Bad decision????

My cousin just sent me a picture of the Christmas present he is getting for himself.....It is a baby cockatoo. I am very nervous for him and this this baby both. He only has experience with cockatiels. He saw this baby at the pet store and fell in love (who wouldn't). The pet store told him that cockatoos are just like having a small bird just bigger in size. I told him that they are NOTHING like having a small bird and gave him the pros and cons of cockatoos (although I have never had one myself) I gave him several great websites (including this one). I told him that he really needed to do his research before he brought the bird home. He is a very loving person and I know the birds physical needs will be met but I don't know if he is prepared for the hormonal issues and noise, etc. that come with cockatoo ownership. I am afraid that in 2-3 years I am going to get that dreaded call asking if I can take the bird because it was more than he bargained for. (I cannot take the bird if this happens due to allergies and asthma). I am hoping for a happy outcome for them and they have many great years together. I really do have the best interest of man and bird in mind. Am I being realistic or pessimistic on this?

Too's are a handful. He needs to do the research first and commit to this bird for a lifetime. Cockatoo are not for inexperienced bird owners and are nothing like a small bird. Tell him to visit a rescue and look at the differences in the amount of cockatoos and large parrots vs smaller birds. They are very demanding. Reno is my first bird so I am speaking from experience. It did not take me long to realize the breeder lied to me and that I was in way over my head. I will do anything to make it work with Reno, but it has been a long, and difficult journey. Their screams are equal to the decibel of a jet. Their bites can be horrific. I don't think your out of line at all. He has to do the research before he makes this HUGE commitment. Too's are also extremely affectionate and funny! Let me know if there is anything I can do. I don't want to see another Too in a rescue. They are worth so much more then that!

Oh my god, I can't believe a pet store would tell people that! No wonder there are so many Toos that need homes! :-(

Thank you Remy! Isn't it insane how people can lie so easily even though there is a life at risk. I guess people will do anything to make a quick buck these days!

All I can say is what others have said. Get him to do his research. Go to google videos and look up cockatoos. Turn the volume up and try to watch tv, or carry on a conversation on the phone. (Or even THINK for that matter).
I have a too, but mine had a really bad start in life and doesn't scream at all. I have a friend that has one that will make your brain rattle.
I love my too and wouldn't part with him for the world, but I never set out to get one, he just sort of fell in my lap. If he were a screamer, I would not be able to stand him.
Maybe another type bird would fit his lifestyle better. He should research some other breeds and if he decides that he really wants this too, I hope them both all the best.

I would suggest he spends a weekend helping at a rescue in the cockatoo room. He will find out first hand the noise and mess they can make. The people that are there everyday can answer any question he has. I am sure many of them can even show scars they wear from a too.A cockatoo is more bird than many people can handle after they turn into adults. Sure they are great when they are babies but once they get older they learn behavoirs that can drive any normal human crazy, if they are in the hands of someone that doesn't know what they are getting into.

I have given him all the advice I can, the rest is up to him. I have BEGGED him to do the research and gave website forums so he can talk to too owners. When I say he has experience with cockatiels, I mean one cockatiel that was a rehome. I have had parakeets, cockatiels zons and now conures. I have hand raised all kinds of baby birds except toos. I consider myself a novice bird person and by no means an expert. But I know (allergies and asthma aside) that I could not handle a too. I have done enough research to know that I cannot provide the attention or enviroment required to have a happy healthy too. The people at the pet store should be horsewhipped for not providing the correct information so someone can make an intelligent well informed decision before taking on a life long committment of any animal.

I think it would be nice if you convinced your cousin to become a member of the forum so the too owners could give in depth details of their daily life with living with a cockatoo. What kind of cockatoo is it? I used to have small birds and took a big whopping gigantic leap into the parrot world when I got my grey. I wouldn't attempt a cockatoo because of that ear piercing noise and they are very needy. Grey's are needy and I've heard some cockatoos are even needier. Does he have the time to spend hours with his bird each day? There's just sooo much to consider. When we got Pearl we literally threw out over $200 worth of things. Candles,air fresheners,cookware,etc.

I have a friend who is about to do the same thing. I've warned her repeatedly that she needs to do her research and properly socialize the bird to play independently. She thinks because she had a budgie 30 years ago that she is a bird expert. She also has asthma and allergies, which is another good reason to perhaps consider a different bird.

The last time I tried talking to her about teaching one independence she said, "No, you just have to carry it around with you all day." I said I don't see you wanting or being able to do that for the next 50 years. She told me it wasn't a problem. She is a nurse. I said you can't take it to the hospital with you and tell other nurses to put in an IV or wash a patient because you have to hold your bird.

I'm just hoping she doesn't go through with it.

Your cousin may very well be a good cockatoo owner, but yes, he must do his research and decide if he can handle having one.

And in the case of my friend, no, I won't be able to take the bird either if she can't deal with it due to my own allergies and asthma.

I can't tell from the pic he sent me what kind of too it is. It is cuddled up against him with the crest down.....I have invited him to the forum and given him what info I can. The only internet he has is on his phone but I have relayed the info. I hope he is one of the few and proud that makes an excellent too owner...more power to him, it is too much bird for me! I love them but I know my limits!

I wasn't going to comment on this discussion because I have very strong feelings about pet shops & the staffs lack of knowledge, as well as the customer compulse buying. The customer doesn't see past the cute little cuddly bundle of feathers, lets face it can anyone of us. But we have to let our heads rule & take into consideration what happens to the parrot should it all go pear shaped & this huge bird just isn't wanted anymore. Unless you can truly commit to caring for a parrot especially one that could out live you.

I am a SC Too owner, something that I didn't plan on either. Frosty came to me as a screamer & also disliked it's owners new wife. So i took him until another home could be found but as the weeks turned into months I kind of fell in love with him. That was 5 years ago & knowing Frosty has been a pleasure.

They are not a parrot for everyone, They need to be taught manners from the first day you bring them home. Boundaries need to be set. They also have a powerful beak, so need constant supervision while out of the cage. I remember when Frosty figured out how to open his cage & escaped, he had a ball chewing up an electrial cord (not plugged in) I had left in the carport & then went out into the yard to the box trailer and chewed all the electrial cord on that. Hubby was not impressed.

The thing is if one is told it isn't a good idea to get a Too & they have their heart set there isn't much you or anyone can do about it. You can only hope that the Petshop sells it to a more experienced parrot owner. That said & lets face it how do we really know if this young person isn't going to be the best parrot carer ever. I mean how many go out & buy a B & G Macaw as a first bird.

Woubette if your cousin has his heart set on this bird then the next best info you can assist with is teaching owner, bird behavior manangement. So give him as much information as you can find from all the on line Parrot Behavior Consultants. At least then he will at least have some knowledge on what to expect. Personally after having Frosty & understanding parrot behaviors & why they do certain things i am better equipped to handle almost all behaviors & know how to deal with them should they arise.

Personally I believe it's the lack of education & understanding parrot behavior on the part of the carer that lands a lot of parrots in rescues or are rehomed. And another thing it doesn't matter how much research one does nothing will prepare you for the actual home coming.