Derpology
Member
I'm not sure if I should be worried but I am. I guess its some sort of new Parrot parent anxiety. those of you I have talked with know I have a rescue 37yr old male umbrella Cockatoo from a neglectful situation. I came into this wanting to improve his quality of life and give him the best I can. I keep reading and trying to learn as much as I can but I have a nervous thought I cant shake.
I've given him a variety of toy types, foot toys, rattles, puzzles, chews and foraging toys. I give him paper towels rolls old books lots and lots of cardboard. all he seems interested in is shredding what he can. I've gotten foot toys for him to play with but he prefers to tear them up. I know its a natural behavior but thats all he wants to do. I try to make little puzzles showing him how to get the food and he will just walk away to chew on his wooden blocks. I've shown him how to use the foraging toys I've made/gotten and he doesn't express interest. I offer different shredding and chewing opportunities but he just really likes his wooden blocks. has a routine with them too, he breaks off a chunk walks with it to his corner and tears it to slivers.
I feel like I'm just overthinking and blowing this up way bigger than it is but I'm worried and want to give him the best. I've read that destructive behavior can be from lack of attention but does this even qualify as destructive behavior? or is he just picky with his toys? he hasn't been plucking any since I got him and he seems happier I just feel like I'm doing something wrong.
I've given him a variety of toy types, foot toys, rattles, puzzles, chews and foraging toys. I give him paper towels rolls old books lots and lots of cardboard. all he seems interested in is shredding what he can. I've gotten foot toys for him to play with but he prefers to tear them up. I know its a natural behavior but thats all he wants to do. I try to make little puzzles showing him how to get the food and he will just walk away to chew on his wooden blocks. I've shown him how to use the foraging toys I've made/gotten and he doesn't express interest. I offer different shredding and chewing opportunities but he just really likes his wooden blocks. has a routine with them too, he breaks off a chunk walks with it to his corner and tears it to slivers.
I feel like I'm just overthinking and blowing this up way bigger than it is but I'm worried and want to give him the best. I've read that destructive behavior can be from lack of attention but does this even qualify as destructive behavior? or is he just picky with his toys? he hasn't been plucking any since I got him and he seems happier I just feel like I'm doing something wrong.