upatsix.com - Your Source For Pet Bird Information

I asked a simular question in the macaw forum .I hope it is okay to post in both places ? If not ,I'm so sorry!
I'll make this one short ,just wondering if anyone has any experience having a large cockatoo and small children ? If so , how do you make it work so everyone keeps safe ? Thankyou so much in advance !
-Amy

If I had small children I would never allow them to touch the too. Or interact with them on there own! Too's along with children are to unpredictable!

They dont mix, and TOO's get very excited, then screamming starts. PLEASE consider a smaller bird do not go for the big ones, first get them bird aware then graduate accordingly. Play it smart, do not put your kids in harms way and dont put a bird in a situation you, yourself would not want to be in. As far as allergies, birds top the list- so purifiers and humidifiers are a must!

I read your post in the macaw forum. Just a couple comments/ideas...

You mentioned that you have terrible allergy problems. Because of the powder/dander, Cockatoos and African Greys are the two species you should not get if you have allergies. I would strike these two off your list. Both my cockatoos were rehomed birds, one because of allergies. Also, Cockatiels are related to Cockatoos. I think they are basically a mini cockatoo. You could have allergy problems with a cockatiel also.

You might want to consider Budgies, Conures, or Pionus. Conures can be VERY loud, but I know a couple with two small children, and their bird does very well with the whole family. Pionus are quieter birds, and many people have even been able to live in apartments with them.

Thankyou for your replies ,I appreciate them !

As far as allergies , I never had problems with our african grey , and I have had quite a few tiel's and have never had problems with them either . It's just a hair problem I guess . Plus the hay I feed my critters get's me too .

But I'm really not looking for another grey , I am quite positive one would not be happy here .

Well ,I will just keep on a searchin' . Thankyou so much for all of your help !
-Amy

Even though you don't currently have allergies to birds and didn't have problems with the African Grey a few years ago, I would still discourage you from getting a cockatoo. Cockatoos are not recommended for people with allergies. Since you have allergies to other things, such as hair and hay, you could easily become allergic to the powder/dander. I got my first cockatoo from a woman who became allergic to her bird. She'd had the bird for six years before she was forced to give it up.