Questions for you Amazon owners

[WharfRat]

better pics of their markings, both birds are 1 yr. old, same parents, different clutch. Shiloh has the "mohawk" marking, Halo on the nape.

 

[dawnkyung]

Thank you for the photos!

I actually went back to the store today to pick up some toys + a clip on cup for Banner's cage and took a look at the yellow-napes that they had there. Two of them have hatch dates 2 days after Banners - the ones there were still completely green and the white around their eyes was...darker and smaller, it seemed. Their green also seemed to be different.

I must say that Banner does resemble your Shiloh. Here's a photo of his mohawk marking:



Not sure what to think - if he's a yellow nape, that's okay with us, although I was again assured that he is not by the staff at the Golden Cockatoo. He doesn't yet have any yellow on his nape, although I suppose time will tell! Hopefully the avian vet will have an opinion one way or the other.

 

[Adinafloyd]

He is gorgeous, they are wonderful pets. My nape was very aggressive when her hormones were raging. I got a few bad bites but once I learned her body language that rarely happened anymore. Be sure to stick train and watch for those times and you will be ok. Good luck

 

[Alisana]

If you're a house-favourite, the hormonal thing isn't so bad. Keep an eye on the body language, and you'll be fine.

If not... then have a pillow ready to protect your face/hide under.

 

[jbail1026]

George is 24 years old. His evolution went like this:

We got him from a pet store when he was about a year and a half old. He quickly decided my dad was his favorite person...even though I was in charge of feeding/cleaning/scritches, stuff like that. Go figure!

He was bitey and squawky for a while...then, kind of, grew out of it, I guess! I can't remember the last time he squawked, honestly. He's very cool now. Hangs out on his cage, likes to talk in the mornings, chills during the day while I'm at work, likes a good neck scratch.

I don't notice seasonal aggression, but he is very transparent when he's in "battle mode" - pinpoint pupils, wings and tail flared - do not touch! Not sure what sets him off, but I don't really care. I just leave him alone and move on.

The very best thing: when one of my lovebirds died at 15 years old, the remaining one decided George is his new best friend. George - Mr. Battle Mode - is so patient and tolerant! He shares his food and even lets Orv snuggle up sometimes. I'm so proud of him for stepping up and being friendly to a little guy who needs it.

We didn't know he was one of the "hot three" when we got him. Just worked through his quirks and decided the good outweighed the bad.

 

[KellyH]

This is the 4th home for my 14 yr. old BFA.

He picked my 8 yr. old son as his favorite person. My son is the only one who can put is hands in his cage, change his food and water bowls or toys without being shredded to pieces. If anyone else needs to touch his cage, you make sure he is placed in another room where he cannot see you.

He is very cage territorial all year round and very hormonal in the spring. I have been bitten about 4 times. 3 times were totally my fault for trying to get him to step up on my hand when he clearly didn't want to. His body language is very clear - feathers on head and back of neck stand up, eyes pin and tail fanned. One time he lunged at me (literally jumped off his playstand even though his wings are clipped) while I was trying to move him to another room to clean his cage. And yes, the bites hurt like crazy and always draw blood. He likes to clamp and grind once he has a hold of you.

He is very good at playing with toys on his own in his cage. Usually does this after supper while we watch TV. Loves to hang upside down from his toys and bat them around with his beak. Favorite toys are anything with a bell on the bottom and loves to chew wood but must be thinner pieces (not the big, thick blocks).

He is a a very good eater. Eats his pellets, veggies, fruit and some human food like spaghetti as a special treat. I'm sure he would easily prefer human food if that's all I would give him. lol

During the day, he likes to take a nap in the afternoon and is fairly quiet most of the time ulness he is playing with his toys. Then he makes a high pitched yip sound like a little dog that got his tail stepped on accidentally. ha ha He does get very loud and squawky when he is hungry. He will definitely let you know when it's supper time and you don't get his food to him fast enough. He is quiet again once he has eaten though.

Overall, he's a very good boy, but you just need to keep your hands off. He doesn't like any type of petting or scritches. He will bite. But that's just him. Not to say that all zons are like that. He will on very rare occasion put his head down for a scritch through the cage bars just before bedtime at night, but will quickly go to nip at you after a few short moments to say that's enough.