baby for the last 3 years. She is spoiled as can be, we built a large indoor aviary for her which she lives in when she isn't out hanging out with us in the living room or bedroom.

My wife and I have been wanting to adopt another parrot, both as a friend for Storm and also because we can't just have one! The new bird would be housed separately, but I would like for them to be able to be outside of their cages at the same time together on the playstand (or separate playstands if need be).

Originally I was looking for an Amazon (and still am). But recently we went to a bird show and spent some time with the Cockatoos and totally loved them! I haven't had much experience with cockatoos, but they were extremely cuddly and fun.

What are your thoughts on having a Cockatoo in the same household with our Grey? I worry about the Cockatoo being aggressive towards Storm since it would be a little bigger (I really like Umbrellas).

A U2 might be a bit much to suddenly add to a home, they're notorious for being one person birds and of course they are much bigger than a Grey. Though a smaller Too like a Goffin is something I would be more inclined to recommend. I'm sure Scott will appear at some point to sing the praises of his Too. Plus those here with RB2s or as I like to refer to them "Pink chickens"

LordTriggs said:

A U2 might be a bit much to suddenly add to a home, they're notorious for being one person birds and of course they are much bigger than a Grey. Though a smaller Too like a Goffin is something I would be more inclined to recommend. I'm sure Scott will appear at some point to sing the praises of his Too. Plus those here with RB2s or as I like to refer to them "Pink chickens"

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Why thank you, right on cue!

Greys and cockatoos have the potential to get along well! My TAG "ET" lives in a room with 3 Goffins. At one time it was the same 3 plus a Citron and Moluccan! The TAG will rarely associate with the cockatoos and prefers to remain in or on his cage. Every once in a while he will fly to another cage and quietly observe. The cockatoos likewise do not initiate contact but will sometimes fly to his cage. There has never been a hostile interaction.

I believe the most important factor with my success is none of the birds have mandatory cage-time. They are all free to fly around the bird room and there is of course no shortage of food/water for each.

One concern is cockatoos are very "dusty" with dander, but the room is well ventilated.

Hi, Has Storm been introduced to other parrots? You say she has been spoiled for the last three years, what I am getting at is will she take to another OK? I am sure the last thing you want to do is cause her stress and upset? Not saying 'don't', just be sure it is the right thing before you act if possible. There are many 'too's being bounced around out there already.

All good statements/advice from above...but it also depends on the fids "birdonality".
I didn't have a 'too when Smokey (a TAG) was with me,but I did bring home Amy (Blue Front). Smokes was with me for a year or so prior to Amy,and Smokes was an "only bird" at the time.
Even though Amy tried her damndest to be best buds with Smokey,Smokey wanted NO PART.

After Smokey crossed Rainbow Bridge, Jonesy,the "little beady-eyed monster" came to live with Amy and I for a spell. Jonesy and Amy hit it off from the get-go.
One night,my "then" girl friend and I were playing cribbage at the kitchen table. Jonesy was on my shoulder and Amy was on Arleen's shoulder.
Jonesy climbed down my arm,walked across the table,hopped over the cribbage board,and climbed Arleens arm where Amy was.
Jonesy went right up to Amy,beak to beak,BOTH of them making "kiss kiss" sounds for about ten seconds,then the cockatoo man climbed down Arleens arm,hopped over the cribbage board again,and climbed back to my shoulder lol.
Arleen and I both looked at each other,eyes open wide,jaw dropped,like "what the h*** just happened???"

Like I said. The "birdonality" will play a big roll too on their compatibility.


Jim

Love that story, Jim!

Check out Gotcha the cockatoo she has an African grey and you can get an idea of how much more work her cockatoo seems to be over her African grey. When I made Timnehs first vet visit the nurse asked me if I had a cockatoo also. It was just Timneh who had been watching gotcha the cockatoo videos. They do seem like a lot of fun.

Oh yeah I remember Gotcha's owner talking about the grey and how he's a bit more stand-offish than Gotcha is over everything

plumsmum2005 said:

Hi, Has Storm been introduced to other parrots? You say she has been spoiled for the last three years, what I am getting at is will she take to another OK? I am sure the last thing you want to do is cause her stress and upset? Not saying 'don't', just be sure it is the right thing before you act if possible. There are many 'too's being bounced around out there already.

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She has not, at least as long as we have had her. My brother has a Green Cheek Conure that she has been caged next to at times and she seems to like him. They chatter at each other a lot, but we've never tried to take them out together.

Storm definitely comes first for us, but there is no real way for us to find out how well she is going to get along with another bird living in her home until we try it.

I'm thinking if they are caged separately so they can jabber at each other during the day, and if we make sure to give Storm plenty of time and attention so she knows she is still the baby it will be ok. My main concerns are basically whether or not a Cockatoo has a chance of getting along with her outside of the cage, and whether it would be dangerous to let her and the cockatoo interact (supervised of course)

It is possible they will get along very well by simply respecting a buffer space. No rule against a cockatoo and grey snuggling or preening together, but not very likely.