Cockatoo agression

by Tara
(Boise, ID USA)

I adopted my Eleanora too about a year ago from a bad situation. I was told he was DNAed male, about 9 yrs old and a horrible screamer. I have had small birds, lovebirds, conurs, pionus, and tiels and he shows NO interst in them. He has out of cage time everyday, actually mostly free runs because he is so good. He seldom screams and when he does it is because he is mad at mom doing something like trying to watch a movie at 2am or something wierd... 99% of the time he just doesn't scream.

A gal heard that I had really good luck with Merlin and basically dropped her Eleanora off at my door. I will have results back in a week but believe she is female as she is a little smaller than Merlin and she is also a doll. She steps up and doesn't scream dispite that being said was her problem.
Merlin immediately went over to her cage and climbed up and started talking and clicking to her and she started talking and licking to him. They seemed fine and still do.
My problem is this, He has never been a biter, only bit me once and it was my fault for moving him too fast and moving the house and it was all crazy. Today, I got home after taking Pretzel to be DNAed and put her in her cage and then went over to give him loves. He bit my arm with my coat still on so it's just bruised. I then offered him a peanut (his favorite) and he bit my finger and broke the tip. Stupid mama still didnt' get the clue and offered him his peanut in a dish and he reached around the dish and bit my other finger. Mama then towled him and put him in his cage where he proceeded to lunge at me.

I'm sorry for the length of this but I don't know what to do to make of this. Is he pissed about Pretzel? Is this mating season and now he has a beautiful female around? I don't really have another room to put Pretzel in and I have tried the last week to make sure he got cuddles and everything just like always...What do I do????

Comments for Cockatoo agression

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Mar 10, 2011
 It's ok....Bad day
by: Anonymous

I understand. I find out today if Pretzel is indeed a female and would explain the change in Merlin. I have been a little more carefull about his free reign and it has helped somewhat and still is keeping everyone happy. He hasn't bit since that day although they have started the screaming contests as if to say "I'm the louder bird". :) They both quiet down though when told to and are both doing well. Thank you everyone for the help and I'm sorry if I got a little pushed out of shape. :)
Mar 09, 2011
 Offensive comments
by: Tracie

I am sorry Linda's comments offended you. I think she may not have read all you wrote. She is sweet to read questions all the time and answer them, she meant no offense I am sure. She is a reader, just like you, that loves to help people.

Thank you for doing rescue work.
Mar 08, 2011
 reply
by: Tara

I have taken to new too to the vet (avian), that is how we are having her DNAed.... SHe is healthy as is Merlin. All my birds go to a very good avian vet.... They are all healthy and each issue is clearing up. I have become known as an avian rescue of sorts and so have been careful of how everyone is introduced and vetted. I have been learning everything possible about the larger parrots and know they are different than the little guys. This is a matter of having to / being forced to learn on the fly so to speak. There is no avain rescue here and people are finding out about me and so I'm learning as much as I can as quickly as I can. I am not accustomed to asking a quiestion and being told that I was killing my birds, especially when I've made sure everyone is vetted/dnaed.
Mar 07, 2011
 Cockatoo agression
by: Linda

You have unknowingly upset a perfectly good working situation with your birds by bringing in another Cockatoo. Parrots are exotic wild animals, and when a female is introduced to the mix, the males will become more aggressive. I suggest you find a home for the new bird as soon as you possibly can.

It is best if you have never had the larger birds before, not good to get them until you totally understand parrot behavior. Your situation with Merlin was working, and then you added another large bird to the mix, and you have upset the balance of things in your home.

Move the new bird into a room with a few of the smaller birds so she is not lonely, take both of your Toos to Avian Vet to make sure this is not a physical issue. By bringing in the female, unless you had her examined by Avian Vet, you may have introduced an infection into your flock of birds. The scenario goes like this: if there is infection present in new bird, all your birds will become sick and die from it without medical services of an Avian Vet. Before you place the new bid in another home, please have her examined by an Avian Vet as well. Take them both in at the same time because sudden changes in behavior can sometimes be from an infection getting a hold on the bird or birds.

In the meantime, keep the new Cockatoo in another location with some smaller birds. Do not lock her away by herself as she will begin screaming, and if sick, this kind of upset will make illness worse. Get birds to an Avian Vet as quickly as is possible, and make sure the next time you decide to add another bird of any species, you have it examined thoroughly by avian vet BEFORE bringing it home to your other birds. Infections spread quickly and will kill entire households of birds if you are not careful about what you are doing.

Keep us posted, and let us know what avian vet has to say and how you are doing finding a home for new bird.

Linda

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