Help with new cockatoos please!

[vicalaska]

We recently lost our beloved SC'too at age 38, following a brief illness, never having had a day's illness in her life.
My husband I are still grieving deeply.

I know one should never make big decisions following a bereavement, but neither of us could face the quiet of our house without a bird, so I went a bit mad and got not one, but two young cockatoos - a 9-month old SC and a 6-month old Umbrella, both females.
My rationale ( there is no rationale when grieving of course ) was that that the two birds would keep each other company if/when we are out of the house.

They are absolutely beautiful, sweet, well trained and gentle birds. We have only had them in the house for a week, but the upon letting the SC out for some training and affection, she has launched herself at the Umbrella's cage a good few times and seems intent on biting her through the cage. Naturally the baby is pretty scared.
This is so stressful for her and us!

The person I bought them from says they are familiar with each other having been in the same aviary. He suggested putting the cages closer together - I had read I should move them further apart! At first they were next to each other, but the U2 reached over to climb on the SC's cage which sent the SC nuts.
Now they are 6 feet apart, they already vocalise in the evening, which I thought would help with the bonding.
I am able to approach the SC in her cage holding the U2 and reward the SC for staying calm.
But the SC seems more interested in attacking the U2 when outside her cage as soon as she isn't 100% engaged with me or my husband.

If it weren't for the aggression shown, we could happily let them out of their cages most of the time.

The aviarist also suggested putting their cages in a neutral spot and have their play stands in a different area, but our house is open plan, so it would mean putting them into our bedroom and bringing them out to the living area. I don't much want to do that, as where their cages are they have a stunning view for miles with a lot of wildlife wandering by to keep them interested ( we are in Alaska )
He wasn't convinced it was aggression, but I am pretty sure it is.
Right now the SC cage is slightly higher, so I could change that.

We were hoping to get a much larger cage and house them together, but as it is now I can't even let them both out at the same time! I am afraid of the U2 getting hurt as she is the sweetest little creature I have ever met ( plus we just paid many thousands to the vet to unsuccessfully treat our lost bird so no more vet bills I hope)

I know it is only a week since they have been with us, so am hoping time will help them live together. They also did have a very long journey up here, but they seemed perfectly fine, eating and drinking straightaway, and enjoying the attention from us.

Please please please give me some advice to stop the SC aggressing the U2!

Thank you all!

PS I will try to post a video

 

[LaManuka]

Welcome to the forums, @vicalaska, though I am very sorry to hear of your recent loss. Unfortunately I don't think I can be much help to you regarding your new 'toos, but just in case you need assistance posting your video, you can access a "how to" tutorial by clicking the link here., and hopefully some other members will be along shortly with some good advice for you

 

[kme3388]

Hi there, I’m very sorry for the loss of your cockatoo. I’d have a hard time with a quiet house as well. I’m used to the parrot chaos.

This is a video of 3 macaws. One of them doesn’t get along with another one. The training method is universal the species specifics doesn’t matter. We unfortunately cannot make parrots like each other. We can only do our part to try to help. Some parrots are dead set on not liking each other. When you have multiple parrots they are so much drama. It’s like watching a drama show on TV.

With the larger parrots when they don’t like each other because of their beak strength they can do serious harm to one another. The consequences can be fatal. I myself wouldn’t cage parrots if they don’t like each other in one cage.

Your parrots are still toddlers they may be adjusting to their new environment

 

[vicalaska]

Thank you for your kind replies.

I had already watched that video, but watched it again paying more attention.

What do you think about moving the cages out of the main living area, so the SC physically cannot fly to the U2's cage? It would mean having them in the bedroom, where we had our other bird.
Also, the U2 - who loves to fly - wouldn't be able fly to the SC's cage, which evidently gets the SC upset, even when not in the cage ( my husband had the SC in a different area, but she didn't like the U2 on her cage )
Is it likely that the behavior would continue with their day perches?

We are making a stand to lower the SC's cage to the same height as the U2 in the hope that that might adjust her apparent dominance.

It is really upsetting not being able to let them out to do what they want. The last thing we wanted was to have them caged as much. Our other bird was let out first thing in the morning.
I do keep telling myself it is only Day 8. But I feel I am letting them down so much, and am obsessing about what to do.
It doesn't help that I am so low after losing our precious companion.

Thanks for any and all replies.