Cockatoos not loving Amazon

Boozieshome · Jan 2, 2020

I have a pair of Cockatoos, Bonnie and Clyde, and an Amazon, BoozieToo. My previous Amazon was a male Mealy and he was buddies with my 'Toos. He was nearly the same size, and could not be bullied, and the 'Toos decided he was alright and became friends. My new Amazon, despite being a double yellow, is much smaller. And female. The female 'Too is fine with her, but for some reason the male just hates her and tries to attack her every time she gets close. I am extremely wary and careful, but the Amazon really tries to be friends and the injuries that could result terrify me. My wife says we should just let them work it out, but Bonnie (yes, Bonnie is the male) is determined to attack, is twice her size, and could inflict major damage quickly. Anybody have any advice?

ParrotGenie · Jan 2, 2020

What ever you do don't just "let them work it out" The umbrella cockatoo could not only serious injury the Amazon, but can kill the Amazon easily. Not sure if your Cockatoo's are mated and a pair? Likely it is hormonal behavior and the males do tend to defend the female, or he jealous? But a pair especially sure never be allow by other birds when introducing them during mating season which currently for too's it is. Plus even if they did get along before they sure always be supervised. Even if let say they were not a pair it take time for a bird to adapt and bond to each other and accept the other into the flock. You don't ever throw birds together and expect them to get along, or just let them work it out. Keep them in separate cages as well for sleep. One way to tell if you have a mated pair of cockatoo's is you see one climb the back of the other every so often to mate and they usually stay close by each other. Plus male will at times put head down and click to call over and bond with the female. Usually how you can tell which one the male and with Umbrella's female has red, or lighter brown eyes and the male usually tend to be black, or very dark brown. DNA testing is true way to tell gender.

With smaller bird it is different, but also you have to be careful. These large birds can easily injure and kill each other and a whole another story. I seen even experience breeders lose birds as one became to aggressive. With a mated pair definitely NO and a whole another complex topic.

Yes it possible to get a pair to get along with your flock, but take time and male tend to be harder to accept a new member in flock. I know I currently have a mated pair of U2's and my male use to chase Frankie my other cockatoo around when I first brought Frankie home and could only let them out separately. It took them months before my male U2 Cooper finally accepted him into flock and they get along fine now. Some birds that may never happen and you always have to keep separate.

noodles123 · Jan 2, 2020

Some birds never get along (like children/people in general)...trios are especially hard. You got them another bird, but it's a totally different bird. Imagine this scenario: a kid's blonde-haired, blue-eyed friend left so a parent found another blonde-haired, blue-eyed kid on the street and said, "here's your new best friend", it might or might not work lol..right? Birds are SUPER smart and they all have their own personalities (even if they are the same species).

I also agree with what parotgenie but while it may be POSSIBLE for them to get along, there are some cases where that just never happens despite everyone's hard work. I mean to say that it is not definite...and even if it seems like they start to accept him, you will still have to supervise closely, as birds can and do turn on others rather unexpectedly.

It is impossible to predict whether 2 or 3 birds will get along and whole it can change, it is always a risk and letting them "work it out" could result in death. For now, you will need separate interaction times for them so that no one is losing out.

Siobhan · Jan 2, 2020

It's best to keep them separated since Bonnie has clearly shown animosity toward Boozie. I had a pair of Quakers for 10 years (still have one; the other went to live with a friend of mine and is much happier there) and they never became friends and they were the same species and of different sexes. Clyde (I have a Clyde, too, LOL) rejected Jade's first advances of friendship and never changed his mind. She finally gave up. She's the one who moved in with my friend. Clyde is still with me.

Scott · Jan 2, 2020

The best you can hope for is a respectful relationship at a distance. The issue seems not Amazon vs Cockatoo but individual parrots not meshing.

My BFA will tolerate a Goffin occupying the same stand, but not much closer than about 3 foot separation. Any closer, he lunges and the Goffin flies away. I only permit this during direct supervision. This occurs while I prepare chop and the cockatoo gets curious.

Boozieshome · Jan 2, 2020

ParrotGenie said:
What ever you do don't just "let them work it out" The umbrella cockatoo could not only serious injury the Amazon, but can kill the Amazon easily. Not sure if your Cockatoo's are mated and a pair? Likely it is hormonal behavior and the males do tend to defend the female, or he jealous? But a pair especially sure never be allow by other birds when introducing them during mating season which currently for too's it is. Plus even if they did get along before they sure always be supervised. Even if let say they were not a pair it take time for a bird to adapt and bond to each other and accept the other into the flock. You don't ever throw birds together and expect them to get along, or just let them work it out. Keep them in separate cages as well for sleep. One way to tell if you have a mated pair of cockatoo's is you see one climb the back of the other every so often to mate and they usually stay close by each other. Plus male will at times put head down and click to call over and bond with the female. Usually how you can tell which one the male and with Umbrella's female has red, or lighter brown eyes and the male usually tend to be black, or very dark brown. DNA testing is true way to tell gender.

With smaller bird it is different, but also you have to be careful. These large birds can easily injure and kill each other and a whole another story. I seen even experience breeders lose birds as one became to aggressive. With a mated pair definitely NO and a whole another complex topic.

Yes it possible to get a pair to get along with your flock, but take time and male tend to be harder to accept a new member in flock. I know I currently have a mated pair of U2's and my male use to chase Frankie my other cockatoo around when I first brought Frankie home and could only let them out separately. It took them months before my male U2 Cooper finally accepted him into flock and they get along fine now. Some birds that may never happen and you always have to keep separate.

Yeah, that was never going to happen. She wants to treat them like dogs and won't listen to a contrary position. So I generally ignore her protests and every time my DY flies near the Toos I come running. They have separate cages and stands, of course, and they are never out of their cages unsupervised, even for a minute. If I leave the room, the Zon comes with me or I lock her up.

SailBoat · Jan 2, 2020

Mealy's are in the 700+ gram area and DYH Amazons are in the 500+ gram area.

Quite honestly, you're very lucky that the guys didn't turn each other into bloody messes.

Mealy's are consider the gentle giants of the Amazon World, but can be highly territorial, especially with other non-Amazon species.

- You have gotten truly great advice above. I would strongly recommend that you keep your DYH away from your Too's. As stated, it is likely that all of them are at or near their hormonal zones and you could be faced with truly Huge Avian Vet Bills or the loss of one or more of your Parrots.

In addition, if such a confrontation occurs and you attempt to intercede, you could also require intense medical care.

I have never had to back-off either an enraged Mealy or Too. But, I have with a DYH and the danger zone is huge and very intense. The Large Parrots in full Hormonal Rage are first class dangerous.

Keep them separated...

Cockatoos not loving Amazon

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