Newbie cockatoo owner here...

cgven · Mar 7, 2011

Hello all,
I am a new Cockatoo owner... S/he is 5 months old, umbrella cockatoo. We got her/him yesterday from a local breeder. We kept the name Pumpkin... We don't know if its a she or he, but we refer to her as a she. She has been eating pellets/nuts/seed mix. I tried ofering her some fresh fruits and veggies but she refuse to eat it. Also, she's a big baby, I mean, big for a cockatoo. Also, how can I make her get use to us..., I know it will take time, but shes not even stepping up. I have been spending time with her, but right now, she wants to be left alone.... Also, how can I know if shes really only 5 months old? (at least, thats what the breeder told me)... She is closed banded.... How can I get her to eat veggies and fruits? and take treats from my hand? I feel like shes scared of me..

(Shes our second Too, our Suphur Crested past away due to PDD, a few years back)

antoinette · Mar 7, 2011

Hi what an exciting time for you, congrats'
[FONT=&quot]To gain your trust could take days, weeks, months even years. Each and every bird is so different. She obviously feels a comfort zone is his cage.
Sit near the cage, talking and singing to the bird. Let her become familiar with your voice. Leaving the cage door open, offer her treats through the bars at first. When she willingly accepts them, try placing a treat near the open door. Eventually he will starts taking the treats from the door, make no attempt to touch her. When she does come out, she will probably climb around on the cage. Let her explore in her own time. To get her back in, place a treat inside the cage, making sure it's visible.

[/FONT]

MikeyTN · Mar 7, 2011

Once she's used to you, check the band, they usually have the hatch year on the band. Sometimes even the month. Cockatoos are shy birds to begin with but will eventually warm up to you. You just have to let her do her thing until she's used to you. I've noticed my Cockatoo is very picky on food, she won't eat much of anything. But mine loves apples and grapes. Only the purple grapes, none of my birds will even touch the green ones. And only red apples, they won't touch green ones either... I think they have something against the color green....lol... Just be patient with her since it's only the second day. You can't pressure her to love you instantly, it doesn't work that way. If you have any more questions just ask away, we're all here to help! Good Luck!

cgven · Mar 8, 2011

Her band says SLB IN 31
What does it mean? I am in Indiana and I think the SLB is the breeders initial. But, how about 31? I thought the year of which the bird was hatch is supposed to be there.

greycloud · Mar 8, 2011

Unfortunately 31 is just the number that breeder gave this Too. It may be the 31st Too hatched or 31st bird of the aviary hatched. Unless you can find the breeder you will not know.

cgven · Mar 8, 2011

I have the breeder's contact info. She told me that the baby is only 4-5 months old. I don't know if I want to believe that since the Cockatoo is large, I mean big!

MikeyTN · Mar 8, 2011

Why don't you contact the breeder and ask? It varies from. Breeder to breeder, most bands I see have the year listed....

Girliegirl · Jun 2, 2022

cgven said:
Her band says SLB IN 31
What does it mean? I am in Indiana and I think the SLB is the breeders initial. But, how about 31? I thought the year of which the bird was hatch is supposed to be there.

I found the breeder for SLB IN. It's Sharon Bean. She bred for 40 years and is retired.

BirdyBee · Jun 3, 2022

For other members reading this thread:

Note that this thread is over 11 years old

Kays4 · Jun 8, 2022

cgven said:
Hello all,
I am a new Cockatoo owner... S/he is 5 months old, umbrella cockatoo. We got her/him yesterday from a local breeder. We kept the name Pumpkin... We don't know if its a she or he, but we refer to her as a she. She has been eating pellets/nuts/seed mix. I tried ofering her some fresh fruits and veggies but she refuse to eat it. Also, she's a big baby, I mean, big for a cockatoo. Also, how can I make her get use to us..., I know it will take time, but shes not even stepping up. I have been spending time with her, but right now, she wants to be left alone.... Also, how can I know if shes really only 5 months old? (at least, thats what the breeder told me)... She is closed banded.... How can I get her to eat veggies and fruits? and take treats from my hand? I feel like shes scared of me..

(Shes our second Too, our Suphur Crested past away due to PDD, a few years back)

Welcome! I have a special place in my heart for umbrellas! Our Louie was hilarious and oh so fun! I am also new here, if you can find my recent post in New Member Welcome….there is a
video on clicker/target training that is very helpful!!

Newbie cockatoo owner here...

cgven

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antoinette

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MikeyTN

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cgven

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greycloud

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cgven

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MikeyTN

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Girliegirl

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BirdyBee

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Kays4

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new member from Florida

HI from Pennsylvania

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