7 ms·

All this is absolutely true. We had a lot of white cockatoos years ago, including a Moluccan, a medium sulphur-crested, an umbrella and (this species is now cri

All this is absolutely true. We had a lot of white cockatoos years ago, including a Moluccan, a medium sulphur-crested, an umbrella and (this species is now critically endangered) a Philippine red-vented. The Moluccan was one in a million: he housebroke himself, put himself to bed at night, didn't squawk, didn't bite, didn't destroy things. He sat with my sister on the couch and watched TV. We never closed the cage door. He was caught wild as an adult, tamed within weeks and of course eventually died of PBFD a couple years later. PBFD also killed the other red-vented we had, but this one (even though he'd eat pretty much anyone) he never bit me ever. He went to the zoo, where I hope he is repopulating the species. But the sulphur-crested and the umbrella were more typical. The sulphur-crested was trouble from the beginning and he bit everyone at least once. He had an obnoxious habit of eating peppers and then asking for a kiss because he enjoyed the reaction. We found a home for him. As for the umbrella, he was a gorgeous and delightful bird as a baby and unmanageable as an adult. I still remember the day I had to catch him because he escaped onto the porch. The towel didn't stop him from severely gnawing my hand. He, too, found a new home. And I'd consider us fairly experienced as a family with parrots; my folks still have a charming little caique. We also had macaws and an Amazon and even a red fan parrot, a beautiful and absolutely intractable wretched thing who only obeyed my father and yet nailed everyone including him. But I loved the cockatoos most, even though everything in this article is dead on. I think it was Robert Blake remarking on his trademark cockatoo in Baretta that if you work with parrots, expect to get bitten. If you're new to aviculture, try a cockatiel or a budgie first. They're easy to care for, are much less likely to be difficult to handle, can be extremely good pets and may be all the bird you need. Bigger birds really require devotion to the cause.

msrenee 5y ago
My advice to anyone who talks to me about wanting a cockatoo, or any large bird really, is don't. If you're asking me about them, then you don't know what you're getting into. If you don't intend to devote a substantial portion of your life to that animal, it will not work. Personally, I'd never own an animal smarter than a conure. And a conure is really pushing it. If I ever get the cats wrangled well enough and am willing to give up my non-stick pans, I think I'd like a couple parakeets. Plenty smart, sweet, interactive, and I won't have to feel guilty about providing enough metal stimulation for what is essentially a 2 year old kid.
- jacquesm 5y ago
  Seconded. I've seen people get them 'because they're so cute' and then after a couple of years reality sinks in and they realize that they're on the hook for the better part of their lives and then sooner rather than later there is the mysterious case of the disappearing bird.
  - msrenee 5y ago
    I've got a friend who keeps an eye on the big humane society in town. She's adopted an iguana, some pigeons, and is trying to talk me into a couple quail. The shelter has no idea how to house or home these animals. The pigeons were in a canary cage for example. So she takes them in and gets them the care they need and either rehomes them herself or gets in touch with rescue groups. Her last pair of pigeons is now raising abandoned mourning doves at a wildlife rehab center. I don't understand how people can purchase these animals on a whim without doing any research. Some of them really care and are just in over their heads, but many don't understand that these are living things. I rode horses, worked in barns, and took lessons for 7 years before I even thought about buying one. My mare ended up falling into my lap before I was even intending to purchase. And for all the hours I'd spent caring for and training them, I had no idea what I was doing half the time. Thankfully I had a lot of support in those early years. And don't even get me started on fish. I worked in a pet store for a couple years and it was the most draining job I've ever had. People just don't care or don't realize what goes into caring for exotic animals. The idea that those folks who wanted a bowl for their goldfish are also thinking about a parrot sends shivers down my spine.
    - jacquesm 5y ago
      For a macabre experiment you could set up a nice ML project for counting the number of fish flushed down toilets in any major city. One person I knew had a death in the family, next thing you know she's buying a Samoyed pup as a 'life affirming' thing. Guess how that ended. People are completely dumb when it comes to having pets.
      - 5y ago
cockatiel_day 5y ago
Second the cockatiel recommendation! They are very rewarding pets, if still demanding... you get out what you put in. Parrots lead active emotional lives. Relationships mean a lot to them, they come with expectations, and they know when they are not being taken seriously. I think there is a common misconception in the bird owner universe that a cockatiel is some kind of starter parrot, and to get the full experience you need to get a larger cockatoo, a macaw, or some other bird that can live more than 60 years, scream as loud as a jet engine, and take your nose off... it’s not true. Give a cockatiel companionship and respect and they’re every bit as engaging and interesting (and loving) as anything bigger or more exotic.

msrenee 5y ago

My advice to anyone who talks to me about wanting a cockatoo, or any large bird really, is don't. If you're asking me about them, then you don't know what you're getting into. If you don't intend to devote a substantial portion of your life to that animal, it will not work. Personally, I'd never own an animal smarter than a conure. And a conure is really pushing it. If I ever get the cats wrangled well enough and am willing to give up my non-stick pans, I think I'd like a couple parakeets. Plenty smart, sweet, interactive, and I won't have to feel guilty about providing enough metal stimulation for what is essentially a 2 year old kid.

jacquesm 5y ago
Seconded. I've seen people get them 'because they're so cute' and then after a couple of years reality sinks in and they realize that they're on the hook for the better part of their lives and then sooner rather than later there is the mysterious case of the disappearing bird.
- msrenee 5y ago
  I've got a friend who keeps an eye on the big humane society in town. She's adopted an iguana, some pigeons, and is trying to talk me into a couple quail. The shelter has no idea how to house or home these animals. The pigeons were in a canary cage for example. So she takes them in and gets them the care they need and either rehomes them herself or gets in touch with rescue groups. Her last pair of pigeons is now raising abandoned mourning doves at a wildlife rehab center. I don't understand how people can purchase these animals on a whim without doing any research. Some of them really care and are just in over their heads, but many don't understand that these are living things. I rode horses, worked in barns, and took lessons for 7 years before I even thought about buying one. My mare ended up falling into my lap before I was even intending to purchase. And for all the hours I'd spent caring for and training them, I had no idea what I was doing half the time. Thankfully I had a lot of support in those early years. And don't even get me started on fish. I worked in a pet store for a couple years and it was the most draining job I've ever had. People just don't care or don't realize what goes into caring for exotic animals. The idea that those folks who wanted a bowl for their goldfish are also thinking about a parrot sends shivers down my spine.
  - jacquesm 5y ago
    For a macabre experiment you could set up a nice ML project for counting the number of fish flushed down toilets in any major city. One person I knew had a death in the family, next thing you know she's buying a Samoyed pup as a 'life affirming' thing. Guess how that ended. People are completely dumb when it comes to having pets.
    - 5y ago

cockatiel_day 5y ago

Second the cockatiel recommendation! They are very rewarding pets, if still demanding... you get out what you put in. Parrots lead active emotional lives. Relationships mean a lot to them, they come with expectations, and they know when they are not being taken seriously. I think there is a common misconception in the bird owner universe that a cockatiel is some kind of starter parrot, and to get the full experience you need to get a larger cockatoo, a macaw, or some other bird that can live more than 60 years, scream as loud as a jet engine, and take your nose off... it’s not true. Give a cockatiel companionship and respect and they’re every bit as engaging and interesting (and loving) as anything bigger or more exotic.