There are no words to describe what an amazing animal these birds can be. I believe that they do need a particular environment to realize this. The home environment isn't it. I probably just got myself banned, been fun...
I'd agree with that. I think a lot of parrots really don't adapt to the 'home environment' well. It takes a special home for any parrot, but especially for some species in particular, and especially the toos out of those. In fact, although I know plenty of people here have very happy healthy toos, sometimes I'd be happier if they were only kept in zoos and by experienced aviculturalists. You guys have no idea the amount of sulphur crested I see (Aus, legal trapping, plenty cheap on the market) amongst others being treated not badly, but not having their emotional (and usually nitritional and housing) needs met who turn absolutely neurotic and 'self harm' for want of a better word, plucking and eventually ripping flesh.
Not saying it cant be done (Because many of you guys have done it/are doing it!) but that it takes near expert knowledge in parrot behaviour and parrots/toos in general to do so, and thats something very few people out of experienced aviculturalists an parrot keepers in general, or professionally trained (zoo keepers and the like) have. So OP, I would start reading and learning as much as I could if I was you
You CAN do it, other people have before you, but you need to arm yourself with knowledge !
Also, an interesting note, dog training really does not really help with parrots much. I came from a very canine family, my mother (and myself) have trained guard dogs and the like. Dogs are very easily controlled verbally and by body language that we naturally express. In a short summary, we are naturally compatible (due to domestication) and able to read each other. Parrots, not being domestic (with the possible exclusion of budgies, which some consider domestic due to mutations, increased tameability and natural human compatibility due to breeding) are entirely different. Different methods, different outcomes, takes much longer and they are willing to rebel. Despite being 'pack' (flock here) animals they are very intelligent and have no issues fighting their way up the perceived order, or rebelling from the 'rules' for the fun of it. Yelling will not work, many body postures will not work. In fact, almost everything that works for dogs will not work with birds. Dogs are something you 'actively' train through hands on things, wheras birds are more 'passive' requiring you to imitate flock behaviour (such as ignoring) to manipulate their behaviour.
