Goffin Cockatoo

[350z2nr]

You guys seem to be very knowledgeable about birds. I have been reading some things on birds for the past 2 months, I think that I am finally ready to get one. I'm sure some of you all have dealt with a Goffin Cockatoo in your adventures of birds. From my reading I understand they are very fun and even clown like. I found this guy, his name is Festus he is 5 years old, and his owner got a horse and couldn't take care of him anymore. He is a Goffin, and seems to be in good health. I absolutely love him,the problem is he doesn't like anyone else, not even the pet store owners he is with. Or my girlfriend for that matter. He seems to slightly be warming up to her, but will still snap at her. I have a couple of questions for you about him. What is the best way to get a bitting bird to stop? I read to not pull your hand away and say ouch loudly because it shows the bird it is getting a big reaction and may do it again. Do you think it is best for me to get a baby goffin? They are asking $1,500 for him and his cage, is this too much, should I offer less and how much less? Thank you in advance, I need all the help I can get.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v327/kawasaki_ridah/Festis/IMG_2224.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v327/kawasaki_ridah/Festis/IMG_2206.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v327/kawasaki_ridah/Festis/IMG_2205.jpg

[Chicknesholay]

Are you really sure you can handle a cockatoo?

They are one of the hardest birds to own and require such a large amount of attention and care. Many end up with severe behavioral problems.

I've never owned one and honestly don't plan on it unless I get a job in the future that will guarantee that I will be working out of my house for the rest of my life so that I will be able to give it the appropriate about of attention

They will a lot of times bond to only one person and could become violent to not only other people but if they see the person they have bonded to as a mate they very well could become violent to them also.

They are incredibly loud birds, and prone to screaming because it is very hard to give them all the attention they want which is a considerable about.

If this is your first bird I would not start with a cockatoo. Personally I think you would be better off with a hand raised cockatiel. They are absolutely wonderful birds with a ton of personality. Don’t think that just because they are easily available and so many people have them that they are boring. My tiel is incredibly sweet and at the same time quite devious.

If you don't want a cockatiel maybe a greencheeck conure would be more to your tastes. They are more difficult but also a great bird with personality abounds.

I really don't think a cockatoo is an appropriate bird for any persons first bird no matter the amount of research done. And even for people who are experienced with birds they prove very difficult.
So really I think you should steer clear of a cockatoo.

[350z2nr]

I'm actually thinking of an amazon right now, not sure though.

[kimf]

He's looking really messy in those pictures. Did he just have a bath or is it from preening? If he hasn't bathed he may be over preening which can lead to feather picking if not careful. That can come from anxiety or poor diet, moulting & itchy feathers etc.

Anyway. Goffins I believe are a very popular cockatoo in the US because of their freindly nature. Here in Austrlaia we tend to have little corellas, long bills or galahs as our more popular ones. But no matter what you get there are good & bad things about them. Really it's upto you to know if you should take this bird in or not. Even though he's looking a little rough around a few areas he does generally look healthy & bright eyed, that's a bonus for any bird that age that's up for sale.

Are you prepared to handle their horro biting because it is not preventable. ALL parrot species go through this throughout their lives & cockatoos are the worst because when they reach maturity & old age, their horror attitudes can last for years & there isn't anything you can do about this except ride it out, have some patients & understanding.

They're pretty messy! They WILL seek out to chew things that they're not suposed to so can nyou make your home safe enough for him & have LOADS of chewable toys to distract him from chewing things around the home. One of the most common things they seem to love chewing is lounge suites so, be prepared for the worst.

They're extremely hardy birds & yet they're self distructive. Feather picking is common but not normal in cockatoos. They're highly needy & stressful birds by nature. the tiniest little change in & around the home can upset them. they don't like change & NEED solid routines so make sure you're able to provide this every day for the rest of the birds life (80+ years).

They bond to one person which is fine but be very careful as they tend to be extremely nasty to any other family member other than who they've bonded to. To prevent this happening is very simple & works well. Have ALL family members, girlfriends, boyfriends, friends have a lot to do with the bird. Lots of playing, feeding, training, everything. This will not stop him bonding to one person but it will stop him chasing the rest of the people out of 'his' house & will make him tolerate anyone.

They're highly social birds. Take him everywhere you can! This will teach them excellent social skills with all humans & again prevent any attacking of other people.

I hear so many people say how loud they & yes they but really you should try living here with wild black cockatoos & long bills in large flocks going around your yard. then have your own birds inside answering their calls, including an eclectus parrot who's picked up the black cockatoos call perfectly. Now that's REALLY deafining & with summer here it's gotten worse. Trust me, one cockatoo loud in a house is nothing compared to this. But yes, be aware of the noise level & also consider your neighbours.

If you're detirmined to do this do your research on these birds, & I mean thorough research. Find out everything you can & particularly look at the bad points of these birds as they do tend to rear their ugly heads more often than the good points about them.

Also read this, it's good
http://www.quakerville.com/qic/q_advice.asp

[K9BOB]

As you know everyone has a different experience and thus opinions. My opinion as someone who has had/has many parrots to include Goffin and Umbrella I would first point out that an adult Goffin,s bite is capable of delivering more PSI pressure than most any of the parrot species . This in itself is something that you need to consider in that most anything can be damaged or destroyed by this parrots grip including almost *ANY* toy that is not made of solid steel (not even the toughest kong toy for big dogs are safe from total destruction) which creates issues in many circumstances that exceed many other parrot owners experiences. It becomes imperative that you acquire a bird that is well socialized in not using it's beak to indiscrimminately bite the hand that feeds it. I have handled goffins/umbrellas that seemed not to know they had the ability to bite a human or other animal and then on the other hand my first Goffin was a maniac and loved to crunch anything and everything.
As metioned they can be and are usually EXTREMELY loud and naturally so especially in the morning and the evening in many cases.
They generally are very active birds sorta like a Border Collie in that to be healthy they need plenty of room and lots of diversions.

If you can acquire one that has good manners I see no reason other than the noise factor not to get one .

cheers

[350z2nr]

Yes I understand what a responsibility he is, however I went in there the other day to put my deposit on him and the owner said he isn't for sell any more. I use to go in there every day for the past two weeks and spend a couple hours with him a day. When I went in there to get him the other day he is looking worse, he started picking his chest feathers. I couldn't come in there for a few days I was getting money together to get him. Is this because he had gotten use to me that he was picking? It usually didn't matter where I was in the store he would try to find a way to get on my shoulder. I'm worried about him because the owner of the store wants him as a "mascot" and it's apparent he isn't happy there. His water is always filthy and I found mites in his food!! Do I need to call animal cruelty or something?

[AleandraOwens20]

to be honest, animal cruelty wont do anything unless theres no food, water, or shelter...otherwise they wont do anything. Why isn't he up for sale anymore???

[dbl120902]

Hon, this thread is from October, and seeing as the OP is no longer an active member, chances are he will not reply. ;)

[AleandraOwens20]

oh...*bangs head on door*......Ive got some problems.....

[350z2nr]

to be honest, animal cruelty wont do anything unless theres no food, water, or shelter...otherwise they wont do anything. Why isn't he up for sale anymore???

He was on "layaway" type deal. A woman who obviously couldn't take care of him gave them $50 to hold him. He was that way for 3 months, until recently when he was put up for sale again.

[LadyLynn]

I'm sorry, I agree with someone else, this bird appears to be plucking, and to me, quite the opposite, think this bird doesn't appear to be in optimal health.

A first bird should always be a smaller bred bird to help you get used to "Condition yourself to the habits of a bigger bird later, but you should be owned by a smaller breed bird for 2 or 3 years first and then work your way up.................

Most people I know of advice large bred birds & of course the smaller ones shouldn't be on our shoulders in the first place, they can do major damage to our faces. "I however tend to let my conures sit there.

Too's I have heard........... "I don't own one but am repeating what I've heard others say are so loud that the neighbors will complain, and will destroy any woodwork structures of your home if you don't give them the amount of wood and toys they need.

Also that it's almost absolutely necessary for someone to be home with a too all day long because they are such love sponges, and they easily become stressed if they don't feel they are getting enough.

I think however if you've worked with birds, large and small for years then you might be ready for a large breed bird.

Let us know what you decide to do.

Good luck.

[AleandraOwens20]

so are you gonna buy him?

[350z2nr]

This was a long time ago, it takes too long to post on here. I actually have owned an African Grey now for around 5 months. Yes he is my first bird and he is very healthy and very happy.