Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!kuhub.cc.ukans.edu!zeus.unomaha.edu!network From: network@zeus.unomaha.edu Newsgroups: rec.birds Subject: Re: INDOOR: Cockatoo questions Message-ID: <7108.27a0dbe6@zeus.unomaha.edu> Date: 26 Jan 91 07:31:18 GMT References: <21499@netcom.UUCP> <279B4037.6211@intercon.com> <14457@mcdphx.phx.mcd.mot.com> Lines: 88 > I have a medium sulfer crested cockatoo, and though that some of you might > be able to enlighten me on your knowledge and experience. His name is > Bonzo, and he's a 5 year old, hand raised male. > > 1) Most of the time, Bonzo is a very sweet > bird. However, there are times when he gets mad due to too little attention. > (These are rare occasions when I'm working a lot or out of town) > There are also times when he is out for a while and gets very excited and > rambunctious. At these times, he is likely to bite - and bite hard. To > say that these bites hurt is inadequate. Fingers, ears, and ankles can become > a bloody mess. In the past, punishment was the answer. I'd spray him hard > in the face with a water bottle. He hates it. I actually hit him once > (It didn't hurt him - just scared him. It was after an extremely bad bite - > I was too mad to stop myself) and he was > much worse for a long time after that. Anyway, I've learned that hitting > isn't good, and any punishment isn't good unless it occurs within a couple > of seconds of the time he does what you don't want him to do. Obvious solutions > are to always give him all the attention he wants, and to learn when he > is getting rambunctious so that I can be cautious. I try these, but there > are still times when I'm away for a while and when he gets in a wierd mood > that I don't detect. Finally, the question: is there anything that you > can do to keep the bird from biting? What is the best method of punishment > if he does? Any other comments? Cockatoos are known for being hot-tempered clowns. If bonzo didnt' get 'rambunctious' once in a while then I'd say you had a bird in trouble. Everytime he bites hard try carefully tossing him out away from you (not at the floor or at anything) and firmly saying no then step away from him. Another thing is to firmly say no right away then place him in his cage for 10 minutes. Longer than that will not teach him anything (but may make you feel better ;-) > > 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? Some birds have trouble learning new words. Most Cockatoo's that learn a word use 'hello'. Pretty is a complicated word to form. Perhaps you could try saying 'love you' a few times before you let him out of his cage and before you pick him up (when he want's picked up). He should soon learn that 'love you' is a good thing to ask for and may even say it. Bonzo may be bitting just because he gets excited, not out of fear or anger. If he seems like he wants to 'goof out' try holding a thick peice of rope for him to go crazy on while you hold him and it in the air but keep you fingers (and face) out of his reach. > > 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. A good bet is that Bonzo screams because he want's something and it's his way of letting you know (I bet he does not scream if he thinks your not around). Your right it's hard to punish a bird and if you try to punish Bonzo for screaming he might replace that with more biting. I imagine that what is really needed is to set some patterns in his life. Each time you come home let Bonzo out of his cage and spend some time with him, even if it's only 15 minutes, but longer would be better. Then put him back in his cage for a while with some sort of toy (cockatoos need a lot of chewable toys). Then get him out for more attention. He will learn to expect to be put in his cage and that screaming is not an out. If he screams when your not holding him, that may be his way of staying in contact with you. Flocks of wild cockatoos will often call to each other in initial flight. > > 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? A healthy cockatoo gives off a lot of dust. Feel good that Bonzo is feeling good. Try introducing him to mist showers to help reduce the powder. Start by letting him taste the mist from a plant misting bottle. After a week get a little on his feet, then his wings. It may take time but it's good for him and he may learn to love it. Make sure the room is plenty warm at the time, you may even need to blowdry him if he likes to get very wet to avoid the chance of colds. > > > Thanks in advance! > > --------------------------------------------------------------------------- > < Brook Burson (brookb@tester.phx.mcd.mot.com) > > < (602)224-9400 > > < > > < "Listen and think of ALL of the possibilities before you judge." > > ____________________________________________________________________________ My cockatoo used to scream a lot, ite at time, only say helloand get dust over me and everything else. Now he screams only some of the time, bites only my mother's ears (mommy munches), says a better hellow and gets blamed for the house being so dusty everywhere (even where he does not go). Steven Lendt Email: SLendt@Zeus.UNOmaha.EDU