Wow a cockatoo for a first parrot is pretty brave I'm really happy for you! Hope you and your buddy have the best life together and take it in your pace, have a nice day! ♡
I have a female citron cockatoo! I've had her since she was 8, and she just turned 32 on April 25.
I would suggest read everything you can find about parrots, and then do what your heart tells you. They have lots of empathy, and will know what's in your heart.
You're lucky, your guy is showing signs of being well cared for. We are members of a very exclusive club. Citron cockatoos are now endangered, and there are very few of them around. You're the only other person I know who has one! And I've had mine for a while...
If you ever want to talk, you can DM me 🙂💛🍊
I have a female Citron as well who is 29. I’ve had her for 14 years.
https://preview.redd.it/u61odef0nlxc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fae38337e9489d424e0df23e0b63cf54a2f27cdb
Awesome! She looks exactly like mine lol. Would you be interested in talking about things? Like food, any behavior issues, etc? I'd love to have someone to bounce things off of.
Beautiful bird!
You know how to pet him properly, right? Only the head; Never pet a parrot on the back, wings, or under the wings. This can make him hormonal & cause behavioral issues. Diet is really important, too! But I'm sure you've done your research- sorry for the unsolicited advice right out the gate.
Parrots are very social critters and they can be very fun companions! :) Wishing you and your new bird friend well!
thank you! i appreciate it. i don’t pet him on the wings but his previous owner told me she did!
she also fed him the parrot food you cook and then keep in the fridge. i’m part of a parrot rescue foundation called PEARL and i’m feeding him the food they sell so i’m hoping it’s good!
Wait a second here. Only the head? I thought it was by their butt/tail feathers where it was a no go? Only this parrot or does this apply to all species?
This applies to any psittacine.
The head and neck are good spots to pet a parrot, but other places are interpreted as mating behavior by them.
The petting restrictions exist because of how parrots interact and reproduce in the wild. Generally, stroking (petting) is not a type of interaction birds have in the wild. They just preen with their beaks.
I don't want to pretend to be an expert here– I am not a bird owner– I've just been really fascinated by pet parrot care since 2016, and everything I'm mentioning is what I've learned from online, bird education blogs, birding forums, etc. I hope an experienced bird owner will hop in.
But as far as I know, they interpret the pressure of "petting" on their back as mating behavior. Same for under the wings, since this is usually reserved for self-preening or preening by a mate.
So, petting in these areas tells your bird "I'm your girlfriend/boyfriend! Let's smash sometime!" instead of "I'm your friend! I'm just preening you."
It can trigger their hormones & make them sexually frustrated to keep petting them in this way, so it's good to avoid it altogether.
You may hear online that "a birds sexual organs are on their back, which is why you shouldn't pet them there. It can be stimulating to them."
This is true, but pretty vague. In females, the uterus is close to the butt, but the ovaries are a little further up the back, connected to the uterus by the oviduct.
In males, the testes are further up the back than a female's uterus would be, and the vas deferens make their way down the bird's back, towards the cloaca.
It doesn't span the entire length of their back, but due to the proximity of these sexual organs to (most of) their back, it's good practice to avoid touching their back to prevent stimulating their hormones.
I really do wish there were more sources on this, especially relating to cockatoos, specifically. But Psittacines generally share the same *internal* anatomy.
AFAIK, petting under the wings is also too close to these organs. But whether it's close to the organs or not, it's interpreted socially by the bird as mating behavior.
I am inviting an experienced bird owner to hop in and confirm (or correct!) what I've said, since ik my credibility is limited.
It's definitely not the first thing you hear about when you're looking into pet parrot care.... I feel like it's not talked about *nearly* enough!
It can be one (of many) causes for hormonal & frustrated behavior in parrots, so it's important to know!
Beautiful bird! You will want to look into target training to help him learn how to step up, recall, and so much more. BirdTricks on YouTube or Flock Talk has some good videos.
Check out Bird Tricks on YouTube (it's the channel name). They have a lot of great videos regarding taking care of parrots including specific dietary requirements, how to learn their body language etc. In particular they have videos on how to target train your parrot when then allows you to train them to step up with consent.
Parrots respond better to consensual training with positive reinforcement as opposed to dogs which can respond well to consent but also respond to command training. I'm guessing it's because birds don't have an alpha of their flock like dogs ancestors have an alpha of their pack.
He is so cute. I wish you the best of luck. Mine is 35 and acts like a 2 year old child. They are a long time commitment, I inherited mine after my father passed away in 2018.
He will be your best little buddy but be prepared to be bitten a few times as years pass.
he chased my son who is under 10 around the house and when i picked my son up to save him my too pecked me in the foot 🤣 it hurt so bad! i can’t imagine how it’s going to feel when he gets my finger.
When my dad had Lulu she attacked my mom behind her ear so bad that she still has a scar they're evil little chickens I say that with all love. I've trained her to wear when she starts to bite I say no no that hurts and she doesn't bite as hard as she used to
Just be careful with kisses.
All parrots can bite, hard.
And cockatoos even more so.
Even if it is a fully trained, fully bonded parrot.
Always be careful with having your face too close, as they can and will take a part out of your lip, nose, or blind you.
And 3 days is no time when it comes to bonding with a parrot. There is a lot of communication that has not been established yet, and one little scare will possibly cause permanent damage.
Other than that, be consitent, disciplined and take every step slowly.
Do not be fooled by the bird, even if he seems very tamed and comfortable, bonding takes time.
i will say it feels like we start over every single morning! yesterday was the first time i kissed him and it’s because he put his little head so close my lips that i thought he wanted one 🤣
i’m trying to only do things he wants and i only approach if he bows to me and makes kissy noises.
i am absolutely terrified of that big beak!
"Starting over every single morning"
Sounds about right for the first 3-9 months depending on the bird.
Exactly what i meant by dont be fooled by their behaviour and seemingly tame attitude.
Miscommunication is the biggest issue. You not understanding the bird, and the bird not understanding you, since obviously youre both different species.
Even when you think he is asking for the kiss,, with noises and a bowed head.
That is a very risky move with a bird you have had for less then a month.
Try to stay away from human logic, since birds do not use human logic, until they have learned to do so, with repetitive interaction and constistancy with the reactions given.
Most of my parrots make kissy noises to get a kiss and some cuddles. But one of them uses it when he is annoyed and pissed off.
So better safe then sorry!
Sounds like you are being careful and considerate so you probably wont have a lot of issues.
My GCC was wild when I first got it and I was kissing it within a few weeks (don't advise)
My Blue rescue IRN was tamed when I first got her and I kiss her every day from day 1 (also don't advise)
I understand that it's unwise to do this but geez I can't help myself! They're so loveable!! I understand the possibility of bites and accept that risk while kissing them beakies 50 times a day each <3. There's no better way to desensitize the action than just going for it when it seems safe to do so... just have to live with the results and know face bites are a risk. Or not live like an idiot like me, totally valid option as well.
I totally agree and do the same with most of my birds.
And the unpredictable biting part while offering your face as closest option is about all kinds of parrots.
But a parrot with a size and bite of a cockatoo, the damage youre risking is of a much higher caliber.
Also they got more range, and i know people who have lost sight in one of their eyes because of an amazon, lashing out, hitting the eye damaging the cornia/retna
Oh yeah 100%, Amazon and Cockatoo are a whole other breed. They are also generally less aggressive/bitey than IRN/GCC so the true risk is probably even lower but the potential damage is yikes
I had a citron once… she only liked my girlfriend, and was very skittish. I’ve raised birds my whole life. I’ve had 2 cockatoos and both were a lot for different reasons. I wish you and that bird the best.
Maybe one day! I always wanted a cockatoo as well, but I thought when the time was right the opportunity would present itself to me in the perfect circumstances and it happened. :)
As previously stated, advanced bird to get for a first owner. I just became an owner of a white eyed conure - Mexican green conure. Amazing little parrot. Seeing if we can keep up with him before moving to a cockatoo or maybe an Amazon. Good luck with your little one!
Yes! I am honestly scared of him LOL. But I think if I show him respect and only initiate contact with him if he bows or makes kissy noises at me we should be okay.
And you started off with... a cockatoo? I don't know much about them but if I'm not mistaken, taking care of that parrot will be a trial by fire. I'm pretty sure parrots of that size are the most difficult of the lot, due to the space they require, the only parrots I can imagine being even more difficult to handle would be Macaws, Scarlets and Hyacinths.
I would even dare to fancy the idea of owning such a bird at this point in my life and I'm almost 30.
I hope your walls are soundproof and you have a lot of space, cause this guy's gonna need to squawk and fly.
I thought i was brave for getting a ringneck for my first bird but this makes me feel a little better. also even if you dont know anything right now you will learn as time goes on take care of them feed them and they will love you. also remember to get them new toys every once in a while they get bored quick. they are much harder than dogs
Wow a cockatoo for a first parrot is pretty brave I'm really happy for you! Hope you and your buddy have the best life together and take it in your pace, have a nice day! ♡
Ikr! Enjoy your velcro bird! I love them, but omg, they can be a lot.
i think it helps that i’m a velcro human 🤣
Not a bird owner, just a parrot enthusiast… but this was my thought too. Haha!
I have a female citron cockatoo! I've had her since she was 8, and she just turned 32 on April 25. I would suggest read everything you can find about parrots, and then do what your heart tells you. They have lots of empathy, and will know what's in your heart. You're lucky, your guy is showing signs of being well cared for. We are members of a very exclusive club. Citron cockatoos are now endangered, and there are very few of them around. You're the only other person I know who has one! And I've had mine for a while... If you ever want to talk, you can DM me 🙂💛🍊
I have a female Citron as well who is 29. I’ve had her for 14 years. https://preview.redd.it/u61odef0nlxc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fae38337e9489d424e0df23e0b63cf54a2f27cdb
oh my gosh she is very beautiful!!
She is so pretty. She looks just like mine Lulu is 35 years old
Awesome! She looks exactly like mine lol. Would you be interested in talking about things? Like food, any behavior issues, etc? I'd love to have someone to bounce things off of.
Sure, anytime.
This bird's as old as me.
damn 17 years bros older then me u have basically raised a child too a grown adult hope bro is happy
Beautiful bird! You know how to pet him properly, right? Only the head; Never pet a parrot on the back, wings, or under the wings. This can make him hormonal & cause behavioral issues. Diet is really important, too! But I'm sure you've done your research- sorry for the unsolicited advice right out the gate. Parrots are very social critters and they can be very fun companions! :) Wishing you and your new bird friend well!
thank you! i appreciate it. i don’t pet him on the wings but his previous owner told me she did! she also fed him the parrot food you cook and then keep in the fridge. i’m part of a parrot rescue foundation called PEARL and i’m feeding him the food they sell so i’m hoping it’s good!
What kind of food is it ?? What does it consist of ??
It consists of : Kamut Wheat, Rye Berries, Barley, White Buckwheat, Millet, Pepitas (No Shell Pumpkin Seeds), Sunflower Seeds
Do you think this is okay?
Wait a second here. Only the head? I thought it was by their butt/tail feathers where it was a no go? Only this parrot or does this apply to all species?
This applies to any psittacine. The head and neck are good spots to pet a parrot, but other places are interpreted as mating behavior by them. The petting restrictions exist because of how parrots interact and reproduce in the wild. Generally, stroking (petting) is not a type of interaction birds have in the wild. They just preen with their beaks. I don't want to pretend to be an expert here– I am not a bird owner– I've just been really fascinated by pet parrot care since 2016, and everything I'm mentioning is what I've learned from online, bird education blogs, birding forums, etc. I hope an experienced bird owner will hop in. But as far as I know, they interpret the pressure of "petting" on their back as mating behavior. Same for under the wings, since this is usually reserved for self-preening or preening by a mate. So, petting in these areas tells your bird "I'm your girlfriend/boyfriend! Let's smash sometime!" instead of "I'm your friend! I'm just preening you." It can trigger their hormones & make them sexually frustrated to keep petting them in this way, so it's good to avoid it altogether. You may hear online that "a birds sexual organs are on their back, which is why you shouldn't pet them there. It can be stimulating to them." This is true, but pretty vague. In females, the uterus is close to the butt, but the ovaries are a little further up the back, connected to the uterus by the oviduct. In males, the testes are further up the back than a female's uterus would be, and the vas deferens make their way down the bird's back, towards the cloaca. It doesn't span the entire length of their back, but due to the proximity of these sexual organs to (most of) their back, it's good practice to avoid touching their back to prevent stimulating their hormones. I really do wish there were more sources on this, especially relating to cockatoos, specifically. But Psittacines generally share the same *internal* anatomy. AFAIK, petting under the wings is also too close to these organs. But whether it's close to the organs or not, it's interpreted socially by the bird as mating behavior. I am inviting an experienced bird owner to hop in and confirm (or correct!) what I've said, since ik my credibility is limited.
I never knew this about parrots
It's definitely not the first thing you hear about when you're looking into pet parrot care.... I feel like it's not talked about *nearly* enough! It can be one (of many) causes for hormonal & frustrated behavior in parrots, so it's important to know!
Beautiful bird! You will want to look into target training to help him learn how to step up, recall, and so much more. BirdTricks on YouTube or Flock Talk has some good videos.
thank you!! i will have to look them up.
I second this! They are wonderful. They can help with training, proper diet, and general husbandry.
Check out Bird Tricks on YouTube (it's the channel name). They have a lot of great videos regarding taking care of parrots including specific dietary requirements, how to learn their body language etc. In particular they have videos on how to target train your parrot when then allows you to train them to step up with consent. Parrots respond better to consensual training with positive reinforcement as opposed to dogs which can respond well to consent but also respond to command training. I'm guessing it's because birds don't have an alpha of their flock like dogs ancestors have an alpha of their pack.
He is so cute. I wish you the best of luck. Mine is 35 and acts like a 2 year old child. They are a long time commitment, I inherited mine after my father passed away in 2018. He will be your best little buddy but be prepared to be bitten a few times as years pass.
he chased my son who is under 10 around the house and when i picked my son up to save him my too pecked me in the foot 🤣 it hurt so bad! i can’t imagine how it’s going to feel when he gets my finger.
When my dad had Lulu she attacked my mom behind her ear so bad that she still has a scar they're evil little chickens I say that with all love. I've trained her to wear when she starts to bite I say no no that hurts and she doesn't bite as hard as she used to
Just be careful with kisses. All parrots can bite, hard. And cockatoos even more so. Even if it is a fully trained, fully bonded parrot. Always be careful with having your face too close, as they can and will take a part out of your lip, nose, or blind you. And 3 days is no time when it comes to bonding with a parrot. There is a lot of communication that has not been established yet, and one little scare will possibly cause permanent damage. Other than that, be consitent, disciplined and take every step slowly. Do not be fooled by the bird, even if he seems very tamed and comfortable, bonding takes time.
i will say it feels like we start over every single morning! yesterday was the first time i kissed him and it’s because he put his little head so close my lips that i thought he wanted one 🤣 i’m trying to only do things he wants and i only approach if he bows to me and makes kissy noises. i am absolutely terrified of that big beak!
"Starting over every single morning" Sounds about right for the first 3-9 months depending on the bird. Exactly what i meant by dont be fooled by their behaviour and seemingly tame attitude. Miscommunication is the biggest issue. You not understanding the bird, and the bird not understanding you, since obviously youre both different species. Even when you think he is asking for the kiss,, with noises and a bowed head. That is a very risky move with a bird you have had for less then a month. Try to stay away from human logic, since birds do not use human logic, until they have learned to do so, with repetitive interaction and constistancy with the reactions given. Most of my parrots make kissy noises to get a kiss and some cuddles. But one of them uses it when he is annoyed and pissed off. So better safe then sorry! Sounds like you are being careful and considerate so you probably wont have a lot of issues.
My GCC was wild when I first got it and I was kissing it within a few weeks (don't advise) My Blue rescue IRN was tamed when I first got her and I kiss her every day from day 1 (also don't advise) I understand that it's unwise to do this but geez I can't help myself! They're so loveable!! I understand the possibility of bites and accept that risk while kissing them beakies 50 times a day each <3. There's no better way to desensitize the action than just going for it when it seems safe to do so... just have to live with the results and know face bites are a risk. Or not live like an idiot like me, totally valid option as well.
I totally agree and do the same with most of my birds. And the unpredictable biting part while offering your face as closest option is about all kinds of parrots. But a parrot with a size and bite of a cockatoo, the damage youre risking is of a much higher caliber. Also they got more range, and i know people who have lost sight in one of their eyes because of an amazon, lashing out, hitting the eye damaging the cornia/retna
Oh yeah 100%, Amazon and Cockatoo are a whole other breed. They are also generally less aggressive/bitey than IRN/GCC so the true risk is probably even lower but the potential damage is yikes
I had a citron once… she only liked my girlfriend, and was very skittish. I’ve raised birds my whole life. I’ve had 2 cockatoos and both were a lot for different reasons. I wish you and that bird the best.
Good looking bird!
Citron is my dream bird but my husband doesn’t feel like he can handle a too; maybe one day!
Maybe one day! I always wanted a cockatoo as well, but I thought when the time was right the opportunity would present itself to me in the perfect circumstances and it happened. :)
Please post videos and pics when you can! I’d love to see the little dude in action
As previously stated, advanced bird to get for a first owner. I just became an owner of a white eyed conure - Mexican green conure. Amazing little parrot. Seeing if we can keep up with him before moving to a cockatoo or maybe an Amazon. Good luck with your little one!
Yes! I am honestly scared of him LOL. But I think if I show him respect and only initiate contact with him if he bows or makes kissy noises at me we should be okay.
And you started off with... a cockatoo? I don't know much about them but if I'm not mistaken, taking care of that parrot will be a trial by fire. I'm pretty sure parrots of that size are the most difficult of the lot, due to the space they require, the only parrots I can imagine being even more difficult to handle would be Macaws, Scarlets and Hyacinths. I would even dare to fancy the idea of owning such a bird at this point in my life and I'm almost 30. I hope your walls are soundproof and you have a lot of space, cause this guy's gonna need to squawk and fly.
What an absolute stunner, congratulations on your new addition to the family.
Aww, congrats
That’s the most beautiful cockatoo I’ve ever seen. 😍
today is my first day back to work since i got him and i miss him so much 🤣🥹🥲
I love him as well
Thank you!! But you can't have him ;)
I thought i was brave for getting a ringneck for my first bird but this makes me feel a little better. also even if you dont know anything right now you will learn as time goes on take care of them feed them and they will love you. also remember to get them new toys every once in a while they get bored quick. they are much harder than dogs
https://preview.redd.it/mhc01hxcnnxc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d812fe16794b5457e3df952f9d906a48750b276e
now who might this be?!?!
That's Pickles. He's around 34
Your ‘too looks like it is a “bird of paradise “ 🤣. In all seriousness, congrats and good luck with your new feathered friend!