Rescue cockatoo...or not?

[PaperLantern]

Hello everyone!

I'm new here and just wanted some advice, hopefully someone can help me.

I have a wonderful little parrot at home, a green cheek and he is an absolute doll. He rarely screams (you wouldn't even know I have a bird), and never nips! I also rescued a bonded pair of green cheeks from a horrible situation. I brought them to a vet, and I'm working on hand taming them a bit and getting their strength up. They already found a forever home and will be going there soon!

Someone must have gotten wind of me rescuing these two parrots (small town). Today I got a call from a girl who has had an Umbrella 'too for 10 years. She needs to get rid of it because it is driving her father crazy, to the point where he almost wants to kill it if nobody takes it soon.

Now, I live in a duplex with VERY thick walls, and the tenant on the other side is only home on weekends. The two green cheeks I rescued are extremely loud (although not as loud as a 'too) and the neighbor can't hear them...Furbie also hasn't picked up their calls. Would he pick up a the call of a cockatoo?

I'm considering fostering this 'too until I can find her a suitable home, but I'm a little scared. I only really have experience with green cheeks and an African Grey I babysat once.

Is this a good idea, or am I biting off more than I can chew? Anyone have any advice? Thanks!!

 

[Pedro]

Funny I also had a phone call yesterday, this guy was wanting to rehome his short bill corella, because it bites & is a bit noisy. I expect i will end up with it & have to look for a home for him. I told the chap i would help if he couldn't find someone else.

I took on a Sulpher Crested Too that screamed from daylight to dusk. Plus this bird hated woman so needless to say i was scared stiff. But for me things worked out & I have had Frosty for 5 years now. He is so sweet. Although in the beginning i had to gain his trust, me being female.

If you feel confident to take on this little guy & if it doesn't work out then look for another home for him. But remember if this bird is being rehomed because of noise that will have to be the first problem to address so you would have to hit all the sites that help with behavior problems.

 

[PaperLantern]

Thanks for the reply, Pedro! I would take on the bird (Baby, is her name) temporarily until I find her a home. I've always loved 'toos but certain websites scared me away from them. Some people talk about them like they are monsters!

Also, how do you handle the dust? Is everyone allergic to the dust they make?

 

[Mitchell]

Talk to your neighbor and tell them your plans, they may not mind the noise. Let them know the bird my be harmed if you do not rescue it, some people are sensitive to animal cruelty and would love to help. I think you'd be doing a noble deed for the bird, and sounds like he just needs some patient training. Umbrellas are so affectionate too!

 

[BillsBirds]

Cockatoos are great birds. But, they are noisy. They are also clingy to their owners, and demand a lot of attention. I rescued one years ago. It was a very interesting relationship. They can be great clowns, but, can also bite like a can opener! It is very nice of you to try to help this bird. But, understand that they are a lot of work. And this one comes with a lot of baggage. I'm not trying to talk you out of it. I just want to warn you that you have your work cut out for you. If you cannot do this, maybe you can help find a new home for it. How about the SPCA, Humane Society, or other rescue groups?

 

[stephend]

The only problems I have heard about too's is that they are very loud (I was told that in the wild they can be heard up to three miles away), and that they are escape artists (one site said lock their cages with keyed locks, not combination locks as they will learn to open them).

 

[IcyWolf]

I agree with Mitchell, the weekend is coming up, why not just talk to your neighbors, regardless of how thick your walls are, without some heavy duty soundproofing I'm sure you are not going to be able to hide this from them. Luckily, most toos will quiet down if you cover them, obviously you can't keep her covered all of the time but as long as you can keep her quiet at night I'm sure they shouldn't mind too much, but I think if you explain to them that she really needs a home and that you would just be fostering her, it would up their understanding a bit.

 

[Mare Miller]

being the guardian of an umbrella 'too, I must add that they are very sensitive animals. It makes me sad to hear that this bird is being tossed around, breaks my heart, really. If I lived anywhere near...he would be here. Taking this bird on is a great responsibility. They have brave, courageous souls, please try to respect that.

 

[Keinanna]

dealing with the dust can be managed by spray misting them and baths.

 

[Amber]

I agree with Mitchell, the weekend is coming up, why not just talk to your neighbors, regardless of how thick your walls are, without some heavy duty soundproofing I'm sure you are not going to be able to hide this from them. Luckily, most toos will quiet down if you cover them, obviously you can't keep her covered all of the time but as long as you can keep her quiet at night I'm sure they shouldn't mind too much, but I think if you explain to them that she really needs a home and that you would just be fostering her, it would up their understanding a bit.

I think this is a great idea, especially if you are only planning to foster while finding this too a forever home. Noise is a lot more bearable when you know the reason/that it is for a good cause and that it's only temporary! And on a plus side, although of course you would be trying to teach her not to scream all the time, it's really only the weekends when you have to get him/her to really keep it down.

My new neighbours (moved here nearly 2 weeks ago) have a sulphur crested (I think anyway, it is some kind of too!). Never seen him, but boy can we hear him! Even when he is inside! And I thought my conure was loud! Lucky for them everyone here has barking dogs or screaming birds or loud kids or likes to play loud music. We're a roudy bunch, so it's all good!

 

[IcyWolf]

My new neighbours (moved here nearly 2 weeks ago) have a sulphur crested (I think anyway, it is some kind of too!). Never seen him, but boy can we hear him! Even when he is inside! And I thought my conure was loud! Lucky for them everyone here has barking dogs or screaming birds or loud kids or likes to play loud music. We're a roudy bunch, so it's all good!

How lucky for you to have a neighbor move in who also has a parrot! I think I'd be trying to invite them over for dinner or something

 

[NuttyFeathers]

Hello!

I STRONGLY recommend you check out All About Cockatoos - MyToos.com, they have all of the scary truths of cockatoo ownership and it will give you a good idea of what you're getting into. Little green cheeks have absolutely nothing on the noise of a large cockatoo such as an umbrella. I've got a Goffin's I took on as a rescue for many of the same reasons. She was just too LOUD! They only time she screams excessively is bed time, all cockatoos DO scream through out the day. Usually morning and evening, especially when they are having fun. It cannot be stopped, or punished it is just who they are. Willow really can make some of the most "god aweful" noises but we don't mind them. We know WHY she's making them, and most of the time it's for good reasons.

With all of this being said, Goffin's are the "quieter" cockatoos, and we live in a detached house. Our neighbors can certainly here when she's dancing and having a blast. Also remember these guys have large powerful beaks so handling is really done on their terms. Also, multiple birds often "talk" to eachother. Our lovie starts most of the rucus in our house!

Best of luck! For toy making tips and training stuff, I'm putting together a blog (in my signature) and maybe you'll find some useful stuff! The more she has to destroy the quieter she'll be. Best of luck and kudos!

 

[Amber]

My new neighbours (moved here nearly 2 weeks ago) have a sulphur crested (I think anyway, it is some kind of too!). Never seen him, but boy can we hear him! Even when he is inside! And I thought my conure was loud! Lucky for them everyone here has barking dogs or screaming birds or loud kids or likes to play loud music. We're a roudy bunch, so it's all good!

How lucky for you to have a neighbor move in who also has a parrot! I think I'd be trying to invite them over for dinner or something

Whoops, I meant to say I moved here! They were already here, I'm the new kid on the block, as they say I've chatted to them walking by, they can't hear Alex (and he can be loud at times, but it is minimal) ,but boy can I hear that too! Luckily though they have a big yard that helps to dull the noise, so it's just background noise by the time it gets to my place. I will say though he does not vocalise as often as I thought one would! Thankfully him and Alex, though they can hear each other, don't seem to be interested in a screaming match!