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I just sold my cockatoo "Snowflake" to a woman and she wrote me that she is the most mean parrot that she has owned. I never had any sort of aggression shown towards me or anybody that has ever met Snowflake. She was always the sweetest thing. Cuddles right up under your neck and falls asleep. Within minutes of someone new meeting Snowflake the first time she steps right up and snuggles into the corner of your arm and body. When I met her new owner, I took Snowflake out for one last snuggle and handed her off to the woman. Snowflake stepped down onto her arm and sat there like it was no big deal. She then she was put into her carrier and the womans daughter was petting her through the cage. I got an email on the second day that Snowflake was just plain mean. I told her to put Snowflake in a room on her own because there were so many other birds and she was probably scared and overwhelmed since she only ever had one other bird in a room with her. Now I get emails one week later that nothing has changed and Snowflake won't even let them within 5ft of the cage without screaming and biting. Snowflake was the most sweet and playful parrot. There were three reasons why I sold Snowflake. One, not enough time for two cockatoos. Two, I can't afford two. And three, the morning and evening screams were bothering the neighbors. I can't figure out what happened after I sold her!? Now the woman wants her money back and I don't know what to do because I really can't keep Snowflake and Luna. I may have to sell Luna too if things don't get better for me. Can anybody help?

OMG that is so sad, I could never sell my birdie I bet that was a very hard decision for you to make. I wonder what kind of home shes in now, if there is something that has her frightened and thats why she is behaving like that . Something is causing her to act like that if she has always been so sweet, poor baby is probably scared. I hope that everything turns out ok for the birdie and you too..

Hi Chrissy,

I'm so sorry. I've worked and seen a lot of cockatoos over the past 14 yrs and I don't guarantee much but I will guarantee that in this case it is not Snowflakes doing. Who knows what has happened but her new people or home is doing something to upset her. It's likely that she's being pushed. And if she's screaming...that could actually be due to the transition itself but should have been slowing down or chances are stopped by now. It really doesn't sound like this is the best home for Snowflake....I know you have some neighbor problems but she should get out of there before things get worse. An immediate red flag is that they're blaming her and not looking at themselves or the environment they're providing.

Shauna

I have gotten the most rotten E-mail from that woman. She said that I am a lier and that I knew Snowflake was mean. Nobody that has ever seen Snowflake could say such a thing. She goes on to say that Snowflake cuss' like a sailor but we don't allow cussing in our house so I have no idea how that could be true. She has only ever spoken three things: "Chrissy's home, no, and shut up." She said her husband told her its him or the bird and she now she wants to "work" with her. She shouldn't need to work with her, Snowflake has never done anything wrong with me that she would need to be "worked on." She also says I am not getting the rest of my money and will have to take her to court if I want it! Even though she signed a paper stating I would get the rest of my money. It was only $600 for both Snowflake and the cage, I paid $1400 for both of them! I was told that Snowflake is better off with her than coming back to me. I don't understand how she can say that. Snowflake screaming all day and biting if they walk within 5ft of her cage can't be better than her cuddling up in my arm and falling asleep beside me. She would dance on her playstand and I would put her on my bed and she would hop around me like a kangaroo! I hate that this has happened! To anyone selling a cherished companion for any reason BE CAREFUL! I now know what people are talking about when they say they have been scammed.

Oh Chrissy, I , too am so sorry that you are in such a heart wrenching predicatment. Just my opinion, but it sounds like if there is an ultimatum being forced by the husband, then he didn't want the bird in the first place. Which also probably means that he's not very understanding of her behavior.He could be mad at the wife and taking it out on the bird in the form of yelling at her or maybe banging on her cage bars when she screams. Ask some questions, if you can. It sounds like a volatile situation now, at best. I hope that somehow you can get Snowflake back. But if that's not in the cards then for Snowflake's sake, maybe you should do your best to work with this woman to help her make an easier transition. Maybe you could visit and praise Snowflake for interacting positively in her new home.Take her some favorite treats and show this woman what her behavior with you has always been.Good luck. Keep us posted. Wish I could help. What kind of 'too is she? How old is she?
Cheryl

Something doesn't sound right with this lady.....
Just a thought, but did you visit this person's home before selling Snowflake? Is it a noisey smelly house? dogs? kids? cats? too many windows?
If she refuses to give you the bird back and the money I really think she is a sleazy scammer. Maybe she yelled at snowflake or got *&^%ed off at her calls blaming Snowflake on being mean. it sounds like she is mean one with her threats......I think she making up the story about Snowflake swearing like a sailor.It just sounds fishy.
Jeepers, I wish you luck in this situation....
* as you might have read in my past posts about my adoption with Kiwi. the owner was a friend of mine and we both know each other and each other's birds/environment etc...Kiwi loved being with me and still, still loved her former owners. As you know I did give Kiwi back because kiwi scared my other birds. no problem and no trauma. I got an email from the owner saying Kiwi was happy and fine (like she was just on vacation)
It would've been nice if Kiwi could fit in with my flock ...

Gosh, I hope you can get Snowflake back and out of that HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE enviorment. She must be miserable. I wish I could do something. If Snowflake were my baby she would be happy all the time. I would cuddle her with my other birdies all night long!
I'm so sorry that this is happening to her and you.

Gloria

Chrissy....who knows what is actually going on. I wouldn't listen to their claims about her behavior. I've worked with cockatoos quite a while now and I just really have my doubts....unless they are really pushing her causing the behaviors. It may be the husband but it may also be that she's trying to not pay the rest of the money......especially with all her complaining and then saying she'll work with her? The two just don't add up. Chances are the Snowflake is being her very sweet self. Maybe you should ask to visit? The only problem with that is that when Snowflake acts like herself they'll tell you she's not that way with them. .....least that's my guess.

That sort of sudden behavior change if true actually would warrant an immediate vet visit.

I'm sorry that on top of what must have been a very emotional decision this has happened.

Shauna

Thanks for all of your support. I told her the stories aren't adding up in my head and she went off on me stating that I basically know nothing and am not fit to care for her. I still own my other Cockatoo and if she wants to question my love and care then she can visit with my other one and see for herself how she reacts to me. I may be young but that doesn't mean I don't read and ask people that have had them for the better part of their lives questions. As far as going to see Snowflake I doubt I would be allowed to step foot in her house. Not to mention I would be very scared what she may say or do. I know Snowflake would be so excited to see me again especially if they have been treating her badly. I wouldn't want to leave without her. I really don't see Snowflake behaving in the manner that is being described but I don't like letting this woman get away with all the lies and rudeness. She told me the reason she could not give me all the money upfront is because of car trouble. But in some of our earlier E-mails I had been rereading she had asked me to agree to only $400 for both. Now she has basically found a way to only pay $400 unless I want to spend thousands on lawyer and court fees by pressing charges. In a way it would definately be worth putting her in her place by calling her out on the lies and deciet, but I really can't afford to go through that. Time, money, and mentally I don't think it is an alternative for me. I should have seen this coming!

You could try calling around and seeing if there are any lawyers who could help you out.... we once had a deal with an ex-roommate... my mother had to get two lawyers, but only one charged her.

IMO, you should try and get Snowflake back. Look for local bird clubs if you can for support. Go to avian vets as they might know of some. She's being greedy and may even try and turn around and sell Snowflake for more thus making a profit. Please, if you can, do something!

Chrissy,

Take a deep breath and try to remember one thing...this isn't about you...this isn't about Snowflake's behavior (which I'm betting you is fine). Its about that woman...period. OK? And if she isn't being on the up and up...she's the one that has to sleep with her behavior at night. Its a hard lesson for you to learn that's for sure. So do learn from it but don't believe the things she's telling you. She's not given you proof of any of it....its nothing more than hearsay and you know Snowflake better than anyone. I think we easily jump to assumptions and assumptions ...can often be our worst enemy sometimes.

Shauna

Internet scams are so numerous that most states have offices in which the staff are very well aware of how they work and what recourse a victim has under state law. (If you and the new owner live in different states, it's under the jurisdiction of the ICC, even stronger laws and heftier punishments.) You don't need an attorney to ask your state officials what laws protect you in this matter, where she has essentially stolen several hundred dollars. I would not for one second let it go unreported.

Paca

I just saw a for sale add from the lady I sold Snowflake to on this site. She posted it to day and yesterday. I am even more upset now that she is going to sell her to some other person and not back to me for the same price she paid. I don't want to name names on here because she would probably try to get even more money out of me by sueing me for slander or something. All I can say is that hopefully Karma comes back and knocks her on her butt.

At the VERY least, you should report her to Damian and Kirstin.

I emailed the new owner and she insists that it is not mine. She says it is another one she owns because she is not mean enough to try and sell her to someone else. This is driving me crazy! All I want to do is get my parrot back and out of a potentially bad environment.