bird behaviorist says that my new cockatoo...?

Question

Ok, I adopted a triton cockatoo that is 8 mos. old. She is being shipped to me. She wasn't as expensive as toos usually are because she had been attacked by an aggressive adult greenwing and has a small (2 cm) wound on her wing. She has been vet checked and has a health certificate. The wing is healing nicely and no infections. She can still fly. The breeder that I am getting her from is very caring, ready to answer all my q's, and made a point to check me out and ask questions before she agreed to sell her to me. She says that she has made sure that the too has not bonded with anyone but has still socialized her well with her 8 kids and also visitors that come to look at the birds. NOW. I also adopted a greenwing macaw from a local store trust, very clean, and they have a behaviorist that works very closely with us. My problem is that they keep telling me to try and get my money back for the cockatoo because they are worried that she will have aggression towards people as a result of being attacked by another animal. And that it is possible that she will never forget and end up being a bad pet. I want to disagree. But, deep down he is freaking me out. This is supposed to be an exciting time for me and he is causing all this stress. Is what he's saying true????

This lady assures me that the bird is very sweet. I really do trust her because she didn't just say "SOLD" when i inquired about the bird. It took her about 3 days to finally say that I could adopt her. According to her there are no behavior problems. she is great with people, kids, and still lives around other birds. However, she has kept her away from the larger ones since the accident.

Answer 1

I don't think you have anything to worry about. Seriously. First, you have the advantage that both birds will be coming right around the same time. It's a new situation, and both of them will be struggling to fit in with the flock, and that not only means you and your family, but the each other as well.

I think that the Too will be fine. You may have to keep their cages apart for a while if she shows aggression, but if you introduce them slowly and make it fun for them, I think in the long run, they'll be fine. She's young and so is he. He's not going to take her crap, you're not going to take her crap, and she's probably not aggressive because of it with her age, she's probably scared to death and would rather run.

If you make it a fun experience getting to know Zeuss, I think it will work out fabulously. Only time will tell, but I think you'll be cheating yourself out of a great lifelong companion if you send her back now.

Heck...if Rio held ME accountable for everything he had been through before he met me...he'd have plucked my eyes out long ago, and he IS evil sometimes! LOL

Answer 2

Not necessarily! It depends on this cockatoo's individual personality. I am not sure exactly what the connection between having been attacked by another bird, and aggression towards people would be. I take in unwanted Greater Sulfur Crested Cockatoo's. Each with their own sad story. But, given time, patience, understanding, and kindness, they have all come out of their shells, and are great companions. If you are buying this bird sight unseen, I would expect to be provided with some sort of "warranty" though. I mean, if you get the bird, and find that it does have problems with which you are unable to cope, is there any recourse with the seller? At 8 months old, she should still be a real baby which is definitely in your favour. Good Luck!

Answer 3

Ask yourself this question......
If I were attacked by a pitbull and then went to live somewhere else and THEY had a pitbull, how would I respond?
*fear?
*cuddly and comfortable?
This is a no brainer. The greenwing was responsible for the trauma (different bird doesn't matter) and when this cockatoo gets around this bird all those bad memories are going to come back.
I beleive that you have the intelligence and the heart with patience to handle this situation with love.
Keep them apart and slowly introduce them. Have them in seperate rooms and allow them to only hear each other first, then only distantly see each other, then with them on you while the other is in it's cage. After that play it by ear.

I think you're going to be a great bird parent! Congrats!

Answer 4

I have a friend who ended up with a wild caught female triton cockatoo (of unknown age). It had a gaping hole in it's chest and it had chewed it's toes as well. It's left leg was broken and had already healed on it's own (and thus it is not set properly and untreatable now). It was frightened and a tortured soul. I am glad to say, a year on, she is perfect joy to be around and it is amazing to see her now.She is still crippled. She can't grip with her left leg. She can climb well with a beak and one good leg but will never perch on a hand. She allows herself to be carried about like a kitten tucked under the arm or cradled like a baby and she gets tired if she has to walk too much. Her injury must have been caused by a fall from the ex-owner's hand/arm and she never got over it. I don't think your bird will be a bad pet, but she'll probably not be comfortable around macaws.. But then again, you will never know until you see her.. If you don't take her and give her a good home, who will?

Answer 5

All you have to do is be loving and patient with your too, they are very shy. Especially abused ones. Try to carfully give it treats and do little things often to let your new too that you are safe and won't harm it. Example hold your hand by it outside of the cage so it can get used to you being there. Then a couple of weeks later try holding your hand in its cage at the bottom(don't try to touch it!) hold it there for a while then take it out. Then a few weeks later try putting your hand in the cage but just hold your hand in the air just right inside the cage. Each time you try these exercises your just letting your bird know that you are not dangerous and you are building a trust with your bird. Eventually you will work up to maybe petting and then holding but you have to be very patient and do the exercises three to four times a day step by step gradually progressing your hand closer. The little one will be very scarred during the early stages. So take your time with your new edition to your family. Also try soothing it while your doing these exercises like talking softly. They like that.

Answer 6

she may not be agressive to people but i would be careful with her around your other bird.