cockatoos in rescues

[diadins]

I was doing research for the one day when I am ready to expand my birdy family and was looking into rescues. Each and every rescue I go to has a few of every species but they are overflowing with cockatoos....why? What is it about these beautiful birds that seems to so often lead to their owners abandoning them?

 

[MarciaLove]

first of all its great of you to be looking at rescues!! and yes sadly cockatoos are the birds I see most in rescues Its probably because they are loud, and can be aggressive if you dont spend time with them, they are extremely needy birds always need attention, they destroy things like a chainsaw!, they are very dusty and can be a problem for allergy prone owners and need frequent showers (mine gets one a day), and they are prone to plucking if they are bored and need attention or toys, they need a special diet low in fat and sugar, they are very expensive to care for and require lots of space, time, energy. Those are some reasons why, however I have a rescue U2 and he is the best bird ever!! he only screams when hes bored or someone new comes over to our house, he is a total snuggle bird!!! like more snuggly than a dog! He is super smart and very adorable I am always amused by him I love having him around they can be amazing birds if you put in the effort!

 

[Featheredsamurai]

This web site goes over that problem in detail

All About Cockatoos - MyToos.com

 

[Sungazer]

They can make one hell of a noise, when not happy about something. Even when happy you can expect a morning and night screech session. Thats what they do.

 

[Mare Miller]

These poor birds, especially the larger ones, have such a bad rap. They are super sensitive animals, maybe like all birds but don't know about that. It takes a special person to be able to communicate with these birds and, I guess, you don't really know how special you are till it happens. This is why "I" think these birds are given up so often. You just don't know until you are in this position.

 

[Luke252]

Having three Cockatoos myself I know exactly what its like at the toughest of times. But you know what, the joy and love that comes from owning these magnificent birds, greatly out ways any downers I can think of, and I wouldn't trade my babies for the world.

 

[jugoya]

Too's are wonderful birds... but many people don't have the patience or time to take care of them.

I've never owned one; but I've had several friends who have... a sad fifty percent of those birds were rehomed. I myself have the patience and would love one; but my husband does not; so I will likely never own a bird larger than a conure personally.

After all, one must take into account everything they can about those beautiful birds. If my husband couldn't handle one? Well thats the kicker isn't it.

 

[MickeysMom]

As the others have stated, they are very loud and very needy......however while it depends on the particular bird....it also depends on the owner, how to work around/through/with this. Too many times people purchase birds, cockatoos included, because they saw one in a movie/book/picture and decided they had to have that. If more people took the time to research the care (emotional and physical) of these gorgeous creatures....perhaps not so many would end up in rescues.

That said....I am very glad that my babies are with me...both as rescues (different circumstances for each).

 

[DeeNTheChillas]

I get so worried when I see someone rehoming a 'Too on CL or one of those garage sale sites. I try to give them as much direction as possible. They can be tough birds for the unsuspecting owner.

Mind you, I don't own one and I don't even own a bird, period, but I've read enough to know that they're not for the faint of heart and all too often end up in rescues.

Too many people buy pets on impulse.

 

[Pajarita]

Everybody wants the big, beautiful, cuddly bird and, although few people can take care of them properly, everybody thinks they can only to find out later they couldn't.

 

[Billy29]

I would of loved a cockatoo but street doing many hours of research, I found a Amazon to be a better fit. Maybe one day if I had more time and space to devote to one of these birds I would get one. Right now it would of been irresponsible on my part.