New Goffins cockatoo behavior...advise :)

Hiya,

I just want to ask for a bit of advise really. I have a goffins cockatoo, about 10 months old. Over the last week or so a new behavior has started to happen. She will almost beg for my hand to step up. When I allow her to step up she starts pacing on the spot and knocking her beak against my fingers. When I try to get her to step off she is extremely reluctant. I have never been bitten by her, she sometimes "tests" my finger but it has never been hard.

Has anyone experienced this type of behavior before? Could it be some sort of mating behavior? I would have thought she would be too young for that. Any help would be soooo much appreciated.

James

Hi James
The "knocking" her beak against you is , as far as I understand, a possessive, non-aggresive little "I LOVE YOU, YOU BELONG TO ME". It is a behaviour that is observed in the wild among flock members. This is the information I have, and my U2 loves to knock his beak against my forehead ;-) The reluctance to step off just sounds like she wants some cuddle-time. I break his time up into very clear activity depending on his mood, but most days he needs equal amounts of: training/talk time, play/goofing time with us, play time on his own around us(usually inspecting the surrounds while I TRY and clean house around him LOL) and play time on his own without us (independant time, usually inside or outside his own cage with interesting toys) aaannnnnd CUDDLE time. All of these times are very important to a cockatoos development and happiness. Just remember when you cuddle, to steer clear of under her wings, her legs and her tail area. This is sexually stimulating and can lead to aggression in the future. Hope that helps!