Cockatoos ag

Question
QUESTION: Hi i just bought a yellow cheeked cockajust wondering the bestoo. i was wondering what the best way to find out its age is  just to make sure he/she is not too old/ plus how can i tell the gender?

ANSWER: I wish it were that easy.  It's nearly impossible to tell the age of a bird.  Very, very experienced vets might be able to gauge age with Xrays and other hands on evaluations, but to know 'for sure', only the bird knows and they never tell.

As for sex, you need to have a DNA/genetic test done. Of course if it lays an egg that's pretty telling too, but that's not healthy and never to be encouraged.  

There is more here:

 http://www.birdsnways.com/cockatoo/sexing.htm

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks for the quick reply. in the store where we bought him he was very friendly and playful. now that he is home he seems to have gotten meaner. hell still let us pet him in his cage but doesnt want to come out. we do have two cats at the moment but they havent bothered him at all.

Answer
Being relatively new to this home the bird needs a sense of control in order to feel safe. Staying in his cage is one of those means of control; however, it can become a problem.  Birds sometimes become "cage bound", almost impossible to get out of the cage without a lot of drama and biting.  Their owners decide it's easier to just leave them inside.

Birds don't hate and they aren't really mean. Nearly all of their actions, interpreted this way, are related to fear or insecurity. Sometimes due to nesting or territorialism, but in your case the bird is still pretty new so it's probably fear/insecurity.

It's very important to get him out of the cage no matter what.  Make it something fun for him (or her) and offer rewards of enthusiastic praise, even a treat or two and quality interaction time.

 When it comes to cats, never - not ever - forget that even the nicest, most loving and laid back cats are still cats.  They will act on instinct when you least expect it and just one tiny scratch may impart a dangerous bacteria that all cats carry, which can often prove deadly to birds.

 Keep this site in mind for more ideas about bird care

 www.4AnimalCare.org