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Hi everyone !
As a newcomer, I just want to say that I have totally enjoyed browsing the current and somewhat past posts. I have learned a great deal about many subjects that will help me correctly manage my newly adopted U2. I don't know much about him other than the fact that he is a male. Don't know how old. So, some of the questions that I have can't be solved by knowing his age. He has been showing some nesting behavior, compulsive chewing. He runs to any enclosed area, he particularily loves bags or boxes full of the wood he has already chewed into a million pieces. My question is, Is it a good idea for him to have those types of things? The box or bag seems to relieve some of the nesting pressure but will it give him the idea that there will be a mate for him? Also, I just can't get him to eat much of anything that would be good for him. ie. veggies... he's defineately a seed eater.
Also, I don't think he can fly... any suggestions on refledging? He had a terrible wing clip and his flight feathers are now nearly all grown out. His desposition has been pretty good but he does show some fear aggression with new people . Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Cheryl
Ps. his name is Winter

Hi,

Actually, Winter sounds just like Yogi...who is also an umbie. I've had him ten years now, and he loves to get under the livingroom furniture and look for any whole he can get into. He also loves to chew wood, boxes, paper, etc. What you have described is pretty typical. Yogi gets to build all the nests he wants to, it doesn't seem to affect him - that he doesn't ever get a mate to go with it. I try to encourage his scrounging around, and chewing, by hiding treats here and there for him to find.

They are indeed fussy eaters, and will go for the seeds if that's what's offered. I make sure Yogi doesn't have seed early in the day when he is at his most hungry. That's when he gets his fruits and veggies. I will offer him a seed mix in the late afternoon, and then he gets pretty much what we eat for dinner....a little pasta, chicken, veggie, cheese, whatever. He REALLY LOVES "people" food like mashed potatoes, pizza, etc. But again, when he is REAL hungry first thing in the morning, he gets his fruits, veggies and a few pine nuts or almonds.

Yogi also HATES to fly. I have worked with him however, to get his exercise by playing the flappy flap game. He will now fly to me or my husband and back and forth. It helps to get some bent up energy out and keep that blood flowing. Not to mention keeping him heart healthy.

Yogi isn't afraid of new people, and he loves children....but it wasn't always that way. I worked on that too....used to take him to the kindergarten to visit. But, Toos can be real bullies if you let them. Getting on the floor seems to turn Yogi into Cockazilla and he'll chase toes just to hear someone scream - O how they love the drama!

Congratulations on your new Too, and Welcome!

Hi and Welcome...this is a great board...lots of experiences and lots of learning always around....Congratulations. I have a flock....did I say flock of 7 cockatoos...all different personalities....sometimes a challenge, but mostly a learning experience every day....
Keep lots of foraging toys available....you can probably do a google search and find some good ideas...that'll keep him busy....they are so smart...and need to be challenged continually....
We do a lot of Cami's flappy flap game around here...some fly...but some just would rather waddle around the floor and I try to avoid that....

I don't have a cockatoo, but I have had some experiences with male U2s that constantly chew. That's really what they do. They love it and like everyone else said, it's not bad for them at all, even if they have a mate. Cockatoos are known for being pluckers and as long as they are not chewing themselves, let then chew on all the wood they want! Just watch him around the house, as you may ned to get new furniture as he chews it up (hopefully he gets more in his cage to occupy him and not tempt him to seek out the furniture). I also play the "flappy flap" game with my birds, but we call it "pass the birdy". It's a great way to have your bird gain confidence in you and the other people in the house and also a great way to burn off energy and get exercise. You can try having him set up on your hand and then slowly bring your hand down to make his wings flap. When he gets used to that, you can do it a little faster and he will get the idea you want him to flap his wings. He may just try to fly on the first flap so make sure there is someone else in the room to give him a place to go to. I would do this in a seperate room from his cage in case he is cage-bound or if he thinks he can just fly back to his cage, he may not want to fly at all. Good luck with your new friend!