New cockatoo please help!

[moearar]

Hey guys im new here,
So i have been having parrots and other animals for years since i was about 5. So now im 17 i thought a big bird would be amazing and after watching all the videos and seeing how joyful they are i had the choice to choose between a macaw or a cockatoo. However after reading alot about macaws being moody and having a response of giving some nasty bites with those massive beaks i cleared that option out, and i went to research about cockatoos. Now i heard alot about the feather plucking etc. and it didnt seem like something that hard taking care of one. So yesterday my dad suprises me with an amazing 9month old sulphur crested cockatoo, which he bought from a man leaving the country for 2000$ (thats the prices over here). first day he was playing saying hello whistling and he was all happy. But now i woke up this morning the bird is plucking his feathers, found feathers all over the floor, he gets agitated very quickly he allows you to pet him on the head but 2 seconds later all of a sudden he just snaps attempts to bite but ive luckily moved my hand before he got to it. He also shakes alot and seems to be in fear constantly. I know its only his second day but if this is how the cockatoo is going to be just agitated and biting all the time then he wasnt worth 2000$ because i was told he was fully trained. Guys i still have a chance to give him back and get a refund should i do it? and then again its a present from my dad so i dont want to disapoint him, and whenver my dad comes into the room he plays with him for a bit and then stops so he never see's how the bird starts his mood and starts biting.

Please help because the last thing i want is to have a biting cockatoo with no feathers and i mean if you have any suggestions plz tell me them.

Also he is in his travel cage atm as i was give him in it, but he always sits outside and i put toys for him to shred on, might it be from the cage? However a 3foot cage is being bought in 4 days for him. But before i devote even more money to him, do you think its better to get a refund now and get a smaller bird such as an double yellow headed amazon or african grey because i had great offers on them but rejected so i could get my dream bird a cockatoo.

p.s. its a sulphur crested cockatoo, and he loves to put his crest up and bob around, however i heard that means hes ready to bite ?

 

[RescueMe]

All birds can and will bite,cockatoos especially are very difficult and require very special care. Its not just feeding and cleaning, but a vast knowledge of animal behavior and the ability to read them that is needed to care for them, It sounds like you are not really prepared for a parrot at this point in your life. I would suggest that you return the bird and wait on another parrot until you've had more time to learn about the behavior and care these amazing animals require. Good luck.

 

[sonja]

I agree with RescueMe.

 

[greycloud]

Definitely agree that you return the bird. Cockatoos do best with very experienced adults. I think you are in over your head. You and the bird deserve better.

 

[paulhanlon]

It sounds like you have dived into the deep end of the pool to soon a cockatoo needs a experienced hand I think a blue and gold macaw would have being better for you although they do have mood swings just the same as any other bird the up side to owning one is that they are giant cuddle bugs I don't know maybe you should have looked into maybe a grey or a amazon as it seems this too is giving you problems already I have to agree with the guys on this one I think you should take it back and see if you can get one that your able to handle and control.

 

[MickeysMom]

I'm sorry to say, I think you are in way over your head. Cockatoos ARE very moody birds. You see video of happy bouncy Cockatoos, because we rarely post videos of our babies in a bad mood, having a go at biting us.

My Mickey is a sweetheart, except when she isn't. Last night I was cleaning cages and she was "helping". She got over stimulated...and I got bit....once on each thumb. It's what she does.....I know this...I made the mistake of allowing the overstimulation to happen. She did what comes naturally to her.

You have a bird that is in a new enviroment, and is probably scared. He/She has a few ways of dealing with this...internalizing it by plucking it's feathers, or externalizing it, by trying to bite the scary new humans. It sounds like your bird needs someone with much more experience to help him/her through this.

I would return the bird and start with something smaller, until you have more experience.

 

[paulhanlon]

I would love to have a cockatoo but until im ready to own one I'll wait I'm quite happy with handling and interacting with the two in the pet shop down my town aswell as billy a 6 month old African grey he loves me and if I had the money I would bring him home today but that's not the case as I'm getting my zon in about 3 weeks time and she is going to be my only bird for some years when i feel ready to bring another bird into my flock I will.

 

[kc_y0]

I would suggest giving the bird back.. Take a look at this website. Cockatoo's are extremely hard work and very sensitive birds. The bird is plucking and biting because its extremely stressed out. If you really want a parrot I would stick with a smaller species first and learn about them and their body language, how to properly care for them and then maybe consider getting a larger parrot down the line.

All About Cockatoos - MyToos.com

 

[moearar]

Okay so i just called the guy and asked for a refund on the bird and i would give him back, and the guy doesnt seem too willing to do that. Now i know its about the birds wellfare and im trying my best to keep him happy, but then again my dad put down 2000$ on this bird and i dont think he would be happy loosing it in a day for nothing. So i will try and get something a little smaller. Although i might seem unexperienced but then again my uncles are bird breeders and i have from ringnecks to greys to zons and i will tell you this over the years i have not met a more moody bird than the cockatoo. I mean i followed the steps since i was about 9 buy a small bird then a parakeet then a small parrot then a medium parrot then go on to the largest i.e. macaws and too's but i didnt think that its this bad. Anyways i will try and get my money back and probably get a zon or a grey is best.

Also the guy i bought it from is accusing me of making it depressed and that i probably abused it, which is total nonsense i would never do that.

Anyways now the bird is sitting on his pirch out the cage he let me pet him but hes in a fur ball with one foot up, and after a few seconds you feel he gives this look like back off im about to bite.

However he is breathing very heavily now and his heart is beating like crazy maybe hes just really scared idk tbh, any help would be appreciated until i can sell him

 

[kc_y0]

The guy you brought it from sounds pretty dodgy to me if he is accusing you of abusing it. If he was a decent bird owner he would know that too's are very sensitive, especially to change. If you cant give him back the bird it might be good to look into re-homing him with someone experienced with too's. I would also suggest you look thoroughly into a new bird, amazon and greys are very smart and need a lot of stimulation and as you are only young your situation could change, ie working, moving out, uni etc so make sure you can always devote your time to them.

 

[kc_y0]

He would be very terrified, he's been taken out of his normal environment and put into a new home with unfamiliar faces. Until he can be rehomed try to give him space, talk calmly around him and don't be too loud or overwhelm him. Also try to offer him treats so that he knows you are not going to cause him harm but be careful of that big beak when offering treats!

 

[paulhanlon]

I hate to say it but if the guy you bought him from doesn't sound to keen on refunding you and taking the bird back then the only other thing I can think of doing is locating a breeder who would be willing to take him in and maybe exchange him for a smaller species but I'm not shocked at all with this post as it happens to most of us we think we are ready to take on the larger species but we couldn't be more wrong I just hope you get this sorted as i would hate to see another bird end up in a rescue.

 

[melissasparrots]

I think if your willing to consider quiting this early in the game, a large parrot period is not for you. All birds bite. Sulfer crested cockatoos are one of my very favorite species. As are yellow naped amazons(very close relatives to double yellow heads). Neither are birds I would recommend for someone wanting a sweet little angel perfect bird, would never bite them or disapoint them in any way.

Some cockatoos pluck. If this bird is indeed a baby and plucking, I would recommend a vet check. Babies just don't pluck unless something is wrong typically. That said, some cockatoos are pluckers. If you don't think you'll emotionally be able to get past the thought of having a pet that appears physically imperfect, then I would return him. Plucking is a complex issue and often it requires years of tweeking their diet and environment and vet testing to narrow down the cause and get them on the right track. For some birds that just never happens.

Cockatoos are unpredictable. Sulfers aren't usually so bad, but they can have a sadistic sense of humor and like any parrot can get overly wound up and bite. And cockatoo and amazon bites can be every bit as bad if not worse than macaw bites.

I would hazard a guess that your bird is being defensive in his new environment. He doesn't trust you and why should he? If your method of gaining trust is to try sticking your hands in his face and force him to accept petting, then he's telling you right now he doesn't trust you and he doesn't like what your doing and if you keep it up you'll have even more trust issues. If you decide to make a real effort with this bird, I would back way off. He might not feel like he can trust you well enough right now to let his guard down, so about the time he starts to relax and lean into a good petting session, he snaps himself out of it and tries to draw away. Sulfer crests tend to be one of the more high strung, slightly more hypervigalent/nervous species. You have to give them time to think about what your about to do and if they want any part of it. You have to give them time to decide "Yes, I want to be petted, or No I don't want to be petted." If they don't want to be petted you have to respect that. And with new birds, interactions are going to be short. Potentially only a few seconds as he learns to trust you, and you him.

Before you decide to run off and get an amazon instead thinking they will be easier and fullfill all your wildest dreams about owning a large parrot, don't. Amazons tend not to pluck like the cockatoos. However, many of them are very easily wound up and bite when excited. Many of them are a little more hands off and harder to bond with for someone that wants to pet first, think later. They will demand respect and if not given it, they will give you a seriously nasty bite. Once mature, all bets are off. I personally adore amazons, but they are no better than the cockatoos or macaws in the aggression, biting department.

Might I suggest a sweet little cockatiel if you want a bird without complications? They are nearly domesticated unlike their large cousins, tend not to pluck, tend not to scream too much, and have a nice pettable factor for people that just can't manage to keep their hands to themselves when they need to. Any relationship with a large bird starts with respect. Period. If you have a bad case of the I WANTS, then its not going to work. If your thinking, I want to pet, I want one that doesn't pluck and looks pretty, I want one that likes me right away, I want an awesome bond that will last forever and be perfect always. That just isn't going to happen with a large parrot, regardless of species. Its a relationship you have to work at and with cockatoos you need to consider yourselves nearly equal. Its not about you and what you want. Its about doing the right thing for the bird, putting your own wants and emotions aside. Make the bird happy first, the rest will fall into line. With a sulfer crest, you cannot show a bird something scary is okay by forcing them to accept it. Force and pushiness just tells them they are right not to trust you and the scary thing really is just as scary as they thought if not more. The bird should make the first move. If he doesn't ask for petting, don't pet him. A cockatoo asking for petting looks like a bird that moves toward you when you approach the cage, puts their head down or extends their neck and sometimes lifts their foot up to scratch their own head while giving you a come hither look. If your not seeing that, if he's just sitting there trembling, then keep it mostly hands off, short sessions of stopping to talk to him and drop a treat in his bowl on your way by. Sit next to his cage and pretent to ignore him for a few minutes every day. See if you can get him to come to you. And when he does, don't jump all over it and push for more. Maybe give a quick scratch, but leave him so he can come to you or step back of his own free will. Always remember, what you want to fullfill your own emotional needs is at the lowest bottom of the priority list when it comes to large parrots.

 

[moearar]

Okay so guys i read all of your replies and thank you for your concern. So i contacted the guy i bought it from and he keeps ignoring me and doesnt answer. Also it was my fault from buying from a sketchy guy, so i'll have to deal with it.

So i decided to go to the local falcon hospital (one of the best worldwide) and they knew everything about all birds and a certain vet knew alot about cockatoos. So i sat and spoke with him about the parrot and he gave me alot of tips etc. and looked at my aviary and says the bird is a happy bird just scared as a new comer to the house with new people. So he said to leave him outside the cage in the morning buy him a big cage with toys and every few hours to come and pet him till i feel he is agitated then leave. To show the bird that i am no harm and theres no reason to bite me when im petting him.

So i will keep the bird and for a few more weeks to see where this goes, i mean i dont mind the noise and i have a scheduale for all my birds for petting and feeding so i have time. Also please dont get me wrong i know birds bite i have trained all my friends ringnecks also my neighbours african grey and i got bitten hard by all those species and i know that these birds are not for cuddling. But as most of you said it all takes time. If all goes wrong i will try and sell him and plz dont think im being selfish or anything if im not willing for a straight adoption but i spent 2000 bucks and its not easy to let go of that much.

Anyways today he stood on my brothers hand and as he always does he quickly climbed up to his shoulder now my brother knew it was dangerous, So he kneeled down and tried to put him down however the parrot was eager on staying, when my brother tried to put his hand tolet him stand on it to get off he bit his face and it was pretty bad. But soon after he calmed down he was talking and let me tell you he knows ALOT of weird sounds and some basic words like he makes a printers noise. He also does the cockatoo dancing thing where he bobs up and down when someone whistles. However i also heard the head bobbing is a sign of wanting to bite, his feathers constantly shake even when hes happy, he also clicks his tongue and moves his tongue around. He calls for me sometimes and shouts "mama" which he learnt from my little brother and i pet him but at one point he tends to puff up and he doesnt bite but he twists head towards the finger petting him and opens his beak threatning to bite which is okay i guess he needs his space. He just went to bed and before it he was grinding his beak which with my budgies suggests thyre happy is it the same with too's? So i dont know alot about too's but he seems pretty happy but overly scared for the time. Also if anyone has a too, you know when the small feathers puff up and cover his bottom beak does it mean hes angry ?

Okay so thats it for my new too. Guys i know i was wrong to take a big leap and i was too dependant on those youtube videos that show you that big birds are always playful etc. I really feel like an ignorant asshole for taking a big leap but im going to have to face it and take care for my bird and i will try with all my heart to keep him happy. Also i have had alot of parrots mostly ringnecks, budgies and greys and even as new parrots coming to our house they would always play and when agitated give a warning nip and never really dig in, so im just not yet used to the cockatoo behaviour. But thanks overall. Im going to buy supplies for him tmrw if you have any suggestions about cages, foods toys, stnads etc. please do suggest. Also i will stop his giving him nuts and sunflower seeds from tmrw as i learned they cause birds to more aggresive.

 

[Molcan2]

Hmmm, you have been put in quite the predicament. Your dad was trying to do a good thing, unfortunately its always best to let the bird choose you. Remember that they aren't 'pets' they are extremely intelligent and their opinions are not to be taken lightly. They should always feel like they have a say in what is going on. The biting is from not trusting you. Every bird is different. They all show signs that they are uncomfortable, if you miss that sign then you have given the bird no other choice but to bite you in order to get its point across.

The original owner obviously doesn't care for the bird's welfare. Makes me wonder if he bought the bird and flipped it for $$$. There is no telling how many homes the bird has really had in its really short life or how it was treated. Plucking/shredding as melissasparrots said is a very complex issue that requires YEARS to fix with multiple different strategies combined to fix the problem. Now onto the bird part. You will not know in a week - two - or three whether the bird is going to work or not. A relationship may take years to develop, thats just the way it is with these birds. Toos are the most sensitive birds out there - they are emotional basket cases. You have just gotten yourself a 2yr old child for the next 60-80years. Toos require complete dedication. If you are going to try to keep the bird, then you need to be 100% committed to it for the rest of its life no matter what. Toos don't handle change well. Don't rush trying to establish a relationship with him and move slow. Let him set the pace, you have your entire life to develop a bond with him. Just keep researching and take it slow. If you have the slightest thought that a Too isn't for you than re-home him. If your dream is a macaw, then get a macaw - a Too wont fill that void. Keep us informed on how it goes and please ask questions. Only you can make the decision on keeping him or not. If you decide to keep him then there are so many of us on the forum that will try to help you out with him. We all just want to see what is best for the bird. Good luck with your decision, whatever the result may be and welcome to the forum.

 

[moearar]

Thank you so much molcan2 and i will try my best, also the thing is here i buy untrained parrots for cheaper price and retail goes up when trained. I buy them for the meer fact that out local pet market is digusting and cruel and the ministry is turning a blind eye and we cant do anything about it. So what i do is buy parrots mostly ringnecks and basically make them friendly and happier to live with people because its sad the conditions they have in there cages at the petshop. I take in alot of ringnecks for because the majority here are from india and bring in alot of illegal ringnecks and they end up being wild Very wild. So dont get me wrong im the type thats always there to help anyone with any pet problems. So i will take this like any other parrot and try my best to bond and even if it takes time aslong as i see atleast a slight improvement im happy.

I will also post a thread later on to inform you of the sad things that happen to animals over here very sad, i live in dubai btw. I once found a cheetah outside my local supermarket with a chain running around loose.

Sorry for going off topic but what i was trying to say is. I dont trust people here with my animals and im very scared for who would take him if i do rehome. Last thing i want is a bird dying or to pluck because of me i would never let it go.

 

[luvmytooo]

You need to realize a plucked bird isn't a bad bird . The poor thing plucks for a reason , and there are plenty of reasons . Having and loving a plucked bird is the as one who doesn't pluck , they both need love. If you keep this bird , learn all yoy can from a reliable source and get the bird vetted as well.
If for some reason this bird decides to pluck badly , would you love it just the same ?
If he tries to bite you all the time. , would you still love him and care for him the same ?
If your answers no to any of these questions , a bird is not the pet for you.
All birds bite and can bite for apparent reason , this is something you must be willing to accept and get over if you want to have a bird.
I do hope you can re home this bird to someone who is educated about Cockatoos.
And , JMHO , don't expect to get the money back you spent on him....
If the birds well being is your main concern ,the money should be secondary .
Just saying...."..

 

[moearar]

Hey guys i have some bad/good news
I will not be keeping the cockatoo which i got as a gift as he begin attacking very viciously, to the point where i woke up to him literally clawing my face thank god i woke up quick enough before he bit my face. I mean i know cockatoos are hard to handle but ive never seen one this evil, yes this bird is pure evil. So he kept saying hello and whistling so i decided to give him some attention because he kept looking at me and talking so i went in and he was eager to stand on my hand so i decided to give him another chance so i put him my hand but what i get in return is he literally sinks his nails so deep in my flesh just using one foot and pulls it towards his beak and locks onto my two fingers. Now while im in agonizing pain i leave him to see what he wants to do and i didnt want to scare him, however he kept putting pressure to the point where he almost broke my finger no joke i can hardly type with those fingers. Then i go in after it and come to change the food tray for my budgies and cockatiel and he lunges at me and my mother open beak and gets his beak on my ear, now my mom loves birds sprayed water mist on its face and so it turns to my mother and flys to her to bite her in the last minute she dodges him and so the parrot lands on the ground raises its crest and chases us around the house with an open beak and he was biting like never before he would sink his beak and pull back to rip skin! no joke.

Please no one get me wrong he was treated perfectly since day one and was never hurt in any way at all and we bought him toys, all the fruits all the veggies even the top quality seeds just to keep him happy. Also when i went to play with him its only when he would call me and that would be him screaming and climbing down the cage to come to me and thats when i would come. I asked my friends bird trainer who has about 6 macaws and 7 too's and he said that this was abnormal and that if the too was scared he would just bite if someone came close but he wouldnt lunge and bite or follow with open crest and says its better to return him before its too late and someone seriously gets hurt. He also Bit my 24year old brothers face and almost made him get stitches. Im sorry but if this is how too's are i would never want one ever. I'll stick to irn's greys and tiel's.

 

[kc_y0]

Your bird is not evil... he is terrified and stressed and has no other way to express it other then biting.

 

[luvmytooo]

Why was this loose while you were sleeping !!!
Why wasn't he in his cage sleeping as well ??
What are your plans with this bird ?
Please give this bird to someone who has experience with TOOS.
I cant even go on .....