Cockatoo?

[marktoo]

Is $1200 dollars sound about right for a baby Goffins cockatoo? My local shop just got in a few they said they would be ready in a few weeks!

 

[roxynoodle]

Take a look at birdbreeders.com to gauge prices for your area.

Are you sure you want a cockatoo? They can be difficult birds for even experienced owners.

 

[Luna]

Hi, If you have to ask that question it is very definatly TOO much. Cockatoos are not the first parrot to own. D.D.

 

[mtdoramike]

First off, WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED? In order to determine whether or not the price is too high, will require your location.

For example in my area YES, that is extremely high price for a Goffin Cockatoo, which usually range any where from $600-$800.00 from a breeder. Now if bought through a pet shop, then your looking at $1000.00 and up. You can find unweaned birds for around $500.00 here, but you would be required to know how to hand feed and wean the bird yourself.

 

[MikeyTN]

When it comes to a baby you fell in love with, you'd pay anything....I've done that before....lol...

Goffins really isn't that bad compared to the bigger toos!

 

[marktoo]

Well I went to look at the babies they got in here in Amarillo, tx. Their goffin that I wanted does my like me. He was on his perch leaning over and he was growling like a dog at me. Ya I read toos r difficult. So maybe I'll try another bird as my first big bird. If I go back to that store I will probably break down and by cujo. Would a macaw b a good 1st bird.

 

[Joeyx]

i don't think macaws are good for a first big bird too, but i guess they're easier to handle than cockatoos.

 

[Safira]

Cockatoo's and Macaws are not good first birds as a rule of thumb. I would suggest a smaller bird.

I would also suggest going to visit a few rescues, not to rescue one of their birds (a rescue bird can be MUCH harder to deal with than a baby) but to interact with the birds and get an idea for their noise/level and handleability.

 

[Mare Miller]

An umbrella cockatoo was, and still is,my first parrot, not that I even went looking for one, my friend needed help and silly me, I thought why not?, it's just a bird after all, not a lion or a tiger, how bad could it be?

There were days when I wished I could trade him in for a lion or a tiger! Then once I started to get into the mind of a cockatoo, it became less stressful, for me...not my husband, though. He's still working on getting into Amigo's head.

I've learned a lot from people on this forum and they've helped me tremendously. From what I understand, goffins aren't as challenging as umbrellas. Good luck with your decision. I have to say, on Amigo's behalf, he's an amazing creature and looking back on our trials and tribulations, I have to smile. He's actually enhanced our lives.

 

[Joeyx]

marktoo, try looking into african greys. <3

 

[MikeyTN]

marktoo, try looking into african greys. <3

Any parrot can be problematic including a African Grey!

Goffins isn't that much of an issue like I've mentioned already. Any bird can be good to have, it just all depends on how you train them. But I still wouldn't suggest the bigger toos! If you go through the route with adopting, the macaw will not be a good first time choice. But it's up to you to decide.

 

[ann]

i know what its like a big bird as a first bird but its much smarter to wait, except in some cases like mare millers which worked out. but you might not be so lucky. have you thought of a poicephalus parrot or maybe if your up for more work, you could consider a caique. poicephalus come in many sizes and personalities and are generally pretty quiet and goot starter birds, and some are pretty cuddly, plus they're very smart! caiques are very clownish and playful like macaws but are quieter (but not quiet), can be cuddly, and are packed with endless energy! good luck with your choice and keep in mind how long the bird will live, how much space and time you have, and how much money you have to take them to the vet, food, cage ect...and most importantly, the bird comes forst, only get one if your positive it will have the best life possible with you, input equals output. good luck !!!!

 

[luvmytooo]

In New York , that price is about right for a Goffins from a pet store.

 

[Remy]

Have you had any parrots before? I would caution against a big parrot as your first one. They are a lot of work, and if something goes wrong and they bite, they can do a LOT of damage to your finger (or face). Or a friend, or a child. Also, they can be very loud. There are a lot of big parrots in rescues, for these reasons.

I have a caique, and he is plenty of work, and I think he's a great companion! I'm glad I didn't get a big bird this time. And, when he bites, it can hurt and break the skin, but it won't do serious damage (I mean, I guess it could if he got my eye or something, but I keep him away from my face when he's being bitey).

 

[marktoo]

Well, I am going to look at a umberella too soon a lady is trying to rehome her 22 year old female.. I thought I would just take a look she only wants 500 for the too and it's cage.I hope the too likes me.

 

[MikeyTN]

Cockatoos can be very sneaky!!! She may act all sweet and friendly towards you from the beginning then she might change. She might test you to see how far she can go. Just be aware of the beak. They can do serious damage!!!

 

[luvmytooo]

Wow , a Umbrella Too isnt what i would consider the best choice for a inexperienced parrot owner.
Just saying....

 

[Safira]

If you take in this bird, knowing that any experianced bird person would tell you Umbrella's are not good first birds, please, please continue your research. Ask questions here and visit mytoos.com as well as other websites to make sure you're prepared.

I would rather see you start with a smaller bird like a Pionus or something similiar. However I know from experiance that no matter how many people tell you "don't do it, its a bad idea" you'll probably do it anyways. Its like the red button, DO NOT PRESS THE RED BUTTON.

Anyways, Don't get that bird, but if you do, continue to ask questions and learn as much as you can.

 

[marktoo]

Ok! 1st off, I want to thank every one for their advice. I joined this site for advice too's. I am not going to jump into getting the first too I c. If that was the case I would have bought the baby goffins. If any thing I feel like I cannot handle a cockatoo now. Kinda got scared out of it by everything I have read. But I still think too's R awesome. So I will continue the search for a parrot.no will look into mini macaws or something. Thanx again!

 

[Safira]

That is great, really wonderful to hear. So many people impulse buy on birds, especially the 'cute cuddley' toos and don't realize what happens after they stop becomming adorable.

I would look into a Pionus, or something like that. A Mini Macaw can be fun too, but they're the same as a regular sized macaw, just smaller (they are just as loud.)

I still say visit a few rescues if any are close by, so you can play with some and figure out what kind of bird you really like. I didn't do that, but I worked at a place where I handled macaws, cockatoos and african greys, and that helped me LOADS.