blstandifer
New member
Hi everyone, I am Brandi!
I have done extensive research regarding cockatoos and know all about behavior, children, diet, interaction, and so on
Several years ago I adopted a Amazon parrot who was badly abused. We had her for 5 years before she passed (she was approx. 62) after losing her in a divorce. Although I never got to "cuddle" with her she did trust enough to step up without being asked and allow (only me) to pet her head/wings and back. I truly believe she grieved after me being forced to leave her.
I knew I wanted to adopt an older parrot again and refrain from a pet store. I searched for months for the cockatoo I thought would be a good fit. Then I found Lily, an Umbrella Too that is very sweet. We were told that she belonged to a woman who fell ill and her son had been caring for her. The lady who cleans house for her was placing the too in a home. My husband drove to meet Lily and brought her home.
Although I researched this breed extensively and read for months.. even sitting up in the bed with my laptop at 3 in the morning. I was still not prepared for the feelings I have now that she is here. This overwhelming feeling is nothing more than fear.
I am confused with myself really because with my amazon I went through it all, bites, stitches, having my hair pulled out (latterly) you name it I went through it. However, when I am close to lily I get scared... maybe because I don't understand her since she is new in our home. IDK.
We have only had her a few days and I am working on myself. I will outline what it's been like her first few days and point out where my fears are and maybe someone with experience can help me better understand.
Day 1: Lily came home jumped out of her travel cage and into mine and my husbands arms where she stayed until bed time.
Day 2: Tried to leave her alone with her cage in our room with us to allow her to adjust. However, she wouldn't have it so my husband cuddled with her and allowed her to sit with him most of the day.
Day 2 NIGHT: husband was putting Lily up when she came to me and snapped (did not bite me or try to, just tried to scare me). I did not react to her I simply pulled my hand away (natural reaction).
Day 3: Took lily out of her cage she tried to charge me again (I wasn't trying to touch her only opened her cage and she perched on top of door and lunged at me. *start of my fear* all day only I interacted with her, I gave her treats every time I was near her cage, I talked to her calmly and she reacted to me positively.
Day 3 afternoon: I walked by lily's cage and she held her foot out to step up on my arm (twice) However, I became nervous of a bite and did not allow her to step up and fed her a treat instead. I knew if I allowed myself to let her step up with me nervous and scared of a bite then a bite would happen.
My husband did not let lily step up to him all day. He just talked to her. However she did try to step up to him each time he passed her by. She stopped asking to step up to me
Day 4: I am alone with lily today
My question is, when do I allow her to step up and how will I know she is want to step up without a bite? she is taking food from me now problem has not lunged at me since the last incident, and she is starting to talk to me and mimic my sounds.
She is continuing to hold her foot out to me but not in the extent she is my husband.
I have done extensive research regarding cockatoos and know all about behavior, children, diet, interaction, and so on
Several years ago I adopted a Amazon parrot who was badly abused. We had her for 5 years before she passed (she was approx. 62) after losing her in a divorce. Although I never got to "cuddle" with her she did trust enough to step up without being asked and allow (only me) to pet her head/wings and back. I truly believe she grieved after me being forced to leave her.
I knew I wanted to adopt an older parrot again and refrain from a pet store. I searched for months for the cockatoo I thought would be a good fit. Then I found Lily, an Umbrella Too that is very sweet. We were told that she belonged to a woman who fell ill and her son had been caring for her. The lady who cleans house for her was placing the too in a home. My husband drove to meet Lily and brought her home.
Although I researched this breed extensively and read for months.. even sitting up in the bed with my laptop at 3 in the morning. I was still not prepared for the feelings I have now that she is here. This overwhelming feeling is nothing more than fear.
I am confused with myself really because with my amazon I went through it all, bites, stitches, having my hair pulled out (latterly) you name it I went through it. However, when I am close to lily I get scared... maybe because I don't understand her since she is new in our home. IDK.
We have only had her a few days and I am working on myself. I will outline what it's been like her first few days and point out where my fears are and maybe someone with experience can help me better understand.
Day 1: Lily came home jumped out of her travel cage and into mine and my husbands arms where she stayed until bed time.
Day 2: Tried to leave her alone with her cage in our room with us to allow her to adjust. However, she wouldn't have it so my husband cuddled with her and allowed her to sit with him most of the day.
Day 2 NIGHT: husband was putting Lily up when she came to me and snapped (did not bite me or try to, just tried to scare me). I did not react to her I simply pulled my hand away (natural reaction).
Day 3: Took lily out of her cage she tried to charge me again (I wasn't trying to touch her only opened her cage and she perched on top of door and lunged at me. *start of my fear* all day only I interacted with her, I gave her treats every time I was near her cage, I talked to her calmly and she reacted to me positively.
Day 3 afternoon: I walked by lily's cage and she held her foot out to step up on my arm (twice) However, I became nervous of a bite and did not allow her to step up and fed her a treat instead. I knew if I allowed myself to let her step up with me nervous and scared of a bite then a bite would happen.
My husband did not let lily step up to him all day. He just talked to her. However she did try to step up to him each time he passed her by. She stopped asking to step up to me
Day 4: I am alone with lily today
My question is, when do I allow her to step up and how will I know she is want to step up without a bite? she is taking food from me now problem has not lunged at me since the last incident, and she is starting to talk to me and mimic my sounds.
She is continuing to hold her foot out to me but not in the extent she is my husband.