can a 15 year old cockatoo learn to be nice and act a different way?

Question

My family has had a cockatoo for as long as i can remember but as soom as my grandma died (her owner) she wont let any one touch her and is very mean. if i were to get her could i tame her and and i guess you could say make her happy?

Answer 1

In all likelihood Grandma's Cockatoo is grieving her death. Given time, with one person working with her, giving her love and attention, she might become a happy bird again. If you're unfamiliar with birds, especially Cockatoos, who can be very moody, contact an avian behaviorist and learn how to go about gaining the bird's trust. During this difficult time for her, be patient, don't yell at her and show her you care about her and her needs.

Below are two links to avian behaviorists.

Answer 2

Well was the cockatoo friendly with your grandma before? If so it might have been bonded to her. Some parrots bond to one person and dislike or feel unconfortable with other people. The cockatoo might also be tramatized because her 'mate' as in your grandma was no longer there. My brother had a rescue african grey parrot and it wasn't socialized much by it's abusive owner. Eventually my father spent a lot of time around the parrot's cage and refilled his food bowl regularly. Then the parrot got closer to my dad and let him touch his feathers. It may take time for your cockatoo. Sit outside his or her cage and just talk in a soft voice. If you change their food bowl, that could help too. Give them toys and things to keep them occupied and happy. It may take a long time but hopefully the cockatoo will get used to you and maybe even let her touch them. Be very patient and time will tell whether or not the cockatoo will accept a new owner. Even if you cannot handle him or her, keep them happy with toys and a balanced parrot diet. When I wanted advice for a sun conure that I will be getting this spring, I found a site for parrot owners. It helped so much and maybe it could help you. A lot of the owners have some rescues of 'mean' birds who have been socialized. http://www.tailfeathersnetwork.com/community/index.php

Check it out and sign up if you want. They're very friendly.
Good Luck!!

Answer 3

While the bird is 15, that is young for a cockatoo, which might live 75 - 80 years. The bird requires love and attention. Open her cage. Be the one who feeds her and brings her water and toys. Speak softly and lovingly. It may take some time, but that kind of animal is very smart and will quickly learn who is helping her. We have a cockatoo (white umbrella), who is three. She gets lots of attention from the whole family. There is also a lot of activity in the house as we have 2 dogs and 2 children (12 & 8). Get a book from the library or the local bird vendoing store.

Good luck. The bird is worth the time and attention you need to give her.

Answer 4

Make sure she is getting good nutrition especially at this time. Birds have been known to starve themselves, if you switch food etc.. It's a big change for a young bird.. she needs alot of nurturing, and attention. Also make sure (nobody has mentioned this,) but alot of people think they have a mean bird, & then a trainer will come in
and notice that the bird they claim is mean is high up on top of the cage., being higher than the person. As soon as they lower them, (lower than their shoulder) they change almost instantly. Because when they are higher than you, they dominate you in rank. If you read about bird behavior, that will really help. Also cover the cage half way so the bird feels more secure. With love & alot of patience, she should be fine.

Answer 5

Yes, you can most certainly bond with this bird. My friend has a bird sanctuary for abused cockatoos (40 in total) and she manages almost every time. As everyone else has said - 15 is very young for a cockatoo that can live to 80. They DO grieve losses of their "pet" people. After taking the advise of everyone else - patience, time, attention, love, food and toys - she will come around... just don't pressure her. Good luck... it's well worth the wait!

Answer 6

Your grandma was probably the one who gave her most attention and the one she chose to bond closest to. Some birds plain don't like to be touched and some need to build a level of trust with you.

If you act as the main caregiver, give her lots of love, treats, be the one to give her food and let her out of the cage, she'll learn to associate you with good things. If you do this often, she may learn to trust you and open her barriers.

Answer 7

Yes. You can, but you have got to earn the bird's trust before you try to interrupt his grieving process.

First, I'm really sorry for your loss, and your bird's loss as well. I'm impressed that you want to take on the responsibility of your Gram's baby, and that you want to work with her and help to make her happy.

I'll be happy to help you. I work on behavior here in Lansing, MI with birds (or rather the families who have the birds...the birds are usually fine, it's the families that need to be trained how to handle them).

There's a few things you should know as you start...

She's not going to be a happy camper with the move. But, as you do make the move, UTILIZE THOSE FIRST TWO WEEKS!!!

Some people will tell you that you need to give her time to adjust, yada, yada, yada. If she'd been your bird all along and you weren't risking limb to stick your hand inside on a regular basis, I'd say yeah, give her some time. Instead, use the suprise to your benefit. She'll be pre-occupied with what's going on around her and less apt to go for immediate pain to get you to go away. Establish your boundaries in those first two weeks with her.

By that, I mean, set your routine for feeding, out time, play time, and treats. Make it a fun time for her. When she gets home, talk sweetly to her, and be the one to give her the treats and love.

If you look at some of my answers, there's one in particular where the person asked a question about an amazon flying at her face and she wanted to know how to get the bird's trust. I answered that one, and I think those same principals very much apply to you.

If you need other help, email me. sdkramer76@yahoo is my email. I'll be happy to help with whatever questions you have and help you with your baby as much as I can.

Answer 8

confident ALL YOU obdurate human beings accessible bypass away HER on my own 13 is the main appropriate age to start relationship as your transforming into a teenager and confident relationship a 15 year previous is genuinely ok- dint care what different human beings think of, love relies upon on their character not their age !!! hes purely 2 years older than you, not undesirable in any respect , appropriate actual <3 females mature quicker than boys so its not that a great number of a adulthood issue

Answer 9

We got a umbrella cocatoo that was abused she did not trust any of us. But if you give them time and alot of patience and love he/she will fall in love with you. She/he was probally use to a routine with your grandma now you have to get her use to one with you. I started with mine but making her scrambled eggs in the morning and holding the bowl and talking to her while she was eating. Than I stood at the cage and would rub the top of her head singing pretty bird to her very softly she has to realize that you are not gonna hurt her she became so attached to us that she started laying eggs. Time love and patience is all you need they are very loving and funny and affectionate birds

Answer 10

a leopard does not change its spots.
but with a lot of parience using the reward system you can get to the wavelength of almost any animal
cockatoes get very old .15 is still young for them