Cockatoos?

[sundial]

Does anyone own one of these wonderful birds? I'm really fascinated by them. Some days I dream about expanding our pack to include a feathered friend.

[bambu101]

Here is a link to a well-known cockatoo web-site:

http://www.mytoos.com/forum/ubbthreads.php

I have had birds for over 15 years, including a large macaw,and Cockatoos are not for the inexperienced parrot person. I have no interest whatsoever in adding one to our flock!

[sundial]

[sundial]

Bambu, what birds do you have? What is the personality of an African gray?

[tulip]

I agree with Bambu. Cockatoos are difficult creatures with the most experienced bird people. Not for a beginner.

The big thing with parrots is to realize that they live A LONG TIME. It's not like a dog or a cat--you in it for at least 25 years and much, much longer for many birds. I liken it to having a 2-year old--delightful, cute, jealous, prone to tantrums, and very demanding. They are also very social. You can't fairly leave them in a cage while you are at work all day.

I would suggest finding a reputable bird group or club so that you can get to know different species and get to know the intricacies of life with a parrot. You may decide that hanging out with other people's birds is enough. Or you might find that bird people are a strange lot and change your mind .

I had a Senegal parrot for 10 years. Their life expectancy is about 25 years. When I got him, I wasn't planning on getting divorced, but life throws these things at you. I couldn't keep him, the ex did. It wasn't fair to the bird because we were his flock--all he knew and all he had. This happens to too many birds in my opinion. Families break up, people get tired of the demands of the parrot, children come along, etc.

Adopting other people's cast-off parrots is not a good idea for beginners. Many of these birds have serious psychological problems, bite, self-mutilate, and are more than most people can handle. Again, they are not like dogs and cats, which are generally much more adaptable.

I have chosen not to have another pet bird. I have gotten very interested in watching wild birds. They are allowed to fly.

[mimitabby]

oh brother, my cousin has a cockatoo. Her daughter bought it, acquired a boyfriend, and promptly dumped the bird on mom and dad. the bird bonded to my cousin, but it is hysterical and jealous of ANYONE that gets near her, including her kind gentle husband.
This bird shrieks and carries on even when she's on the phone.
They can put its cover on and tell it it's bedtime, but you can't fool that bird.

I am not sure why anyone would want to take this bird out of its natural environment.