Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!batcomputer!cornell!vax5.cit.cornell.edu!cjqx
From: cjqx@vax5.cit.cornell.edu
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: INDOOR: cockatoo questions 
Message-ID: <1991Jun10.214413.5376@vax5.cit.cornell.edu>
Date: 10 Jun 91 21:44:13 EDT
Distribution: rec
Organization: CIT, Cornell University
Lines: 24

Hi, my name is Kate and I've been tuning in periodically over the last year. 
I have a couple of questions about my two(?) year-old female umbrella cockatoo
that maybe someone could enlighten me about:

1) I have never seen Kala sleep with her head tucked behind her wing, or in any
other position than sort of hunched down on the perch. Is this normal for a
cockatoo? In fact, probably related to her sleeping position, is that I've
never really seen her sleep! She always wakes up when I come into the room, and
never sleeps while I'm there. I keep her in the living room, out of the main
traffic area, but she is free to fly to the couch if she wants. She seems to be
healthy and all, she just doesn't sleep!

2) Kala also has a deathly fear of sticks. I've been trying to stick train her
on and off for a year. At first it wasn't so bad, because her grip wasn't very
strong, but now it's fierce! BTW, she was wild caught and has had this fear
since I bought her. Does anybody have any suggestions as to how to help her
overcome her fear? I've even tried using perches from her cage, and that
doesn't help. The minute it moves by itself, it's a monster! 


Any and all comments will be appreciated!

Kate