The Ugly Too

[Carriejo]

X-posted from Livejournal. Hope this is ok.

There is this "ugly duckling" cockatoo at the bird store where I bought Marley. She's been there since before Marley was born and he'll be a year in Sept. It just breaks my heart. She's the sweetest love, I talk to her and play with her everytime I go in there, and everyone else just passes her by. Her feathers arent very pretty, it looks like she over picks them but not to the point of hurting herself. I feel that with the proper love and attention and a home she might grow out beautifully. Even if she doesnt, she's a doll as it is and would love to have her as part of the family.

I went in yesterday and she's been moved to a smaller cage as there are bigger birds in the bigger ones. Her cage is quite small, and she looked so sad. I tell the owner everytime that one day i'm gonna come in and buy her because it breaks my heart that no one will buy her cause she isnt as pretty or cool as say the greys or amazons. There was another TOO in there that was the same age as her and it got bought right away. So sad. Anyway, i asked the owner how much she'd want, and she told me 1400. I thought maybe she'd give me a break since no one else is buying it, and she knows how much i care for this little girl. I think i'm just gonna go in there and offer 1100, for bird and PROPER cage. The worst she can do is say no.

In anycase, i wanted to hear from some Cockatoo owners, how much work are they, are they really loud, is it going to be an issue with my Senegal. How is he gonna adjust to another bird and vice versa. I don tknow much about Cockatoos being that i never thought of owning one.

Roxy is pretty quiet and doesnt beg for attention like most cockatoos i've seen, but i would imagine that would change once her environment changed. Opinions, advice? Thanks all!

Carrie

[Shockadine]

That's pretty sad. I don't have a 'too myself, yet. What kind of cockatoo is it?

I've been in a similar situation. Almost 3 years ago now, a petstore got in a baby blue and gold macaw. They were asking $1999 for it. No wonder they never sold it. It's feathers look very ratty and being 3 years old now, no one wants it. The bird is very sweet though and I play with him through the bars when I go. He rolls over and squawks and he's very gentle. I think about a year ago I made an offer of $1200 for him, but they wouldn't take it. Almost everytime I go in there I see someone hit the cage or tease him or blow on him and yell stuff at him. It's really sad. He's a sweet bird. They lowered his price to $1799 which is still obsurd.

There are a few cockatoo owners on this board that I'm sure can help you a bit there. There is also a good chance the bird will change over time in better conditions, and act more like the average cockatoo.

[Squawksx3]

These stories are so sad :( ... a year is way too long for a bird to live in pet store conditions. I'm also curious what kind of Cockatoo it is ... from what you posted Carrie: she's been moved to a smaller cage as there are bigger birds in the bigger ones, it may be the smaller 'too?... Goffins or Bare Eyed maybe. Theres also a rose breasted but they are a beautiful pink color. Is this one white?. If birds are in too small of a cage, their feathers will become very ragged/split looking from hitting them on the side of the cage and perches.

I have a Goffin's, Umbrella and Moluccan. The smaller cockatoo's dont seem to be as loud as the larger ones... although keep in mind every bird is different. Our Goffin's is such a kick... he talks and sings more than he screams... which he hardly ever screams anymore. The Umbrella and Moluccan on the other hand can scream for hours on end and they are deafening screams. They also are more moody and unpredictable than the Goffins. I personally dont know anyone that has a Bare Eyed but have been told they have the same temperment and personality as the Goffins.. and are considered the clowns of the 'too world. Any 'too wants and needs quite a bit of attention. They are very social and need to be in the thick of things. I would LOVE to have a rose breasted!. They are very gentle, even tempered and loving birds and why you never find them in rescue. The cockatoo will adjust in time.. its hard to say if it will get along with your Senegal. It will definately take up more of your time with any new bird. The one thing I've found out about cockatoo's is they aren't as forgiving as macaws. If something happens to them they remember.. probably forever LOL. The macaws forget and carry on with what they were doing.

I hope this has helped some. I've been told it takes a special person to be owned by a 'too. I definately have a new respect for 'too's after living with our three LOL. You have a very big heart.. and we're here for you!!. Good luck with the offer. Its sad how the money is more important then the life and welfare of the animal. :(

['too crazy]

I have a goffins cockatoo that was locked in a small cage with no toys or perches and in a room with no windows for 6 years. By the time I got him, he was a very scared, pitifully plucked bird. With love and LOTS of patience, he has opened up and now thinks he's the most important animal in the house. He still however is a feather plucker but I still love him and would if he was totally bald. I also have a quaker but due to the size difference, I don't put them together at all. However they are both in the living room and they do fine. I would go in and offer them less for the cockatoo saying that it's been there for a year, and is obviously a plucker. You might be surprised and they'd take less knowing they are housing and feeding a bird who's appearance isn't going to get him bought. Keep us updated!

[Carriejo]

These stories are so sad :( ... a year is way too long for a bird to live in pet store conditions. I'm also curious what kind of Cockatoo it is ... from what you posted Carrie: , it may be the smaller 'too?... Goffins or Bare Eyed maybe. Theres also a rose breasted but they are a beautiful pink color. Is this one white?. If birds are in too small of a cage, their feathers will become very ragged/split looking from hitting them on the side of the cage and perches.

I have a Goffin's, Umbrella and Moluccan. The smaller cockatoo's dont seem to be as loud as the larger ones... although keep in mind every bird is different. Our Goffin's is such a kick... he talks and sings more than he screams... which he hardly ever screams anymore. The Umbrella and Moluccan on the other hand can scream for hours on end and they are deafening screams. They also are more moody and unpredictable than the Goffins. I personally dont know anyone that has a Bare Eyed but have been told they have the same temperment and personality as the Goffins.. and are considered the clowns of the 'too world. Any 'too wants and needs quite a bit of attention. They are very social and need to be in the thick of things. I would LOVE to have a rose breasted!. They are very gentle, even tempered and loving birds and why you never find them in rescue. The cockatoo will adjust in time.. its hard to say if it will get along with your Senegal. It will definately take up more of your time with any new bird. The one thing I've found out about cockatoo's is they aren't as forgiving as macaws. If something happens to them they remember.. probably forever LOL. The macaws forget and carry on with what they were doing.

I hope this has helped some. I've been told it takes a special person to be owned by a 'too. I definately have a new respect for 'too's after living with our three LOL. You have a very big heart.. and we're here for you!!. Good luck with the offer. Its sad how the money is more important then the life and welfare of the animal. :(

She's a Moluccan 'Too. I went back on Friday and sat with her and played. I asked them to take her out of the cage since i'd never seen her out, and within 2 mins of him holding her, she was biting, looked rather hard to me, however, if he said OWE! She would stop immediately! He said she was trying to play with him. Looked painful to me...yikes! She's so sweet, and absolutely loves me and I love her, its seems though based on what i've read here and there that a 'Too isnt gonna fit in our lifestyle right now, we're only 27 and have yet to get married and have kids, and it seems like a 'too is something that will have to come later in life. Its just sad cause i never really wanted one, she's the only one i want...she captured my heart.

[Squawksx3]

Moluccan's are beautiful and loving birds. Just the fact that she stopped biting when the guy said owe is a very good sign. Most love to snuggle and are very lovable. Our Moluccan (Cookie) was suppose to be a breeder. She was only 3 years old (not breeding age yet) and the breeder decided he didnt want her anymore and she was on her way to the flea market to be sold. We took her and had it arranged to place her in a Moluccan sanctuary in Washington state. It was about 3 months before the sanctuary was ready to take her... well, by that time she worked her way into our hearts.. and we kept her. The Sanctuary actually named her when we made the arrangements and they wanted to call her Cookie. We left her name that because she was used to it by then.. I would've named her something else LOL. She was not handled like she should've been because she was going to be a breeder... and we cant handle her without her getting majorly stressed out. She LOVES scritches and kisses on the head, but will not step up and panics if we try to hold her. She doesnt scream and carry on like our Umbrella (though many Moluccans do) and doesnt talk at all, she's almost 5 yrs old now. She does make these little whine noises when I love on her and she also barks like a chihuahua.. which she picked up from our Umbrella LOL. She bites at her wing feathers, but doesnt pluck... she's done this since we got her and has become a habit... we never have to clip her wings, she does it herself. She was in too small of a cage before we got her. Cookie's moods are very easy to read. We can tell when she wants love and attention.. and when she wants to be left alone. I've been told that Moluccans have the same temperment and personality as Umbrella's.... they need alot of attention and are very moody. Cookie is so sweet and a very loving bird. Moluccan's and Umbrella's are called "velcro" birds because they want to stick to you and be with you 24/7.... but they will adjust to your lifestyle most of the time. Big hugs to you for researching and doing your homework prior to bringing any bird home. The Moluccans do have a way of stealing your heart.