Amber
New member
- Jun 1, 2011
- 408
- 3
I really really wish I had remembered my camera now! 
Bear with me, most of this post is black cockatoo related.
Today myself and a friend decided to hit up the local 'bird park' a place called Bird World that is a nature reserve with around 50 'aviaries' (More like large free flight areas)
Did the usual wander around, saw many species of birds, ekkies, galahs, toos of many varieties, a bunch of Aus natives (King parrots, scarlets, you name it, they have it. They are the parks focus, so to speak, conservation of native parrots). Only thing we did not see (or hear!) was a conure, but thats ok, I have one at home, and he is more then enough conure for me!
Unfortunately the main walk in flight aviary was undergoing repairs (Some possums had put a hole in the roof!) but this was more then made up for by running into the owner as he went to check the birds. I'd been giving a Major Mitchell 'too a good scratch through the cage, and his galah cagebuddy came over seemingly also for a scratch. Boy was I wrong, he acted all sweet, then CHOMP. No damage, but he was intent. Owner was worried, I laughed it off, I've had worse bites from my jenday when we were training (not malicious, he just didn't really get the 'pressure hurts thing for awhile!), and his beak is larger then this galahs! Must have been a small subspecies, as this galah seemed smaller then the ones native around my parents.
Anyway, get talking to the owner about parrots, in particular his black cockatoos. Long story short, me and my friend ended up in the flight aviaries with these black cockatoos. One was a pair of the NSW red tailed subspecies, the other was a slightly smaller species of red tailed. We looked at but did not touch the yellow tailed varieties, and one pair of the reds we did not get to hold. The two red males were Lil Bugger (NSW subspecies) and Jesse (I did not catch the species, but he was slightly smaller?) Jesse was very up for scratches! Helped him pull off some pinfeathers and the owner let me feed him an almond. None of them were overly cuddly (unusual for a too, I thought!), and none really liked to be 'held' or grabbed, but they were more then happy to stand on you for scratches or treats, or just to cruise around the aviary!
I'm told temperament wise they are very different to say a sulphur, in fact, the exact opposite, not very cuddly of 'velcro bird' like, but very independent adaptable creatures. Of course these birds, while tame (Some handreared, some not) were kept outside in a huge flight aviary so that may contribute to this generally good health and wellbeing. I don't know how they would go in a pet setting, and frankly unless one can provide them with a large 20x20m aviary like these guys had, I don't really think they should be kept.
Did I mention they were huge? Especially the NSW subspecies! He was larger then most macaws I have handled. Shorter tail, but similar sized body. Chunkier/more heavily built too!
If you are ever in the Melbourne Australia area, check it out. Huge bit of natural forest/bushland, waterfalls, the works. And some very happy birds! Just don't go near the galah! Home
Incidentally I've always loved black coakatoos. One day when I own my own house/land I think I would love to build the aviary/flight area they need and get a pair. In Australia they can be kept on a wildlife license (Something I have had in the past and can renew)
So my dream flock? Alex my Jenday, a buddy for him (another conure, or a pionus, or maybe a caique) and a pair of NSW red tailed toos. They are critically endangered and I'd love to help conserve them.
Bear with me, most of this post is black cockatoo related.
Today myself and a friend decided to hit up the local 'bird park' a place called Bird World that is a nature reserve with around 50 'aviaries' (More like large free flight areas)
Did the usual wander around, saw many species of birds, ekkies, galahs, toos of many varieties, a bunch of Aus natives (King parrots, scarlets, you name it, they have it. They are the parks focus, so to speak, conservation of native parrots). Only thing we did not see (or hear!) was a conure, but thats ok, I have one at home, and he is more then enough conure for me!
Unfortunately the main walk in flight aviary was undergoing repairs (Some possums had put a hole in the roof!) but this was more then made up for by running into the owner as he went to check the birds. I'd been giving a Major Mitchell 'too a good scratch through the cage, and his galah cagebuddy came over seemingly also for a scratch. Boy was I wrong, he acted all sweet, then CHOMP. No damage, but he was intent. Owner was worried, I laughed it off, I've had worse bites from my jenday when we were training (not malicious, he just didn't really get the 'pressure hurts thing for awhile!), and his beak is larger then this galahs! Must have been a small subspecies, as this galah seemed smaller then the ones native around my parents.
Anyway, get talking to the owner about parrots, in particular his black cockatoos. Long story short, me and my friend ended up in the flight aviaries with these black cockatoos. One was a pair of the NSW red tailed subspecies, the other was a slightly smaller species of red tailed. We looked at but did not touch the yellow tailed varieties, and one pair of the reds we did not get to hold. The two red males were Lil Bugger (NSW subspecies) and Jesse (I did not catch the species, but he was slightly smaller?) Jesse was very up for scratches! Helped him pull off some pinfeathers and the owner let me feed him an almond. None of them were overly cuddly (unusual for a too, I thought!), and none really liked to be 'held' or grabbed, but they were more then happy to stand on you for scratches or treats, or just to cruise around the aviary!
I'm told temperament wise they are very different to say a sulphur, in fact, the exact opposite, not very cuddly of 'velcro bird' like, but very independent adaptable creatures. Of course these birds, while tame (Some handreared, some not) were kept outside in a huge flight aviary so that may contribute to this generally good health and wellbeing. I don't know how they would go in a pet setting, and frankly unless one can provide them with a large 20x20m aviary like these guys had, I don't really think they should be kept.
Did I mention they were huge? Especially the NSW subspecies! He was larger then most macaws I have handled. Shorter tail, but similar sized body. Chunkier/more heavily built too!
If you are ever in the Melbourne Australia area, check it out. Huge bit of natural forest/bushland, waterfalls, the works. And some very happy birds! Just don't go near the galah! Home
Incidentally I've always loved black coakatoos. One day when I own my own house/land I think I would love to build the aviary/flight area they need and get a pair. In Australia they can be kept on a wildlife license (Something I have had in the past and can renew)
So my dream flock? Alex my Jenday, a buddy for him (another conure, or a pionus, or maybe a caique) and a pair of NSW red tailed toos. They are critically endangered and I'd love to help conserve them.
