Derpology
Member
December marks the 6th month I've been living with rascal, a 37 yr old umbrella cockatoo. As I write this Something I'm happy to say he is sitting in my lap getting head scratches and "good boy" 's its a little difficult writing with one hand but ill make due.
If your interested in my descriptions of when I first moved in with him here is my first post
note: rascal was a neglect case that I took on, It was between sitting in a basement alone until he dies or, I an unexperienced bird owner take on his care. Believe me an umbrella cockatoo is by no means my preferred species of pet bird but I wouldn't trade him for the world.
over the last 6 months rascal has made great strides I've made posts in the past updating but ill sum it up,
Thank you everyone whos given me encouragement and advice
arround here somewhere I've linked some photos I took of him while writing this, I've been working on this for a while so ill wrap it up here. Thank you lots
If your interested in my descriptions of when I first moved in with him here is my first post
note: rascal was a neglect case that I took on, It was between sitting in a basement alone until he dies or, I an unexperienced bird owner take on his care. Believe me an umbrella cockatoo is by no means my preferred species of pet bird but I wouldn't trade him for the world.
over the last 6 months rascal has made great strides I've made posts in the past updating but ill sum it up,
- rascal been taken off his seed diet and placed on a pellet diet
- he's learned screaming wont earn him attention but clicking and talking will
- He's learned to use foraging toys
- his aggression has decreased but he does still bite
- asking for head scratches and now cuddles have dramatically increased
- while doing pressure training he decided to step up for cuddles
- cuddles have started
- he's learning "gentle" and mouths my fingers and hands gently
- I've learned that store bought toys mean nothing a popsicle stick or wood chunk is the best toy
- I've learned his body language and how he communicates
- I've learned his schedule and how he expects his days to go
- I've had the pee scared out of me at 3 am hearing him whisper "whatcha doin" on my way to the bathroom
- I've learned that bites hurt but the fact I still have my fingers means he probably didn't intend on hurting me
- I've learned his birthday is in/arround is in June 1984 just a few months short of the public release of the internet
- ive learned that balsa wood is way too soft. he cuts through it like butter although he does enjoy it
- its colored wood or he no chew on it. Its a deal breaker
- IVE FOUND the perfect toy distributer, they sell pieces that are actually decent size!! I can build him block toys that are tough enough for him (their big ol blocks). I can get ~9cm x ~9cm x ~3 cm squares wich I struggle to find elsewhere. They're a small business and I feel good that I'm able to support them and find affordable toys for him. I keep an eye out for the 2nd quality marked item as their usually less. I stocked up for approx. 2-3 months of blocks for about $130USD wich is good enough for me. I've spent more on less for him.
Thank you everyone whos given me encouragement and advice
arround here somewhere I've linked some photos I took of him while writing this, I've been working on this for a while so ill wrap it up here. Thank you lots
