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Just because the Goffin does this when not being petted does not mean this isn't a sexual thing. My Triton also did it when she wasn't petted, for instance, like when the carpet guy showed up to clean the living room rug. He didn't even touch her or go into the bird room. She just saw him from the next room. She loved men, any man.

I didn't rehome my Triton. It was manageable, and I kept the petting to the head and neck areas. I didn't encourage the behavior because that can be very confusing for a bird. Unfortunately, she had to be euthanized because of a brain disorder (noncontagious). Otherwise, she would definitely still be with me. I think it's manageable, but it is good to be aware of it and not encourage it, if possible.

ok so let me ask you, how do you not encourage it then, not bother with her at all? I will ask the vet, but just wondering. thanks

hugs3005 wrote:...I know she is not cold, she only does it when you go to pet her, but she loves to be pet, she is very tame, you can pet her anywhere, lift her wings etc....

First, limit your touches to the top of her head and back of her neck. And learn to play games rather than just standing or sitting while petting her. Many find that clicker training is helpful because it's the lessons that teach US the most about how to relate to our birds as teachers and friends rather than as mamas and lovers. It's a perfect way to teach her to step up for you, and you can go from there forever! It's fun and much healthier.

Begin noticing when you sweettalk or baby talk or love talk her, whatever you call it. Learn to speak to her in a voice that's excited and friendly but not cooing. It's about playing rather than cuddling. You can do it!

Paca

let me ask you, do you think she would be better off with a mate? or what? right now she is sitting on the couch, against my hubby chattering with her face to the couch and her tail feathers spread and in the air. I think this is a sexual part, but other time I don't. He wants to know how we can fix it? thanks

'Toos who've been bred or matured in captivity are notoriously hard to pair successfully with a bird mate. They've bonded with humans and don't love other birds. Male 'toos often kill females who're locked into the same cage, sometimes after living together peaceably for many years.

Did you tell your husband what I advised you about teaching her to play? That's one way to "fix it." I'm sure people with mature 'toos can give you other ideas. UAS has only a small group of members, so I recommend you outreach in multiple directions to learn more about 'toos. Others here can probably give you links to other chats where 'too parronts gather in larger groups and names of books and articles you might want to read. And talk with your avian vet!

Here's a link to a library of 'too articles: http://www.birdsnways.com/birds/artsptoo.htm#Cockatoos Remember that not every article is worth believing! Keep your brain fully engaged as you read and learn.

Paca

thank you

I don't think getting your Goffin a mate is the answer. Your bird obviously loves people, and she's a total sweetheart. Besides, what if your pair mated and had babies? Are you experienced with hand feeding. Cockatoos can be notoriously difficult to wean. Plus there are probably more cockatoos that any other birds in rescues.

Just some simple ideas...

Keep the petting to the head and neck only. Don't stoke the back or under the wings.

Make sure she gets a good 10-12 hours of sleep each night. Longer daylight hours are usually breeding season.

Cockatoos can be really good puzzle solvers. You might want to look into toys where she has to work to get a treat.

Does your bird play with toys in her cage? Make sure she has plenty of toys to keep her occupied, especially wooden ones she can chew up. My Rose Breasted is even more of a chewer than my Triton was. Praise her when she's playing with toys.

Some cockatoos can learn tricks like roller skating. I've seen books on how to teach your bird tricks, such as waving, turning around, etc. My Rose Breasted Cockatoo waves. I cannot take credit since he was a rehomed bird and already knew this when he came to live with me. You can also find trick toys like basketball/hoop, piggy bank with fake coins, and ring toss, etc.

Does she enjoys showers? Not only is it good for their feathers, it is good way for them to expend energy by drying naturally.

Don't be discouraged. She is 12 years old, and her former owners probably petted her improperly, thereby encouraging the sexual behavior. After all, she is one of those little "love sponges." She sounds like a great little bird. Now that she's recently in a new home, it's the perfect time to start on behavior modification.

well, I don't really want to mate/breed her either, I was just asking, but to answer your question, I am experienced in handfeeding and with SI eclectus which are hard to wean too, so that would not be a problem, but I don't want to do that anyway.

I have to buy her a cage, the cage she came with is a 17x17 cage that is all rusted out and real icky, she has 2 toys, OLD, and rawhide, so I want to buy her some toys too. I did not think about the sleep thing, we are just getting ready to go to bed and I had to cover her, cause she started screaming, which is a first too.

Thanks for all the hints, I will try a new cage with more room, and some new toys, putting her to bed earlier, etc.... and see what happens. Thanks so much

I agree that she needs a new cage. That is way too small for a Goffin. Although they are small Cockatoos, they are very active little birds. I have friends with a Goffin, and he likes to jump around in his cage.

The more I learn, I think her small cage and lack of toys is a big part of the problem. If she only has 2 toys, she is more than likely bored. In that case, all she has to look forward to is attention from you and your family.

I usually turn off the lights in the birds' room between 8:00 and 8:30. If I am late for some reason, my Grey will start saying, "Night night."

ok thanks for answering back to that. I don't have a "bird room" so its a little hard, they are all in the living room and dining room for now. I am building an aviary in my basement, around the biggest window, and putting in spectrum lighting. All my birds except for my pets are going to be down there. I am trying to find a bigger cage, I can't afford a brand new one right now, so I am looking for something used, with no luck yet. I let her out of the cage all day, so she is not cooped in that small cage. I hate the cage she is in grrrrr, it is probably the cage she has lived in all her life and it stinks. I feel bad for her. I will let you know later with an update on how she is after we get a bigger cage. thanks again for all the help