Goffin and Citron finally meet outside the cage!

Long story very short, I have a Goffin and Citron living alone for unfortunate circumstances.

Popcorn and Peanut (Goffins) were paired for about 25 years in my home until male aggression forced separation. Peanut was integrated with 2 of her 3 offspring plus a few other birds in an open-caged bird room. Popcorn to date has lived in a large flight cage in my garage.

Alice and Gandalf (Citrons) lived together for about 15 years until Gandalf became aggressive. Gandalf was placed in the same room as peanut and lived out his life. Alice lives in a flight cage adjacent to Popcorn.

For several years I've let Popcorn out of his cage and he'll migrate to Alice's and hang out, kissing and touching through the bars. I've wanted to expand the contact, but feared the combination of size differential and potential aggression from either, but especially Popcorn.

Today I took the plunge and let them both out, taking care to ensure one did not go into the other's cage where warding off hostility would be more difficult. Once out, the doors were closed. They've been happily frolicking for hours, engaging in some breeding-type behaviors and simply hanging out. This makes me so happy!! I am a long way from combining them in a cage, but keep the thought open. No nest box, of course. Unsure if a G2 X Citron is even biologically possible, but I am philosophically opposed to doing so under my roof!

That's awesome Scott! It must be nice for Popcorn and Alice to both have a new companion of their own kind after so many years Did you take any photos?

I love a good love story. Love it. And love to love it!

Scott, that is so exciting! Sounds like true love may be blossoming, I am so happy for both of them (and you!)
I so hope this continues, please update us on them.

I have pics and seem to have figured out Imgur!






Popcorn is the Goffin, Alice the Citron. Pics from their first time together!

Popcorn has plucked a bit on his chest, seems to do this around breeding season.

Scott, that's so exciting and amazing for them (and you) to have taken the plunge on it. They look so happy, cute and curious together now!! Love all around!

Oh my gosh, those pictures are absolutely adorable!!!!!!

Good stuff
I'm hoping my two will be friends one day, they have gone from attacking one another to kind of tolerating one another, for anyone wondering which bird is the more dominant one suprisingly it would be Bella the smaller bird with the bigger beak
I've been putting there favorite food (seed) on a big playstand every now and then seperate bowls to keep some distance and I think that has helped alot.
Also keep them both on my weather proofed patio while i'm at work about a metre apart. Will be very happy if they become close friends as I am currently working 5 days a week.

So cute Scott! And what a great story!

They are very cute. Popcorn looks like a troublemaker I like Alice's crest. Very vibrant!

Curious, is Alice small for a citron (or is Popcorn large for a goffin)? She doesn't look much bigger than Popcorn and if he's the size of my dads goffin, he'd be slightly smaller than (most) amazons. The only 'citron' I've seen was in a vets office and seemed much much larger. Comparable in size to a U2. Or am I thinking of another species of cockatoo that would be significantly larger than a goffin but looks like a citron? I know theres a few with big yellow crests.

adz1984 said:

Good stuff
I'm hoping my two will be friends one day, they have gone from attacking one another to kind of tolerating one another, for anyone wondering which bird is the more dominant one suprisingly it would be Bella the smaller bird with the bigger beak
I've been putting there favorite food (seed) on a big playstand every now and then seperate bowls to keep some distance and I think that has helped alot.
Also keep them both on my weather proofed patio while i'm at work about a metre apart. Will be very happy if they become close friends as I am currently working 5 days a week.

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Hopefully they will become friends! Having a respectful distance is important, as is supervision while they are still unsettled.

Kiwibird said:

They are very cute. Popcorn looks like a troublemaker I like Alice's crest. Very vibrant!

Curious, is Alice small for a citron (or is Popcorn large for a goffin)? She doesn't look much bigger than Popcorn and if he's the size of my dads goffin, he'd be slightly smaller than (most) amazons. The only 'citron' I've seen was in a vets office and seemed much much larger. Comparable in size to a U2. Or am I thinking of another species of cockatoo that would be significantly larger than a goffin but looks like a citron? I know theres a few with big yellow crests.

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Thanks April!!

Popcorn is rather large for a Goffin, and Alice is a bit on the small size. She is actually a bit bigger than Popcorn; perhaps camera lens perspective is a factor. Found a very old pic of Alice and her first mate, Allie. Even though she is in the background, Allie was quite larger!

So great to see Popcorn and Alice hanging out together I just love seeing birdy friends!

I'm so glad you're posting photos. I don't think we get to see enough of your wonderful flock *hint hint*

Though I must admit, I am especially partial to your Goffins

Probably a bit camera angle and a bit that they both aren't average sized for their species. Perhaps them not being so massively different in size will help their blossoming friendship

Violet_Diva said:

So great to see Popcorn and Alice hanging out together I just love seeing birdy friends!

I'm so glad you're posting photos. I don't think we get to see enough of your wonderful flock *hint hint*

Though I must admit, I am especially partial to your Goffins

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Kiwibird said:

Probably a bit camera angle and a bit that they both aren't average sized for their species. Perhaps them not being so massively different in size will help their blossoming friendship

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Must admit I'm partial to my Goffins as well! I'd love a house full!!

My trepidation with housing Popcorn and Alice together is the size differential and his past aggressiveness. She is a bit sweeter, but definitely has the larger beak.

haha look at them, they're clearly enjoying each other

Scott said:

My trepidation with housing Popcorn and Alice together is the size differential and his past aggressiveness. She is a bit sweeter, but definitely has the larger beak.

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How about just putting their cages side by side and just let them have out of cage time together? Perhaps next time it's time to replace the cages, if they're still friends, you could consider getting a double macaw with a divider? Or keep your eye on craigslist for a nice used one? That way they could kinda be caged together but still separated when unsupervised and able to get away from the other if one is being aggressive.

My moms amazons were closely bonded and loved being together but always had their own cages. Not due to aggression rather the female amazon would not have ever let the male eat in peace My mom kept their cages side by side with a shared "gym" she created spanning the tops of both cages they liked to hang out on together. They had a huge macaw cage outdoors they were together in, but only a few hours at a time. If your cockatoos keep up being nice to each other, no reason they can't each have their own home and still be buddies

Kiwibird said:

Scott said:

My trepidation with housing Popcorn and Alice together is the size differential and his past aggressiveness. She is a bit sweeter, but definitely has the larger beak.

Click to expand...

How about just putting their cages side by side and just let them have out of cage time together? Perhaps next time it's time to replace the cages, if they're still friends, you could consider getting a double macaw with a divider? Or keep your eye on craigslist for a nice used one? That way they could kinda be caged together but still separated when unsupervised and able to get away from the other if one is being aggressive.

My moms amazons were closely bonded and loved being together but always had their own cages. Not due to aggression rather the female amazon would not have ever let the male eat in peace My mom kept their cages side by side with a shared "gym" she created spanning the tops of both cages they liked to hang out on together. They had a huge macaw cage outdoors they were together in, but only a few hours at a time. If your cockatoos keep up being nice to each other, no reason they can't each have their own home and still be buddies

Click to expand...

They are currently in elevated flight cages (legs are 3' high) separated by a mere 18 inches. So far they hang out on the roof; great idea to create a play pen atop. Alice is leery of a large playstand, though I've brought it closer to the cages for her observation.

If they continue to get along, a divider cage might be best. Problem with the elevated flight cage is they could potentially fight in the back area and my options to quell would be reduced. So far, once they are out, the doors are close to prevent entry!

Scott,

Absolutely beautiful photos of Popcorn and Alice. Glad to hear they are getting along. Hopefully they continue to do so and any intervention is minimal.

Curious, could spring time spark some aggressive or other unwanted behavior? You may need to continue keeping a close eye on them.

Thanks for sharing photos of your family
Kelly, Karl, and Arika

I watch them like a hawk, for sure! A huge concern is Popcorn's serial aggressive behavior, the prime reason he is a bachelor. Whether he would attack Alice as the larger bird and sans nest-box is an open question.