Cockatoo- what to do.

[Ashling]

Sorry this is long, but it does lead somewhere, trust me! You can skip the first paragraph, it's just background.

When I was young, my step father's parents owned a Sulphur crested cockatoo called Rufus that was fed solely on sunflower seeds and murky water, and would bite people's fingers and chew the rusty metal floor of his 3 foot square cage for entertainment. He lived in the backyard with little attention apart from the occasional 'hello Rufus' or being told to 'shut up, Rufus!' I suppose the owners didn't know any better; a common case. He would go nuts when the wild cockatoos came to visit, and even when I was little I thought about setting him free. I would sit out there with him and pick him loads of grass-seed and feed him through the cage. He seemed to love these visits- they probably meant more to him than a 7 year old could ever understand. My cousin-in-law used to bang on the cage and one day Rufus bit his finger real good! Rufus never bit me once, but would open a wing for a rub on his side or extend his crest for a scratch on the head... breaks my heart remembering. I wish I had known that he needed help and some love. Good news is, his screaming got on their nerves as they aged and after 30 odd years of life he was given to some friends. Last I heard is that he was given to Healesville Sanctuary (a zoo with Australian wildlife). So hopefully he's flying with other cockatoos in a huge free flight aviary. Happy ending :)

Presently, there is an aviary (or roughly macaw-sized cage) in someone's front yard around the corner from my house that contains one single sulphur crested cockatoo (from what I can see, that is- the cage is 20 meters away and hidden by trees). Now I'm not nosy, I'm only curious and maybe a little concerned, but to me it looks as if it has no toys, but I can only guess it's being fed a seed only diet with possibly no fruits or veg. As far as I know, it's out there all the time with no attention because it's in there every time I walk past. It isn't noisy, it screams only occasionally in evenings (although I can hear it from my house!)

Now I may just be pairing this 'Too with Rufus' case, but maybe his owners could use some education. I don't know exactly where I'm going with this, I was wondering what I could do to ensure it's getting what it needs... and wondering if it's any of my business in the first place. The 'Too watches me as I walk past and I just feel a huge need to go give it some company, and maybe some pine cones to chew...! I thought of sneaking around at night with a torch to see if he's cared for properly (I am just weird enough to do such a thing).

Can I have everyone's thoughts on this?

[Jag]

Partly I guess depends on if you have money for bail for trespassing! If you don't know them, but you feel strongly about it, you may want to go talk to them and see if you can share some knowledge that would benefit the bird. Maybe even share with them the background you shared with us. I don't think it could hurt...but I'm sure you're prepared that they may not be receptive, either. Is it a common thing to do there?

[kali]

LEAVE SOME CARE SHEETS IN THE LETTERBOX :)

i gt people who have neighbours dogs barking put our card in their letterbox with a note saying to come to us for options. it could work.

[sailorkelly]

I would ask if they want to sell it. I am not sure if you could give it a better home but I am sure you could find someone that would

[Ashling]

I'm under 18 until October so I have a get out of jail free card ;) No one around here would prosecute me anyway, I'm sure. Care sheets are a good idea, and I guess I could go and just talk to the owners. I was thinking of knocking on their front door when I know they're not home and using that time to have a sticky beak as I walk by the cage. That way I'll know for sure if he's got the right care.
If they were unwilling to care for it properly but willing to sell it, I'd spend all the money I have to find it a good home.

[Chief]

You could maybe act a little neighborly and introduce yourself (if you haven't already) and just say you see they have a 'too. You can tell them how you have birds and are a bird lover, etc. Ask them if you can see the 'too and if they need any help or questions you are there for them & 'too.

Or you can just go up to the 'too when they're not home. Of course you'd have to watch them..and get to know their schedule. heheehhe

[hsmoscout]

Originally Posted by Chief

You could maybe act a little neighborly and introduce yourself (if you haven't already) and just say you see they have a 'too. You can tell them how you have birds and are a bird lover, etc. Ask them if you can see the 'too and if they need any help or questions you are there for them & 'too.

Or you can just go up to the 'too when they're not home. Of course you'd have to watch them..and get to know their schedule. heheehhe

GREAT IDEA (exept maybe that last part) Use trickery...they think you're seeing a bird...you know you're seeing if its well cared for
Please continue to update us, thanks

[Ashling]

That sounds good chief... that's what I'd want really... to help them out with their 'Too. I think I will sus out the situation first- make sure the 'Too really does need help first. But other than that, I love making new bird friends! There is a lady that walks by my house sometimes who has met Ashling and has an eclectus and a sun and some tiels :)

[birde]

Originally Posted by Ashling

I was thinking of knocking on their front door when I know they're not home and using that time to have a sticky beak as I walk by the cage.

Originally Posted by Chief

Or you can just go up to the 'too when they're not home. Of course you'd have to watch them..and get to know their schedule. heheehhe

LOL

Steal it!
Just kidding.
If it doesn't screech much maybe it is getting the right, if not some, attention?

[Ashling]

lol steal it... that wouldn't go unnoticed for too long, I assure you! Maybe it's because he is outside that he doesn't scream much? There *might* be another 'Too in there- I have only seen one but that's what I want to check as well. When I hear the screeching it sounds like two, but I have never owner a cockatoo so I dunno.