![]() ![]() A few months later we see them again, now only asking for behavior advise or wanting to sell us their “problem” bird. We offer our experience, knowledge and humble opinions to inform these prospective owners of what life is really like with these particular species and why we do not sell them. Max will be here and his story told to discourage people from keeping Cockatoos as pets.įar too often customers come to us looking for Cockatoos or certain other species which we do not sell. We wish to see Max free of his E-collar and learn to fly. With some behavioral modification and environmental changes we plan to reduce his screaming and self mutilation. Max will now live at Fauna with Daniel and hopefully be able to socialize with other birds in the coming months. ![]() It is a sad fate for such a beautiful and often misunderstood creature. Ultimately, most Cockatoos end up being re-homed multiple times in their lifetime and/or abused and self destructive. The vast majority of homes are not designed for these birds to exhibit these natural behaviors without consequence. Cockatoos present a special challenge as many other species do when kept in captivity. The degree to which they surface is another matter entirely that is highly dependent on early development, environment and training. The normal wild behaviors will come to the surface regardless of parenting. Parrots, although domestically raised, are not domesticated animals. Sadly the decision had to be made, and Max was re-homed.Ĭockatoos are not bad birds. If you’ve ever heard a Moluccan at full voice, it is a sound you can never forget and you are lucky if your hearing remains intact. When Max’s owners moved into a new home the complaints began to come from the neighbors about his burst of screaming. They’ve tolerated his behavior for more than twenty years and did the best they could for that time! They were just unprepared and without support for what owning a Cockatoo entails. Since this time, Max has had to wear the Elizabethan Collar to prevent him from mutilating his feathers and skin. ![]() This is very common among captive animals. Fast forward a few years and after this time of not being allowed to express some of his natural behaviors in a constructive setting Max became self destructive. They did all the things that are often the human responses to these behaviors and were unknowingly reinforcing the unwanted behaviors. Like many first time bird owners, Max’s owners lacked the experience or knowledge of training to avoid some of these behavioral pitfalls. This can include bursts of uncontrollable screaming, some aggressive behavior and loads of furniture chewing and other destructive behavior. Upon reaching maturity they can become hormonal and begin to express normal Cockatoo behaviors. Many hand-fed Cockatoos were never taught how to actually be birds as youngsters. Like, just rubbish all over the front area.” She also shared that her family resorted to placing a lock on their bin.What Max’s owners were not told is that these cuddly babies eventually grow up to be Cockatoos. CREDIT: Barbara Klump/Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior.Īna Culic, the manager of the Loaf Cafe in Stanwell Park told Science Alert, “if we don’t close the bin right after throwing out the rubbish they’ll be in there. A pair of water bottles used to secure a trash bin lid. There is even an emerging market for cockatoo locks for garbage bins. These tactics were switched out once the cockatoos outsmarted them. In a survey conducted by the researchers, the team found that residents tried numerous tactics to keep the birds out: placing heavy objects like bricks and stones on their bin lids, strapping bottles of water to the top, rigging ropes to prevent the lid from flipping, or using sticks to block the bin’s hinges. The trash bin lids can’t be completely closed all of the time because they need to be able to open when tipped by the arm of a garbage truck. ![]()
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