Prospective 'Too owner

[noodlesoup]

Hello all!

I’m here because after much research and serious consideration I’ve decided to get a goffin cockatoo.

I will not actually get him for another 3 months, so I have plenty of time to research and prepare myself, and that’s why I’m here.

I am a 23yo college student studying zoology with a focus in ornithology (birds). School is extremely close to my home and I am only gone for max 7 hours a day (school being 5 hours max some days and I coach for 2 hours in the evening) 4 days a week. Coaching ends for the year 2 months after the bird comes home and I don't have class on mondays, so realistically I will only be gone about 3-5 hours a day 4 days a week. I plan on having the ‘too out with me whenever I’m home and whenever I’m studying or when I’m out taking my pup for a walk. I am currently at home with my parents and will be through my masters most likely.

I wanted your opinions on my current set up. I’ve read all about the commitment and how people end up giving them away before they turn three and such. But I am really enamored by them and love the close bond they share. I also have a doberman who is a huge velcro dog and I just love that about some animals, how close they can get to you on such a different level.

ETA: This will also not be my first bird, I grew up with some. I also volunteered at a bird store when I was younger socializing the birds. So I'm used to the loud screaming of toos.

So that’s my spiel, do your worst

Thanks!!

(I will also be posting this on the mytoos forum, just want as much advice as possible, I hope that's not an issue)

 

[Flboy]

Welcome to you!

 

[LordTriggs]

hello hello and hello!

Well you certainly seem set on a Too. Really I only have 2 worries.

1. Being more immediate you have a doberman, now there are some households that have birds and dogs but just remember your doberman is wired in his DNA to hunt for food and a Too being a prey species classifies as food very easily and you can never tell if/when they will make a charge at the bird, now the bird will need to be kept in the highest trafficked area of the home which naturally the dog will be in a lot so it would be extremely difficult to give the bird their time out. They can't live in your bedroom all day (I assume you're still at home with parents)

2. What happens when you move out? Work is hard to find and well paying work even harder to find and for at least a couple years you'll be struggling financially. You won't be able to afford a house and most apartments aren't pet friendly. You also have to think of your neighbors, as much as you're okay with the screams they won't be otherwise they would probably have their own bird. A series of complaints could very quickly send you to the streets. you say you're okay with the screams from working at a pet store but did it speciically have the toos? Loud doesn't describe it, the scream of one of the species is the same as a 747 at take off! No human is comfortable with that unless they're deaf.

I think as much as you may be the right person and you've tried to research and think as much about the bird you haven't factored for yourself in that equation. It's very good feeling you're prepared but a large part of getting a bird is being able to step back and say "now's not the right time" if you leave it for 2, 3 years or even 10 if you're the right person then you will still be the right person.

As much as you may not want to hear it I don't think now is the right time for a Too

 

[plumsmum2005]

Hi welcome.

So really the wheels are set in motion as you say, "I will not actually get him for another 3 months". Sounds a done deal to me? You have not actually specified whether the Goffins is a baby or older, be nice to know.

Please let us know how you get on with the post on mytoos, be interesting.

Probably would have been better to come and ask before the deal was done IMO.

You sound an ideal future parront but not sure your life is settled enough yet and have a reservation concerning your dog. It can work, it does work and it can all go horribly wrong. Twenty three and in education, still a fair few things could happen and a parrot will definitely cramp your style with dating, it may not like your choice of partner, or may prefer them to you?
Again welcome to the forums.

 

[noodlesoup]

Hey guys! Thanks for the help and concerns.

My Doberman is a service dog. He doesn't have a prey drive. No interest in squirrels or bunnies or any animals I bring around him. I've had rats playing around him and he couldn't care less. Obviously I would slowly introduce them to each other and NEVER leave them together alone. As for future living and such, I will not be moving out for at least another 4-5 years and I have thought much past that. I will plan my future living around the where the bird can be and I have work connections with the zoo already for the future. It's not a done deal yet, I can reserve the baby next month. That's why I'm here now. After all the research and before putting down money this seemed like the appropriate in between step. I want a pet that lives long and grows with me. I like that consistency. I plan on having a set routine every day in which he is out for at least 5 hours on a busy day and 8-10 on other days.

 

[noodlesoup]

And yes the pet store had many toos

 

[PL84]

Hey guys! Thanks for the help and concerns.

My Doberman is a service dog. He doesn't have a prey drive. No interest in squirrels or bunnies or any animals I bring around him. I've had rats playing around him and he couldn't care less. Obviously I would slowly introduce them to each other and NEVER leave them together alone. As for future living and such, I will not be moving out for at least another 4-5 years and I have thought much past that. I will plan my future living around the where the bird can be and I have work connections with the zoo already for the future. It's not a done deal yet, I can reserve the baby next month. That's why I'm here now. After all the research and before putting down money this seemed like the appropriate in between step. I want a pet that lives long and grows with me. I like that consistency. I plan on having a set routine every day in which he is out for at least 5 hours on a busy day and 8-10 on other days.

You seem to have everything in order, main thing is you already know what to expect from a cockatoo. Just remember you're going to engage a relationship that is in any probability be as long as you live, if you really are ready for that then go for it! If you aren't ready for that and you think something like "i can atleast keep him for those 4-5 years i live here" then please dont do it, there is already too much birds that needs a new home.

 

[LordTriggs]

okay you do seem to have things planned out. I will say the dog does still have that in them. It's a survival instinct, he's obviously trained to a very high degree so it's a lot less of a worry and of course you plan to make sure you supervise them which is good to know (what kind of service if you don't mind me asking? I'm just intrigued). The slow introduction is going to be tricky as once again your bird should be in the room with most people and the dog will naturally go there but that's not to say all dogs have murdered birds, some are good friends.

When you say you've got contacts with the zoo do you mean for employment? (jealous) or as a refuge for the bird if it has to go? If the latter a zoo isn't the right place, a tame bird raised with humans requires human interaction so would have to go to a specific rescue for tamed birds. If the first then I'm big jealous, I'd love to work in a zoo as opposed to my boring ass job. Just be aware zoo employees often work long hours with the animals in the zoo being as close to their pets as can be.

I also assume you've got the money for the initial spend? Cage, toys, perches, ETC ETC you know the whole deal. If not 2 months is not long to prepare, do-able yes but to pull a couple thousand out of a hat is a trick I would love to be able to do, if you can do that send a little my way? haha

Ooh I assume you've gone to visit the breeder and checked things out? I wouldn't have a single penny leave before you can check the environment they're raised in and the breeder is reputable. The trick I found was to act dumb and ask questions like "they all need to be clipped right?" If the breeder says yes they must or they only give them seed or the place isn't well kept or if you're not allowed to visit without paying a deposit, politely walk away. As "desirable" as they are and with the money involved there's some very bad people and a lot of scammers about. I'm sure you've checked the breeder out but just in case. I nearly got scammed once by a breeder, it took the deposit price to wake me up. Asking £300 deposit before I could even see an Eclectus that cost £700. I now longer pay a penny until I see the bird and am happy to buy them, some breeders don't like it but tough.

honestly you do sound like the right kind of person for a Too, you seem to have a good long term plan (better than me, I don't know what I'm doing next week let alone 5 years from now!) but just remember the rest of your life will be about putting them first and of course you can always come here for asistance with them, everyone here loves to help and even after a good grilling on it you are still determined. My final piece really is try not to think about it over the next week or so until you're close to the deadline, then you have a fresh mind over your decision

oh and as much as some girls hate birds a cockatoo on your shoulder will attract the correct kind for you! Also an excellent conversation starter haha. They just gotta pass the birdy test

 

[sonja]

I'd recommend waiting, too. You do sound like a nice future home for a bird, but with your life at the stage it is at right now, you can not possibly know what the next 10 years or so will bring you, plan or no plan. The bird will live much longer than 10 years, but the next 10 years of your life are likely to be filled with changes, any one of which causes birds to get dumped routinely. Waiting until you own a home and see what your family life is looking like (partner? kids?), see what kind of hours you keep at your job, would put you in a much better position to take on what is essentially a commitment for the rest of your life.

I've fostered a lot of birds and while each is different, even within a species, I have to say that the loudest most incessant foster I've had was a Goffins. Drove me batty!!! He wasn't a "problem screamer", just vocal with a pitch that would pierce your ear drums. And I have larger 'toos of my own! There is no possible way that that little dude could have lived in an apartment or town house. The neighbors would have complained and they would have been right to!

I think volunteering at a parrot rescue while you are still in school would be a fantastic thing for you - you would meet so many different types of birds, and different personalities and really get a broad hands-on education to go with your school education.

Best of luck with your decision.

 

[Siobhan]

The noise factor is the biggest thing to consider, and you say you're familiar with it. Living with it is a bit different, so consider that, too. How do your parents feel about living with that noise? And would they be willing to keep the bird with them if your eventual career takes you to a place where you have to rent an apartment, where you couldn't have the bird with you? I have an umbrella 'too and he's the only one I know, but the screaming is unreal. He screams sometimes for no apparent reason. Then he has days when he hardly makes a noise. However, the neighbors -- and we live in a house on a rural road, where the houses aren't smack up close -- can hear him OVER their TV, with the house closed up. They're nice, and they don't complain, but we apologize a lot anyway.

 

[itchyfeet]

Love your username My experience with too's is somewhat limited. I boarded a galah for six or so months, and my inlaws have a SC2.
I have two main thinking points. Both point are on the assumption you're taking on a baby.

1. - Teach your 'too to self entertain. Make sure they can forage, and even when your home, don't give every single moment to him. Let him be on his play gym in your space, but while you're doing other jobs, cooking tea etc. I'm not saying ignore him or don't have cuddle time by any means! But if he can play in his own company, unexpected busy times will be a lot easier to handle. He's less likely to stress if he knows how to look for intentional challenge within the cage etc. Don't let the new bird novelty override the importance of a parrot who can self-entertain.

The other thing I would suggest in your situation is find a helper from outside the house. Another relative, a good friend etc. We have three girls from the same family. They're all parrot capable. We have the freedom to take weekends away with our children, because they housesit. Get your 'person' in from day dot, let them experience your too, schedule times they can be involved. It could be an awesome opportunity for an older teen interested in bird. If something unforseen happens to your house/the health of a family member etc, they're on hand to provide short term help and they'll be familiar to your too. Our family are all involved in the care of parrots, but if, say, my husband had a car crash, there is someone less effected who can swoop in and 'run the birds' for me so to speak.

 

[PL84]

My experience with toos is just old RB2 i had for 10 years but my friend has U2 and baby RB2 + what i've studied about toos (i'm going to get one sometime soon, in a year) is you really cant teach a too to be self entertain. There is of course differences between the individuals and between different toos, but they are more or less clingy always, if you want "easy" bird that will almost 100% sure be self entertaining himself get a CAG

Umbrellas, moluccans etc "bigger" toos are more clingy than the smaller ones (rose breasted/galah, goffin, bare eyed etc) but that's not anything you can be sure of... You can get goffin/galah that is really clingy and total velcro bird but you got a better chance with them

BTW, does anyone know Major Mitchell breeders in EU? My dream 'too would be Yellow-tailed black cockatoo or Gang-gang cockatoo (or both! ) but i'm 99% sure there is no breeders in EU, rescues would be great too. If anyone knows shelter/pet store/etc in EU that has one of those, let me know

 

[itchyfeet]

Hmm I respectfully disagree - it comes down to individual birds, as you say, and if OP starts with a babe they have a head start.

My mother in law started late with her SC2 too, adopting a 30yr old adult, and he chills on a play stand while she does some bookwork, housework etc. If she's heading out for a long day away, she will make a few cheap homemade foraging toys and he'll work his way through those without guidance or instruction.

I think owners have a responsibility to foster resilience and a level of independence, and whilst velcro birds do show a dependence that's a natural part of their personality, being mindful of not feeding into this every waking moment may well be a saving grace later down the line with behavioural issues etc.

 

[itchyfeet]

Have a search for Scott's posts - he has 5!

 

[Laylatoo]

Do you live alone? I had a male goffin/bare eyed hybrid before he passed away suddenly who was an amazing little guy. He was kept in the living room and loved being a part of our large family. He was very busy all the time. If he was out of the cage he would be a Velcro bird. I can say that he played pretty well independently but that's because he was happy to watch all the kids and dogs and talk and sing to everyone. He felt very much included in everything in and out of his cage. He would have been miserable if he was left alone for most of the day. I currently have a rose breasted 'Too with another on the way in a couple weeks. She is great about independent play but is out about 12 hours a day on a large play stand or outside with us or interacting with the kids. She also would not be very happy left in her cage for long periods of time (she's only in it at night or when we are away for a quick errand). Even the most independent cockatoo needs a lot of one on one time and entertaining during the day. I waited until I had kids that were self sufficient for the most part and older because having a cockatoo is very much like having another toddler around. Lol

ETA. I see you live with your parents while in school. Are they able and willing to fill the void and keep the new Too busy while you're away? Even just watching them go about their day is fun for a small cockatoo in my experience.

 

[noodlesoup]

This is all super helpful!!

I would definitely work on teaching the independence, as I plan to have him out while I do school work, putting a stand in my study room. I am primarily interested in the 'too, but after all of this advice I'm also looking into CAG or an amazon. But I would like a bird that if affection towards me in the sense that it wants to be around me

 

[itchyfeet]

If you take the rescue route over a breeder, you may have a higher chance of a parrot picking you? And therefore by nature, the parrot is more likely to want to be around you?

 

[Cas27]

I personly think it sounds like you're ready for a goffins cockatoo just by you're preperation. My son is only 8 years old and I bought him a goffins too. Of course I will be watching the bird when he goes back to school.
He walks around with her all day I also have two big mastiffs he knows too keep his parrot away from the dogs, and my macaws and cag. So you should go for it and learn some responsibility .

 

[PL84]

This is all super helpful!!

I would definitely work on teaching the independence, as I plan to have him out while I do school work, putting a stand in my study room. I am primarily interested in the 'too, but after all of this advice I'm also looking into CAG or an amazon. But I would like a bird that if affection towards me in the sense that it wants to be around me

CAGs and Amazons are quite similiar but still not even close

Nothing is ever sure but CAG sounds to be what you're looking for, they aren't (usually) clingy and they are (usually again) quite intependent.
They are (usually) happy just to be in the same room etc. But the responsibility if of course the same, they live 60-70 years or even more. My earlier cags lived both about 70 years (cant be totally sure of their age but around 70 years)

 

[noodlesoup]

Sorry, I know I sound crazy right now. I just want to make the right and responsible choice. I have time to decide so there's no rush. Does anyone have thoughts on severe macaws?