Attacking Cockatoo, HELP!

[Leslieann]

Ok, so my fiance and I went to the pet shop yesterday and found the sweetest Umbrella Cockatoo that was looking for its second home becasue the first owner had just had a stroke. We played with it for probably 2+ hours and finally decided that it was the bird we were looking for, well more that he was looking for, I have always been affraid of large birds and was more inclined to take home a pair of Sun conures. We brought him home and he was fine last night, but you could tell he would rather be with me then with James (fiance). Well this morning he went and got him out of his cage and brought him to me in the bed room. He cuddled with me and then James picked him up and he was sitting on his hand when he lunged dirrectly for his eyes. James placed him back down on the bed and got up and the bird ran across the bed to attack him. James backed away. The bird then calmed down and let James pet him agian (oh, just so you know the bird is a male). Then the bird did this agian, only this time he jumped off the bed and chased James and as soon as he caught up he attacked his toes, not biting hard enough to break skin, but enough to try to show who was boss. Then I picked him up and he cuddled right down in my lap asking for love. He, has never even tried to attack me. Now, we can't have a one person bird, we don't have time for that. Plus, it was mainly supost to be his bird. We called the pet shop and they basicly told us to not let the bird do that, and for James to take his knuckle and hit the bird on the beak when he attacked. Well when James tries that the bird just poofs out and gets more upset. I really don't know what to do? Someone please help us, I can't have my future husband lose an eye becasue of a bird.

[HeatherP]

HAHAHA ok, sorry, had to laugh! I know and admit I am not a bird person and know little about the feather things, but what I do know is parrots are never 'our' bird. Females love men, males love women. I wouldn't pop the bird on the nose with a knuckle, that is using aggression for aggression. Rather gently but firmly hold him by the beak and gently till his head to the side and put him back in the cage and not play with him for a bit. What he's doing is trying to claim you for a girlfriend and bf there is competion that needs to be run off. Bf also needs to show birdy that he can take a bite and it wouldn't faze him in the slightest (it can hurt like all get out but don't ever show it!!!) I seriously doubt he'll take the eyes out of your bf so don't worry. I have the most evil nasty tempered Amazon in the world who regularly attacks people with the gusto of a pitbull and sees my husband as something that needs to be distroyed, its been 5 years now and both are still alive :)

[Jaded]

Did you do ANY research about cockatoos before you brought one home? The decision to bring a cockatoo into your home should not be made after spending only a couple hours with it. These birds can be very aggressive, as you've found out, and they need someone who understands the needs of a cockatoo. Here (www.mytoos.com) is a VERY good link about 'toos. I strongly recommend that you check it out. Keep me updated on your situation ok? Oh, and that man who told y'all to HIT the bird when he bit you doesn't seem like he knows a whole lot about parrots. NEVER ever hit them. It can seriously injure them, and by hitting your 'too your fiancee is risking losing an eye or worse. Oh, I almost forgot here (http://p221.ezboard.com/bfeatheredfamilypublic) is a link to a really cool parrot message board. There are a lot of 'too owners there, and I think you'd benefit greatly from speaking with them as well.

[HeatherP]

I think that weirdo going around talking about spanking birds is talking about the slang word the english call young women.
women are : birds, chicks, b*tches, foxes (there are more I am sure)
men are just pigs or dogs lol

[parrothaven]

Jaded, very well said! Thanks much for your contribution to this post and board. You covered it all with only a few words. I was going to have her read everything on mytoos.com too :scared:
Annie