Please help

[Matthewsbirdhouse]

Here is a video on my bird
[ame="https://youtu.be/dfF49sozdDk"]YouTube[/ame]


Any suggestions on how to fix this please would love some advice

 

[noodles123]

Before I click any link, some background would be nice

 

[LaManuka]

Hello Matthew and welcome to the Forum. If it's help you need, we have many experienced and knowledgeable members here who would be only too happy to assist. What exactly is it you need help with?

 

[Matthewsbirdhouse]

My video I posted is about my bad cockatoo I would love any advice on how to stop the behavior on the video !

 

[LaManuka]

Your video is most instructional, but a description of his age, gender, diet, general living conditions, how long you've had him/her, when was his last visit to a vet etc etc would be of enormous assistance if you don't mind please in order for our membership to best be able to assess your situation.

 

[Matthewsbirdhouse]

4 year old Moluccan cockatoo female I’ve had her for about two weeks ! Rescue her from a very bad home !diet is pellet based ! Took her to a vet on the first day I got her !

 

[LaManuka]

Thanks Matthew, that is most helpful.

I am not an expert on keeping cockatoos myself but we have many members who are, and you may wish to read through our "Cockatoos" sub-forum to gain some insight. I would also recommend you read the following stickies while you wait for other members to respond ...

http://www.parrotforums.com/cockatoos/17694-owning-cockatoo.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

Thank you for reaching out for help with your lovely Lilly!

 

[Matthewsbirdhouse]

Thanks Matthew, that is most helpful.

I am not an expert on keeping cockatoos myself but we have many members who are, and you may wish to read through our "Cockatoos" sub-forum to gain some insight. I would also recommend you read the following stickies while you wait for other members to respond ...

http://www.parrotforums.com/cockatoos/17694-owning-cockatoo.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

Thank you for reaching out for help with your lovely Lilly!

Yes I have read through it and will keep everyone updated via here and YouTube ! Please give me any advice if you got any I am open ears . I’m just a bird lover not a bird expert by any means ! Love y’all advice

 

[Talven]

First off I am no expert by any means. I don't even own a cockatoo. From what I have seen in the video your bird is flock calling and trying to find out where you are. This is a pretty normal behaviour I think. You say she was rescued from a bad home so it may be linked to a bit of anxiety. Once she feels a little more secure it may ease off but I don't think it will ever stop. I see it is a normal behaviour not a bad behaviour.

I'm sure someone with more experience will have some useful advice. Best of luck with your bird.

 

[macawpower58]

What does her cage look like? I'm guessing she was out on the perch for some free time, and it's not where she lives. Does she do the same when in her cage?

I also agree she's flock calling. She's new to your home, and feeling lost and alone. Probably missing her old home/owner, even a bad home or bad owner can be missed and mourned.

How long is she on that stand? There is not a lot to do there, not much too interest her and get her enticed to playing/chewing. I'd suggest you upgrade her area so it's more interesting. More toys, especially if she's on the perch for long periods.

Perhaps place it next to her cage so she has some moving/traveling about options. I push 2 or 3 of my stands together to give my birds more territory. I also have a rope they can climb down for some floor traveling. Mine can fly, but usually don't. I see her wings are trimmed so she's stuck on that small perch.

It's hard to advise from a video of a few moments.

 

[Flboy]

Flock calling! Your guy doesn’t want to be alone!

 

[Matthewsbirdhouse]

Wow love all the support and the amazing advice yes that is only her play stand she has a huge corner cage where she sleeps at and she does this the minute I walk away . When she’s in her cage she does the same thing but stop the behavior during bed time . That’s is the only time she ever quiet lol

 

[1oldparroter]

I would suppose her wings are clipped it's not a flighted bird. Check that it get's enough veggies and toy's too. It don't like being alone either. jh

 

[macawpower58]

Wow love all the support and the amazing advice yes that is only her play stand she has a huge corner cage where she sleeps at and she does this the minute I walk away . When she’s in her cage she does the same thing but stop the behavior during bed time . That’s is the only time she ever quiet lol

Don't forget she's new there. She does not know or trust you yet. Her voice is her only way to complain and express herself.

If she only sleeps in her cage, and is on that stand the rest of the time, it's too small, much too small.

Imagine if you had to sit in one chair all day long. She's going crazy with boredom. If she's down and wandering about much of the time forgive me.
But, if not, you need to enrich her environment.

You must also be patient with her. She is very unsure of herself. Be kind, move slowly, speak softly. Take her about the home with you. Allow her to share your life and activities. Roll that stand to whatever room you're in.

If you could share what her daily life is like, we could better advise you. As of right now we're only guessing what she's doing all day.

Cockatoos are demanding birds and not for the faint of heart. Hopefully you're in it for the long haul.

She is beautiful and I believe will slowly fit in and fill your home with fun and joy.

 

[Scott]

Welcome Matthew, Lilly, and flock, thanks for joining!

I watched all of your videos, my first impression of Lilly is she's incredibly sweet and bonded for such short time in your home. As others suggest, that repeated calling is for your attention. Cockatoos demand much time from their people and become insistent. In some cases they become insatiable and resort to self destructive behaviors such as plucking. Your demonstration of wing extension suggests she picks a bit but thus far is not a serious plucker. I would check with her vet before using any supplement, though L-Theanine is considered homeopathic as active ingredient in Avicalm. All you ever want to know about plucking, and hopefully won't ever see: http://www.parrotforums.com/behavioral/52217-plucking-search-answers.html

Teaching Lilly to self-entertain will be a challenge as you cannot be with her 24/7/365. Lots of toys in her cage and playstand are helpful, especially wood chew items. Parrots are extremely visual and respond to TV, computer monitors, and smartphone screens. Having streaming animal or nature subjects may be a good distraction. Notice you have a Congo Grey and heard other conure-like sounds. Even if Lilly is separated by cage from the others, having them within sight range may be calming. How much time do you spend with her on average?

Please use great caution while walking Lilly outside. Even if you grip her toes firmly, accidents happen and moluccans are good flyers. Many recommend the use of a harness, though teaching her to wear one may be challenging!

Glad you trashed that dollar store seed! A varied mix of fresh vegetables/fruits and pellets or quality seed is best. Let us know if you need suggestions, and our Parrot Food, Recipes, and Diet has lots of helpful threads.

Lilly may benefit from target/clicker training: http://www.parrotforums.com/training/60435-clicker-target-training.html

 

[wrench13]

Flock calling you for sure. Cockatoos live in large flocks in nature, and they need to stay in touch with all the members. But a lot of parrots do too. I know if I or my wife leave the room ( and we have a big open floor plan ) to go downstairs or the bathroom or bedrooms, we also let our Amazon Salty know we are leaving and say "be back in a few minutes" or see you in 1 hour or what ever time we think we may be. If we don't Salty will flock call (and he has a specific flock call) until we either come back or respond from the other room. Our member Noodles, who is wise in the cockatoo ways, will tell you they spent a long time training theirs to not call for hours on end. You need to wait for a lull in the calling and only then come back and give attention. Coming back while the calling session is in full bore only reinforces the behavior. It may only be a small 10 second lull, but its important. It might take months of this before it sinks in, and EVERYBODY in the house has to be on board with this kind of training, or it will all go down the drain. Cockatoos are very smart and know exactly how to manipulate people to get their desires met. And stubborn too. Providing a LOT of toys and stuff to keep her busy and interested will help, cuz while they are destroying toys they aint calling!

 

[Matthewsbirdhouse]

Yes I spend a lot of time with lily and she is with me everywhere ! You can go to my youtube channel to get more insight on me and lily !would love your support here’s a intro to my bird house!
I love your guys advice and will be inputting all of it into my training !i bring lily everywhere lol ! I hope you guys keep giving me advice because I am no expert just a bird lover !

[ame="https://youtu.be/sFuWa039GsY"]Welcome to my birdhouse ! - YouTube[/ame]

 

[MikeD91]

My Too does the same thing when she is lonely or bored. That little stand is nice for feeding or for her to hang out with you in different rooms. There needs to be something on the stand to really occupy her. My Banker likes to have things to bite, chew, rip and or just plain destroy! If she doesn't have anything to tare apart and I want her to stay somewhat quiet I better be in direct sight of her. My Banker loves to destroy anything, and it keeps her busy. If she is not with me, she has to have something, or she is screaming for me. I have to move her around to diffent spots to keep her happy. I myself don't mind some screaming once in awhile. It's part of the birds life, it's how they talk/communicate. My wife and son get pretty upset with the quick super loud bursts of screaming that happen when I'm not around. They try to keep her quiet by giving her treats/food to eat. You have to be careful not to give her treats right when she is screaming or she will scream just to get treats. It doesn't take much time after they stop screaming that you can give them something to keep them busy. My Banker is covered up with no light at 8:30, 9:00 and I don't uncover her till 11:00 or maybe 12. I work nights and sleep in the morning. My Banker is so good to me allowing me to sleep like that. See can peek through her cover and see me there sleeping. The second I'm up I uncover her, turn on her light and open her house up. After I take a bathroom break I pick her up on my way by and just hug and kiss her and she is good till I give her some fruit for breakfast. I have a very consistent schedule for her and she likes to be doing something. Busy bird, somewhat quiet bird. Bored, Lonely bird super loud bird.