Citron-crested Cockatoo help

[monipinkrose]

Hi! I just joined this forum. I have a few questions if anyone knows please help me. I plan to buy this bird in the future but I'm still doing my research. I want to know first hand from owners or anyone who has experience. Is this cockatoo very friendly to the owner? Does it talk alot? Does it have behavior problems or and issues I should concern myself with? What food would it most prefer, pellet or seeds? If there is any other information I should know about please let me know. Thank you so much!

 

[Spiritbird]

Hello and welcome to our wonderful forum. We have many bird savy members. Many of the questions you ask can be answered if you read the book Parrots for dummies. It is a fantastic book we usually suggest to new members. It is a good thing you are doing your research prior to purchase. I can honestly tell you the rescue org. have a high population of cockatoos because people do not do their homework and then get overwhelmed. Like most parrots the too will require a great deal of your time and patience. They are good birds but can be a bit much for a person with no bird handling experience. Good luck.

 

[greycloud]

Great advice from SB! It is great that you are doing your homework. Toos definitely require a special kind of owner. Recommended that they have big bird or Too experience. They can be very demanding, very loud, very destructive and very expensive in way of upkeep. That being said, Toos can be loving snuggle bunnies, playful, fun and true companions. Each bird is an individual.
If you live in an apartment, do not get a Too. You will be asked to leave. Citrons are truly beautiful birds. Not to big or small. Not as clingy as the bigger Toos. They don't talk real great, but most Toos are not know for being great talkers. SC2s are active birds, big chewers that need lots of toys to destroy. They require a large cage. They need to be kept entertained, either by you, foraging toys and other toys. It is important they learn to play by themselves. If they become stressed or bored it can lead to screaming, feather plucking and mutilation. This applies to all parrots.
I recommend you find a rescue or sanctuary in your area to visit. There will be lots of Toos there. They are frequently rehomed. You can then learn all about Toos by visiting, talking with personnel, and actually be exposed to the bird.
I am not trying to turn you off, just want you to be prepared.

 

[sprice37]

I have a lesser sulpher crested too. He is 11 years old and is the best bird in the world, if we keep an eye on him. If we leave him unattended well, we have come houses to a laptop missing all the keys because he figured out how to let -himnself out of the cage. He will remove moulding, and generally help in remodeling around the home. Luckily he is a very quiet too, but he is always with us and get to go everywhere with us. Home Depot is his favorite. As all birds he has his moments and this time of year is very hormonal, but I would not trade him for the world, I can only hope Socrates turns out to be as well behaved when supervised. Oh yeah the too has a thing for the cat.