How to help a 28 year old pet to talk "bird"?

[SilleIN]

I recently got a 21 year old female moluccan cockatoo from a zoo, Lullu. She couldn't cope with the males they had (they were far too aggressive).

I spoke to the biologist at the birdpark I know and asked how I would give her the best option to have a mate, since she was too mild a cockatoo to manage a relationship with an aviary male.

We found a 28 year old male pet, Mulle, who is very calm. They do quite well together, but Mulle seems to be missing a lot of bird socializing skills. If Lullu comes close and Mulle wants her to come closer, he lifts his foot to show he will step up. Lullu then interprets that as "Stay away" and backs off. That is just one of the things Mulle does as a result of being a pet, rather than being around other birds.

I still like Mulle to be able to step up, but am saddened by the total miscommunication between the two.

It's still early days, they have only been together for a little less than 2 weeks and they are not together unless I am there to intervene, should anything happen. At night they share a double cage with the divider in between them.

Is there anything I can do to help Mulle and Lullu understand each other better?

 

[PrimorandMoxi]

How amazing and lucky you are to share your huge heart with these birds.

Your flock is really expanding.

 

[Scott]

A difficult situation, one I've not yet experienced. My guess is supervising them together will allow some basic instincts to be shared or accrued by observing. They are really keen observers of their environment and miss almost nothing!

 

[Notdumasilook]

First off I think you just have to be one awesome person. Bringing those 2 creatures together to give them opportunity for a happier life... that says a lot. Its a big plus if they are not being combative in any way. Has there been any preening of each other at all? I had a similar situation about 30 years ago with limited success, but I chalked that up to just too big a difference in the species . Given a little time methinks these 2 will work it out for themselves. Regardless, the lil lady has found a much better home.

 

[SilleIN]

Lullu lived at a big zoo, so her life was not bad, however she did not cope well with the other birds, so it was the right choice to move her.

They are both very mild and loving birds, so they haven't shown any aggreession against each other or any of the other birds.

They are together during the day and spend their nights in a large double cage with camera supervision. I know that male cockatoos can be a bit harsh and I don't want her to have anymore injuries, than she has already. They will not be left alone before I am 100% certain they understand each other.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4k_Ld4VCg8"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4k_Ld4VCg8[/ame]

 

[Scott]

Terrific video! Such a nice feeling to bond with a cockatoo and exchange such closeness!

Male cockatoos can indeed be harsh; I've had to separate two couples because of aggression.

 

[SailBoat]

Teach the new Too the language of Human /Too interaction! This should allow a common starting point, since the vast majority of us Humans, do not speak Too.

The new member will at least have some bases of understanding what your Too is trying to communicate.

 

[SilleIN]

Teach the new Too the language of Human /Too interaction! This should allow a common starting point, since the vast majority of us Humans, do not speak Too.

The new member will at least have some bases of understanding what your Too is trying to communicate.

I'm trying my best The female Lullu has never been tamed prior to me getting her. She is the too in front of me in the above video. The male Mulle has always been a pet, so he speaks human rather than too He's the one in the background on the latest video I posted.

I am trying to teach Lullu human AND try to get Mulle to pick up on his "Bird"