NikkiEagle

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I'm new to the site and joined primarily for advice, support and mentoring as a new care gives to a beautiful triton cockatoo. He arrived nameless but shouts hello buddy a lot so I'm taking that as a clue! He has a mystery background, was with the owner prior to me for just a few weeks and before her all Ive been told was that he had a crap life. He came to me in a cage too small to lift his crest and wore an expression of amazement when he 1st saw his brand new 6ft cage! He had just 1 old toy, he now as dozens. Buddy is my 1st experience of a cockatoo and I know I've taken on the biggest challenge of my life. His last owner passed him on after he bit her and a family member quite badly. He has plucked large amounts of feathers not long before he came but most appear to be growing back and he has lots of fluffy bits, however he's itchy, I'm guessing it's due to the regrowth and of course i know parasites could be an issue too. What should I look out for? What might help him? I've looked at soothing sprays online but what would people recommend? A good spray with a mister yesterday seemed to help so we'll do that again soon. Ideally he would go for a full check up at the vets but i foresee 1 distressed and bitey bird and a vet bleeding profusely! I think he needs time to settle a bit 1st and give me time to get to know him and his moods. I think he is lacking in socialization, noises and sudden movements make him jump and instantly open his beak ready! I'm dreading that 1st bite! He was being sent to a rescue centre and if I feel he would be happier there then he would go. I just wanted him to have this last chance but have i done the right thing? I don't know if hes ever had birdie pals before and he hasn't been in the same room as any of my other birds up to now so I haven't seen his reaction. Hes very very content to sit on my knee, bending his head for a scratch. Hes actually snoozing right now! I'm going to take that as a sign he's happy enough! And yesterday I discovered he enjoys a dance! And loves to show off with it when he hears 'clever boy!' Ive ordered a clicker to begin some training and I'd like tips on that too if anyone can help? I want to do my absolute best for this beautiful boy with the sad eyes. I want to see him happy, affectionate and well adjusted.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum and well done on taking on a rehome :)
Soothing spray wise …. luke warm cool fresh water. Yup you read that right so additives etc. Parasite wise unless he was kept outdoors and with other birds I would doubt very much it is parasitic more likely to be worrying and fretting etc. Interaction, a properly balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit and veggies and a good routine where your bird gets to know what happens next. As much as it's very tempting to have lots of people pop around try and keep things calm no towering over him / her. And as ever … all parrots bite usually when they are spooked, afraid (flight or fight defence) Roz on here is brilliant with training @Roz advice :)
Get yourself a really good avian vet and book in for a check up … err your bird not you lol! Thereafter be prepared for your life never to be the same :)
 
Hello and welcome. I have a greater Sulphur crested (the triton is a sub species) plus a Lesser and a citron and a umbrella in the too family. I would be extremely surprised if mites are the problem but a combination of stress and diet are the most common causes of plucking. well you will find a good soaking they will love mine get sprayed every other day with water at room temperature. if the bird is going through a moult or appears that it is itchy then every other spray I add a little aloe Vera juice. one of two main problems that leads too's to get rehomed is biting along with there loud calls. Now a too's bite can be very nasty and many people can end up frightened of the bird and of course the bird ends up with out freedom and sometimes neglected. I am pleased you have already changed Buddy's life. Now as far as the vet visit then my advice is to get it done as soon as possible so once done you can properly settle your bird in. if he gets too know you more he may think that you have let him and his trust down. Toos can be the most affectionate birds of all species but if they dislike you they can be dangerous. I would also advice that you do not go in with your too if it is going to have treatments or blood tests as you may get blamed for its discomfort. A good vet should know how to handle Buddy and if they are not confident then I will advice finding a vet that is. I Work with too's that used to attack and understand there ways quite well. thank you for taking on this little fellow and helping him.
 
:welcome: from me and my flock

Good for you giving Buddy a loving home, sounds to me that is what he really needs, somewhere to call his own, someone who loves and will understand him. Toos are my favourite bird I have to say, although I haven't one now, my first 'parrot' was a LSC.
Do keep us up to date with how he (and you) get on. I am sure other members with Toos will be along later as well.
 
:welcome: Hi Nikki and welcome to the forum.....you’ve come to the right place.....we’re all parrot potty, and a friendly bunch, so will help you all we can.
Yes you have done the right thing in giving “buddy” a new home, far better than a rescue. You’ve already recognised things that were wrong in his previous life, and with your knowledge of already having other birds...then you’re soon going to get wound round buddy’s little toes!

Going to tag in @plumsmum who has two rescued Toos and of course her dear Plum who is flying free over the rainbow bridge. I good diet with lots of fresh foods will help a better life and overal wellbeing, and routine will help settle and build that bond and hopefully bites won’t be happening too often.

I think the nearest avian specialist to you is probably Richard Jones at AVS in Northwich
http://avianveterinaryservices.co.uk/
He is highly recommended by members in that area.
You may know of someone more local though.
 
Hi Nikki and :welcome: to you and 'Buddy' :)

I will re-iterate the above advice. Don't be too eager to change too much too soon. There is lots to adjust to. You have a lifetime together so make it a good one and take your time. Yes like the clicker training, they are so smart and he will get it like lightening if he wants to. Don't worry re the birdie pals they tend to be very imprinted on us lot and hardly even notice another bird. I've got three atm all doing their own thing.

"I think he is lacking in socialization, noises and sudden movements make him jump and instantly open his beak ready!" Use soothing words "its OK!" He will look to you for that eventually. Beware things like mops, brooms and ironing boards in this house, they are bogey men! :) Please do have a look at Sally Blanchard's site on etsy she has some printed materials on 'too's which are IMO worth reading. Are you prepared for the noise and destruction when this parrot has settled? Start stocking cardboard and some safe wooden toys in readiness cos when he does find his feet you will be kept occupied LOL. Talk to him loads, tell him what you are going to do re in his cage before doing it. What the body language is telling you - tail flare and crest up before doing anything even if it is just giving him a moment and a few words of comfort before continuing. Remember that not all bites are aimed at you some are just to tell you that something is wrong and we have to learn to know the difference. Loads of fresh foods for his diet are important.

Good luck hun and well done.
Thanks @TomsMum for the tag.
 
Hi! Sorry for my delay - flat battery! But thank you very much for your adcvice.
Buddy has so far only met a couple of people, 1 who he appeared to not like very much! Tried to savage her through the bars of his cage and the other was my daughter, he didnt react adversely to her but she kept her distance! He is very jumpy at sounds and people so I'm going down the very slowly but surely route. He has just been sat snoozing on my knee which I'm taking as a sign he's starting to trust me a little.
He does enjoy a varied diet, no problems getting him to eat fruit and veg - and fascinating to watch him hold the food and eat so carefully and gently! I could just watch him for hours! He's suffering with the itching today though, keeps shaking his head too.
Another thing I wanted to ask, his favourite 'call' is to sound like a telephone, obviously when he wants attention but I've read 2 different theories - ignore him and don't give in to his demand but then I also read he is actually shouting to his flock and I should respond and shout back to him. What is the general opinion on this? I'm not comfortable ignoring him, it feels mean!

Hi and welcome to the forum and well done on taking on a rehome :)
Soothing spray wise …. luke warm cool fresh water. Yup you read that right so additives etc. Parasite wise unless he was kept outdoors and with other birds I would doubt very much it is parasitic more likely to be worrying and fretting etc. Interaction, a properly balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit and veggies and a good routine where your bird gets to know what happens next. As much as it's very tempting to have lots of people pop around try and keep things calm no towering over him / her. And as ever … all parrots bite usually when they are spooked, afraid (flight or fight defence) Roz on here is brilliant with training @Roz advice :)
Get yourself a really good avian vet and book in for a check up … err your bird not you lol! Thereafter be prepared for your life never to be the same :)
 
If mine should I talk to them, to me it is their way of communicating, but others think differently, do what you feel is right by him and for you.
 
Yes acknowledge him, if that is his flock call...maybe with a whistle or a hello...then maybe he will pick up that, which may be a bit more acceptable! Don’t respond to screaming, by going to see him, as that would lead to negative reinforcement...I’ll scream because I know mum will come running.....you will learn to recognise screaming for attention as opposed to an alarm call if something is wrong.answer screaming when it stops with your flock call response, the whistle or hello, or whatever word you use.... that will give confidence that you are close by.parrots are social, flock creatures and it is natural to ask after your flock.
 
I had some vocal troubles with Plum in the early days and just used to call to him from where ever I was, most of the time it was just asking "hello where are you"? You get to know the 'I've seen a cat or something I don't like' calls. Be careful, too's are called velcro birds and you need Buddy to be as independant as possible. The opposite is hard work for you. :)

Get the Avian vet to see him asap especially re the itching.
 
:welcome: NikkiEagle and Buddy! Love that you have taken Buddy on and have got a beautiful new cage and toys for him! I so hope you can keep him. What other birds do you have? It is probably a good idea to keep them separate until Buddy has been checked over by a vet. Some avian vets will do a home visit if you are uncomfortable about putting Buddy into a carrier... of course it's expensive, but possible. I resorted to that once with my birds.

Already so much great advice. I agree that it is rare for indoor birds to have mites/parasites and would imagine the itching is from the new feathers growing in. Lots of spraying with water should help soften them as they grow through. Personally I like putting a touch of organic cider vinegar into the spray water.

That's so great that Buddy is already happy to sit on your knee without biting. You don't ever have to get bitten by him if you watch his body language carefully. If you see tell tale signs like fluffing up especially on the hackles (upper back), maybe even the crest coming up, eyes widening, maybe a more upright stance or even beginning to lean away, take heed and back off. Respect his "no". Do everything you can to avoid a bite because as soon as he learns to he can't unlearn it.

As for the sound. If you ignore it only, it will get worse. The best way to deal with an unwanted behaviour is to be careful not to reinforce it (ie. don't go running to him as TomsMum advised), but also replace it with another more acceptable one. So if you can predict when he's going to do the phone sound, cue another behaviour before he does it. Or if you are out of the room, answer him (some reinforcement and some reassurance), but as soon as he does another more acceptable sound reinforce it like crazy by giving him loads of attention (since you think attention is reinforcing to him)... you might even give him a favourite treat too. A bird/animal will always choose to do the behaviour that earns most reinforcement.
 
If mine should I talk to them, to me it is their way of communicating, but others think differently, do what you feel is right by him and for you.
Brilliant! I really wasnt happy ignoring him and its not a scream - I've been treated to a couple of those and jeez!! Never heard anything like it in my .life! Didn't half make me jump!It was pretty terrifying. I'm lucky so far in that he hasn't bitten me but I know I'll get one eventually. It sounded as if the owner before me made mistakes in where she stroked him - under the wings etc, he 'attacked' both her and her daughter.
Could I also ask opinions on him riding on my shoulder? I've heard its a no no but he does not want to be on my forearm and seems less wobbly on my shoulder, feels like thats when I'll get bitten, trying to prevent him climbing to my shoulder. My other birds have sat there without thinking they're the boss!
 
:welcome: NikkiEagle and Buddy! Love that you have taken Buddy on and have got a beautiful new cage and toys for him! I so hope you can keep him. What other birds do you have? It is probably a good idea to keep them separate until Buddy has been checked over by a vet. Some avian vets will do a home visit if you are uncomfortable about putting Buddy into a carrier... of course it's expensive, but possible. I resorted to that once with my birds.

Already so much great advice. I agree that it is rare for indoor birds to have mites/parasites and would imagine the itching is from the new feathers growing in. Lots of spraying with water should help soften them as they grow through. Personally I like putting a touch of organic cider vinegar into the spray water.

That's so great that Buddy is already happy to sit on your knee without biting. You don't ever have to get bitten by him if you watch his body language carefully. If you see tell tale signs like fluffing up especially on the hackles (upper back), maybe even the crest coming up, eyes widening, maybe a more upright stance or even beginning to lean away, take heed and back off. Respect his "no". Do everything you can to avoid a bite because as soon as he learns to he can't unlearn it.

As for the sound. If you ignore it only, it will get worse. The best way to deal with an unwanted behaviour is to be careful not to reinforce it (ie. don't go running to him as TomsMum advised), but also replace it with another more acceptable one. So if you can predict when he's going to do the phone sound, cue another behaviour before he does it. Or if you are out of the room, answer him (some reinforcement and some reassurance), but as soon as he does another more acceptable sound reinforce it like crazy by giving him loads of attention (since you think attention is reinforcing to him)... you might even give him a favourite treat too. A bird/animal will always choose to do the behaviour that earns most reinforcement.
:welcome: NikkiEagle and Buddy! Love that you have taken Buddy on and have got a beautiful new cage and toys for him! I so hope you can keep him. What other birds do you have? It is probably a good idea to keep them separate until Buddy has been checked over by a vet. Some avian vets will do a home visit if you are uncomfortable about putting Buddy into a carrier... of course it's expensive, but possible. I resorted to that once with my birds.

Already so much great advice. I agree that it is rare for indoor birds to have mites/parasites and would imagine the itching is from the new feathers growing in. Lots of spraying with water should help soften them as they grow through. Personally I like putting a touch of organic cider vinegar into the spray water.

That's so great that Buddy is already happy to sit on your knee without biting. You don't ever have to get bitten by him if you watch his body language carefully. If you see tell tale signs like fluffing up especially on the hackles (upper back), maybe even the crest coming up, eyes widening, maybe a more upright stance or even beginning to lean away, take heed and back off. Respect his "no". Do everything you can to avoid a bite because as soon as he learns to he can't unlearn it.

As for the sound. If you ignore it only, it will get worse. The best way to deal with an unwanted behaviour is to be careful not to reinforce it (ie. don't go running to him as TomsMum advised), but also replace it with another more acceptable one. So if you can predict when he's going to do the phone sound, cue another behaviour before he does it. Or if you are out of the room, answer him (some reinforcement and some reassurance), but as soon as he does another more acceptable sound reinforce it like crazy by giving him loads of attention (since you think attention is reinforcing to him)... you might even give him a favourite treat too. A bird/animal will always choose to do the behaviour that earns most reinforcement.

The telephone noise is definitely when he's calling to me, he doesnt do it if I'm in the room with him and its not unreasonable to shout "Hey Mom! Where are you?" is it?! Ha ha ha!! I'm learning as regards body language but sometimes, when I've caught a pin feather funny I think, his head whips round, beak open... I just firmly tell him no bite. The one time he hissed and looked as if he was definitely trying to bite I told him no and left him alone in his room.
My other birds....I have a budgie, a peach faced and a black cheek love bird and a conure, cinnamon green cheek.
My 1st bird was Luna, my beautiful girl. A lovebird who passed away in Jan and I can honestly say my heart shattered into a million pieces and I will never be ok with her loss. It truly broke me and if I'm honest I'm chasing that beautiful bond we shared in the birds I now have but she was irreplaceable. Hand tamed her myself and I have never been so adored in my life.
I'm a big supporter of rescue pets and 2nd chances. My dog is now 16 and was a rescue 14 and a half years ago. A pet is for life and all that! Buddy will have to be extreme in his behaviour for me to give up. I'm surprised to find hes not too noisy in the morning, just at dusk which I'm absolutely fine with. Mornings however...! Not my fave part of day due to late nights because of my job.
I love the advice I'm receiving on here! All these like minded people! I usually get a lot of tuts and eyerolls when I start talking birds!
 
Well the Calling I can say has both answers that can be correct. I will put things in a different way and let you decide what you think is best. this is the way i work with the Are you happy with the way your bird calls? Ok they are loud but changing the call will take time and patients. Shouting back can reinforce the call but also it can make your bird frustrated and there is more chance that it will tell you it disapproved by a bite.as he cannot see you when he wanted. If I do not like a call I never ignore it but also I acknowledge that I have taken note off his calling by letting him see me and I just give a hand signal (a flat hand ) now if he starts making a quieter noise then I will reward him by giving all the attention. If you go down the way of talking to him when he calls he has won so yet again not the best situation although this can build trust and bonding you will find that its not an ideal answer as your bird knows that you will react and yet again reinforce the calling. Attention is what the bird wants most of all but with a too you must not allow it to rule you. The biggest problem I have found is stooping the bird from over bonding so routine becomes so important. Buster my GSC2 is one bird that will attack a stranger if they go near his cage but is the most gentle bird with me. he will call very loud if I have guests until he gets too know them but I still make sure he is not left out when a visitor comes. His calls can be so loud that he has driven people from my home and I do have ear muffs that I can use for the guest as it is the extreme. When it is just me he dose not call but talks and knows he will ne acknowledged. Too's are demanding but it is important that he learns he will get the attention on your terms and not his. Itching? dose your bird shake his head a lot as this can be an indication of a problem with the ears and may be worth having them checked. Buster I am homing as the home situation and the owners health was being affected, Joey, Chalky are the charities birds that I have been working with and Lou Lou is also the charities' bird and I am in the process of adopting her, I work a lot with birds that need that extra support and love. what other birds do you have?
 
I see the rest of the zoo Ha Ha I started to post my reply but the computer cut out I have lovebirds conures budgies tiels senegals amazons greys ringnecks macaws plus others and the only bird that Dose not get on with the other too's is Buster but he is fine with all other species
 
A lot for you to digest :)
I think it's going to be a case of steady as you go don't try to do too much too soon and get to know him / her. Things will settle and never ever give up :) sometimes it's us that has to change not the bird :besos:
 
Hi and :welcome:. I too have a rescue cockatoo and he also came to mine with issues. He is a cuddly bundle of feathers and I adore him. He took over a year to gain trust from humans as he had very bad experiences with previous owners. I was told he may not ever want human contact and I accepted that and I never tried to make him friendly. I just sat back and let him do all the grafting :risas3:. Now he is very cuddly tame.
When my parrots talk/scream and generally doing their calling I always answer back and even when it is loud screaming in the mornings and evenings I scream back lol. My neighbours must think I am a crazy lady.
Not everyone will agree but I don't ignor them. They are wanting to communicate so I give them what they need as in the wild their flock will call back. However I am at home with my birds all day 6 days a week. So they aren't appart from me a lot.

Well done for taking Buddy into your home.
It sounds to me like he has now found his right home.
 
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