Any suggestions?

[Jess701]

Hello
Love your forum. I am new my name is Jess. Let me get right to it. While I was living in Florida with my parents, my parents aquired 2 birds first was a sulfer crested cockatoo he is about 12. I became very attached to. Everything I ate he ate and not only that but by mouth which of course I know now was a big mistake. He just does not want to eat any other waybig mistake. We moved back to Wisconsin for about 2 years and decided to move back to Florida. While in Florida again my mother got a African grey. The 2 birds really did like each other. Well unexpectantly my mom got cancer. While the period of time she was in hospital I was left alone with birds. We new she would be there awhile with my dad at her side. The 2 birds got to be to much so it was to hard for me to sell the African grey. My mom died shortly after. Let me say her and so called my bird were not so close as me and him. Me and my dad moved back to wi. He found a new women eventually, so I moved in to my own house with my bird sticks I call him because he loves shredding strips of wood out of pieces of 2x4,s. Now for my question lol sorry for lengthy subject.
There was always someone home when we all lived together I am on disability and my mother was stay at home. Well now there is not any activity for him He has me wooped I feel I can't leave the house long for he speaks all the time and makes a mess while I am gone. Then it is hard to calm him down if I am gone long when I get back. I love the bird alot that's why I still have him, but he seems to be very very demanding and actually hard to have any social life. What do other people do with there birds how long can you leave them alone. And another thing when I moved to my own place it is alot noiser in town traffic and brighter with street lights so I move him in my room at night to sleep... Any help would be great.Thank you for letting me share. Jess

 

[Jess701]

by the way he comes out of his cage alot but is not a the most friendly but never bit me. He had bit my mother. He came from a all guy house I guess likes men more then women but can not stand my neighbors voice she is very loud lol.

 

[Scott]

Welcome to the forums, Jess! Your story is not uncommon as cockatoos develop very close bonds with "their people."

I would respectfully suggest you stop feeding by mouth. (forgive me if you have already, not sure with the timeline) Our mouths contain harmful bacteria, some of which cannot be defended by a bird's immune system. Might try offering from your hand, and even transition by holding a hand near the mouth. Bottom line is even if you quit "cold turkey" a bird is unlikely to starve if food is made available.

It can be challenging to wean a cockatoo away from a very close relationship. One method is to fill the cage with a variety of toys to determine what are the best types. Seems he enjoys shredding 2x4s, so wood is a great choice. (btw, untreated lumber is best, you can often get remnants from stores like Lowes and Home Depot) Leaving a TV or radio on may also be stimulating. Best to do some short trial-runs and see the reaction. Unfortunately large cockatoos make their unhappiness known by screaming and in some cases mutilating feathers. (picking)

The direct answer to your last question is they can be left alone many hours if well adjusted. At some point your bird will enjoy time with you and time alone, but getting there will be a challenge! Have you considered covering the cage at night?

 

[Oliver17]

Welcome, I bet you'll get plenty of help here. I know I did these are good people
Good Luck

 

[ChristaNL]

Hello Jess,

you have quite a demanding parrot there- and with everything that has been going on in your lives it is no wonder.

It is hard being a 'stay at home mom' for your bird now- I understand.

So... try teaching Sticks to play bij himself more and more, and slowly train him to be okay with you being gone for a bit (let the radio on, TV, make a playlist, anything).
There are not many places that will let you take your bird with you- but maybe someone can help you find them?

Is Sticks harness-trained?
Because that would make it a lot easier to take him with you.

Try to find your local parrotpeople in your area as well.
(supportgroups, maybe even shelters)
You will fit right in- being a parrotperson yourself.
Maybe you can have playdates etc. so you won't be stuck with this all by yourself.

Too's are demanding little creatures- so find all the supportgroups you can find (you got one here already, but some hands-on-real-neighbours would be fun as well, right?)
You've done great sofar, with losing your mom and bird and all.
Maybe you can get someone to come in and read to your bird/ watch TV together so you can 'take an afternoon /a night off' once in a while.

My birds love the routine: they are calmest in the afternoon--so that is for me the easiest time to be away. They get out in the mornings and evenings always - and the rest of the day... is a surprise.
Find the calm spot for your bird and build on it.
Everyday!

 

[Jess701]

Well we tried covering him in the beginning and he hoped around and hated it so that was not a option. Yes I know the mouth feeding is bad but it started out as a funny neat thing which found out later that when I tried stopping he would be very noisy all day long were you can not here yourself think lol. I don't mind a little noise but when he does not get his little ways he is hard to handle for 1 person . Thank you Scott for your advice!!!

 

[Jess701]

Thank you all for suggestions. I found a great site here....