Mate Bonding?

[Lacey]

I am having a lot of issues with my male cockatoo mate bonding to me. What can I do about this? I do not want this behavior to escalate!

 

[melinda]

You will need to stop snuggling with him. Don't be petting or rubbing anywhere but his head. Under the wings and on his back is "mate bonding" behavoir to him. Try to find games with him that doesn't include a place that he might think is a nesting site. This time of the year is a hard time for cockatoos and owners. Try training tricks instead of snuggling. If he continues to think of you as his mate he may end up biteing you in frustration. Good luck i am going through it with my female U2.

 

[Lacey]

Thank you so much for your reply. I only pet him on his head. In the beginning I asked the breeder if there was anything I should know about handeling him. She told me no, and that he absolutely loves to be scratched on his back and under his wings Good thing I contacted a rescue and double checked that advice. It just doesn't seem to be getting better. I have been trying to work with him on tricks and such. He gets so scared of everything. He will not let me shower him, or play with him on the floor. I also have lots of people who will play with him so its not just me and as soon as he sees me or hears my voice, he will strike at them.

I wish you the best of luck as well. Silly birds! Love him to death, just want to do the right things. Also will a cockatoo try to "mate bond" with more than one person?

 

[melinda]

Just about all toos love to be petted under the wings and on the back but that is a big no no for us well if you like to keep you flesh. You will have to take your time with him on new things and let him see it will not cause harm to him.
He already thinks of you as his mate and will "drive" away anyone that he see as taking your atten. away from him. Most cockatoos are one person birds. They might learn to live with other members of the house but the risk of being bitten will always be there. If he starts trying to um "mate" with you stop what you are doing and place him in his cage. You do not want to encorage him at all.
This is the time of year 90% of cockatoos are in the family thought of mind but have hope this too will pass. Mine is over it by Thanksgiving. Some years it seems like it will never end but knock on wood so far this year hasn't been as bad as last year.

 

[AVM]

is this true for all parrots???

 

[Lacey]

Thank you so much Melinda for taking the time to help me! I have another silly question, but how do I know when he is trying to mate with me? I love him to death, but I sure wish the lady I got him from was honest with me.

 

[Spiritbird]

Lacey you can go to you tube and type in the search window mating behavior of cokatoos then you should see a few clips. Seeing it is much better than telling your in words.

 

[melinda]

AMV- yes all birds go through this when they mature suns around a year old cockatoos between 4 to 6 years old.
Lacey you will know when he is trying to rub his bottom on any part of your body. Chloe wants to use my hand and she does the same thing everytime she starts so i know what is coming and she is put up right then. They will use toys, perches, and cage corners. If you see your bird doing it just walk to the other room until they are done so not to encourge them more. I was told Chloe was a year and a half old when i got her so i thought i had time before having to worry about those things. Surprise two weeks after getting her home she tried to do it on my neck. I had no clue to what she was doing. After buying 5 books that afternoon i found out and turned 3 shades of red lol. But i also knew she wasn't a baby like i was told. That is part of the said fact if you get a bird without a closed band you never know how old they are and most people will tell you what you want to hear to get the $$$$. I am glad he is in good hands now. There is many people on here that have cockatoos that own them. Each one has a wealth of info they are happy to share with a caring "pet" (owner).
Spirit Bird thank you i didn't even think about u tube

 

[Lacey]

I can't thank you both enough for the help. When I contacted the lady, I told her that I had a passion for the Umbrella Cockatoo, but had never had a parrot so needed help finding a good first time bird. She said the cockatoo was a perfect first time bird. From what I understand now, that is not the case at all. Just don't want him to pay for my stupidity, so I am sure I will be asking tons of question. Lol!

 

[Lacey]

Just out of curiosity, what would be a good parrot for a first time parrot parent

 

[melinda]

I would never suggest a cockatoo for a first bird. As for a first bird that just depends on you. I always suggest first time owners to spend at least 30 days learning about the different types of birds. Then ask them what they are looking for in a bird. Some want a bird the whole family can enjoy so i would suggest cockatiels and conures and parakeets. Conures can be very loud but make up for it by being clowns. When you get into the larger birds greys, cockatoos, and macaws they tend to be one person birds. They can inflict very bad bites as much as i love my cockatoo i would never trust her with my kids. Amazons are a little iffy mine goes to everyone in the house and is happy playing with the kids. But i have saw some that was one person birds. The most important thing is to learn about the type of bird you are interested in before jumping in. But you do have a cockatoo as a first bird and that is a big step. But you have come to a great place to learn and that is even a bigger step in bird care. With love trust and understanding you can make a very strong bond with your bird. Your bird will always give you 100% everyday you will always be working to meet him 100%. I think no bird owner is the best but good owners are always learning and growing with the birds.

 

[Lacey]

Thank you! I will do anything to ensure his life is great! Just got a lot of learning to do! I am extremely thankful I found this forum! It's easy to read sites and do what it says, but if it doesn't work then you have no one to ask for suggestions. I appreciate the advice very much!

 

[MikeyTN]

I can't believe she suggested a Cockatoo to you as a first time bird owner...I always suggest Cockatiels and the smaller conures since they're not as noisey. Even a Kakariki, grass keets and such. After owning and working with a variety of birds, I would never suggest certain ones!

 

[Lacey]

Knowing what I know now, I can't believe it either. It is sad to know that some people care more about making money off these incredible animals then their well being. I guess what is done is done. I just have to learn as much as I can to ensure that my inexperience does not negatively impact his life, which I intend to do

 

[Spiritbird]

That is a difficult question. Some would suggest a cockatiel, parakeet or a conure. I think if you fully understand their needs and have researched and read up on the type of bird you want go for it!! Would you get a tiny dog before getting a big Doberman??

 

[Lacey]

I defininately would not I was a vet assistant for 5 years and small dogs are a quite a bit more unpredictable then a large dogs. It is a hard question as every parrot are different in so many ways, but a lot of behavior issues seem to be breed specific. After having a long talk with an amazing lady off this forum, I think if I were to get another parrot it may be a Amazon! Although I have a LOT of learning to do! Lol!

 

[MikeyTN]

Here's the thing, you can read all you want but nothing can prepare you if the bird decides to inflate wounds on you and big beaks can do more damage then little beaks! Reading about them doesn't always help cause each individual bird can be different on how they act and such. At least by owning a small bird can prepare you in a sense of what's to come with a big bird. Some people get lucky and get a well behaved bird so they can say oh its ok to go get a big bird if you read enough on them, some aren't! Why you think we end up with so many big parrots in rescues? People who can't deal with the scream and biting and such....did some of them read about them? Yes! Im trying a help a lady to keep her citron that have issues cause she's giving up on her, she read about them and have another well behaved bird. Citron came from a bad home and she tries to help her by taking her in. She can't tolerate her anymore so here she goes to a different home. Learning about birds by having experience is how you begin along with reading, not just reading alone can prepare you for what's to come! I've owned birds for many years and i've been bitten really badly by a macaw and a Cockatoo when I first started cause I didn't understand them enough until years later. And I do not get bit these days cause I see the signs and plus I give training to help with that! Most of what I learned aren't from books or internet, I learn by interacting with them on a daily basis! Its one thing reading about them and owning one!!!

 

[Lacey]

You have several great points with your post and I couldn't agree more! I have so much to learn and the information and advice I get on here is amazing! Thank you!