COCKATOOS

Question
OK I AM 11 YEARS OLD AND AM JUST STARTING WITH BIRDS I HAVE 3 COCKATIELS SO I HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE WITH BIRDS SO ANYWAYS  MY QUESTIONS ARE ALL ABOUT COCKATOOS OK I AM GOING TO MAYBE GET A COCKATOO SOON AND I JUST WANTED TO KNOW SOME THINGS. OK FIRST TO CLEAR UP ALL THE NEGATIVE ANTI- COCKATOO STUFF IS IT TRUE THAT THEY BASICALLY NEED SO MUCH HUMAN INTERACTION THAT YOU BASICALLY DEVOTE YOUR LIFE TO THEM ALSO IS IT TRUE THAT YOU CANT LEAVE THE HOUSE IF YOU HAVE ONE ? ANOTHER THING IS DO THEY REALLY HAVE SESSIONS EVERYDAY WHERE THEY SCREAM VERY LOUD? AND ALSO DO THEY REALLY PLUCK THEIR FEATHERS IF SO WHY AND IS THERE A WAY TO STOP IT ?SINCE I HAVE 3 COCKATIELS WOULD THAT KEEP HIM HAPPY ALSO I AM WILLING TO SPEND A HALF HOUR TO 45 MINS. WITH IT A DAY IT WILL ALSO BE OUT OF ITS CAGE ALOT AND IT WILL BE IN THE LIVING ROOM SO IT WILL SEE PEOPLE ALL DAY AND LAST QUESTION SINCE THIS WILL BE MY FIRST BIG PARROT IS IT BETTER TO GET  A GOFFIN'S OR AN UMBRELLA IM LOOKING MORE TOWARDS THE ONE THAT HAS BETTER TEMPERAMENT AND THE ONE THAT HAS LESS PROBLEMS EXAMPLE:PLUCKING  SCREECHING LESS TIME DEVOTED) OK THOSE ARE MY QUESTIONS SORRY THERES SO MANY BUT I JUST WANT TO BE SURE ABOUT BUYING IT THANK YOU  

Answer
Hello Erik,

I am glad to see you are doing your research before getting a bird. This is something most adults do not do. However I am probably going to disappoint you. I do not believe you should adopt a cockatoo (or any large bird) until you are an adult. These birds if properly cared for should live to be over 50. What will happen to your bird when you go to college, move to an apartment the does not allow pets, or get a job that requires long hours? An avian veterinary exam for a bird that is healthy costs $200, how will you pay for that? How will you pay for medical care for a bird that is sick and needs $1000's in care. Cockatoos chew! Some need a new toy a day, how will you pay for that? A bird this size needs a very large cage ($500-1000) and several playgyms around the house. These are just some questions you need to ask yourself before getting a bird. I recommend that you do put your love of these animals to good work. Contact your local parrot rescue or shelter and find out how you can volunteer your time to help. Maybe your family can foster birds in need of homes, this way you are making a short term commitment, not a lifetime one.

I will answer your questions to help you learn more about these birds.

1. Parrots need to be part of the flock. This is a lifestyle that the family must learn to commit to. The parrots family (and yes, this has to be a family decision) must learn about natural parrot behaviors and learn to become a flock member to their bird. Flock time is much more important the one on one time with a bird. In the wild they would only receive one on one time with their mate. A relationship you do not want to have with your bird.

2. Yes, when you adopt a bird you are making a lifetime commitment. The family must all be in agreement about this decision.

3. Yes they scream very loud daily. This is normal cockatoo behavior that the family must accept and even enjoy. They will have morning and evening sessions as well as contact calls throughout the day.

4. If any bird is plucking their feathers then they must be seen by an avian veterinarian. Feathers plucking is a symptom of an illness.

I think I've already addressed the rest of your questions. I do not recommend a large bird of any kind for any child. Your parents are the ones that need to make this decision for themselves as only they can make the lifetime commitment for the parrot.

I encourage you to continue learning about birds. My website has links to more parrot resources, including a site dedicated just to cockatoos and to several parrot rescues. Do your research with your parents, as they should be the ones ultimately responsible for any new pet until you are an adult.

Jennifer
www.feathersandscales.com