Goffin 'too vs. Blue Crown Conure

[gomoses]

I haven't been owned by a bird in many years, but now that the kids are older I'd like to get back into it. I've narrowed it down, I think to these two birds (Goffin Cockatoo or a Blue Crown Conure). So I'd love some help deciding, or at least gathering information that might help me decide.

For me, I want a "buddy" to hang out with, climb around when I am on the computer or watching TV. I mostly want a companion. I like the personality of the conure, but have always wanted some kind of a cockatoo - so maybe I am looking for an excuse. I found a 4 month old conure a couple of hours away from here - cage included, $400 - pretty good bargain. I found a 6 month old Goffin female several hours away, but drivable. She's was offered for $600 with a cage, but now the cage is not included so not sure of final price. One is being given up for a child's allergies, another due to moving. I figure they are both young enough to not have any insurmountable issues.

I would love to have a bird that the kids would be okay with, but I don't know how they'll be about the occasional bite - if they are too timid with the bird, that's okay - I won't force it. But it would be a benefit to either bird to have more people who can interact with him. Also, we have two dogs, one an exuberant boxer who will probably be okay, but both dogs are noisy and run around the house a lot. Our schedules are another concern. I only work three days a week - but leave at 10am and don't return until midnight on those days. My wife leaves at 9am and is home by 4 on days I work, by 6 on days I don't. Another concern - there are only a few spots to keep the birds out of drafts - we live in New England and it's quite cold. Also, my wife likes to keep the heat on 60 - I think rather too cold. She's agreed to compromise, but does anyone know what an acceptable thermostat setting is? The lower the better!

Thanks for any advice,
Moses

[Conure crazy]

As far as which bird, I would say do a lot of research on both and then meet the birds. It is my understanding that cockatoos are more sensitive to change and needier. I also believe that birds pick people.

It sounds as though you trust your dogs, DON'T. They may be good with kids, dogs, cats, people, etc. but birds are different. My dogs are good about ignoring my bird but I would never trust them 100%. It is just the instinct of many dogs to kill birds. They can also jump on the cage & knock it over.

If you are concerned about the temperature of your house you can purchase heated panels to place behind the cage but the cage still cannot be in a drafty area.

How old are your children? Both birds have the potential to hurt little fingers.

Does your wife also want a bird? Birds are very different from other pets. No teflon, candles, carpet cleaning, chemicals, etc. They are also messy, loud, & expensive. When you love them, it's no big deal but when a spouse doesn't really want them, it can be a problem.

It's also important to socialize the bird. You mentioned how you wanted to hold the bird but if you are the only bird who handles the bird then you might have problems later. When Kermit was a baby we encouraged everyone to hold her and we still do.

When you go to look at the birds, it's okay to say no if the bird isn't right for you. You may feel obligated to take the bird after a long drive but keep in mind how long the bird is going to live.

Good luck.

[gomoses]

Argh - just wrote a long reply and lost it.

I love my dogs but definitely DO NOT trust them. I would like a bird not so freaked out by their noise and ruckus, although I know they can grow used to them. I am understanding that the Goffin is less neurotic than other 'toos.

The kids are 11 and 12 - I really want them to be interacting with the bird, but one ever knows, especially now that they are so ... hormonal themselves. I don't want to count on them to be more than just "around". My wife is all for it, but not very knowledgeable about birds. So we will be working on that.

Thanks!
Moses

[mmr]

Originally Posted by gomoses

Argh - just wrote a long reply and lost it.

I love my dogs but definitely DO NOT trust them. I would like a bird not so freaked out by their noise and ruckus, although I know they can grow used to them. I am understanding that the Goffin is less neurotic than other 'toos.

The kids are 11 and 12 - I really want them to be interacting with the bird, but one ever knows, especially now that they are so ... hormonal themselves. I don't want to count on them to be more than just "around". My wife is all for it, but not very knowledgeable about birds. So we will be working on that.

Thanks!
Moses

a too is a too, and theya ll can be as you say neurotic. They are also USUALLY a one person bird. So that bieng said and you want the whole family involved I would go with the Conure.

[Conure crazy]

Your kids are the same age as mine. My kids are very involved with our conure, they were 6, 7, & 7 when we got Kermit. Kermit was very well socialized and loved attention so it was easy for them to interact with her. She was 4 months old at the time.

With kids it's important to teach them to the respect the bird. When Kermit doesn't want to be messed with she warns them to leave her alone, if they don't respect that then it's their fault they got bit. You also have to teach them to move slowly, if she's startled she will bite but if they move slowly and talk to her before trying to pick her up she will willingly step up. We usually tell her "step up" before reaching for her so she knows what we expect. Lastly, birds will reach out with their beak if you back off then they have the potential to bite. Your kids would have to learn the difference between a warning and the bird just reaching out with his beak to get on their finger. With patience I think your kids are at a great age for a family bird.

I don't know very much about cockatoos but I do know that my conure does great in a busy loud house with 3 kids & 2 dogs. Occasionally she will fly if one of the dogs barks but she's not scared of them, actually they are afraid of her.

[loyallyroyal]

Have you taken a look at Ekkies? Mine is a great family bird and will go to just about anyone.

[gomoses]

I have, and really like them. When my kids were toddlers this was the bird I considered. I think they might be a little low-energy for us. Everything I read is about how mellow they are and laid back. Do you have more insight?

[loyallyroyal]

I really think its the individual bird Ive heard lots of people describe ekkies as kind of lazy, not into toys, need a completely quiet calm enviroment, ect.

But my own experience was quite a bit different, some days Dewey (my red-sided) drives me crazy getting into everything, He is laid-back in the fact that he is go with the flow, he doesnt freak if his schedule is off or if there is something new going on.
He LOVES toys, but he isnt too into destroying them, like manzanita and other hard woods dont interest him, now give him soft yucca wood or a bottlebrush (especially cajeput) branch with all the bark still intact and he will have a field day.
He is flighted though, which from meeting clipped ekkies, makes a big difference. Most that Ive met that never fledged are big perch potatoes.

Whats funny is I looked into Goffins and Ducorps cockatoos before I got Dewey, I went even as far as talking with Ducorps breeders. But then I discovered mytoos.com and it described cockatoos a lot differently than the breeders did.

[gomoses]

I still haven't heard back from either rescue prospect - I visited the local (very reputable) bird shop, and her babies are starting to come in the next few weeks. Perhaps I'll just keep visiting and see what "clicks". It's hard, because they really don't allow visitors to interact with the birds - but I suppose they do when one is considering buying. I also like the idea of being able to visit our developing baby for a couple months before he's weaned to help get the kids invested in him, all the while getting the house ready and researching with them.

[hopehaswings]

I had a good friend that had a goffins cockatoo and also had the family and dogs, and her bird was awesome, she would lay on his back and play rough with you, you could hold him like a baby, he was awesome. The only problem with him though was that he could get out of just about any cage and when he was out, he was into everything! He could be very destructive, and also get himself into dangerous situations. One day while she was out, he got himself out of the cage and drowned in her fish tank, the tank had a lid but had open areas in the back for the pumps. Sad, sad, sad... But he was truly an awesome and extremely friendly, social bird.