more information on goffin cockatoos

[pacoparrot]

When I first decided to get my own parrot when I was a kid the first bird I considered buying was an adult Goffin cockatoo named Angel. I ended up getting a pet store sun conure instead, which was a huge mistake. This bird kind of scared me when I went to meet her, grabbed me on the ear. I've since never seen or handled a goffin cockatoo again. I fostered a bare eyed for a short time but he was extremely afraid of almost everything and would not come out of the cage for his stay with us. Now recently I've been seeing people selling Goffin cockatoos and it got me thinking. Are they as loud as their umbrella cousins? Because I've worked with the large cockatoos and it was not easy to deal with the extreme noise. Are they cuddly like the big cockatoos? In most videos I see of them they are jumping around and dancing. They seem very energetic. Can someone that has one tell me a little about their experience with their bird?

 

[PanZon]

I have a 7 year old G2, and while nothing is louder than a U2 (lol) Goffin's can make a racket! My guy usually only lets out his man voice at sun up and sun down, but he can get going when the dogs do too.
They are VERY high energy, VERY intelligent, and while smaller in size they require the same cage size and time out as their bigger cousins. As with any parrot, they can and will bite. Mine has drawn blood, my guy is not a morning person, and I know this, but one morning after uncovering him I put my hand right in and then instantly removed a bloody finger.
Now, that being said, they are absolutely adorable! I love the soft blues, peach on the cheeks and under the crest. My guy has some nice subtle yellow under his tail and wing feathers.
They are not the best speakers, but they can talk. Mine has a very soft, high pitched, but very clear voice. He loves to dance, and there is some video of them solving complex, multi-faceted locks.
My guy likes to be scruffed on his head and neck, but he is also content on the playstand just near you. He doesnt have the NEED to velcro to you like the U2.

With lots of out of cage time, and firm boundaries, I think a G2 is a great bird.

 

[Kiwibird]

I hope some other goffin owners come around who can say nice things. I know they can;t all be 'evil' cockatoos

My experience has only been with Alfie, and it has not been a good one. My dad has had his Goffin for nearly 40 years, and Alfie loves my dad but tolerates no one else. He's an energetic bird who is highly intelligent (I mean above and beyond any other parrot I've ever met, he's disassembled a cage from the INSIDE before), but boy is he mean and has a bite like a gila monster with a beak. He clamps on and gnaws to the bone. One of my earliest memories was around 3 years old running screaming bloody murder with Alfie dangling from my cheek, he left my mom with permanent nerve damage in hit right index finger and I've been bit more times then I can count by that bird, so I may have a distorted view of them as a species. The positives are his intelligence and he is a really bouncy, energetic, go-go-go bird and I must admit, he is rather cute with his pointy little crest. He is also inseparably bonded to my dad. He will even crawl up his shirt and pop his head out from the collar, my dad can do *anything* with him (hold him, flip him upside down, rub his belly, kiss on him, he even comes when called). In fact, he has pretty much every good trait one can ever want in a bird, just only for my dad. Everyone else better watch out. He's also never had issues eating a healthy diet, never had significant health issues, never plucked and keeps himself entertained with his toys well. He does seem to benefit from a bigger cage than the amazons despite being around the same size, but I think that has to do with his energy level

I *WILL* say, I don't think parrots, cockatoos especially, were anywhere near as well understood back when my parents got Alfie as they are today. His aggressiveness apparently came with the onset of hormones, but they did not realize until decades later that was what 'set him off' and had no clue how to fix it or try to resolve the problem once it started. Once upon a time, long before I was born, he was supposedly sweet and cuddly, but changed around 5/6 years old and began terrorizing my mom, the amazons and once I came into the picture, me. There is *so* much more and better information out there these days than there was in the 70/80s. I think cockatoos *can* be very sweet, cuddly birds who remain social with just about everyone throughout their lives. It's a matter of understanding how they tick and what to do/not to do with them. Thats why I hope some *positive* goffin owners come on here. And not just ones with very young birds who are still snuggle bugs, but people with toos past sexual maturity who have dealt effectively with the aggression and singling out of one person.

 

[RavensGryf]

As far as the voice goes... My neighbor has one and when he screams inside it even sounds loud walking by from the outside! It's that super raspy gravelly sound that is just hard for my ears to hear.

 

[thekarens]

My FIL had one before he passed. That bird was LOUD! And smart as a whip and always on the go.

 

[Birdman666]

I never dealt with one that was "normal" or raised right. The ones I dealt with were all neurotic pluckers and biters. And that had to do with how they were raised.

Raised right, they are probably the second best in my opinion, after RB2's, in terms of pet quality.

BUT they can be quite neurotic.

 

[pacoparrot]

Every bird is different... there is a super sweet and quiet goffin at A Helping Wing named Corey. He is so sweet and funny, quite a character, but not loud at all. But, every Too (every bird of any type) are quite individual. While not goffins, we have two bare eyeds. My Ivory is very outgoing and show off and when she wants you to watch her antics, she can be loud, not flock screech loud, but a Too playing can be heard!!! But, then my daughter's bare eyed boy, Folger, is extremely quiet, in all the time he has been with us, he has not called or used even vaguely anything like a call or scream. He is probably the quietest bird in the house. He talks alot, but no screaming or calling at all!!

If you're thinking of a Too, A Helping Wing is driving distance for you and believe there is another goffin being surrendered as well as corey

Good luck!!!

I really would love to adopt from them. It is quiet a distance to drive at least 4 times but I know I would love to meet all their birds and let one just pick me. I am recovering from the terrible lose of my beloved eclectus parrot and I think helping wings would be able to help me best. Do you know anything about how strict they are with their potential adopters? I volunteer at a local parrot rescue, but they do not have anything I would consider at this time. I used to foster and I have a lot of experience with birds. I really like their approach on letting the bird and the potential owner find each other in the middle. Do you know how much the adoption fee usually is for large birds? I may very well consider doing this if I can find a reliable ride and find the right bird.

 

[Mattroma]

My father in law took in a 12 year old G2 last year. The bird a tad neurotic and has some unacceptable behaviors. He is loud and screams when he wants attention and when people are eating. He also will seek out my mother in law and deliver a nice bite, then causally tell her "hi".
That being said he is a cute, funny bird that is entertaining. He is definitely energetic and bouncy.

 

[FreedomAndForgiven]

We have 3 one we have had since a baby the other 2 are rescues. They can be a bit noisy but it is more of an annoying grated voice then an actual scream. When we first got a Goffin someone described them on here to me as a 2 year old, with ADHD, on crack. They are high energy, and you have to keep an eye on them because the moment you don't they are off to destroy something lol. Their beaks hurt worse then one of our Macaws IMO, but we only have one that actually bites, and she is a rehome we're working with that is starting to make progress. They are very cuddly birds, and can be stubborn at times but they are cute and fun. Not a Macaw but I'll still take them

 

[Scott]

I live with 11 parrots, 5 of whom are Goffins; to the extent it is acceptable to have "favorites", the Goffins are by far my most enjoyable birds.

The first 2 were wild-caught and were allegedly around 12 to 13 yrs old when purchased by my Mom nearly 25 years ago. They were very fussy nesters and didn't begin hatching live offspring for about 7 years. But when they did we were gifted with 3 wonderful brothers. All five are doing very well and are extremely close members of our family. By necessity the offspring were handfed from about 1 week as the parents simply lost interest even though they were the only live births per clutch. (they differ by at least 1 year)

Along the way we've had a few behavioral issues. About 10 years ago the adult male became aggressive towards his mate; the second event required some serious vet intervention - it was suggested the cycle would only become more vicious, so they've been separated. He's in a large flight cage next to a female Citron who suffered similarly. The Goffin female was introduced to her children and lives in a large room with them, a Citron, Moluccan, and Timneh Grey, though she is closest to her second baby. Six of the seven birds get along well outside their cages and socialize except for the Grey. The first-born Goffin is the sweetest but gets bullied by his mother and middle brother, so their free time outside cages is shared. It's quite interesting to watch 3 Cockatoo species interact and groom!

Medically the Goffins have proven hardy; aside from the injured mother who subsequently developed an infection and the oldest brother catching an easily treated upper-respitory bug, they are extremely healthy.

Their diets consist of a large quantity of fruits/veggies/whole wheat noodles 3 times per week and a high quality seed mix and Zupreem Pellets. Once per week a bit of string cheese and whole grain bread. Noise levels aren't too bad, though late afternoons can be irritating.

All five Goffins have distinct personalities. You could blindfold me, and within 10 seconds I could determine which baby is on my hands. The adult mother won't perch on my hand, but can be moved from a perch onto my chest and held, caressed, etc. The adult father is less tame but loves to be touched, scratched, and have his feathers groomed.

I would highly recommend Goffins for those seeking extraordinarily interactive and affectionate companions. They are indeed Houdinis and will over time destroy cage locks, open C-clamps, pull sheets of paper from below the grates, chew on accessible doors, moulding, etc. Look into their eyes and you'll see intelligence, love, and a bit of mischief!