New Cockatoo owner

Hi I'm Ken. I had an orange winged amazon for 35 years who tragically passed away last Thanksgiving. I had been in the hospital for several months prior recuperating from surgery and hadn't seen her in 2 months. I came home on Thanksgiving for first visit since the surgery and when I got there, she suddenly went into convulsions and passed away in my hands. I was so heart broken.

I didn't think I would get another bird but started thinking about it last spring. After thinking about it for awhile, rather than go to a breeder, I decided to try a rescue. I met online a wonderful family not too far from me who was having to give up their beautiful 10yo female Umbrella Cockatoo. Their daughter who was the primary caregiver had moved out and couldn't take the bird so they decided to give it up to someone who could devote more time to her. I've had Bianca for 3 months now and I love her so much. We have really bonded-I know what they mean now when they say velcro cockatoo. Like any cockatoo, she can be loud at times (usually morning and before bed time) but I think I'm dealing overall very well with her.

Happy to join your forum and look forward to coming here especially when a question may arise.

Hello Ken and welcome to you and Bianca! She is a beauty!
I'm so glad you added her to your family,and can't wait to hear more about her
I am so sorry for the loss of your Amazon, how heartbreaking It's almost like she was waiting for you to get home before crossing the bridge.

I'm glad you joined us.

Welcome, Ken! That had to be so hard!

Welcome Ken and Bianca, thank you for joining the forums. My condolences for the loss of your Amazon. I cannot imagine the heartbreak you endured given the circumstances. Part of the grieving process is clarifying why you love birds so deeply, and Bianca will help complete the transition.

Choosing a rescued companion is the most noble gesture and you've already been rewarded. Wishing you continued good health with Bianca!

We're always here to assist and answer questions!

Welcome to you and Bianca. Thank you for giving her a new home.

So very sorry for the loss of your OWA. If you would like to recite some of your time together on here we would love to read about her. Understand if it is too painful though. Most of us have lost a dear feathered friend so we understand the loss.

Enjoy your stay!

Hello to you and your new too!! So sorry for your loss but happy you have found a new companion to steal your heart.

Welcome and be welcomed, Sir. A sad way to enter the forum, and we all feel for you over the loss of your OWA. And you are a sainted one for choosing a rescue, may you and Bianca have as many happy years as you did with your OWA.

Thank you all so much for the warm welcomes here. I know when I need some advise where to come.

I got my OWA (Baba) at a pet store in the early 1980s. Back in those days most of the birds were wild caught which I know was bad. Many died in transportation, etc, but I like to think I rescued Baba. I was told she was about a year old but I think she was older. I look back at early pics of her and she was fully mature even back then. Me and her bonded very quickly. After I had her about 3 years she got away (some friends didn't realize her wings weren't clipped) and she flew up into some trees and disappeared. i was heartbroken. I put up signs in the neighborhood. After about a week, one of the neighbors came by and he said he thinks my bird was coming into his garden every evening about 6PM and eating his tomatoes. I came there that evening and she showed up. She came right to me and got right in the cage I had brought. I think she was very happy to be back especially since we had some extreme thunderstorms the day before. I never had her sexed, but about 15 years ago I saw her acting weird for a couple of weeks. She was ripping up all the newspaper she could grab and shredding it up. One day I came home and she had laid an egg. So much for the mystery of here sex. I live on Long Island and was affected by Hurricane Sandy a few yeas back. We lost all power for 2 weeks and it was starting to get cold. I was so worried about her (more so than for myself lol). i told her once we get through this i was going to treat her. I ended up by buying this huge bird cage with big play area for her. She loved it. About 5 years ago she was getting black edges to her feathers. I researched and found it was fatty liver syndrome. i had always fed her routine parrot seed mixes (plus some fruits and veggies). I switched her to a pellet diet and within a month she totally cleared up. Her feathers were brighter than ever. People have told me she was probably sick before she passed away, but held on until I came home. Maybe so. I had her cremated and kept her ashes in an urn in a display cabinet.

That is a great story of your very much loved OWA, Baba. Thank you for sharing with us. Wishing you many happy years with Bianca also.

Hello Ken & Bianca.

Welcome to the forum. So sorry about your hospitalization and your loss.