Palm Cockatoo?

[SpotsandSally]

I was wondering, does anyone own a palm cockatoo? It is my dream to one day own one, or at least work with one. I saw one at a zoo and fell in love. If I ever own one, I'd take at least 5 years just building it a perfect room, so it never has to be caged, and spend like $5,000 on toys for as long as possible, then another 10 years just to buy the bird. LOL. So yeah, ill probably never own one, but I'd love to one day at least work with one (heading to college for biology, then specialize in avian biology and genetics), they're just so beautiful.
So...
Anyone own one, or ever work with one? Photos? Tempermant?
Thanks!

 

[Birdman666]

My girlfriend, Rachel, owned one. She died about 3 years ago.

Her mother inherited it, and my daughter and I will end up with this bird when she passes...

First of all, their diet is fairly particular. They eat palm nuts as a primary part of the diet, and it is a fairly similar diet to a Hy-Hy. As in, not only are they expensive, but they are expensive to feed. You need to study diet for these guys. There are some dietary related diseases that can occur, similar to eckies and Toucans that way...

Personality wise, they are like a cross between a large too and a large macaw. These are lap birds. Valentino is pretty shy with other birds, but absolutely loves people...

Cost of acquisition? The last time I checked the going rate for the Lesser BP2's was somewhere between 18,500 to 22,000. The going rate for the Greater BP2's was somewhere between 26,000 to $29,000. IF you can find them. They are very rare, and there is usually about a two year waiting list with the 2 or 3 total breeders in the US. So, good luck finding one... and be prepared to plunk down a deposit, and wait, and wait, and wait if you do...

I think Rachel waited somewhere around 2.5 years for Valentino...

 

[Birdman666]

Rachel also had one of Howard Voren's blue mutation yellow nape amazons.

 

[jns1201]

I was wondering, does anyone own a palm cockatoo? It is my dream to one day own one, or at least work with one. I saw one at a zoo and fell in love. If I ever own one, I'd take at least 5 years just building it a perfect room, so it never has to be caged, and spend like $5,000 on toys for as long as possible, then another 10 years just to buy the bird. LOL. So yeah, ill probably never own one, but I'd love to one day at least work with one (heading to college for biology, then specialize in avian biology and genetics), they're just so beautiful.
So...
Anyone own one, or ever work with one? Photos? Tempermant?
Thanks!

I saw four palm cockatoo for past few months. One bonding pair (hopefully they can have offspring soon)
Last Sunday in a get together saw one of them. I'm lucky enough to see this beautiful palm cockatoo. She is very gentle and quite.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

At the vet I take my birds there is another client who has two black palm cockatoos. They are beautiful! Sadly they are both rescued birds who came to him in TERRIBLE condition. Now they are in great shape, but it's so sad some people will neglect any animal.

 

[Birdman666]

ESPECIALLY THOSE BIRDS...

You would think, if nothing else, the monetary value of those birds would encourage people to take care of them, (to say nothing of the fact that they are simply magnificent...)

 

[Pinkbirdy]

My girlfriend, Rachel, owned one. She died about 3 years ago.

Her mother inherited it, and my daughter and I will end up with this bird when she passes...

First of all, their diet is fairly particular. They eat palm nuts as a primary part of the diet, and it is a fairly similar diet to a Hy-Hy. As in, not only are they expensive, but they are expensive to feed. You need to study diet for these guys. There are some dietary related diseases that can occur, similar to eckies and Toucans that way...

Personality wise, they are like a cross between a large too and a large macaw. These are lap birds. Valentino is pretty shy with other birds, but absolutely loves people...

Cost of acquisition? The last time I checked the going rate for the Lesser BP2's was somewhere between 18,500 to 22,000. The going rate for the Greater BP2's was somewhere between 26,000 to $29,000. IF you can find them. They are very rare, and there is usually about a two year waiting list with the 2 or 3 total breeders in the US. So, good luck finding one... and be prepared to plunk down a deposit, and wait, and wait, and wait if you do...

I think Rachel waited somewhere around 2.5 years for Valentino...

Sounds like she had a unique and rare flock I like reading your post on here .You can tell you had a lot of experience.

 

[SpotsandSally]

Rachel also had one of Howard Voren's blue mutation yellow nape amazons.

My girlfriend, Rachel, owned one. She died about 3 years ago.

Her mother inherited it, and my daughter and I will end up with this bird when she passes...

First of all, their diet is fairly particular. They eat palm nuts as a primary part of the diet, and it is a fairly similar diet to a Hy-Hy. As in, not only are they expensive, but they are expensive to feed. You need to study diet for these guys. There are some dietary related diseases that can occur, similar to eckies and Toucans that way...

Personality wise, they are like a cross between a large too and a large macaw. These are lap birds. Valentino is pretty shy with other birds, but absolutely loves people...

Cost of acquisition? The last time I checked the going rate for the Lesser BP2's was somewhere between 18,500 to 22,000. The going rate for the Greater BP2's was somewhere between 26,000 to $29,000. IF you can find them. They are very rare, and there is usually about a two year waiting list with the 2 or 3 total breeders in the US. So, good luck finding one... and be prepared to plunk down a deposit, and wait, and wait, and wait if you do...

I think Rachel waited somewhere around 2.5 years for Valentino...

Sorry about your loss


No worries, I have ~20 years to kill
the only one I saw for sale was 25k. Wowzers.
How old is Valentino? Got any pictures?
What's the difference between a lesser or greater, besides size (assuming)?


More then willing to wait going to college for biology, then specialize in avians, and Im not going to get one until after college, so have plenty of waiting time.
Thanks for all the information, may have to pluck your brain sometime.

 

[Kimmied]

I held a beauty at the Long Island Parrot Expo. He was so majestic and calm. What I was so surprised about was two things. How their beaks are hinged almost separately. And the fact that his feet were so tiny for such a large bird. It was so cute. My U2 has huge feet and here is this big guy with the cute little piggies. Good luck getting one some day. It seems like you have a good plan.

 

[BeakFace]

Yes I own one. Wonderful, sweet, gentle man name Poe. He is nearing 2 years of age and just amazing bird in every way!!!!!! Hand fed baby and weaned at 1 year of age. I have had him for about 9 months. He is a good eater and has a large variety of foods mainly pellets but also some seed mixture. He gets fresh vegetables and fruits and nuts daily! Lot's of nuts. He does talk some but the sounds he makes are to die for. I never get enough of Poe. So majestic so entertaining! Poe is fully flighted and just a joy to watch everyday. He is recalled trained and loves to clown around. He is out of his cage daily for hours and loves to be with me. They need a very large sturdy cage. I bought a Macaw cage and that didn't work, not big enough. The wing span is over 40" so I order a custom Luxor 72" X 44" Animal Environment cage, double hand welded stainless steel cage and that does the trick. He uses the entire cage trust me. I also have and love the ring stand they make and I own 3 of those. He flys from Java tree to ring stand and to top of all three bird cages. He likes hanging upside down with wings fully spread. You need a good size room for a bird this size to fly. He has several areas set up for landing and he gets plenty of exercise. Hope this helps you. I will try and post photo's when I have time to figure that out. Good luck in the future owning one. The temperament of my Poe is wonderful but the breeder is the best. She had him eating a good diet before I got him.

 

[SpotsandSally]

Well I've kinda stamped my mind on it - I'm owning a palm cockatoo, lol. I never plan on having children (ever), and despite college will hopefully be working somewhat normal hours, and if not, I plan on being a biologist so probably will be able to bring the 'too wherever.


What's Poe like? Is he really beaky, does he bite hard or gently (my IRN will gently bite warning, but will clamp down if she feels necessary )? Is he super cuddly, or?
Just curious, is he DNA sexed? I'd have to get mine DNA sexed, lol. If you don't mind me asking - how much did you pay? Have to imagine that was a bite in the bank, haha.
Does he scream a lot,or just the cute noises?
If you can, just linking a pic would work

 

[Maria_Metropolis]

I always think of Cher in that one outfit when I see them. LOL!

 

[BeakFace]

Poe has never gone to bite anyone. He is not beaky at all. He does beak his cage bars, I think he likes the sound it makes. He is not destructive at this age so far. He is a paper tiger. He looks very intimidating to most! The beak is huge! He is so gentle with me in every way. He has backed away from some people and made a hissing sound. The cleaning lady can pick him up most the time with no problem. He is a gentle giant. He will back up or fly away when he feels threatened but never with me. I can do anything with him. He trusts me totally. I kiss his red checks, it likes that. When he gets scared his checks turn almost white. He is a happy bird and his checks are a very bright red. I have grand kids that I let hold him with my supervision of course. My 7 year grandson loves Poe and loves to feed him his nuts in a shell. He never has any terrible uncontrollable outbursts like most Cockatoo's have. My Rose Breasted can set off the glass break on the house alarm very easy with just one out burst but Poe has never set it off. I think even though he can be very loud it is more like musical sounds. Some times if I'm lucky he will entertain me with this sound for maybe 5-15 minutes in morning and late afternoon. And if I'm gone for a couple of hours when I walk in the house he gets it going pretty good. I absolutely love the sound. I wish he did it more often. All three of my birds are well adjusted and are full flighted and happy. The director of the bird rescue has been over several times and she is always remarked on how quiet and well adjusted my birds are. Poe is very cautious of any strangers but will step up for anyone that shows no fear. Very smart, scary smart. Most people back away and he immediately senses fear and can put on a show! His cage is very tall and I have no problem with cage aggression. He always steps up and will come running to me and slides down so I can reach him. He loves to fly and put a show on, wings stretched out with the most majestic sound you have ever heard. I never get bored with my birds. I love them all but the most unusual is Poe. My Queen of Bavaria is outstanding in every way. Unbelievable personality!!!!! Much more affordable and just dream to have around. And last but not least my Rose Breasted Cockatoo named Murphy which I love but the most unpredictable not agressive which is typical of most cockatoo's. The thing with Poe is the cost of a cage that will house him and the room really needed for him to fly. The constant supply of nuts in a shell, I get from Nuts.com, human grade is all I buy and is costly not to mention his diet in general. I have been very lucky just basic wellness checks that are expensive for three birds. Good diet and plenty of toys and just good care and plenty of love! My children are grown and its just my husband and I with the dogs and the birds. I am home most the time and it's all about the babies. I do sprout for the birds several times a week and they love them on top of the fresh vegetable and fruit. Any thing I can help you with just ask. When I was researching a year ago no information at all. I followed the breeder recommendations very closely and she gave me great advise and it worked. This is a funny story, at least I think it has merit! I took delivery of Poe and he was one year old and the very next day my husband left for a trip for two weeks. Well he is in his cage for 3-4 days as recommended and I am approaching talking and giving him nuts and just hanging out. I did open door and handed him some of the nuts on occasion. Well four days go by and I thought no problem I will open door and out he came and went right to the top of the cage which I can't reach. Oh well no problem I began to work at my computer and just walk over and talk to Poe and give him a nut which he would stretch out for but not come down. My desk was close by. He would make a few little noises but this went on for five hours and I had other thens to do. Well I got a step stool and every time I would try to get him to step up he would oh so slowly walk to the other side of the cage. I'm thinking OMG, what now? I would move the stool and this went on for about 30 minutes and I'm beginning to get really exhausted! I called the breeder and said what do I do. Maybe thought about using a long perch and she said absolutely not. She thought it would scare him to much. Well while having this conversation after about 10 minutes I put her on speak phone and as we were talking he heard her voice!!!!!! That was the ticket he couldn't get down fast enough. He jumped on the door of his cage and I put the phone close to him and he laid his ear on the phone and just made these baby like sounds and she began to speak to Poe. She said when you win his trust it will be all about you and she was right. She said make him want to run to you every time he sees you. Well I told her at least all I have to do in the mean time is get her on the phone. He stepped up with no problem when he was on the door and I put him in his cage. It didn't take me long to gain his trust and built my confidence that I could handle a bird of this size. I got to tell you when I first let him out I thought this is the big one!!!!!!! I took every thing very slow as she advised. Her advise was invaluable and I couldn't have done it as smoothly without her advise. The personality of a Palm is nothing like the white Cockatoos, totally different. I volunteer several times a week at the local rescue and I know first hand. I owned a Greater Sulfer Crested for 15 years when I was very young raising my children. I did a lot of homework before purchasing Poe but not a lot of information to be had. I didn't find one person to give me the type of information we are discussing here. Don't hesitate to ask any questions. I was what I consider a novice because I hadn't owned a bird in 25 years. I bought Murphy first because he wasn't so big and I realized after a very short time just how much I loved being a Parront! Then came Poe and Bailey. I'm done! Enough already. Hope this isn't boring you.

 

[BeakFace]

Well I've kinda stamped my mind on it - I'm owning a palm cockatoo, lol. I never plan on having children (ever), and despite college will hopefully be working somewhat normal hours, and if not, I plan on being a biologist so probably will be able to bring the 'too wherever.


What's Poe like? Is he really beaky, does he bite hard or gently (my IRN will gently bite warning, but will clamp down if she feels necessary )? Is he super cuddly, or?
Just curious, is he DNA sexed? I'd have to get mine DNA sexed, lol. If you don't mind me asking - how much did you pay? Have to imagine that was a bite in the bank, haha.
Does he scream a lot,or just the cute noises?
If you can, just linking a pic would work

Yes he was DNA, Male and anywhere from 15 - 20,000.00 or more. Just depends. The availability is getting harder. There are no deals on hand fed babies and I'm not experienced enough to tackel a bird of this size that has not been well socialized and nurtured. You can buy older ones for much less maybe 8,000.00 - 10 but many have not been handled or need a lot of work or breeder's that didn't work out! I did speak to a couple of people who bought such birds and the stories scare me. To many scammer's out there so be careful. I will try and figure out how to post photos soon. He his gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!! I take pictures almost everyday of my birds. Wish you the best of luck getting one. Oh and by the way having grand children I have to be really careful with my selection and my level of experience. The bird I owned years ago only liked me for 15 years and I never want to get in that position again. No fun. I ended up having to find a good home for my first Cockatoo because of his aggression to everyone but me. I bought him when he was 9 and I had him for 15 years. It was a very hard time for me and I swore never will I own another large bird. RIGHT!

 

[SpotsandSally]

Oh no, not at all boring! And very cute story - guess he was just a bit scared.
How often do you take Poe out to socialize, or at all? Is he clipped or flighted?
How does he interact with your other birds?
Do you know if he's a lesser or Goliath?

That's all I can think of for now. And please, ramble on

Oh, and I think if you just right click the photo & click 'copy URL address', then click on the little 'picture' (mountain w/ dot) on the typing box, then paste it there a photo should come up.

 

[BeakFace]

Poe is a Aterrimus Palm, the smaller palm. The Goliath is the larger.There is no lesser. From my home work the two have been mixed over the years so a true true Goliath is rather hard to find. I'm not sure they exist. Its possible but I haven't found any true Goliaths. Poe is on the larger side for a Aterrimus. I personally am glad Poe isn't any bigger because he is plenty to hold comfortably! Poe is socialized but mainly his outings consist of nail trimming. I do have people over and like I said if they are not scared he will approach almost anyone that doesn't show fear. Poe is fully flighted and flys everyday. He is recalled trained and likes to show off. I am very careful bringing Poe out mainly he because he is fully flighted and that makes it difficult! People are truly intrigued and many have never seen a Palm. I bring him to a place to get his nails done and they line up to see him. They have a portable aviary and we go in there to get him out of his carrier and for them to towel him so there is no chance for him to get away! He never puts up a fuss when getting his nails done and the owner is just amazed at his gentle demeanor! I think you should know that having these rare birds you have to be careful. He is not aggressive with the other birds but I try not to have him out at the same time as the other two. Murphy is scared of Poe and Bailey isn't smart enough to be. Poe loves to land on the cage of Bailey! Bailey goes for Poe threw the bars at any chance he gets. Of course that isn't allowed so I have to monitor it all the time. I have two places for flight in my house so I try to take Poe to the room without the cages. Murphy and Bailey are out at the same time but Murphy really doesn't seem to like any of the other birds. They don't fight but avoid each other. Poe I think would be ok but he is so big I just don't chance it! I think Poe is so massive compared to the other two. When Poe flys it really scares Murphy, my Rose Breasted. Bailey could care less. Bailey has been out on occasion with Poe and Bailey just flys right toward Poe and then everyone is in a crazy flight pattern that is too scary. I'm just afraid they would fly into something and hurt themselves. So I am very cautious! Poe has been startled before and flown out of control and hit the cage or wall and it's not pretty. Thankfully no one has been hurt! I have certain locks on the inside of the doors to the house so no one that has a key can open the door when they are out, just a safety precaution when you have 3 flighted birds. I will figure the picture thing out. First I need some photo's on this computer. This is a Mac Air I keep in the bedroom room and no pictures on this computer. I wil get it done so you can see him. When I got Poe he looked pretty beat up. I guess the males do beat themselves up pretty good especially when young. Meaning they play ruff and bang their wings up pretty good. The breeder warned me he would look pretty ruff and he did. He hadn't had a shower do to the weather being to cold so he looked pretty dirty! He looks really so much better now since he has replaced a lot of his tail feather's. He still loves hanging upside down and flapping his wings like a crazy man! He gets a shower every week, I shoot for 3 but it usually doesn't happen! Today all 3 got a shower. His feather's are really very shiny and healthy but he still continues to play and beat himself up in his cage. He just likes to cut up and act crazy!!!!! Photo's I promise!

 

[BeakFace]

Mountain with a dot? Where is that?

 

[BeakFace]

 

[BeakFace]

 

[BeakFace]