about to take a big step

[MrBackpack]

With the failure of my B&G Macaw adoption, my wife located a Moluccan on craigslist.

I've been reading that they are some of the most difficult to care for, along with Umbrellas, in the 'Too family.

I have a large cage at home, a house we own, we bought it for the Macaw, and she would be a part of the family every moment that I am at home (more than 6 hours daily when I work and all day when not working).

But here's the kicker: it would be our first bird.

Would you kindly explain to me why this is a bad idea even though it seems like a good one.

thanks.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

The website mytoos is something you should read through, it will explain all about the Moluccan and umbrella too's, and why they're a more challenging bird.

All About Cockatoos - MyToos.com

After looking through that website please ask away with any questions that arose from the text, or questions that were not answered.

 

[Blueridge]

It's not a bad idea if you know how to take care of the bird. When I got my bird, I took a class on parrot care/health at this place near me called Parrot University. If you have something like that near you, I would definitely suggest trying it.

Cockatoos are very loud and annoying, as they tend to scream bloody murder when they are bored. They are also very sociable and probably the most snuggly parrots of them all. They aren't the best talkers though.

Good luck!

 

[MrBackpack]

The website mytoos is something you should read through, it will explain all about the Moluccan and umbrella too's, and why they're a more challenging bird.

All About Cockatoos - MyToos.com

After looking through that website please ask away with any questions that arose from the text, or questions that were not answered.

I've been reading that website for several hours trying to figure out things, I guess my BIGGEST concern is going to be the fact that I work a full time job and am out of the house 8-10 hours of the day. Is it possible to provide enough toys and stimluation for the 'Too to keep it healthy like that, keeping in mind that once I get home she'll be getting out and be with me until its bedtime?

I don't really care about the talking aspect, its cool but not that important.

I don't think that I'll have an allergy problem with the bird.

I'm pretty handy with a saw, I make movie props and the like, so I can have no end of toys and perches for my companion. I just don't want to do the bird a disservice by adopting it into a bad situation, especially if its me who's causing it.

 

[thekarens]

You might also want to Google M2 videos. You cannot underestimate how loud they can be. I've never heard a louder bird. I'm not saying it to discourage you, but just to make sure you're aware.

If you've had a long bad day at work you still have to make time for that too even if you don't feel like it. I can skip a day spending time with my sennie with no repercussions, but it's not that simple with a M2.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

A bonded Macaw can be easy [they are extremely different]. Toos do scream [that might be why hes on there] .Toos can be done if you really ,really want them. The trick is not to turn them into a insecure bird [thats when the problems start]. not having any experience this could be hard. I would go with your gut and be armed with lots of back up resources.IMO I would check for another Macaw [id have a whole room of them] And see if you can help out at a shelter[its a big help now your wanting to be a bird person [Good luck ]

 

[sonja]

I had owned large birds for almost 25 years and worked in rescue for a dozen of them before I decided to take the M2 plunge and even then I was afraid I wasn't ready.
You really can not image the volume of their calls. And this is a "normal" M2. If you get a problem screamer, Lord help you

Why are the people rehoming the bird?

 

[MrBackpack]

I had owned large birds for almost 25 years and worked in rescue for a dozen of them before I decided to take the M2 plunge and even then I was afraid I wasn't ready.
You really can not image the volume of their calls. And this is a "normal" M2. If you get a problem screamer, Lord help you

Why are the people rehoming the bird?

I have no idea the ad was not exactly descriptive and the images sent lead me to believe that she has some chest plucking issues. I'll post the images as soon as I can get them off of my phone.

 

[Maria_Metropolis]

I had an umbrella for ten years, and we doted on him. He wasn't super loud because he had a ton of attention, although he did vocalize, it wasn't constant screaming. We had him since he was a baby, and I also hand fed him. Well, when I got pregnant with my third child, and I was working full time, we just didn't have the time for him anymore. The screaming became horrible. I finally had to find him a good home, and he was adopted in a second because he was well socialized, loved all people, and was a sweet cuddle bug.

I only advise that taking on a cockatoo is like having a two year old that never grows up, and can outlive you. If you are planning on any major life changes, such as a future baby, more work, etc. . . you really should think about it. These poor birds require a ton of attention, love and care, but they give back 250% of that love you give them.

Good luck.

 

[MrBackpack]

I only advise that taking on a cockatoo is like having a two year old that never grows up, and can outlive you. If you are planning on any major life changes, such as a future baby, more work, etc. . . you really should think about it. These poor birds require a ton of attention, love and care, but they give back 250% of that love you give them.

Good luck.

We are just only recently married and we do plan on having children in the future (within 5 or so years).

I think that it may be best if we hold off on the cockatoo and wait for a Macaw or a grey.

Thanks guys, you've given me tons to think about.

 

[Maria_Metropolis]

Macaws and Greys need a lot of attention as well. Macaws can be extremely loud as well, and Greys can squawk loudly. Greys also tend to get attached to one person from what I've heard, and that can be an issue as well. If you're planning on having children, you may want to go with a small bird that can be a great companion for the whole family, and any future young children.

I wouldn't recommend any large Macaw, Cockatoo, or even a Grey to any first time bird owner either. While there are some success stories with first time owners, you really have no idea how much work they can be once you have one.

A huge mistake people make is not researching avian behavior enough too. For any species, I would research my head off, and also on general parrot behavior as well. These are not dogs, and I always see people treating them like dogs, which is why these animals often have behavior issues to begin with.

 

[thekarens]

I had both when my boys were little. It wasn't a problem as far as attention, but I never let them touch the birds unless I was holding them. That's my feelings with any parrot, because regardless of size they all have the potential to bite.

 

[Maria_Metropolis]

I had both when my boys were little. It wasn't a problem as far as attention, but I never let them touch the birds unless I was holding them. That's my feelings with any parrot, because regardless of size they all have the potential to bite.

Well, it's not just the issue with biting children, but making time for the bird because children require a lot of work/attention/care as well. I had my Cockatoo with my twins, and it was really getting hard at that point, although he never bit my children. However, once I had a third baby unexpectedly, I just couldn't do it anymore. I felt like I was being pulled in too many directions, and my poor bird didn't deserve that. They're such social creatures, and they deserve better if you're going to take one into your life.

Had I known that my life was going to take such an unexpected turn, I wouldn't have had a Cockatoo. However, before children, he was a wonderful blissful creature full of love. That love never went away either, which is why he would cry and scream for attention even when I couldn't provide it, nor my husband.

He's with an older empty nester couple now, and that's a more appropriate environment for him.

 

[ann]

you sound like very dedicated people and any bird would be lucky to be yours, but i think you made the right choice.
although cockatoos can be very gentle, they are also unpredictable with a strong beak to boot. although i haven't been bitten by one yet, one lady that worked in rescue said that after you've been bitten by a large cockatoo, nothing else can scare you. while cockatoos can be great family pets, this something to seriously think about. since they are so loud, they could also wake a sleeping baby. the umbrella cockatoos i work with are hysterical. they are the funniest, craziest, brattiest things i have ever met. they scream, flip out, cuddle, climb on people and refuse to come down, bully the other birds, and these are only babies. one of them removed a diamond earring from its setting, the ladies husband was on his belly looking for it lol. i prefer the smaller cockatoos like the ducorps and goffins.
as for macaws, they are also very loud and have powerful beaks. they can also be very hormonal. they require allot of structure, you have to teach them boundaries and acceptable/unacceptable behaviors. once you set these boundaries, you have to keep them. macaws are stubborn and will constantly test you, so unless you are firm (but still gentle), the will run the house. macaws are still wonderful, affectionate, intelligent, and loving birds. there's a reason their owners love them so much . if you go for a macaw, i think a hand raised baby that can learn and grow with your family is a good idea. there are some great videos of a green wing macaw playing with a little boy, under supervision of course. you should socialize your bird, whichever one you choose, with new people places, and even kids. you can teach a bird the "gentle" command so he knows when to be extra gentle, like around children. best of luck to you and your family, and welcome to the forum!

 

[Betrisher]

Have you ever considered keeping a Galah?

What they lack in stature, they certainly make up for in personality! Just ask Shirre (getwozzy)! LOL!

I had a lovely afternoon cuddling with our Galah, Dominic, and helping him learn to use his new foraging toy. He's moulting at the moment and so he was more than willing for me to squish the pointy little pin-feathers coming through on his head. After that, my husband took him to sit in the computer room for some retail therapy on ebay. Dom got bored, so he just marched around our three desks, hurling things on the floor. Including (I hate to say it), my lower plate, which I had left beside my computer after cleaning it.

!!! (How is it possible that a perfectly intelligent husband can just sit there while a bird hurls your precious teeth on the floor????)

Anyway, following that, Dom partook of his arvo tea, which consisted of sliced apple shared with me, the Beaks and the dog. Again, he hurled the chewed-up bits on the floor and the dog said 'thanks'. At five o'clock, as he does every afternoon, Dom sat on top of his cage, lifted his crest and did his Galah squawk two times. Then, he put himself back inside his cage and had his dinner. He's asleep now, but will be up with at sparrowfart to help me get breakfast.

Honestly, you couldn't possibly find a more snuggly, cuddly, funny bird than a Galah! They really are the best! P'raps I'm biased, but it's only because every Galah I've ever known has been gorgeous.

PS. Corellas are pretty good too, for all of the above reasons.

 

[thekarens]

How can you not love a pink bird? I'm pretty sure it's impossible.

 

[Jayyj]

Betrisher, you're getting cuddles off Dominic now? That's progress! Galahs are ridiculously cuddly though - I'm trying to type this one handed as my other arm is supporting the sleeping bird on my chest...

Much though I love Moluccan cockatoos, and they're one of my favourite bird species, the Parrot Confidential clip of the lady tending her plants wearing industrial ear defenders whilst her M2 honks away in the corner is pretty much all I need to know about whether I could keep one. That's before you get to the issues that so many of these poor birds end up with.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcCU0wNv1aY&feature=player_detailpage"]Nature | Meet Dolly, the Moluccan Cockatoo | Parrot Confidential | PBS - YouTube[/ame]

 

[laurend]

I have a U2, and she's my first bird. She's incredible.

I work full time, so she is home a good portion of 4-5 days alone. She does really well and is actually relatively quiet, even during the day. Her adjustment into my life was rough during the first 1-2 weeks, but she adjusted very well (and quickly).

I think it really depends on the bird (and person).

 

[Betrisher]

Hey Jayjj, yes I am! After a few occasions of some pretty awful chomps from Dom, I decided to leave him completely alone for a while. The men took care of him and his food etc. Just recently, I've been making tentative moves toward Dommie again and he's been quite nice about it. He's given me a few warning pinches, but nothing like the vicious chomps he was doing before. So now, I can hold him to snuggle against me and scratch his head while he nestles in. It's just lovely!

Of course the background to Dom's story is that he was originally my Dad's bird. When Dad was alive, he spent most of his days with his Galahs, talking and playing with them and sharing his workshop, where they would religiously drop all his woodworking tools on the floor from off of his workbench and obligingly turn all the offcuts into sawdust for him. Dom is the last of four birds and after Dad died, was left in Mum's care. Poor Mum was hatching dementia at the time, but nobody realised until much later. By then, Dom had been neglected dreadfully for quite a few years. I think it's kind of to be expected that he'd be a man's bird, so I can live with him preferring my husband and son. It's just nice to know he no longer hates me the way he did at first.

PS. He still has a vitriolic loathing for my daughter, though. You should see him galloping across the table to try and get a beakful of her as she passes by! I'd hate to see him ever connect: poor Ellie'd be full of holes in the blink of an eye!

PPS. While it might seem like I'm hijacking this thread, I posted this just to show what happens to a bird that becomes inconvenient and forgotten over time. Their minds snap! Instead of being whole and healthy in mind and body, they pluck their feathers out and become quite neurotic in their behaviour. Most of us have seen this kind of thing at close quarters and it's why we're all so passionate about warning potential owners of what might happen if you purchase a bird as a nine-day-wonder. It's like having a baby, it really is. Just as your child will be your child forever, so will your parrot. Once you've been as honest with yourself as you can be and made the decision to have a bird for life - then, get a Galah! You won't be sorry!

PPPS. Yes, I am Australian.