Getting a Sulphur crested Cockatoo

[Megumax205]

Hey all, i'm 18 from Sydney Australia and I've wanted a large parrot for about 2 years coming now. I have been deciding between a macaw and cockatoo and have decided to go with a cockatoo. I have decided to go for a greater sulphur crested cockatoo, i have always loved observing them in the wild and interacting with them, they are amazing birds. I am currently studying animal care at TAFE with a specialty in birds and reptiles. I am an absolutely avid animal lover, especially birds and reptiles and have experience with a variety of animals from dogs to snakes to monitor lizards. I have gained experience with birds especially large parrots through a close friend of mine who owns a BnG macaw and an eclectus, been shown all the cleaning and work and time put into owning them paired with extensive research over the 2 years. Yes I know I am young, yes I know the gigantic commitment and lifespan that they have, yes i know how extraordinarily loud they can be (They live in my area), I have considered getting smaller species of parrots specifically zon's and alexandrines but I do not think that settling for less with such a commitment will be good for me .I don’t mean any disrespect toward smaller birds like Amazons—I know they’re amazing in their own right. It’s just that cockatoos are the species I’m most passionate about and genuinely drawn to. I truly believe that having a cockatoo would bring out the best in me as a bird owner, in a way that I might not experience with a bird I feel less connected to, like an Amazon. I have the space for one in a wide well ventilated room with tons of natural sunlight and room for it to live it's life to the fullest.

It would be greatly appreciated if anybody could give their experience in owning sulphur crested too's and any tips or advice that might help me in the future in owning one.

Thank you very much

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I love cockatoos, too, but as I'm sure you know, they can be very high maintenence birds. But it sounds like you know what you're getting into- we all just hope it doesn't end up being too hard to fulfill the commitment as your life goes through the normal changes we all experience as we mature, such as school, working, money problems, moving, marriage (or equivalent), children, divorce, etc. We cannot plan for everything, however, and as long as you're going into this with your eyes open you should be okay.

Your age is concerning because although you have wanted a parrot for two years, two years isn't very long unless you're a teenager, when it feels like forever. You will grow and change quite a bit over the next 5 years. Adopting any large parrot is like chosing a life partner and most people at 18 are not ready for such a commitment. For example, when I was 30 I couldn't imagine marrying any guys I dated in my late teens and early 20s, but my sister married at 21 and was very happy.

Many PF members would disagree with your assessment of getting an Amazon as "settling for less". They are among the most intelligent parrots and can make fabulous life companions- just ask PF member texsize, who just lost his beloved YNA Bingo after over 40 years together.

 

[Macawdamia Nut]

I have no experience with cockatoos (other than the Molluccan that bit me hard many years ago), but I do have experience parronting a macaw for almost 51 years so far.

When you commit, you commit! You will have to make many life choices with your bird in mind. I was lucky in that I got a good egg—gentle, quiet, very loving, but even then I had to make choices that I might not have made had I been birdless.

We are in it until the bitter end. Try to imagine having your bird as a best friend and roommate for the rest of your life! It is hard to imagine at 18. I hope you get lucky with the bird of your dreams and you can go through your entire lives together. It is a pretty amazing experience if you can!

 

[AprilRobin]

I do not think that settling for less with such a commitment will be good for me. I have the space for one in a wide well ventilated room with tons of natural sunlight and room for it to live it's life to the fullest.

I don't mean to be rude, but I wish that you didn't view ownership of smaller species as "settling for less". Small and medium birds still have huge personalities and deserve a loving home with a caring owner, a varied diet, etc. All of my birds are small or medium: Budgies, Cockatiels, and a Sun Conure. They have a wide range of personalities and bring so much joy to my life.

I am currently studying animal care at TAFE with a specialty in birds and reptiles. I am an absolutely avid animal lover, especially birds and reptiles and have experience with a variety of animals from dogs to snakes to monitor lizards. I have gained experience with birds

You are studying and interacting with these birds and another animals, and you still view smaller species as "less". I hope that more studying and experience will help you to be more understanding.

 

[Megumax205]

I love cockatoos, too, but as I'm sure you know, they can be very high maintenence birds. But it sounds like you know what you're getting into- we all just hope it doesn't end up being too hard to fulfill the commitment as your life goes through the normal changes we all experience as we mature, such as school, working, money problems, moving, marriage (or equivalent), children, divorce, etc. We cannot plan for everything, however, and as long as you're going into this with your eyes open you should be okay.

Your age is concerning because although you have wanted a parrot for two years, two years isn't very long unless you're a teenager, when it feels like forever. You will grow and change quite a bit over the next 5 years. Adopting any large parrot is like chosing a life partner and most people at 18 are not ready for such a commitment. For example, when I was 30 I couldn't imagine marrying any guys I dated in my late teens and early 20s, but my sister married at 21 and was very happy.

Many PF members would disagree with your assessment of getting an Amazon as "settling for less". They are among the most intelligent parrots and can make fabulous life companions- just ask PF member texsize, who just lost his beloved YNA Bingo after over 40 years together.

Hello thank you for the reply! I am aware that life definitely takes its sharp turns, I have went through quite a rough time this year with unexpected changes unfortunately .

Also im not disregarding that smaller birds such as zons are less of a bird than any other, i mean it as A cockatoo is the bird I want the absolute most and am interested in the most, I have full belief that it will bring out the best possible commitment from me unlike birds that I have less interest in such as a zon. Again, I'm not disrespecting them in any way, sorry if it sounded like I was!

 

[Megumax205]

I don't mean to be rude, but I wish that you didn't view ownership of smaller species as "settling for less". Small and medium birds still have huge personalities and deserve a loving home with a caring owner, a varied diet, etc. All of my birds are small or medium: Budgies, Cockatiels, and a Sun Conure. They have a wide range of personalities and bring so much joy to my life.


You are studying and interacting with these birds and another animals, and you still view smaller species as "less". I hope that more studying and experience will help you to be more understanding.

Hello! Im not disregarding that smaller birds such as zons are less of a bird than any other, i mean it as A cockatoo is the bird I want the absolute most and am interested in the most, I have full belief that it will bring out the best possible commitment from me unlike birds that I have less interest in such as a zon. Again, I'm not disrespecting them in any way, sorry if it sounded like I was!

 

[wrench13]

Yes - advice is DO NOT DO THIS NOW! Wait until you graduate, find a good steady job, establish a family or at least a permanent SO and secure living premises.

And like almost every young person, still in school, with many decades of adult life still to be determined, you will ignore this and do what you want. And likely surrender your parrot to a sanctuary (hopefully). We have seen this movie so many times on this forum, we should get producers credits.

 

[rheashard2]

Yes - advice is DO NOT DO THIS NOW! Wait until you graduate, find a good steady job, establish a family or at least a permanent SO and secure living premises.

And like almost every young person, still in school, with many decades of adult life still to be determined, you will ignore this and do what you want. And likely surrender your parrot to a sanctuary (hopefully). We have seen this movie so many times on this forum, we should get producers credits.

I agree! You have a lot of life ahead of you. Higher education? Marriage? Children? Work? Possible relocation? Vacation? And much, much more. Helping a friend teaches basics. That's not the same as a 24 hr/7 d/52 wk commitment. Parrots tend be be hostile to perceived invaders. This means pets, friends, family etc. The reactions can be a growling watchful demeanor. It can also be vicious attacks. Continue learning.

 

[Zilga]

Yes - advice is DO NOT DO THIS NOW! Wait until you graduate, find a good steady job, establish a family or at least a permanent SO and secure living premises.

And like almost every young person, still in school, with many decades of adult life still to be determined, you will ignore this and do what you want. And likely surrender your parrot to a sanctuary (hopefully). We have seen this movie so many times on this forum, we should get producers credits.

I hate to say it, because I love seeing how passionate young people are about birds, but I agree and think that you are underestimating how difficult it can be to predict how your life will be over the next five or ten years. Schooling, job changes, landlords, partners, kids, moving - a bird you get now will be there through all of that, and its needs will not change when you're studying for exams or trying to establish yourself at work. They're also so loud and needy that it is very likely that a large 'too will not be compatible with most living situations where you don't own your own place.

The one possible exception would be if you live with your parents in a stable situation, and they are *all in* on getting a 'too, as in, they will be just as involved as you, will plan to bond with it as much as you do, and are committed to it being a family bird so that it has a stable place and relationships no matter what. Even then, the bird may bond with only you and then you'll be in a pickle no matter what. I would wait either way.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

As macawdamianut noted, if you get a cockatoo now, you will need to consider your birds' needs for every single life decision you make for the next 50+ years. That's a very long time to have a destructive, noisy, antisocial, ungrateful feathered child that will never grow up 100% dependent on you.

 

[Megumax205]

I hate to say it, because I love seeing how passionate young people are about birds, but I agree and think that you are underestimating how difficult it can be to predict how your life will be over the next five or ten years. Schooling, job changes, landlords, partners, kids, moving - a bird you get now will be there through all of that, and its needs will not change when you're studying for exams or trying to establish yourself at work. They're also so loud and needy that it is very likely that a large 'too will not be compatible with most living situations where you don't own your own place.

The one possible exception would be if you live with your parents in a stable situation, and they are *all in* on getting a 'too, as in, they will be just as involved as you, will plan to bond with it as much as you do, and are committed to it being a family bird so that it has a stable place and relationships no matter what. Even then, the bird may bond with only you and then you'll be in a pickle no matter what. I would wait either way.

To be frank, animals are already my entire life and passion, I have numerous pets i care for as it is and am pursuing further education and work experience. I have a job and I already have to sacrifice things like travel in order to care for them. My mum has experience in animal care as well and will help out with the bird, I am very much stable living with my parents right now as well and have 0 plans of moving out any time soon. I have supportive family and friends with me as well.