Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!att!pacbell.com!ucsd!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!rpi!uupsi!intercon!news
From: ooblick@intercon.com (Mikki Barry)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: INDOOR:  Cockatoo questions
Message-ID: <27A095AD.1A36@intercon.com>
Date: 25 Jan 91 20:31:40 GMT
References: <21499@netcom.UUCP> <279B4037.6211@intercon.com> <14457@mcdphx.phx.mcd.mot.com>
Sender: usenet@intercon.com (USENET The Magnificent)
Reply-To: ooblick@intercon.com (Mikki Barry)
Organization: InterCon Systems Corporation, Herndon, VA
Lines: 32

In article <14457@mcdphx.phx.mcd.mot.com>, brookb@tester.UUCP (Brook Burson)
writes:
> can do to keep the bird from biting?  What is the best method of punishment
> if he does?  Any other comments?

This may be the most difficult thing you ever do, but when the bird bites,
do NOTHING.  Calmly put him back in his cage.  He is biting you to elicit
a "free show".
 
> 2) I know Cockatoos aren't good talkers, but it seems like Bonzo could
> learn a few more words.  All he ever says is 'hello'.  I've tried to
> teach him 'pretty bird' for 3 years now.  No Luck.  Any ideas?

Stop trying.  The bird may surprise you.
 
> 3) Cockatoos are also good screamers.  Do you know any way to get them to
> scream less.  I don't want to cover his cage every time he decides to go
> into a screaming frenzy.

Don't let him elicit a reaction.  Get ear plugs :-).  Don't encourage him
by giving him the attention he wants (even if its bad attention) when he
screams.

> 4) Dust.  Bonzo is really dusty.  Do you know of any way to keep dust from 
> getting on everything that's anywhere near the cage?

I swear by Smokemasters.  They're expensive, but they sure get rid of the
cockatoo dust!

Mikki Barry
Natural Intelligence Aviaries
Home of the Electric Cockatoo--