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Hi I'm new to the board and also new to cockatoos. My daughter got a 12 year old umbrella about 3.5 weeks ago, it only took 3 days to discover Bj didn't like her. He ran her father, her son, and my room mate out of the living room. He did this by jumping on the couch biting my daughter than going after the rest of the crowd. So here we are with this big bird taking over he looked at me ( I was standing there laughing at them ) and said hello and rised a foot to me. My daughter's father who also has a cockatoo said to me give him your arm and I said in terror WHAT! But in the end I did and it was love Bj calls me mom when I come in from work he greets me by jumping up and down on the front of his cage wings out crest up screaming MOM! My problem is my daughter's father's bird bit me so now I have a fear of Bj I let him out of his cage every evening ( but can only do it when it is just him and me he attacks other people ) but than I have to come up with ways to get him back in his cage without touching him. I feel so bad when he tries to come to me and I move away. I'm scared he's going to bite me is there anyway I would know if this was about to happen or not I've looked on line but not doing a good job of finding cockatoo body language. This is my first experience with a large bird I never gave a thought to owing one or should I say one owing me but my daughter has decided he is my bird and I think he has too. I need a good book I've gotten a couple from the library but it talks about parrots and yes I know Bj is a parrot but I want one to talk about cockatoos and since my libary doesnt have this I need to go buy one any suggestions? I've also thought of finding Bj another home but just the thought causes tears to well up so I don't see that happening anytime soon. Any info would be greatly appreciated

The best thing you can do is not give BJ a reason to bite you. You can check out Barb's site which is www.goodbirdinc.com and for all things cockatoo, www.mytoos.com

Birds that bite are being pushed too far. A bite means no. So you need to earn his trust. Go slow. Offer favourite treats, play games from a distance and build a relationship built on trust and respect and that's not going to happen overnight. This bird does not trust humans so you need to go slow.

Bev

I do and I don't understand the push part I know what you mean but no one bothers Bj I mean no one touches him or is mean to him. I think at one time someone was for example if I take the broom out to sweep he goes into a fit and attacks the handle. I don't sweep around him anymore not since I found out it upsets him ( I put a sheet over his cage to do this part of housework ). He also flipped out one day when I was putting a belt on he torn at it screaming and striking at it it hurts me to think someone could be so mean I don't understand why someone would want to do that. He's loud but I've learned to tune it out in the few weeks he's been here that's part of being a bird I can live with that plus I've already learned I jump when he hollers ( do you need food, want out, need sprayed etc ) so he almost made me his slave now I ignore him for the most part. I know he has food and fresh water and lots of toys and wood to chew on and he gets out 2/3 hours ( he's already ate my curtain and the arm of my favorite chair *shrug* ) a day, more starting Saturday when I pick up his playground. I've learned a little these few weeks reading just not enough but I thank you for the websites I ordered some reading off goodbookinc hopefully this will help me to understand him better.

South Pacific Islanders catch wild Cockatoos with a long handled thing and on the end a basket type weave and "scoop" them out of the air. Even domesticity raised Toos have this same fear, and is unknown how they received this kind of "instinct" but they seem to display an inert feeling of "capture" when a broom is displayed around them. I don't think your Too has been abused, it is just natural for them to get disturbed when one appears. Same is the case for other parrots like African Greys. It has been know to cause an anxiety attack and even will make their heart stop.

As for the belt, you know they attack snakes and lizards in the wild. Even feed off them! They are natural enemies! Snakes and lizards feed off the Toos nest eating eggs and babies alike. I would also avoid anything that looks like a snake from being around your Too.

Generally, take your time getting used to your new friend. Don't push any new thing on them right away. Let your bird adjust and don't show "fear" because your bird equates this with "foe." Sure you are going to get bit. Did somebody tell you owning a bird was a passive hobby?

My suggestion is to keep your bird's nails and beak trimmed extra blunt with no sharp edges. At least all you will get is a pinch instead of a puncture. Tell your vet this is a new bird and they will know what to do. You did get your bird thoroughly checked out before you brought it home right?

No I didn't take Bj to a vet to get checked I will ask my daughter she's the one who brought him to my house ( she got him and husband wouldn't let him in the door ). He wasn't planned not for me anyway he just kind of ended up here and I have no clue what I am doing I did read a lot last night ( my friend dropped me off a book "understanding your parrot by Irene Christie" she found at her library ) and went out to a 24/7 store and got him some fruits and peas and carrots and some pasta He doesn't like my daughter so she has told me to consider him a Christmas gift I'm happy to hear he probably wasn't abused I did look into finding him a home it made me sad but I don't want to mess him up so I went on line looking at bird rescues WOW lot of unwanteds out there. I foster unwanted dogs and find it sad that people can bring them into their home only to discard them while they wonder what they did wrong. And since Bj seems to have attached his self to me and in all honestly me to him I'm going to give it a 100% I am a groomer and take my dogs to work with me. My boss has told me once Bj ajusts to me to bring him with me she has her old cockatoo cage there said it would be nice to see someone enjoy it again. Well, thank you for your answers to my confused mind I'll get better have a great weekend.

Well OK, there is a start.

Talk to your daughter and find out from the previous owner if any regular vet visits were accomplished by them, or previous. Make sure you keep this bird away from any other animals you have including other birds, cats, or dogs. Consider this bird quarantined for at least 30 days or until you can have full blood work done including a swab. The avian vet will know what you are doing and will comply with this "standard" quarantine procedure.

If we knew where you lived (you didn't say) I'm sure Monica or others would supply a complete list of avian vets close to you.

One step at a time ... please... so before you break out the clicker training or other (IMHO) neurotic inducing methods suggested by these books, take it with easy. Let the bird adjust first. Get a note book and write down things that you notice about your bird, include times-dates-and other information such as the amount of food it consumes and its weight. Note feather condition and save a few feathers that fall on the bottom of the cage and examine it closely, under a magnifying glass. Look for things that are not normal (like spiral marks on the shaft) or "chewing" off of the end rather than a normal expelled feather when a new one comes in. Try not to handle your bird so much right from the beginning, if you have then relax a bit and restart your introduction. Tell your daughter she might not be off the hook if you can re-adjust this bird to accepting her and her husband again. Teach her it is not right to just "dump" this bird on you, even if you like it. Or you will be a dumping ground for everything she decides is difficult in life.

Come back to us when you get the "Big Five" done and a complete exam from an avian vet. In the time being good luck and don't think this is a small child, even though it talks like one, it is a bird and was born wild, even if it was domestically hatched, all birds are born wild and will adjust to living with a human given the chance and correct procedure.

I live in Elyria, Ohio I was told there's a bird doctor in Avon

doquia wrote:I live in Elyria, Ohio I was told there's a bird doctor in Avon

check and see if he visits your area:

Scott McDonald DVM
mobile: 630-240-2751 e-mail: DrSEMcD@aol.com
18 Waverly Ave Clarendon Hills, IL 60514