If you are the kind of person who has scoured the internet to learn everything available about your parrot, you have no doubt come across this word “anthropomorphism”. It means to assign human traits to things that are not human, such as a parrot. An example of this would be the presumption that parrots fall in love like humans do based on the fact that they choose a mate for life.
Anthropomorphizing is a tool that many humans use to try to make sense of things that they don’t understand. However, when we allow ourselves that convenience it causes us to make mistakes in our care for our parrots, such as allowing them to “play” in a “fort” they are building inside a dark cabinet.
In reality parrots choose mates based on their ability to produce healthy chicks and defend their nest. It has nothing to do with having found their other half. The “fort” is a nest and the bird is definitely not playing. However, we are human, and it is hard to see things from a parrot’s perspective. It is even harder to WANT to see things from their perspective because sometimes it is a harsh look at the realities of nature.
Anthropomorphizing is a hole we don’t want to fall into. One of the biggest struggles we have in doing things right for our parrots is with our humanness because it makes something that should be completely natural feel like work. However, our humanness is also the very thing that makes us try so hard to get it right.
The cockatoo, specifically the white ones, are parrots that excel at pulling on our heartstrings. There are specific traits that they have that make it nearly impossible to avoid anthropomorphizing their behavior. As it turns out, the traits that make us fall in love with cockatoos are the same ones that cause their behavior problems and land them in rescues everywhere. A cockatoo is his own worst enemy.
There is an abundance of very entertaining videos posted all over that make life with a cockatoo appear to be the most fun a human could ever hope for with a companion animal. I will put money on the fact that those videos depict the day’s best 3 minutes with that bird and that the endings of some of the videos were edited out.
For anyone considering a cockatoo, I want to offer three pieces of advice that might help you avoid ruining your life and the life of your new cockatoo.
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Don’t allow your cockatoo to become over-excited.
The videos mentioned above often depict cockatoos in a very excited state. They are often “arguing” with their humans with very animated, human-like gestures and voice inflections that are an impeccable imitation of human excitement. It’s impressive. However, they aren’t just pretending to be excited. They are excited. There is a tipping point with a cockatoo where excitement becomes aggression. It is very much like the child whose birthday party has become overwhelming. The event often ends with tears and tantrums. You will be wise to end the excitement while it is still of a happy nature. That time frame is short. Remember, you can always initiate more fun times later, but the bite you might receive because you waited too long will be on everyone’s permanent record. -
Try to keep your cockatoo off the floor.
I know. This is a tough one. Cockatoos tend to migrate to the floor. I don’t know whether it is because they are ground foragers or because their brazen nature makes them unafraid of things that tower over them. What I do know is that they have a foot fetish, and a floor is the place where feet are most commonly found. If you notice your cockatoo quietly staring at your feet, you need to remove one or the other from the floor right away. This behavior is very common, and I feel it is tied into over excitement. Even the feet of seated people are in motion more than we might realize, and from the vantage point of a cockatoo that is on the floor, it may look like an invitation to “interact”. A cockatoo can cause serious injury to a human foot. -
Resist the urge to cuddle your cockatoo.
This is the hardest one of all but also the most important, and it is the reason I went on about anthropomorphizing at the beginning of this post. The cuddly nature of the cockatoo is their biggest selling point, but also, unfortunately, their downfall. It is hard to understand why a cockatoo would want to cuddle with a human being, a predator. I know with my Goffin's cockatoo, Theo, it is a sexual thing. The minute she feels the warmth of an embrace she starts to quiver. But with Linus it is different; it feels like hugging a child. There is only a sense of the need for affection, comfort, and love; and it feels right, but giving into your bird’s constant requests for this type of interaction will result in problem behaviors. A constantly cuddled cockatoo will grow into an overly needy and demanding bird which can’t get through the day without his human. They often never learn to play independently because they are constantly seeking human attention. They become seriously high-maintenance birds, screaming until they get what they have grown to expect from their human flock member.
Those who have the best success with a cockatoo understand and dispense tough love. They know that they must never compare the behaviors of cockatoos with those of humans, and they understand that less is more when it comes to just about everything they do with their bird.
Patty Jourgensen specializes in avian health, behavior and nutrition and has been working with and caring for rescue birds since 1987.
42 comments
I just saw someone give their cockatoo a nice whole nectarine to eat but made it eat it with a tissue wrapped around it because they didn’t want the bird’s feet to get sticky. Is this normal?? The poor bird kept trying to get the tissue out of the way while it was trying to get to the nectarine. The parrot is approx 30yrs old /A rescue bird
I just saw someone give their cockatoo a nice whole nectarine to eat but made it eat it with a tissue wrapped around it because they didn’t want the bird’s feet to get sticky. Is this normal?? The poor bird kept trying to get the tissue out of the way while it was trying to get to the nectarine.
My Cockatoo is 20 yrs old has always been healthy. she chews her feathers but doesn’t pluck. About 10 days ago she started to stop eating her pellets ,harrison high potency coarse. she had a vet exam 6 days ago and blood tests all was well ,she was hormonal and an hormone implant was administered . shes had this procedure many times over the years. I’ve been getting her to eat some eggs and sweet potatoes but it’s not enough . She was playing with her toys until 2 days ago now she just sits on perch outside her cage foe hours not moving or eating. I’m at a loss the vet doesn’t have any answers for me. I’m heartbroken i don’t know what to do or who to turn to . I’m afraid shes going to die if i dont figure it out . can anyone help PLEASE
Maybe a good ideA to get them a bird mate
hello…..glad to find this site! I’m thinking my next dog gonna be a bird. I am acctive, live by myself in a perfect house for a bird…I previously owned 2 male cocatiels, what excellent pets.. I’m ready to step up to a larger parrot. I’m a great candidate for parrot ownership because I will be devoting so much time, probably 20 hours per 24 hour period. I’m a little disabled, stick close to home, but not bedridden
I have made all of the mistakes that you have indicated and some of the ones of your readers. I have a 23 year old femal Umbrella Cockatoo that screams when I leave the room. She no longer wants to be in her cage and she will not play with anything except maybe wooden blocks to tear them apart. She has a different cage that she sleeps in and of course it is covered up when she sleeps but she keeps hollaring night, night, night which indicates she wants to go back to the cage that she sleeps in. I did have someone that was coming into my house and she now is very much afraid of noises and has taken to trying to nip my hand when I feed her, not all the time but this is something she never did in all the years I have had her. I don’t know what to do to try to help her get back to the fun little bird that she use to be. Please help if you can. Any suggestions is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for what you are doing.
My Goffins is 25 years old. I love her to death, she is an amusing little bird, she can destroy and thing within minutes. The worst mistake I’ve made is when we got her she had just fledged. My husband and I put her inside our shirts to keep her warm. She constantly wants to be perch on me, she will get as close as she can under my chin and shiver and “cluck”. I’ve been told that is a sexual behavior. She loves to run around on the floor, chasing a bottle top, eventually dropping into cats water dish. And on and on. She’s very needy when it comes to attention. Also she thinks she’s a mockingbird and chases my cat, dive bombing the cat to the point she has terrorized the cat
I have a Sulfur Crested Cockatoo that is free during the day & comes home to his cage at night. The issue is he is aggressive to my daughter when she comes here, biting her feet & now swooping her so I have to lock him in his cage if she’s here. Is there something we can do to fix this? She has never been confident around him, he is ok with me however seems to like males more than females.
I have a male cockatoo he likes to put his head under blankets and make a kissing sound and trying to go deeper into the blanket. He tries to get on .y arm and spread his tail out and moves side to side I tell him to go home as im. Not sure what he trying to do but doesn’t feel nice. He has fee roam of the house and a big cage out side for warm days. Please help me understand my 20yr old male cockatoo. Thank you
I been having problem with my partner umbrella parrot. His so aggressive and my partner did all the above. We love the bird but we want to fix him. Please help us. I don’t want to throw the bird away and in the same time i don’t want him to bite and screem all the time.
I am fortunate with my boy Spencer, a Goffins, as he has no problem playing, destroying toys, and entertaining himself when he is alone. He is 5yrs. now, but has been taught that when we need to go to work, etc., he can do his own thing, without screaming for affection all the time. We have set clear boundaries for him, and though, sometimes he’s happy just being on his perch in the same room as we are, he tries to demand more, but other than a pat on the head as we go by, he seems content to watch our comings and goings. He’s a good boy, and we look forward to many years with him.
Our cockatoo, Pele, is about 18years old. My husband and I are both retired, and have lots of time to interact with her/him(?). She has become an integral member of our family! She has been impossible to train, regardless of the available reward being offered. Consequently, it is with sincere amazement that we end-up accepting her “compromises”. These informative “conversation” always result in the” rules” and behaviors we’ve “negotiated” with her, and she has agreed to follow! I am a retired speech pathologist, who has focused many years, of my work, in observing the communicative interactions of institutionalize clients. These clients do not “speak”, and have resisted using any sort of symbolic language. As a result, I have published a book, had many of my papers featured in profession journals, and have lectured groups of professionals (who work with similar individuals), in Canada and the USA. Pele is consistently using highly refined communicative gestures and intonations! As a result, she eagerly communicates a large variety of feelings, comments, and requests, and expects us to do the same. I would love to read any/all published research on Cockatoos, and their communication abilities, with other birds and with humans. Do you know of any? Do you know of any studies that have yet been published, or of any, ongoing, studies that have not yet ended? I would appreciate any information you have to share! This is the first time I discovered this remarkable site, and I sincerely hope you have it wasn’t that bad fine no no just bring his dangerous you don’t want to sassy I knowwell researched information you’d care to share!
Well lets see I’ve now had 3 Cockatoos, 1 back in 1995 Umbrella raised her from an egg…. I ended up losing her to my house burning down devastated me.. It took me till 4 years ago 2017 to actually get another one and this time instead of buying I decided to help the birds that have no homes (Rescue Birds) Got my first rescue in 2017 Very sociable bird and came around really fast he’s a mullocaan, 30 years old and just beautiful and doing great…. then just a couple months ago I found out two birds were in need of rescuing 1 mullocan and 1 blue and gold they were in a dark back bedroom and the mullocaan actually was so socialized he bit the owners finger off… when I first got him home I thought he was gonna destroy me he and the blue and gold had no social skills at all.. he did not get to come out and left him in his cage and he is now in the living room so he has to deal with people and everything.. (traffic) I left him in his cage and just talked to him for about 3? weeks till I felt he was ready to come out.. He showed all the signs of aggression thats why it took 3 weeks.. He’s out now its been two months and he’s come around beautifully… Loves to be loved, loves to be talked to now I’m having issues with weather or not I can get the two male cockatoos to enjoy socializing with each other… ones 26 the other is 30 both mullocans they both have their own cages would never cage them together but I worried they might fight if they get too close will they get along eventually? I really need to know…
Please help, I have taken in a Cockatoo from a friend of a friend. We were told that he was lonely and stressed, and because of this, he has plucked all feather off his body. He only has feather on his head, wings, and tail. He can still fly! I feel this is a key factor to my story. As soon as we got home, we warned the kids to stay clear of the bird as we don’t know his personality, and he doesn’t known ours. Well I let him out of his travel cage so he can moved to his large cage at home where he can acclimate. He instantly flew on to my arm and was very chatty. He refused to go back in to any cage. I think it must be because he spent a long time in his old cage from previous owner with no interaction or attention. All was well, he wanted all the attention from me and my kids, but he is hissing at my husband. The entire night went wonderful. The kids held him after very careful supervision, he loved their scratches on the head and he even opens his wing to get scratches under his wings. He seems to looking for human interaction. The next day went very different. We did manage to get him in his enclosure, which he hated me for. But in the morning, my husband let him out while I got up and ready for the day. As soon as I walk out my room, the cockatoo sees me and flies straight to my arm. He was very lovey and wanted head scratches instantly. Kids got up and hand fed him a few pellets and carried on with their day. Later that afternoon is when everything went crazy. I left the room for a bit to take our dogs out and I left the cockatoo on his perch on his cage. I can hear him squawking loud, assuming he is mad I am out of sight? He seems very attached to me and only wants to be on me mostly. When I came in, and while I was unleashing the dogs in the hallway, I seen the cockatoo fly to my sons arm, but he then proceeds to fly / attack? my 3 year old daughter who walked up. After he scares her off, he then turns around and flies after my son who is almost 9. Both my kids are now terrified. My son said he was sitting on the couch when the cockatoo flew off the cage towards him. He was just petting his head when my daughter walked up. Was he jealous? Mad? Protection my son? I removed the cockatoo and managed to get him in his cage until everything and everyone cooled down. Later that evening I let out the cockatoo, and as usual, he jumps straight on my arm and is a happy camper on my shoulder. I gave my daughter a pellet and allowed her to attempt to give the cockatoo a treat. When she did this, the cockatoo instantly lunges at her. She runs away absolutely beside herself, she is so scared of this bird now. I am now convinced he is trying to inflect harm. For the rest of the evening I keep the bird away from my kids until the last part of the night. My daughter was calling me to help her on the potty, so I sat the cockatoo down on a chair in my bedroom and went on with business in the bathroom with my daughter. When she finished, she noticed the bird on the chair and proceeded to climb over the bed to take the long way around the bird, she doesn’t want to be anywhere close to him. Well the cockatoo turns from the chair, flies on to my bed after her. She is screaming and crying as she is trying to get away. The cockatoo’s feathers on his head are up, and he is hopping right towards her. I grab the comforter and pull it towards me so it brings the bird closer, and my daughter makes a run for it as she is now traumatized that this bird is out to get her. I feel the same and feel absolutely awful. We only wanted to provide the best home for our new bird. We have lots of toys, treats, very social family and have neighbors that like to come over for football games. The first night was awesome, but now I feel like the bird hates my husband (who he has never tried attacking) and he clearly wants to attack my daughter, or so it appears. Someone please help, give insight! Is he just playing? Is he being possessive over me? Can a person and bird even bond that fast for him to feel jealous of my kid(s)? I need to know if this is a behavior that will continue to worsen, and I should really consider a new home for the health and safety of my family.
We just adopted a 5 year old female Goffin named Maki, yesterday. She was raised from egg by her previous owner whom has since passed and was bounced around between a couple homes very quickly before we found her. She has taken quite nicely to me but is doing a couple things I thought I should ask about. First thing, she really likes hiding stuff in her wings, to the point she’ll clip feathers to hide so I keep a good assortment of toys for her destroy which keeps her from getting at her feathers…should I be doing something else as well? Second thing, she likes to snuggle right up to my neck as close as she can then tries to put me under her wing and scritches her neck with one foot…should I not let her do that or is it fine? Thanks a bunch
100% agreed. Every Cockatoo is so different, you cannot generalise, (I mean you can but doesn’t mean it will work across the board) as they all have very different personalities. I have had two Red-Tailed black cockatoos and both have been female and couldn’t be anymore different. Both didn’t bite me on the floor. One likes to cuddle, sometimes, the other one didn’t really at all. Zero sexual nature about any of them towards me.
I have rescued a 10 Yr old Corella Cockatoo, he has been neglected. Need help
Hi we just got a male cokatoo last week between 2 and 5 years old . We are the third owner and the second owner gave it to me because he was biting her husband I realized he likes to put the food under his wings ? What is that mean ? Is it a female then ? We have no certificates or no ring on his feet’s He is very quiet ? And bonding with my wife to be caressed and with me he just wants to give kisses Is there anything I should know ? Thank you for your advise
Linda Horton, do you still have the Cockatoo you found? Karen kstr873@yahoo.com
We just adopted a 17 year old sulphur. When we got her she was plucking, her skin was dry and itchy. She now has the proper diet and a large cage but its been 2 months and she’s so aggressive. She has bitten my neck so bad I have a 1/2 inch scare. She bit my daughter on. the bridge of the nose and she has a splinter fracture. We are at a loss as to how to get her to stop bitting and lunging at everyone. She used to be with male owners , the last one inherited her and did not take care of her. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I am a Too lover. Sunny is the best parrot I’ve had (out of 5). He is so personable and cuddly like a kitten. He was adopted at 4 yrs and was afraid to get out of his cage. I did trigger training and he’s become the best pet ever. Now he’s 10 yrs old and minds like a typical 2 yr old (when he wants to).But that’s what is so endearing. I outsmart him, set limits and read his body language, just like any other parrot. Horny boy at times, yes, but we set limits since he can’t. He loves my husband too, but is very skittish and shy around others. Has nipped but never bitten because he’s never felt threatened I guess. His one bad habit is that he hangs from his beak and screetches at times. I leave the room and close the door. Yes, he is a handful, as with any parrot. Sunny is my pet with his personality and wouldn’t have him any other way.
To Linda Horton who posted on 25/04/2020 – please check ParrotAlert.com for any lost posts in your region. You should also call your local council/pound to see if there are any reported Sulfurs missing. There’s also great lost and found groups on FB to check. Make sure to ask for proof of ownership though, as many people want to take in lost birds that aren’t actually theirs.
I’m Australian, which means these animals are wild. A sulphar crested cockatoo was severely injured outside my house, so I took her in. Vet diagnosed beak and feather disease, so its irresponsible to return her to the wild. Turning her over to a wildlife organization would mean euthenasia for her. We are now stuck with each other. She is as demanding as the article suggests and I would say don’t take one in unless you really understand the responsibilities. Having said that, i have found caring for her to be epically rewarding. I doubt i will ever buy a pet, but I’ll certainly rescue another if the opportunity arises.
I found a sulfur cockatoo in my yard. It was dehydrated and weak I put it in a large cage gave it water and fruit and cocktail seed. It’s friendly and sweet. No one has came forward to owning this bird and it is now a week. I’m not sure what I should do.
I have a 27 yr old Cockatoo that I ‘rescued’ from a ho.e where he was shut in a 10′ × 10′ room for 3 years. We have came a long way and he is a wonderful bird. His problem is he will not step up from his cage. This has become a real issue as he is the one that decides when he will come off the cage for anything. He will step up anywhere else, his behavior is great in almost every other way. Not saying he is perfect, he’s a Cockatoo with all the normal Cockatoo behaviors! Good and bad. I am at a loss as to how to get him in and out of his cage on my direction, not his!! Can you help? A sincere thank you for any advice!
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