New Cage for my Cockatoo

About two months ago I posted about my 1 year old cockatoo not speaking, and I got a lot of not-so-friendly comments telling me I was cruel and negligent to the bird and some even thought I'm a troll.
My post came off as harsh because I only talked about my parrot not talking and people guessed that I would simply get rid of my bird if he didn't talk, but that's not the case. Out of the three parrots I've had Panbe is the only one that voluntarily comes up to me for me to pet, not once has he bitten me, he does all sorts of cute things and is easily the best bird I've kept and I don't plan on giving him away until I move to the US, and even then I'll let one of my family members who's very good with birds take care of him. So I don't think those comments were fair but I understand where they were coming from so I don't mind them. But one thing that I DID care about were a few people telling me my bird's cage was too small and that he's "trapped" in it.
Now having purchased my Cockatoo with that cage it had never occured to me that it was an issue because I thought if the seller had kept him in this cage it was fine...right?
Having read those comments I decided to do some research and felt bad to realize that the cage I had kept him in for several months was way too small(though I think it's necessary to note that i left his door open at all times so he was free to roam around).
So having done all that I searched around for a more appropriate cage and found a large one for around $100. I bought it and assembled it the same day and relocated Panbe into it as soon as it was done.
A month has passed and I'm pleased to say he's a lot more cheerful than he was before and his feathers look less dishevelled than they were and he's also started to say his name every once in a while. I play around with him everyday and occasionally talk to him while I'm studying at a table nearby
Here's a picture of him on his new cage
https://ibb.co/tDS64P5

Welcome back, Panbe looks content on his new cage! Play pens at top are a great way to expand usefulness. He might enjoy some toys inside the cage, many cockatoos love to chew wood.

I'm sorry some people were quick to judge you at first. Each one of us was a beginner at some time and we've all made mistakes. Don't worry about it. I can tell you're doing your best to give your bird a good life and he looks absolutely beautiful sitting on top of his lovely new cage. If he's allowed out of his cage most of the time, the size doesn't really matter. Clearly, your Panbe is enjoying being with your family!

You might want to consider giving him some toys to play with when inside of his cage. Plastic baby toys can be fun, especially ones that have a rattle. You must be very sure that Panbe won't be able to break the toy with his beak, though. If he gets a little bell or metal rattle out, he could swallow it and die from metal poisoning! Balls are fun, too. There are lots of plastic balls, both with and without rattles, that a bird can toss around and chase about. My Rosetta loves tossing balls around and she has about eight different kinds. She also likes to climb on hanging ropes and on her rope swing that hangs from her cage's roof.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoos aren't as playful as Corellas like Rosetta, but they still like to occupy themselves. Chewing toys are always a great idea, as cockatoos are built to chew wood! Natural branches are best and we have a list of safe timbers (that is, ones that aren't poisonous) in one of our sections. My birds like to chew stiff cardboard (the sort they make cartons from) as well as some kinds of plastics and sisal rope. They like corks too, but it's hard to get corks that haven't been soaked in alcohol! A roll of toilet paper is fun for birds to shred, but be warned: it can get messy!

I look forward to seeing more photos of the gorgeous Panbe. I'm glad he's happier now and congratulate you for the work you've done with him!

I also find old bottles and Gatorade bottles cockatoos go crazy for. It almost like you put gold in the cage? I also put treats in cardboard tubes and balled up paper and leave it at bottom of cage. Yep pretty much garbage 🗑 but provides hours of fun for them and free in most cases. Also throw some wood in cage they love to shred stuff.

Keeping him out by family like I saw in picture, he pick up a lot of words in time.

ParrotGenie said:

I also find old bottles and Gatorade bottles cockatoos go crazy for. It almost like you put gold in the cage?

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And I thought that it was just my dads cockatoo who enjoys playing with empty beverage bottles! Put one on the top of his cage while he’s inside and he’ll be occupied for hours trying to knock it off lol.

Glad to hear you did research and upgraded his cage to a more suitable size There is still a lot of misinformation surrounding parrots out there so it’s important to educate yourself and not just take a sellers word for anything. Keep learning and I’m sure you’ll do great with your new friend.

Next up, I’d suggest learning more about mental stimulation through playing with toys, encouraging self rewarding behaviors and foraging. Playing with toys and being able to occupy himself will become especially important as your cockatoo gets older and becomes sexually mature.

Good job! If you have the space, your cockatoo would be even happier in an indoor aviary. There’s a post further down on the board where you can see the indoor aviary we got my umbrella cockatoo. It wasn’t too expensive and actually an amazing deal for such a big aviary at that price. We live in a one bedroom apartment that we rent so not a lot of space, but with a little re-organization we were able to have the right living spaces for each one of us


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I am in awe you were able to get past the somewhat harsh comments and bought your bird a larger cage

nice work!




I am all for aviaries (the ones sunshine.within mentioned) but if your bird is free most of the day this really is a great start.

So glad you still have your bird and that you got a new cage!

I am so glad you kept her and that you are researching and so glad that you are making changes. Whether or not your Too ever talks, I hope you continue to provide a loving home for him/her. It sounds like you are on the right track.

Just so you know, I think most people were upset because your first post indicated that you had a previous cockatoo who you returned because, while he was smart and talkative, he was screaming and destructive (when happy cockatoos do just that--especially once they reach adulthood around 6). I only say this because there is a chance that your current Too may start to scream and become more destructive when he/she hits puberty, but if it isn't for hours on end, then it is healthy...and if it is for hours on end, it is behavioral (meaning, it can be fixed with the proper approaches/stimulation etc). So, I hope that, if/when that day comes, you remember how much you care about her and that cockatoos are loud and messy by nature.

Welcome back!