Re-naming a mature cockatoo..is it possible??

[kianga2007]

Just wondering if anyone has successfully re-named any of their rescue birds? I have always imagined it would be confusing for the bird. Would love to hear from any of you who have renamed or not![size="4"]

[Doyle'sMommy]

We renamed Danny (Mitred Conure). He was about 3 years old and had only known one name before that. He knows his name is Danny for sure and I think it really is helping him overcome his bad past. I think if a bird was mistreated a name could bring back bad memories.

[Monica]

Can only echo what Tiffany said... I haven't renamed any of my birds, but had always thought about it... could just never think of anything better for them! Some though will suggest renaming the bird to something that sounds familiar to their own, and others may suggest letting the bird choose a name (such as listing off names and seeing if they react to any particular one). However, some birds are just as happy with their names and know it well!

[MaryG1959]

if you are adopting a bird from a bad past there are some that say that they can and should be renamed. The theory is that they associate the old name w/the old life and the new name with the new life.

I've done both. I have a bird named Angel that kept his name (he should've been named oscar the grouch!) and two b & g's that were given male names ----after DNA'ing I changed them to Lucy & Ethel!

[ROYJOY]

I agree with all. also, does the bird even know its original name, if someone names an animal, and never calls it by name, it will never learn it, so if you give him a name and get him used to it, he probably wont even remember his old name, if he even knew it in the first place. i stayed with tiki's original name but i dont think he knows it. he doesnt react, on the other hand i can talk to my 2 love birds individualy by name and they seem to know who im talking to.

[kathyellen]

Well...I have several birds, that I did not know their original names when we got them.

Elsie May is a 7 year old M2...I know that her previous owners thought she was a male and were trying to make her a breeder..she was completely plucked when we got her......it did not take her long to know Elsie is her name...( and after just 4 months her feathers look amazing :)

Peanut was a 18 year old peach faced lovebird....he passed away just last week. We had him for over a year..he was wonderful and amazing and totally knew he was our Peanut...

Daisy the brand new mommy Senegal. ..knows her name is Daisy...I have no idea how old she is or what her name was....she will eat out of my hand and does not run away...but we don't trust each other enough for any holding...yet

Angel is our 3 year old Umbrella Cockatoo, we got him when he was 1 1/2...no idea what his name was...he is our ANGEL and knows it..lol

The only other previously owned bird we have is Bohdie, he says HI BOHDIE at the top of his lungs and I would not dream of changing his name

[tielmama]

I've had my U2 for about 2 months. He was Whiteboy for 16 years, and Beretta for a time before that. He is so sweet, that it struck me to call him Gabriel, for the angel. I liked it better, and tried, but I may have to reintroduce him as Whiteboy, because I can't quit calling him that. He really responds to the word Boy. I also call him Babyboy and Prettyboy, and when I ask him if he's mama's boy, he almost knocks me down trying to give me hugs and kisses. I guess he's still the Boy. I don't see anything wrong with renaming a rehome though. Even if it wasn't bad before, they are starting a new chapter in their lives, so it could go with a new name.