Cockatoo advice needed

[Meganwilliams]

I got this cockatoo 2 weeks ago hes 5 years old hes a goffin cockatoo first he only will let you pick him up with a stick .. He only wants to be on the top of his cage he has came down walked around kitchen and went right back to the top of cage he sits there makes no noise not a squeak a squal nothing .. He has let me pick him up when he was on the ground but sits a a few secounds and flies back to his cage. . i have the cage in the living room which is pretty where i stay .. So what do i need to do to get him away from the cage so he will want to play and be held

 

[tashawithanekkie]

Give him time. Two weeks isn't long. When you're in the living room, spend lots of time talking to him, singing to him, let him get to know you better.

 

[Meganwilliams]

Yeah i figured that the lady who currently had him never let him out of the cage she didnt have anything is his cage except a bell.

 

[itzjbean]

It sounds like he is still adjusting to his new home and environment, it will just take some time for him to get used to the new routine too. At this time just be as supportive and positive as you can. Offer lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and always keep interactions positive. He may not like being held but I believe will come around with more trust building, socialization and of course lots of time outside the cage.

 

[Meganwilliams]

He isnt at all hesitant to be held if he comes into a room without his cage in it

 

[Meganwilliams]

He kinda has his days and nights mixed up he naps all day and is up most of the night lol them people kinda didnt know what they were doing with him they didnt even let him out of his cage

 

[hnb]

Yeah it takes a long time for a bird to adjust. I adopted a macaw and he took to me at the shelter, but it's still taking A LOT of time a patience to get him more trusting with me.

 

[Meganwilliams]

Yeah i was just checking ive never had it take longer than a few weeks with any bird ive got but i knew what i was getting myself into when i got him and knew how bad he had been mistreated .. Jist seeing if anybody had any advice i read on this site that this trainer said to towel them and take them in the bathroom and just over and over make them step up and put them down over and over but i dont know how good that will do as far as breaking the trust weve got so far he does let me mess with his cage he dont try to nip towards me when i put treats in his bowl or anything like that at times he will back up a little

 

[Meganwilliams]

But thanks everyone who has gave me some advice

 

[wrench13]

Toweling a new parrot is a sure fire way to kill any trust thats been building. After youve had him for several months, and have done some excercises to desensitize him to toweling, then its not too bad, but by then you likly will not need it. Please go at the this poor birds pace, let him become comfortable in his new foreverhome ( we hope). We love pics , why not post a few of you and your new addition!

 

[LeaKP]

Welcome! Congrats and thanks for taking in a magnificent bird. I am no too expert but there are many useful threads on the cockatoo forum. Everything from diet to cages to training can be found there.

Yes! Pics please and let us know how things go.

 

[LordTriggs]

shameless bribery sounds like the plan here

all that poor Too needs to think is those hands mean food and fun

sounds to me like the cage is the safe place right now and just a little wary of everything else which can be expected

 

[Meganwilliams]

He knows i will feed him he kinda waits for me to drop a treat in his bowl . were getting some where the first week he wouldnt make any noise .. Now hes grinding his beak and making little squeaker toy noises the lady i gor him from said her dog played with squeaker toys

 

[LordTriggs]

try offering them directly to him instead of dropping in the bowl

 

[Allee]

Compared to other species, Toos tend to move at a slightly slower pace. Building a lasting bond and a level of trust with a Too may take longer in the beginning but it is well worth the effort. I would never recommend the towel in the bathroom method, sounds like a good way to further delay the adjustment period. Relax, get to know each other, as others have mentioned, move at the bird's pace not at your own level of expectations.

 

[Scott]

Given your bird's history, building trust is the very first step to having a wonderful companion! That he lets you "rescue" him from the ground is very normal, but once on a secure cage or perch you are seemingly less important. Giving a treat for progress is helpful, as is consistency of environment and plenty of sleep. Be patient and work at his pace; you should see progress once he begins to trust. Goffins are very much flock birds and their natural tendency is to bond deeply.

This thread may help: http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

 

[Siobhan]

Our Rocky was so attached to his cage because he'd been in so many homes, and the cage was his only constant, that it took WEEKS before he was willing to be further than a couple of feet away from it. All our interactions had to take place with us standing next to his cage. I couldn't even sit down in a chair next to the cage. You don't know exactly what your bird's been through and why he's like that, and all you can do is work with what you do know. He doesn't want to be far from his cage. Okay, stay close to the cage for now. Build trust based on his rules. Try moving a step or two way, holding him, but not too far. Wait a day or so and move another step or two away. Go at his pace. It took forever, but now we can carry Rocky all over the house, onto the porch, even outdoors and he's fine with that. He even came looking for me one day when I was in a back bedroom.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

When I adopted Jonesy,a Goffin,from a friend,after Smokey passed away,it took him a few weeks to come out of his house ( new parront,new place for him).
It took a LONG time for him to step up to my hand when he was on his roof top. At times I'd have to gently cup my hands under his little body and "pry" him off lol.

But when he was away from his house he stepped right up-. It took some time for him to come to me when his house was in his sight. At the time he wasn't flighted..he did an awful lot of walking/running lol.
Like folks mentioned,'too's are very needy. Jonesy wanted to be with/on my constantly. He thrived on attention. I could scratch his head for what seems like hours. He loved being around people.

Unfortunately I had to rehome him. some sort of switch got turned on,and he turned into a little beady-eyed monster...screaming from sun-up til long after bed time,and became very unpredictable...one moment being very loving and a second later,drawing blood

He has been in his new home going on two years now. The folks who adopted him from me,I see almost every day ( they own a local convienence store down the road)
Their daughter renamed him "BOB" lol
He plays fetch with TJ's husband and adores the daughter..he is even bi-lingual now..learning to speak Pakastani lol

All reports is he is very healthy and well cared for and they love him deeply.



Jim