Please help

[Theresa]

Hi,

I have a male rose breasted cockatoo who is now almost 1 1/2 yrs old and he is the apple of my eye. The most loving little baby. Last week I bought a female as a play mate for him and to keep him company. The pet shop assured me that they would be friends within a day.

My problem is that he just wont take to her, I have bought her a new cage and have to keep them apart because he tries to bite her constantly. She is only 16 weeks old and isn't strong enough to stand up for herself.

Is there anyway of helping him accept her, I am scared he does some permanent harm to her.

Thank you
Theresa

 

[wenz2712]

Hello Theresa and welcome to the forum

I think the only thing you can do is try to keep them apart for a while. Maybe just put their cages near each other so they can interact and maybe in time they will become friends.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

Sadly I don't think much of that store by what you just said. The fact that they would say the birds would be friends after one day. When buying/adopting a new bird only do it if you want a bird, not for your existing birds sake. You never know if a bird will get along or not, and terrible things can happen quickly turning it into a life threatening situation.

Honestly, I would recommend bringing your second galah back and asking for you money back. And recommend they give you the right info, rather than only try to make a sale. Buuut, I bet it's likely you are already attached to your new little girl. If that is the case please keep them in separate cages, separate stands, and only have them out together under your constant supervision.

 

[Theresa]

I have grown very attached to the new little one, and am loathe to take her back to the store, when I got her she wasn't being handled or loved. I have got them in different cages now, and will keep them that way. The cages are right next to one another, so if he wants to interact with her he can.

My male is very possessive of me and he also attacks both my sons if they come into what he has clearly chosen as "his space".

Thank you for all the responses

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Im sure that they will enjoy being next to each other though[someone to chit chat with]. I wish I could have my birds together.[but I cant their too aggressve] I wont take the chance. I have 2 caiques hoping the same thing but the females to aggressive. They are next to each other ,and do things at the same time .Like eat ,play and face each other sleeping. [its cute]

 

[moni.k]

I think wanting a bird as a companion for an existing bird isn't what we should do. But instead, get a bird because WE want another one. We're gonna have to feed them, take care of them, interact/socialize with them even if they do get along. Always get another pet/companion because YOU want one and you are prepared for one. Seems like all the necessary steps are being taken to ensure that both your RB2's health aren't in danger which is what a responsible owner should do (which is what you've been doing ). All you and any of us can do is hope that one day your boy will change his mind and they can be great friends. But until then, he has a new cage neighbor that can entertain him.

Congratulations on your new baby girl!! Although a smoother transition would have been nice. Who knows, maybe they just need some time to adjust to each other. I know that birds in general take a good amount of time to adjust to new surroundings/people/environments so maybe this is just that.

 

[Parrots]

Cockatoos are just like little people. Just because you brought him a friend doesn't mean he has to like her. He's very jealous, and it's doubtful he will ever accept her as a mate while he thinks of you that way.

He is also on the verge of hormonal "seasonal" mating crazy at that age. That he is bonding with you as his mate means he's probably confused and "cocky" and views this new bird as competition for you.

Keep them seperated; he will kill her if he gets the chance. Breeders will often clip the males wings of 'toos to give the flighted females the chance to escape him. That is how serious it can get.

Don't give him a reason to be jealous; keep the same amount of attention with him as always, and do not let him see or hear you with the new baby. Take her cage and all into another room. This won't make him as jealous as it will curious.

Consider it as though you were dealing with a two-year old picking on a younger child; because that is basically what you are doing.

'Toos are incredibly intelligent; you need to deal with them on their level of understanding things, not ours. Treat them with respect but be firm.

I'm constantly having to my hide my smile every time I scold and then give my 'too a "dirty look" when she misbehaves on purpose. She gets all huffed up and scowls right back at me. Then she looks me up and down, then kind of looks worried, then acts like nothing is wrong. But, she will behave for a while.

They are that smart; you can change their attitude with just a cross look their direction. Just don't laugh at their reaction or it blows the entire scold.

Mine all understand by now that until they can buy their own food, I'M the boss...... but it doesn't keep them from pushing my "buttons". Brats.