Parrot rescue centre

[Juliejet]

Those of you that live in Aussie have you heard of the parrot rescue centre ? From the research I have done RTBs do better in large aviaries with other RTBs I'm looking at all my options for my RTB Too,please don't judge me I only want what's best for Jet I'm thinking he isn't happy here I have tried my best
As well those with RTBs do you have them in house or outside in big aviaries and what is your opinion on the 2 options

 

[Juliejet]

Thank you Delfin I haver read this before
This is the reply I received when inquiring,all tho I believe what she is saying is true as I'm already going through some of these issues,I'm concerned that Jet is going to find it difficult to adjust as he is really fussy with his food and being with humans so much,but in saying that in the long run it may be best for him


Reply
Are you happy for us to send him to someone that will eventually house him in an aviary?

We currently have 5 very tame black cockatoos here that live in large aviaries and I honestly would not recommend them as indoor birds. They require too much stimulation and are very noisy once they mature, so require a large space to live in with other cockatoos and with someone on acreage.

I have someone in Victoria who would be perfect for him. He has loads of experience and large aviaries. I have attached some photos of his setup.

Your bird would start in the house and then slowly be integrated into an aviary.

Let me know what you think?

I replied I would rather him stay in a family situation as he is a fussy eater and likes to be with humans

She replied

I am about to explain something that unfortunately pet shops or breeders do not tell their customers. Basically what will happen with a male black cockatoo is that as he matures over the next few years (he will be an adult around 4 to 5 years of age) he will start to develop a very strong bond with someone in the household and behaviours such as, screaming for attention, separation anxiety, regurgitation, masturbation, feather plucking/mutilation & territorial aggression are just some issues household pet black cockatoo owners have to deal with. These behaviours are extremely hard to manage in a household environment.

In an aviary he has space to fly and spread his wings, he gets to experience rain, sun, all of nature’s elements that he instinctly requires, was built for and his wild species enjoy every day. He may also get the opportunity in his new home to get a partner of his own species too, so he can fulfil some of his natural instincts, which he cannot do with humans.

We have 5 black cockatoos here that have all lost their homes due to behaviour issues mentioned above. We have slowly integrated them all into an aviary environment. The 5 birds are left to be birds in their outdoor home and now thoroughly enjoy that environment. We go and interact with them every day, they are still tame and more than happy to interact and fly to us for treats.

With what we have experienced with surrender/adoptions, the outdoor aviary with human interaction is a far better option for a parrots health (mental, emotional, physical wellbeing) and is more likely to have a lasting home in this type of environment.

Based on my personal experience now rehoming over 20 black cockatoos & 100’s of other parrots for the behaviour reasons mentioned above, I refuse to rehome a black cockatoo back into a strictly house pet environment. These birds were never built to live indoors and we will continue to have issues of continually having to rehome them from home to home, if we keep putting them in this type of situation. He will live atleast 80 more years, so we are looking at a long-term situation that will give him a happy and fulfilling life, without having to be rehomed all the time.

If you still feel you want a home environment for him after reading this information, then you will need to find another avenue of rehoming, as it would only break my heart to see such a wonderful creature banished to live indoors. We can also refund you’re processing fee if this is the option you would prefer.

We hope you can see our point of view on this, which is that of any parrot professional in the field such as Behaviour consultants, bird trainers or Avian Vet.

When I looked at there birds for adoption they have other Toos but not RTBs this makes me think why I should be doing this for Jet.its hard to know what is best

 

[Betrisher]

I agree with Delfin. I can really picture Jet learning a new, more natural way of life with his own kind. I think he'd probably be OK if left in an indoor environment, but he could be truly happy in an outdoor aviary with other Black Cockies. I hope it works out for him!

 

[yann]

well if i were ya…i would ask if it was possible to visit the sanctuary and see the other black 'toos in the outdoor aviary. perhaps then you would have a better idea if that is the right place for jet

 

[Kiwibird]

Certain parrot species do well in a domestic setting and adapt easily, others just don't... Black cockatoos are rare over here in the US because they make poor pets. I bet over there in AU they are being sold commonly for pets because they are native and easy to obtain and no one informs the buyer they are more likely to have issues down the line than other birds.....

I think placing Jet in a setting where he can be with his own kind in a aviary setting would probably be best for him It sounds like he will still get human interaction every day, but he will get the even more important interaction of a being in a "flock" of other cockatoos of his own kind. I don't know how far the place is from you, but you could always schedule a visit to make sure the facility is clean and nice, and perhaps even work something out to where you can visit Jet on occasion. Hope you make the right choice for Jet's long term happiness!

 

[KimKim]

I know of a lady in Australia that has 2 as pets, and they are fine. But, in your situation, maybe rehoming would be best for Jet. I would also recommend visiting the places you have in mind before making any decisions. You have to make sure he won't be sold and/or locked in a tiny cage.

 

[Betrisher]

Black Cockies are absolutely not commonly seen as pets here in Australia. (NB. I'm not saying no one keeps them, just that they're not common pet species where SC2s, Corellas and Galahs are seen everywhere.) In fact, the Black Cockies are a lot less common as populations in the wild and live in more remote areas than the other species. It's always a special treat to see any or to hear their unusual plaintive call.

I'm speculating here, but I suspect the black cockies live in a more tightly-knit family structure than the huge flocks in which we normally see the white cockies. I imagine they'd be considerably more emotionally needy because of that. I dunno, really, but I do think Jet, the cocky under discussion, would be happier in an aviary, all things considered. Just MHO, though. I wish him and his owner the very best!

 

[Juliejet]

Thank you everyone the place they have in mind is in Victoria and I am in Sydney,I have seen pics of the aviaries and they a large and clean,when they are adopted they are required to sign a form that they will not breed or sell the birds.The lady is going to ring me on Monday or Tuesday to have a talk.my biggest concern is his diet as you know he is very fussy,on that note since I have been crushing the pellets and soaking them and mixing with sunflower seed and crushed almonds he has been eating that,well 80% of the pellets (that is great) he had dropped off eating the fresh food,but at the moment all I'm focusing on is getting as much of the pellets into him as I can.as Delfin said they are experienced at working with RTB and he will be in the house so he can transition to the aviary and hopefully over time he will eat the healthy food.altho they have a website and a Facebook account how do I know they aren't a scam.i have bought plenty of things from the shop they have, I'm pretty sure they are genuine.anyhow I think it is best for Jet to go there and be with his own kind.Poor Jet I really feel for him and I do realise I have played a big roll in why he is like he is today as I wasn't as experienced as I thought I was and I admit that.

 

[Betrisher]

Hey Juliejet! I just wanted to thank you for all the thought you're putting into this. Y'know, you're not the only one who hasn't been able to achieve the ideal outcome for a bird despite having the best of intentions and trying your hardest. Anyone can see you've done everything you can possibly think of to do right by Jet. I hope you don't feel as if you've failed or done something wrong? You haven't!

Sometimes, the mix just doesn't turn out right. Maybe a different RTB would have been a better companion than Jet was able to be? Who knows? I'm sorry things have come to this and you're faced with parting from Jet, but I really wanted you to know I admire the way you've gone about it. Sending very best wishes and hugs to you! X

 

[Juliejet]

Thank you that means a lot to me I hope and prey it works out for him my hope is with a change of scenery the crying stops I hate to think that if the new place won't tolerate it what might happen.i guess it will be the best chance he has at a better life.I'm sitting here listening to maybe a 1000 corellas fly over and it's a wonderful sight mind you it's loud.

 

[Juliejet]

Well Jet has been with his new family he is setting in just great his new mum and dad just love him,I don't think he will make it to the outside aviaries maybe just for some flying time,I am so happy that he is happy and the best thing is he isn't crying and is eating good.he has his own play tree and cage.well that's all I want to say,and a big thank you to this site for all the info I have gained.

 

[Betrisher]

Oh wow! Thanks so much for giving us the ending to the story (or, rather, the beginning for Jet). Since you say he's happy and not crying and behaving in a stable way, his outcome is great.

How about you??? Are you OK? I can't imagine what an awful wrench it must have been to part with your beloved Jet, but you did it for his happiness. You are a champion! Will you try again with a different bird, do you think? I hope you do. You're exactly the kind of compassionate, considerate owner that parrots need. It would be a shame to deprive a parrot of the great home you could provide. Why not check out the Parrot Rescue Centre and see who needs a home in the Sydney area?

Best wishes to you, Julie, and hugs for the brave decision you made! XX