The Party Bird!

[birdsnthings]

Hi Everyone,
I have an Umbrella Cockatoo that I adopted from a friend. He was a difficult bird that would scare anyone out of bird ownership. Tiffie, his name was mistreated in his first home. I got him from his second home. He hated men, went into attack mode, didn't like kids and being very bonded to his second owner, he bit her when people got to close to her. Unfortunately he lost his home due to screaming and Deborah was working three jobs by then.
He has been with me for a couple of years now and I think he has made remarkable progress. He likes kids, has stopped going into attack mode (still has a problem with high energy people) doesn't lash out at men and will step up for everyone. Of course we haven't cured the screaming problem.
He still gets to see Deborah and you can say we are co-parenting. She gets to take him for sleep-overs on weekends and has taken him for several days on her vacations. They adore each other. Anyway, Tiffie got to go to a party Saturday night and very much enjoyed doing the Salsa with everyone. I think he was the life of the party and he didn't bite anyone. I heard he was talking to everyone but in his cockatoo language and had a blast. I am waiting for pictures. Ah, my son who is the party bird!
Deborah was so surprised that Tiffie enjoyed himself and he did so well around people for a change. I can only think that here with me, he has been exposed to people who are comfortable with him and loving. He enjoys seeing people and loves the attention but it has changed him in so many ways for the better. I had often hoped that he could return to life with Deborah one day and it may be possible if she can work out all the issues which involves working so much. We just need to convince Charles, her SO that Tiffie is not going to take a bite out of him.

[The Outlaw]

You must have the kindest heart and such a generous spirit to stay in contact with his former owner and co-parent. I hope your good deed will be rewarded, too. It takes someone very special to live with any too, much less an abused one. Kudos to you!

THE OUTLAW

[Greymom721]

How lucky Tiffie is to have two wondeful people who love him soooo much! Yea Tiffiie!!!!! Congrats on doing such a good job at the party! He must know just how lucky he is!

[birdsnthings]

I am first to admit I am not a Cockatoo person and make sure that one knows what they are getting into with these birds. So often people make in impulse buy and do all the wrong things. Tiffie was number 13 Cockatoo in 11 months I had placed.
Tiffie had a lot of quirks. He is now 8 years old and hormonal. Barks like a dog down to the growl it is too funny. He now loves bird toys and even said, "I want a bird toy", "I love you" the other morning much to my surprise.
He even told me one morning, "Baby bird okay" as I was trying to save a baby finch that was kicked out of the nest three times. The baby was okay. He tries to sing but he sings horribly but tht's okay. I would say he doesn't scream as much as he used to.
I didn't want Tiffie to become an mistreated bird again. But I think over the two year time, he has learned to trust again. It is so funny as I say he is off getting his "Deborah fix" while he is gone. He comes back so mellow. I can see the sense of humor in him and he did enjoy goosing people when he was on the bottom cage. He just laughed in glee nipping my nose which he knew he wasn't supposed to do. I see his personality and understand him but then I disipline him harder than Deborah does. He knows I don't allow him to get away with things. I generally feel like an idiot bouncing the Cockatoo just to make him happy. Thank goodness not to many people catch me doing that one. All this has changed his life and I think for the better. Just don't let him see a broom. He still acts funny on that one and can't take people talking loudly as if you a hollering. Makes him very uncomfortable.

[smallonion]

What a lovely story! I'm so glad you posted it and that Tiff is happy.

[Spinnergirl]

Thank you for helping this one bird, helping him adjust to living in a world way different than nature had prepared him for. Thank you for helping all the birds you have and also to everyone on this board that have worked hard to give our feathered friends a good home. :eusa_clap

[Crebain]

Originally Posted by birdsnthings

...I generally feel like an idiot bouncing the Cockatoo just to make him happy. Thank goodness not to many people catch me doing that one....

Please post a short vid of that! We promise not to laugh...

[birdsnthings]

Ah ha! Not laugh, eh? Oh well, it makes the too happy. We do get a little carried away sometimes.