A cockatoo a good idea?

Question

I've been looking at cockatoos lately.. they seem like very adorable birds. I'd love so much to have a lifetime relationship with one. But as far as right now goes, i'm worried i'm not around enough for it. I leave within an hour after getting up, (7:30) and am home around 3-4ish. Is that too much time away? I also have a 7 yr old cockatiel.. how will that go? She's very very attached to me, and a bit spoiled. Would a cockatoo cause conflicts with the tiel?
I'm not completely engaging in buying a too yet, just a slight consideration ATM.... Just want a few opinions ;]

;) thanks for the opinions! A cockatoo is still very high on my list..I would love to give one a home, and love it dearly. But I could never ever jeopardize my little tiels happiness. I just fell in love with cockatoos when i saw how curious and comical they were.

Answer 1

PLEASE BEFORE YOU CONSIDER GETTING A COCKATOO GO TO THIS WEBSITE and read EVERYTHING .

http://www.mytoos.com/

If after you have read everything on this site you still want a Cockatoo then bless you.

I wish I had seen a site like this before I got my Moluccan Cockatoo. I have now had him 12 years. I can not imagine anyone else putting up with him.

A Too is not anything like a cockatiel.

There are other pet bird species that would be more suitable for your schedule and do not have the emotional demands of a Cockatoo.

My birds story appears on the "Rescue" page of the Mytoos website.

Answer 2

You already have a loving bird in your cockatiel. If you must add to the flock, consider getting a bird much less difficult to handle than a cockatoo.

I lived with an Eleonora cockatoo for two years. It was my roommate's bird. Though she tried (and still tries) very hard to take good care of it and is very involved in its health care and behavioral issues, it is an uphill battle for her. She works full time and even though the 'too had other birds for company, it would squawk at the top of its voice all day long until she got home. Cockatoos need to have someone THEY LOVE present at least 80 % of the time. They will self-mutilate, develop neuroses, behavioral problems and maybe even develop into biters. It is so sad to see how these beautiful birds can go downhill so quickly when they are purchased by well-meaning but unprepared owners.

You already have a loving friend in your cockatiel. Getting a love-sponge cockatoo will take her quality time with you away for the most part. Does she deserve that? Why spoil a good thing?

Answer 3

I have had a citron cockatoo for 25 years and a cockatiel for 8 years. The cockatoo would kill the cockatiel if I let them out together. Cockatoos are intelligent, emotional beings that require alot of time and are jealous of anyone else who gets attention from their person. If you're unfortunate enough to get bit by a cockatoo, realize there will be blood. Cockatoos can live between 40-70 years. They go through puberty for several years and during that time your loving pet becomes a difficult biting teenager. Oh and their voices are very loud, ear piercing at times. Forget about ever sleeping in, Cockatoos rise with the sun, and announce the sunrise the the entire house (even with a good cage cover). Good luck with your decision, if I were you, I'd stick with the cockatiel.

Answer 4

Your work schedule is fine. Your cockatiel should be put in another room away from the cockatoo, because teils carry psittacosis and they will make your cockatoo ill.
I have toos and teils.. and my vet told me to keep them seperate and I do.

Cockatoos are noisey no matter what! I've tried it all......!
They need to make some noise because it's a natural instinct.
Be sure that you can afford to move to an apartment that will allow parrots or move to a house that your neighbors wont complain of the noise.
Make sure that you can afford the vet bills, cage size (bigger is best), and toys and foods... pelleted and fresh.... perches oh yes lots of perches! Mine go through them like celery!

Most of all........
make sure that you check out the local want ads and see if there might be a 'reject' that is needing a good home!

Too many people buy these angels on a whim and then find out that they are messy and noisey.... then dump them on anyone that will give them money for them!
I have several because of this reason.

Rejects are great birds! They are just as loving and probably moreso than a 'bappy' (baby parrot) The only drawback is that they can have some emotional issues. These emotional issues have never been a problem for me though.... they just need extra loving and they get it.

Answer 5

Cockatoo's are the neediest birds in domestication. They are like a lap dog or a cat with feathers and they will love you immensely. They are also neurotic, demanding and possessive. They can scream so loud you will want to kill yourself. We had a Moluccan Cockatoo years ago and he decided my husband was his diabolical enemy because he was enamored with me as a possible mate. Loving as he was I love my husband more and had to re-home him after a year. If you look in bird rescues there a many, many Cockatoo's of various species for this very reason. They can be very difficult pets for someone who wasn't aware of the commitment they require and the noise level they create. I have too passed many a Cockatoo and loved on it and thought OMG what a sweet bird and then remember "Sam" and what chaos he brought to our life for a year. For some people they are the perfect pet, but they are a small percentage of very dedicated owners. There are many other bird species that make great pets and do not require as much hands on attention as a cockatoo and the cockatiel will be fine too.

Answer 6

I have a Macaw, and we arent home all the time but he's fine (we are gone about the same time as you are). My neighbor has a cockatoo and tiel. Cockatoos are HUGE attention seekers. I don't know how a cockatoo would do outside of its cage while you are away, but we leave my Macaw's cage open all the time, he just climbs up top and doesnt really get off unless we are holding him.

Keep them in seperate cages and make sure you do you;re research.

Answer 7

Judging by the other answers, I guess I've been lucky with my Lesser Sulfur Crested 'too. He generally squwaks only when he's hungry, tired, or thirsty. If he goes on a toot (rarely), he'll shut up if I put him in his cage and cover him. He happily goes to bed when the sun goes down.
I manage his behavior by ignoring his demands; read up on operant and classical conditioning techniques. He's only 4 1/2, so hasn't yet reached puberty; I don't know how his behavior will change.
Feeding him costs about $40.00/month, which I was not prepared for, and he's very picky.
I understand Mollucans are destructive, demanding, and can become devils when they hit puberty. I wouldn't have one.
I frequently leave my bird for 7-8 hours, and he does fine. I think my other pets keep him amused (3 big dogs and 2 cats). I leave him with a bird-crazy friend (whom he adores) when I go out of town, and she is away for 9 hours a day; he does fine.

Answer 8

I firmly believe that a cockatoo should have an owner that is home 90% of the time. They are the most emotionally needy birds that I've ever incountered. You may want to consider going with a different type of parrot. I am very experienced with larger parrots and have a hard time handling my cockatoo. You may want to look at this website:

mytoos.com

Answer 9

ok raven i have had a tiel before and a too at the same time. Like you i had the tiel for a little bit and it was attached to me.. i suggest that you keep the too and tiel seperated if you do plan on getting it but then you should start to slowly get them to meet each other after about a week or so. and no it isnt too long in between when ur gone

Answer 10

I don't just going to out during the day is that much alone time and you said you have a cockatiel, maybe they will entertain each other while you are away.
I would just be sure to keep them in separate cages, or apart from one another they may fight. If you share your time equally I don't think you will have any problems.
Good Luck I hope the birds like each other, but you will only know for sure when you put them in the same room. I think the one was probably lonesome maybe both were and they will be happy for the company.