Cockatoo information required

[JayW]

So I've been feeding a Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo for a while now, but I am under the assumption it may be an escaped pet. I've been hand feeding it and being able to pat and touch is but I just want some clarification on some of its behaviour.

As I have been able to pat it, it sometimes gentley grips my finger in its beak and moves it away from itself and towards me. Is this a sign it may be feeling intimidated or is it just a friendly gesture?

Also, with the gentleness of this bird, is it usual for a bird you've had minimal contact with to be so gentle? It just struck me as surprising given it could probably badly injure my finger and it is a wild bird.

And finally I've been trying to get it to sit on my arm while it feeds. It seems very comfortable around me and I can sit on a chair with it on the head-rest and it eat out of my hands. What can I additionally do to gain the birds trust? I have no intentions of keeping this bird in my house or in a cage, as it seems very happy and healthy in the wild.

Thanks

 

[weco]

Hello Jay...welcome to the forums.....glad you decided to joins us.....

You're right, it does sound like an escaped 'too.....also, the moving of your finger(s) away is a sign that it prefers you not touch it at that particular time or in the way you might be touching it, though I don't think it is intimidated.....that bird is capable of doing serious damage to your finger(s) and I'm pretty sure it knows it.....

I've never had a 'too, but the day I picked up my Patagonian conure (largest of the conures, she climbed out of the box they brought her in, climbed on my shoulder & we went down the highway like that, with people pulling alongside & pointing, with her making comfortable sounds & staring back at them, so I totally agree that about the bird having been a previous well socialized pet.....

As to establishing further trust, just keep doing what you've been doing & talk to it.....they can recognize the gentleness & inflection in your voice.....let the bird make the moves first, when you want to further the relationship.....if you let it perch on your shoulder or your arm, be very careful about turning suddenly toward the bird.....sudden head movements can startle a relaxed bird & if you do startle it, its reflex reaction could cause you some unwanted surgery.....good luck.....

 

[Scott]

I'm not familiar with the Sulphur-Crested but live with Goffin, Citron, and Moluccan Cockatoos as pets. While Cockatoos are typically sweet and gentle, they can surprise without much notice. All of my white hand-fed Cockatoos have unrestricted shoulder privileges except for the Citron, as he can be quite unpredictable. As weco suggests, be careful with shoulder access!!

The dynamic you describe is rather unique; I assume you live in a region where Cockatoos are native? In North America, it would be most unusual to have white Cockatoos thriving in an environment rich with raptors and zillions of outdoor cats.

Having access to an apparently tame parrot living in the wild is an interesting dynamic. Do you have the impression he is a member of a flock or a solitary bird just looking for some human interaction, totally on his own terms? How do the visits end; do either of you consistently signal the separation or is it random?

 

[Birdman666]

1. Where are you located? Because if you're not down under, it's not a native species, therefore it IS an escaped pet.

2. If you are down under, there are wild toos that are used to people around, who will come up to people, especially if there is food involved.

I had three COMPLETELY WILD blue jays that used to FLY INTO my house for food in the morning. They would see my kitchen light come on in the morning, and line up along the fence. I'd open the door and they'd fly in, get their peanuts, and fly out again.

I trained them to do that... and they were 100% wild birds.

 

[JayW]

Thanks for all the replies! Yes, I am from Australia and have 4 to 5 cockatoos visit my house daily. I live near bushland which accomodates a vast amount of 'toos.

This little group that comes, usually come together but only the 'too in mention lets me within touching range while the others fly as soon as I walk out of the door.

The visits usually end the same way, he/she moves away from me, and the food, when it seems it is sufficiently fed and then slowly leaves the area (Usually moves from chair to table, table to clothes line before eventually leaving).

It also seems to play apparent games with my dog. At first while it was easily scared of my dog, now doesn't care about his presence at all.

It just struck me as unusual for a wild bird in a group of 5, to be the only one too so quickly adapt to the situation and be open for contact, while the others, which at first had the same amount of attention, are still scared by my presence at 5-6 metres away.

 

[Scott]

It just struck me as unusual for a wild bird in a group of 5, to be the only one too so quickly adapt to the situation and be open for contact, while the others, which at first had the same amount of attention, are still scared by my presence at 5-6 metres away.

It's possible your "friend" was once captive, but also likely he simply has a more inquisitive personality than his companions.

Parrots are highly sentient beings, not simple automatons without variation. All 5 of my Goffins are distinctly different; 3 are handfed, 1 substantially tame. You could blindfold me, place them in my arms at random and I'd name each within 10 seconds or less!

Jay, you live in a special part of the world! I'd love to watch Cockatoos in a natural environment and would be honored to interact with them in a mutually respectful manner.

 

[JayW]

They are quite beautiful birds and I am definatly thankful to have the somewhat respect of this bird! Today when he/she came I had the 2 other members of my household present when he came to feed and he was quite flustered I would say. He was very shy and was edgy until they left in which he returned to the playful and gentle bird he usually is with just me around. Is it possible for the 'too to just feel comfortable around me at this current time?

You sound like you have quite a bond with your birds to be able to do that! It's quite humbling to get advice and information from someone who has a love for these amazing creatures (or atleast you sound like you do)

 

[Betrisher]

Wild birds can easily lose their fear of human beings, especially when food's on offer. Hence the situation in the Botanic Gardens. I think if your bird is among wilder, more cautious ones, odds on he's an escaped pet. Listen carefully to see if he says anything recognisable: that'll be a dead giveaway. SC2s are one of the few lucky species that can survive easily in the wild if they escape from captivity. I live in Newcastle and we get plenty of SC2s and Corellas around, but I'm not aware of any becoming even slightly tame through exposure to people. The Botanic Gardens flock has been there a long time and learned to forage from people over years and years. That's unusual.

Anyway, keep us in touch with your findings. I'm glad you have a friend in this guy. Why not post some pics when you can?

 

[Birdman666]

Thanks for all the replies! Yes, I am from Australia and have 4 to 5 cockatoos visit my house daily. I live near bushland which accomodates a vast amount of 'toos.

This little group that comes, usually come together but only the 'too in mention lets me within touching range while the others fly as soon as I walk out of the door.

The visits usually end the same way, he/she moves away from me, and the food, when it seems it is sufficiently fed and then slowly leaves the area (Usually moves from chair to table, table to clothes line before eventually leaving).

It also seems to play apparent games with my dog. At first while it was easily scared of my dog, now doesn't care about his presence at all.

It just struck me as unusual for a wild bird in a group of 5, to be the only one too so quickly adapt to the situation and be open for contact, while the others, which at first had the same amount of attention, are still scared by my presence at 5-6 metres away.

Once they figure out the dog is not a threat, they adapt.

This one is the bold one of the group... he takes risks, which means he is the most likely bird to end up being eaten by a predator.

The blue jay thing got started because the "runt" of the litter wasn't getting any food. His siblings would beat him up and steal his peanuts. So I began putting them inside the house and leaving the door open. He came inside, ate his fill and left...

When his siblings figured out that he was getting EXTRA food by coming into the house, there were suddenly three little birds flying into my kitchen!

So, yeah, the wild birds figure it out as well.