may be getting a Cockatoo advice?!

[MarciaLove]

its not for sure but through a horse rescue I volunteer at someone there I know just took in two cockatoos one male and one female. She needs to rehome them ASAP as she isn't really a bird person. They are in fine health other than the fact that the male has been attacking the female and plucking her feathers. I wouldnt be taking both just the male because the female is also aggressive and already having one aggressive bird i'm training I don't want to take another aggressive. So IF I take the male what should I know?? I will be doing research but I've never owned a bird that large so I would like suggestions please I already know it will be loud!!!

 

[Featheredsamurai]

What type of cockatoos are they?

 

[MikeyTN]

Yea, what type of Cockatoo??? I would really advise you to have a bird room so the Cockatoo can go in there unless you can tolerate the constant screaming and carrying on, but it depends on what type your getting.

 

[MarciaLove]

@ Copperarabian, I dont know what kind like I said shes not a bird savvy person and I dont have pics so I cant tell.
@ MikeyTN, I have a large bird room I converted my HUGE two car garage into a closed off space for my birds so nothing can get in or out and its heated/lighted right cause I couldnt take the constant screaming of all my many birds when one was quiet another would start haha.

 

[sonja]

An aggressive male cockatoo is just about the most difficult bird you can get. The bite of a cockatoo is potentially dangerous--don't let him anywhere near your face. The noise of even a "normal" cockatoo is beyond extreme. If you haven't actually heard it in person, you really can't imagine what it is like. If you live in an apartment or townhouse, or even have very close neighbors, you may want to reconsider so you don't get complaints. I would recommend a very experienced cockatoo home for birds like you describe. But, if you decide to move forward, be prepared for a huge challenge!!

Oh, you posted as I was writing -- If you had trouble tolerating the noise of smaller birds, a cockatoo will drive you mad.

 

[MarciaLove]

@ sonja, thanks for the advice and no he isnt agressive its the female that is and I told her I couldnt take another aggressive bird yet so I am only taking the male. I have heard the screaming before from two at a time at someone elses house it is loud! and I dont live near my neighbors so thats not a problem.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

Keep in mind he may change when you bring him home. Male cockatoos in general are very difficult birds to own, the male M2 and U2 are considered the most challenging birds to have.

There are fantastic individuals though.

Personally I would go with the male, but that is only because I prefer males since they don't have the risk of egg binding.

 

[MarciaLove]

could you tell me why they are so difficult?? And yes definitely taking the male as the female is aggressive and I would like to not worry about egg binding as well.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Trick with2s is learn everytthing you can to prevent problems. We rehomed a screaming Ls2 I put her on a realistic schedule for her out times with us . When she made a sweet sound we gushed over her.The screaming stppped[ i think she was so worried about getting her attention it was behind her screams.] So I think you have a chance to do things right and set out on the right foot.My 2s were not that loud ,they would yell at their toys but that was happy sounds. GOOD LUCK TO YOU

 

[Thingamagigs]

Definitely do research on all cockatoo screams and make sure you can handle them before hand. Go to youtube and turn the volume up on your speakers as loud as it will go. And then imagine the possibility that it will be screaming non-stop for potentially days.

And like pinkbirdy said, putting them in their place from day one is important

In my experience, screaming is worse than biting or any other behavioural problems. I can handle being bitten, my poor headache prone brain can't handle a loud cockatoo scream all day long. If its a galah, thats different Their screams are hilarious and completely different from any other cockatoo species.

I hope you are getting a galah, though in America I guess its less likely than one of the big cockatoos.

 

[MarciaLove]

thanks a lot Pinkybirdy and Thingamagigs!

 

[MikeyTN]

Between our two Cockatoos, I'm around Dixie a lot more as she stays in my living room where she have been for the past 8 years, she is a Lesser Sulphur Crested. Wonderful bird, she was abused at one point but she's one of my most loving bird after long term training. I don't choose between male and female, I let the birds do the choosing. Yes dealing with egg binding isn't fun but I find the girls to be sweeter birds in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, I love my boys too, but they're nothing like my girls.

Java the U2 can be a devil, then he can be a sweet angel. He have his moment, but his scream is outrages!!!! But by having him in the bird room really helps a lot as he can drive you insane. Whenever I'm on a important phone call, people would ask what's that noise in the back, I tell them my crazy Cockatoo...lol...I usually have to go as far away from the bird room as possible in order to even talk on the phone. He is also very unpredictable!!!! He will bite if he doesn't get his way and he WILL give a nasty bite and drawl blood 100% of the time if he gets ahold of you. My friend's female U2 does the same exact thing, especially during hormone period.

 

[MarciaLove]

I am for sure getting the cockatoo! So excited and a bit scared! Ive never owned a bird like this before but I know I can do it because of experience with other birds, research, and this forum!!!

 

[Jtbirds]

As an owner of 3 cockatoos one being a m2 which is as loud as a jet engine:54:. Cockatoos don't need to scream more then 15 minutes morning and then night(calling the flock behavior). So make sure to work with the screaming. This means ignore it till it stops(yes it's hard) and reward it once it stops. With cockatoos especially keep your face away. Through my experience with rescued cockatoos I've noticed much more facial biting in them then any other speicies of parrot. Time outs work wonders btw but don't use them as a sense of getting away from the issues. Do not over cuddle a cockatoo as they can become Velcro birds and begin horrible behaviors. Once they are like this it takes 3x as long to fix. If it gets to be to much just take a drive break or go outside for a bit,they are smart the second you react they won the game. Dont let them have victory lol.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Jtbirds was the exact advice i was going to give. One thing I want to add is keep them in a high traffic room so they feel a part of you. Jtbirds right they do their morning and night thing .Also yell at their toys [but thats a happy thing] They shouldnt be screaming all the time.If they do my experience is you have a insecure2. Dont keep them in a seperate room away from everythimg.Their a sensitive bird ,thier not going to like it.

 

[MarciaLove]

Thanks! He will be in my bird-room which me and my little sister are the only ones who go In it but I go in a lot or I take the birds out and hold them in another room I almost always have bird with me including now LOL!

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Good, [I useally have birds on me too] My Macaw gets tired of me not giving her my undivided attention.She gets in my face and whispers Hi LOL. Anyway glad to hear your putting him with your other birds.