Hi, I’m a new cockatoo mom and new here :)

sunshine.within

New member
Sep 19, 2018
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Hello all! In a nutshell, I am temporarily living with friends and they have rescued parrots in their home. The cockatoo’s name is Bianca and she has pretty much fully bonded with me now. I felt bad that no one would let her out so I started taking her out on walks and now basically she’s mine. I asked my friends if i can adopt her and they agreed, so eventually she will move out with me once I get my own place.

It took a few weeks and a great deal of patience to get to know her ways but now I feel like we’re in a good place. She trusts me, she is very calm around me and knows that I will take her for a walk every day.

She isn’t stick trained and I am going to look for someone who can teach me how to train her so that I can stop wrapping her in a towel when the time comes to put her back in her cage.

I also plan on having her groomed and getting her toys since she doesn’t have any...

I would really appreciate any and all suggestions that you might have for a new parrot owner :)

Thank you!


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GaleriaGila

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May 14, 2016
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Welcome!

I also replied more briefly in your introduction thread...
http://www.parrotforums.com/new-members-welcome/77371-new-member-introduction.html

Let me start with the readings I usually like to offer a new parront!

I would suggest you read them, and then develop some specific questions that seem to pertain to you. Also, you've already found the Cockatoos section, where there are lots of great threads going.

Oh and the SEARCH tab above is a really great little engine.

Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd... here we go with the readings...

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html
General Parrot Information - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community
http://goodbirdinc.blogspot.com/2012...n-parrots.html


Most of us swear by our avian vets in the event of health concerns.
Certified Avian Vets
https://abvp.com/animal-owners/find-an-abvp-specialist/
If none are near you...
Avian Veterinarians
http://www.aav.org/search/custom.asp?id=1803
In my opinion, any of the vets listed here should be better than a regular vet.

What's the diet? That's critical for health. Too many are kept on seeds or other poor-nutrition things. They need veggies, legumes, grains... pellets are a good staple. Here's what I use.
Harrison's Bird Foods
I feed Harrison's, supplemented by fresh healthy treats. My first, and later, my current avian vet recommended it. My bird loves the pellets now, but to get him converted, my avian vet suggested putting pellets out all day, and putting seeds (his old diet) out for two 15-minute periods a day. That would sustain him but leave him hungry enough to try new stuff. I presume the same technique could be used to get him to eat other healthy stuff, like fruits and vegetables! My guy was eating pellets in a couple of days, and now I can feed a good variety of other stuff, knowing he has the pellets as a basic. Pellets are out all day... fresh treats a few times a day. I also like Harrison's via mail because I never have to worry about out-of-date products.

Since you're new parront, I'll just drop a note about avoiding teflon pans, which are lethal to birds.

I'm glad you're here. Lots to learn and share and enjoy!
 
Last edited:

ToMang07

Active member
Jul 14, 2015
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Maine, USA
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Willow the Umbrella Cockatoo
Can't add much to that!^

Welcome, read up, be patient, and hold on, it can be a roller coaster ride!
 

itzjbean

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Jan 27, 2017
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Are you taking her for walks outside, without a harness? Just on your shoulder?

If so.....PLEASE STOP. This is so dangerous, as even clipped birds can fly (mine does!) and all it takes it just one spook and they take off, never to be seen again...we've had it happen here before many times. People think their bird is fine on their shoulder but then decide they want to play in a tree and decide they don't want to come down.

Please reconsider taking her on these walks, she may enjoy them but for her own safety, she should really be on a harness!
 

Siobhan

New member
Apr 19, 2015
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The main thing to remember is that she won't be a marshmallow every day. Sooner or later she'll scream, someday she'll bite, she'll destroy things, she'll be difficult and you'll question your sanity. LOL You have to be sure you can handle all that, too, as well as the sweet and cuddly side of a cockatoo. They are emotional, they're like 2-year-olds equipped with power tools, and you have to be prepared for the whole package. When you do get your own place, an apartment is NOT what you are looking for. A pet-friendly rental that allows birds is thinking budgie or cockatiel, not cockatoo, so you have to keep all that in mind while you're looking, too.
 
OP
sunshine.within

sunshine.within

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Sep 19, 2018
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Hello and thank you for the warm welcome and advice!

I’m afraid I do just let her on my shoulder.... Her wings aren’t clipped but one of them is broken and she barely moves them. I don’t think she can open them enough to land gently if she jumps down. She hasn’t jumped down from anything taller than a foot stool so far.
In any case, I’ll stop the walks and will just let her hang out in the backyard with me. :)

And yes, I got a glimpse of her unfriendly side once before... it was when I first met her. I let her on the floor and soon realized that she’s not supposed to be on the ground at all. She started running after people’s feet and destroyed one of the doors! LOL

Anyway, by now I can read her body language better, so I immediately remove her from a situation that makes her nervous and fidgety.

I also stopped taking her out of her cage in the late afternoon as she seems to feel lost. Perhaps because she starts winding down for bedtime.

Interesting times for us over here ! :)




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Scott

Supporting Member
Aug 21, 2010
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RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Welcome to you and Bianca! So much has been covered, and GaleriaGila (Gail) provided all of the favored links!

You are in the best position to assess Bianca's flying abilities, but please understand parrots can be full of surprises. A sudden gust of wind or fight-or-flight response may send her on a sudden test flight that may result in injury or worse. The use of a harness, if tolerated, is the best defense against mayhem.
 
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sunshine.within

sunshine.within

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Sep 19, 2018
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Absolutely, I’ll switch to a different type of activity instead of walks.

How do you all keep your parrots? Can I hope to train her to sit on a branch and not climb down?


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Scott

Supporting Member
Aug 21, 2010
32,673
9,789
San Diego, California USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Parrots
Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
If Bianca is amenable, try harness training. You'll have a safe tether and she'll enjoy the great outdoors!
 

LoriS53

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I have 2 Amazons, one that was very sick when I got him. I know way different than cockatoos. My point is I started taking Max and Hannah on walks everyday when it was sunny. They wouldn't let me put a harness on them so I picked up an old jogging strollerfrom a thrift store, took off the baby part and installed a cage. Pretty easy and cheap. I put them in their stroller and off we go. They are safe and love their walks.
 
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sunshine.within

sunshine.within

New member
Sep 19, 2018
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I have 2 Amazons, one that was very sick when I got him. I know way different than cockatoos. My point is I started taking Max and Hannah on walks everyday when it was sunny. They wouldn't let me put a harness on them so I picked up an old jogging strollerfrom a thrift store, took off the baby part and installed a cage. Pretty easy and cheap. I put them in their stroller and off we go. They are safe and love their walks.



Ingenious! Thank you for the suggestion!


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