Zazu be here!

[gig]

The Goffins that I'm fostering came home with me today! He is soooooo cute! He loves scratches on the head and neck, and when he really was relaxed earlier I was able to give him an under the wing scratch. He does love to be on my shoulder, however, and I know that's a no no. Right now he's doing a bit of screaming (he's alone in the basement and probably hears the TV on upstairs where my husband and I are). I was told he does that in the evening but should stop around 9:00. That's pretty normal for cockatoos, right? Is there some way to discourage it? I'm just ignoring it tonight. He will need a larger cage if he stays. The one the rescue gave me for him is not really cockatoo size. I am already loving him! Pictures tomorrow...

 

[roxynoodle]

I'll be tuning in for pics. Is he in the basement because he's quarantined?

I believe 'Toos are a species that like to scream at dawn and dusk. Because it's a natural thing IMO he should be allowed to do that. What you don't want to do is run to him when he screams for attention because you will reinforce that.

 

[gig]

The screaming stopped at around 9:15ish. It wasn't constant - like every 10 minutes or so - a short screech. My husband fell asleep on the couch with the TV on in spite of it (lol)- so, as you can imagine it wasn't very bad at all. He is in the basement mostly because the director of the rescue felt that with my new baby (5 months old red belly)I should be able to work with him with no distraction from other birds. He is quite shy to begin with and we are working to gain his trust (s-l-o-w-l-y). However, since Bowie was not psitt. tested yet, it can also be considered a quarantine. What we call the basement is really more of a lower level. It is ground level and has large windows on the finished side where Zazu is. I guess it's sort of a split level? He has a large flat screen TV (HD - nothing but the best!) that we keep music ("soundscapes", actually) playing from when we're not home for all the pets. It's just not the center of household activity. If he stays (fingers crossed!) he would move into the living room with Bowie. I"m thinking (dreaming) of a corner cage to conserve space. With Bowie being a "work in progress", it really is nice to have a cuddly bird that already steps up and loves affection!

 

[roxynoodle]

Ok, I know what kind of house you mean. My parents had one like that when I was young. And a full screen HD TV all to himself, sounds like a lucky boy! Of course the one here belongs to Rowdy, you know.

 

[gig]

Ok, I know what kind of house you mean. My parents had one like that when I was young. And a full screen HD TV all to himself, sounds like a lucky boy! Of course the one here belongs to Rowdy, you know.

Does Rowdy share with the others - or does he control the remote?
I will have to make sure I spend plenty of time with each of them being in such different parts of the house.

 

[roxynoodle]

Well, Rowdy has certain shows she really likes so I try to put some of those on each day. She likes Frasier, Judge Judy and Law and Order. Pete likes football and motorcycle racing and Criminal Minds. Merlin can't watch TV as she can't see, but she likes certain sounds like code blues on House.

Yes, if they can be in the same room eventually it sure makes it easier to pay attention to both at once.

 

[gig]

Well, Rowdy has certain shows she really likes so I try to put some of those on each day. She likes Frasier, Judge Judy and Law and Order. Pete likes football and motorcycle racing and Criminal Minds. Merlin can't watch TV as she can't see, but she likes certain sounds like code blues on House.

Yes, if they can be in the same room eventually it sure makes it easier to pay attention to both at once.

OK. I've got to ask - how do you know what shows they like?

 

[Mare Miller]

My cockatoo likes entertainment until bedtime which usually comes around sundown. They are very social animals. Unless you are just 'ready' for him to go to bed, try and be patient, don't lock him away from family. Believe me, I know they can get very annoying, patience is a virtue!

 

[gig]

I can't wait for Zazu to be in the hub of the activity. My husband thinks he'll take up time that I should be spending with Bowie. Bowie's training "sessions" are only about 20 min. 2-3x/day. I read somewhere that training shouldn't be much longer than that. Right now it consists of sitting around and talking to him, coaxing him to come up to us and practicing step up if he seems relaxed and happy - that's about it. He's still too nervous to push much more. He's at the point where he's excited to see us from across the room to about 3 feet away. Any closer than that, he still backs away from us. Zazu is so good already he really just needs attention and affection. Being semiretired - I think I can handle both!

 

[lene1949]

Congratulations on your goffins...

I wouldn't encourage the 'under wing scratch', as it can lead to sexual trouble down the road...

 

[roxynoodle]

Well, Rowdy has certain shows she really likes so I try to put some of those on each day. She likes Frasier, Judge Judy and Law and Order. Pete likes football and motorcycle racing and Criminal Minds. Merlin can't watch TV as she can't see, but she likes certain sounds like code blues on House.

Yes, if they can be in the same room eventually it sure makes it easier to pay attention to both at once.

OK. I've got to ask - how do you know what shows they like?

Because they actually start watching them and laughing or making comments. Rowdy will do this long, excited chirp the moment she sees Frasier (Oh, and Kelly in the mornings; she loves her, too). She yells stuff at Judge Judy. Pete laughs when people get attacked on Criminal Minds. And when he watches his sports he keeps giggling and yelling, "Whoo!" about the exciting parts. And Merlin hears that medical equipment going crazy on House she stands real erect and gets this excited look on her face like, bells! buzzes! oh my! And now she is imitating it.

Oh, actually the number one show has to be Petkeeping. Rowdy goes completely bonkers and Pete tried to climb into the TV to meet some Indian Ringnecks on it.

 

[gig]

Congratulations on your goffins...

I wouldn't encourage the 'under wing scratch', as it can lead to sexual trouble down the road...

Thank you, Lene! I knew about staying away from the base of the tail and even his back - but didn't know that's why they like the under the wing scratch!

 

[gig]

Well, Rowdy has certain shows she really likes so I try to put some of those on each day. She likes Frasier, Judge Judy and Law and Order. Pete likes football and motorcycle racing and Criminal Minds. Merlin can't watch TV as she can't see, but she likes certain sounds like code blues on House.

Yes, if they can be in the same room eventually it sure makes it easier to pay attention to both at once.

OK. I've got to ask - how do you know what shows they like?

Because they actually start watching them and laughing or making comments. Rowdy will do this long, excited chirp the moment she sees Frasier (Oh, and Kelly in the mornings; she loves her, too). She yells stuff at Judge Judy. Pete laughs when people get attacked on Criminal Minds. And when he watches his sports he keeps giggling and yelling, "Whoo!" about the exciting parts. And Merlin hears that medical equipment going crazy on House she stands real erect and gets this excited look on her face like, bells! buzzes! oh my! And now she is imitating it.

Oh, actually the number one show has to be Petkeeping. Rowdy goes completely bonkers and Pete tried to climb into the TV to meet some Indian Ringnecks on it.

I'll have to look for that one. Is it on Animal Planet? Today I played a mellow jazz cd for Zazu all day. I took him out and played with him during his normal "scream time" - and guess what...Just put him to bed for the night and no screaming! He is such a good boy! When can I expect the infamous sexual maturity and a biting phase? He's 2 now. Oops. Spoke too soon. Just heard a screech!

 

[luvmytooo]

Oh I just saw this thread gig.
Whew , I'm so glad you will probably be keeping Zazu !
Cause I can't resist that face , lol. What a cutie
Congrats on your new baby

 

[roxynoodle]

Petkeeping is on the Hallmark channel. I think at noon although I tape it so I can put it on during whatever time of the day I don't mind them all getting really vocal watching it. Not when I have a migraine, lol!

It isn't on all the time, but will be on for a few weeks, then off for a few weeks, and then back again. It is kind of centered for children, but you will probably enjoy it as well, and there is often information on birds and birdkeeping. Every day there are birds on it, along with a ton of other critters, and they are all interacting. Just seeing that part alone is pretty fascinating. The birds love it and so does the cat, although the cat tried to attack a puppy she saw on it.