Unknown ritualised behaviour.

[Talven]

Yesterday afternoon Ngayuk showed his first aggressive response to me. For the past week I have been sitting next to his cage and talking to him softly. Usually he would move to the other end of the cage and them come back to watch me and listen. Occasionally he would hiss at me. This time it was flared wings and crest and lunging at me hissing.

This morning I went to go through the same routine and was shown the most unusual behaviour. He would tilt his head from side to side while rapidly clicking his beak. After doing this for a few seconds he would stop and tilt his head back poking out his "chin" and making an odd grunt/cough followed by a very short squawk. He would then flare his crest and rapidly "pop" his wings while lunging. He repeated this whole ritual three or four times. The lunging was just in a general forwards direction rather than directed at me.

I wish I had my phone handy and was able to record this. I would describe it almost like a tribal war dance. A ritualised threat without attempting violence. A peculiarity to my bird or is this a normal wild bird behaviour?

I'm assuming I made some kind of error which has brought out this aggressive behaviour.

 

[Betrisher]

I think you're probably right, but who knows what triggered Ngayuk's odd display? A few years ago, I got new glasses and my galah utterly disowned me! It took ages before I worked out what sin I'd committed, but as soon as I put the old glasses on he went back to his normal irascible old self and stopped being a hissing, clicking demon. I've heard of people who've had similar responses after having their hair dyed.

On the other hand, maybe Ngayuk's getting confident enough to tell you how he really feels? Who can know? I'd just keep on as you've been doing and don't press him when he's obviously feeling toey. Oh, and watch him carefully to see if you can work out what's up his chakra. Sorry I can't be of any more help!

 

[noodles123]

Yes- Toos can be a bit outlandish in their behavior, but It's possible that he has always thought you were too close (as you said he did try hissing and moving away previously- so he may be asserting himself after thinking about doing so for awhile lol). It could also be a random fly on the wall or the pattern on your shirt BUT, the moving away and hissing previously is the basis for my supposition here-- take it for what it's worth.

It's possible that you have BEEN pushing into his space too fast--- try reading/sitting slightly further from his cage tomorrow (with your attention on something other than him) or just putz around and ignore him while talking to yourself (so he gets used to your voice without feeling like all eyes are on him). You definitely want to do this -before any of that showy behavior starts because it means something you did is stressing him out, which doesn't help build confidence from his perspective (just move a foot or so further back from where you have been if you sense hesitation, but don't test it daily, if you get to a point and he backs off, don't keep testing to see if he backs off daily- give him time to sit in a space that he comfortable and stop short of that stress point for a week or so before testing again)-- he may have always felt threatened by that proximity but now is getting more confident (you want him relaxed around you because ultimately, that will make his association with you a positive one over time..even if it seems like it is taking ages and even if you feel like he's being ridiculous) ...The whole goal is to built trust, so try to keep things lower-key if you are sensing tension when you sit right by his cage. It could also be that he is feeling cornered ---if he is up against a fall and you are in front of the cage, that can be upsetting to a nervous bird too.

If when you are near, he feels on-edge, that is not building trust, so prove to him that he can feel relaxed with you in the room and that you won't push him---that may be from 4 feet away, or 15 feet away, but you want him to let his guard down so that he doesn't associate you with stress, tension and a feeling of fear--- you have to create that "happy space" for him (within reason)---obviously you should go about your normal routine and walk by his cage if you have to grab something nearby etc, but I wouldn't park yourself there until he seems comfortable and relaxed about you from that proximity, and try to be sensitive to his space without walking on total eggshells.


Attempts to bond can backfire if they aren't at the bird's pace.

You know how middle school kids think everything is about them and often obsess over what others are doing/thinking and what they look like etc whenever they think people are watching? It's like a cracked out belief that all eyes are on them----well your bird probably is feeling a bit of that in your home (doesn't trust you, doesn't know you, is scared of what you might do)...so just give him some time and remember that what seems like a minor thing to you could actually be stressing him out a lot.

I AM NOT saying to let him display bad behaviors and manipulate you in the moment-- but I am saying that he seems to be trying to communicate and I'm not sure this was his first attempt, so just keep that in mind.

If he isn't moving away from you or hissing and seems super calm, then do what you are doing, BUT that moving away and hissing was likely a big indicator that you have been getting too close, which could prevent trust from building up if he never lets his guard down.

 

[Talven]

Very likely he felt I was too close and is finally asserting himself. He's had a pretty rough start and not had the best treatment from humans. Sadly I just don't have the space to get further away. I think I may have startled him yesterday so now I have become that bit more scary. Most of the time he is happy and relaxed with me nearby.

 

[noodles123]

Just try to keep him happy and relaxed (as much as you can- but don't walk on egg-shells-- you still have to live in your home, but be sensitive as possible when you have a choice)- he'll get over it as long as you aren't constantly stressing him out.

Cockatoos, deep down, are all attention *you know whats*, so once you get that trust to start clicking, you will see signs (and it will be slow, but you will get there). That is a whole new challenge, but it is a but funnier than the bonding process, which can seem like it is never going to end.

Try to keep tomorrow super low-stress and maybe do something to make yourself a little more positive, like placing a favorite treat in his bowl with his other food etc.

Have you tried different genres of music? Once he calms down a bit and is comfortable, MOST cockatoos love music, but their tastes vary widely, so you have to find out what they like lol.

He's still in his shell, but I'm sure you will be like WOAH!!!WTF LOL" when he finally comes out of it. They are SO SILLY total clowns once they get comfortable..Mine has recently become OBSESSED with my parents' new puppy (who she has only met like 4 times)...and it's a ridiculous problem to have a bird literally sweet-talking a predator and feeding it and throwing toys for it and yelling "come here baby" every time it leaves the room. Such personalities...Just give it time..They are massive handfuls, don't get me wrong-- but working through that initial period of trust building is hard because it feels very thankless and discouraging. I remember it well.

 

[Talven]

I'm not surprised at all by his aggressive display given his past. What really had me curious was the strange display he performed. He went through the routine 3 or 4 times. I was curious if it was unique to SC's or to the flock Ngayuk was taken from or just to Ngayuk.

I'm continuing to try and develop some sort of rapport with him just to make him more comfortable here for the time being. The local wildlife rescue won't take him due to social distancing restrictions. Probably still end up an aviary bird even if they did take him. His behaviour suggests even at 4 - 5 months old he is very familiar with captivity.

Would love to be able to keep him but it's not to be. At least here he won't be turned out to fend for himself if I can't find him a forever home. As a bonus though the dogs aggression towards him is almost gone. They discovered the Passwell pellets that he drops on the floor. Now that he is a free food source he doesn't seem so bad. Until he shrieks.

 

[noodles123]

You sure you can't do it?
I hate to push you- but you haven't had him long at all...
Mine did this stuff to me for about 3-4 months-it was a slow process....That having been said, it is a lifetime of work, so better to decide now I guess.

I just think you shouldn't get discouraged over this apparent "setback" because it will just take time.

 

[Scott]

I have never observed such ritualized behavior. Seems more likely though with a wild-caught bird having observed life outside of captivity.

 

[noodles123]

I have never observed such ritualized behavior. Seems more likely though with a wild-caught bird having observed life outside of captivity.

Umbrellas are fans of this sort of thing....maybe not to that extent- but, they LOVE a good ole' ritual...

This is an umbrella, isn't it?

 

[Talven]

This was a Sulphur Crested 'too I have been talking about. He has since been rehomed with an experienced couple who wanted to take on the challenge of a young bird. Has only been gone since last night but I miss having him in the house.

I would have kept on trying to build the relationship rather than rehoming if there hadn't been other considerations. The fear aggression from the dogs was a large concern but my son, who is ASD, not being able to handle the noise was the deal breaker. We took him on totally unprepared, but it was that or know that he would have died if we didn't.

 

[noodles123]

This was a Sulphur Crested 'too I have been talking about. He has since been rehomed with an experienced couple who wanted to take on the challenge of a young bird. Has only been gone since last night but I miss having him in the house.

I would have kept on trying to build the relationship rather than rehoming if there hadn't been other considerations. The fear aggression from the dogs was a large concern but my son, who is ASD, not being able to handle the noise was the deal breaker. We took him on totally unprepared, but it was that or know that he would have died if we didn't.

That's right.. now I remember-- still, they have a lot of similarities. Thanks for doing what you did!!!

 

[Scott]

This was a Sulphur Crested 'too I have been talking about. He has since been rehomed with an experienced couple who wanted to take on the challenge of a young bird. Has only been gone since last night but I miss having him in the house.

I would have kept on trying to build the relationship rather than rehoming if there hadn't been other considerations. The fear aggression from the dogs was a large concern but my son, who is ASD, not being able to handle the noise was the deal breaker. We took him on totally unprepared, but it was that or know that he would have died if we didn't.

Please take solace from the realization you saved Ngayuk from a miserable and likely short life. Was it a "clean break" or will the couple give you occasional feedback of progress?

 

[LaManuka]

What a pity you weren't able to keep Ngayuk yourself, but how wonderful you have found him a worthy new home. I wonder if you'd be able to persuade his new family to join PF so we can continue to share in his journey?

 

[Talven]

It was a clean break. I won't hear from them again if all is well. It was the only way to go I think. It would have been too hard to let him go otherwise.