After over a year Babe and I are back!

Good afternoon to all.
It's been over a year since I last visited the forums. I adopted a rescue bird two years ago. Her name is Babe. I was her 4th, 5th, 6th home. Perhaps some of you will remember the story. Needless to say, her trust in humans was almost zero. Although this was my second rescue parrot, one many years ago, even I am often amazed at how loving Babe is now! She has gone from aggressively biting to laying in my arms upside down playing. She has brought so much joy to our family. And went through Hurricanes Irma and Maria with us. Enduring the months with no power! I have learned so much by being patient and showing her the love and belonging she desperately needed. And now we have parakeets as well. Soon we hope to have a moluccan for my wife. Anyway, enough of my rambling. Thanks for reading this!

Such good news thanks for sharing.


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Welcome! Have you owned a cockatoo?
I have a 10-year-old Umbrella , and caring for one correctly is WAY more exhausting than having 3 toddlers....NOT KIDDING.. In fact, 5 toddlers would be a walk-in-the-park compared to 1 Umbrella Cockatoo, just because A- most things don't kill toddlers, B- most people aren't terrified to babysit them and C- they don't have the spatial reasoning of a 4-year-old with with the emotional intelligence of a 2-year old + beak, wings and tendencies toward self-mutilation (Among other things)....Oh, and, if people hear a kid crying, they are annoyed, but if people hear a bird screaming, they are pissed.
I love mine to death (and 2 vets said she is the most "well-adjusted" they have seen), but I LIVE MY LIFE AROUND HER. That isn't to say I give her whatever she wants, because that would be a bigger mistake,but they are VERY different from other parrots and you really cannot compare the experience of owning one to any other bird experiences you may have had. This is coming from someone with a VERY strong background/degree in ABA etc (not someone who whines about behavior). I just feel I should let you know that if your wife gets one, it will be a bigger commitment than a 2nd marriage or a child.

Welcome back and thank you for the wonderful update!

What a phenomenal transformation of Babe! Take a bow for perseverance and enjoy the results!!

Cockatoos can be challenging but you seem up to the task. Please do lots of research first!

Thank you Scott! But all the credit goes to Babe! She trained me very well!

Hi noodles123,
Thanks for the reply. Let's see if I can answer your questions? I have not ever "owned" a moluccan. I would never bring in a pet without extensive research. Goes against everything I believe in. I did however have a great black palm. Our pets are part of our family. I have had birds since a child, and have always had a strange connection with them. I used to be able to hold a cup of nectar and have hummingbirds eat out of it. We live on an island in the Caribbean. We have lived here for about 19 years. I am fortunate enough to have a client, who is a vet, although not a bonafide avian vet, raised moluccans and African greys for quite some time. He and I have a pretty good relationship. Infact, he has sent several rescue animals to me to assist with. At one time we had a blind rabbit and a cone eyed tortoise. Although we are very isolated from the mainland of the US (1100 Mike's out), I am pretty fortunate to have a vet like him here. I do appreciate your concern. And I am glad there are people like you out there! Far too often I read or hear a story of a bird that has to be removed or is abused. And it tears me up. Really does. Again thanks for replying! Have a great weekend!