Need to Rehome a Bare Eyed Cockatoo in San Diego CA

[SoCalGal]

Dobby is a beautiful Bare-Eyed Cockatoo in San Diego, CA who needs a new home. We rescued him from a Birdstore four years ago. They were not sure how old he was because they didn't know a lot about him, but we think he is about seven years-old now. It took a little while for him to bond with us, but he eventually became the cute and cuddly Be2 you read about. He was super sweet to us, but would draw blood from anyone else who fell victim to his cuteness and attempted to handle him. -He has done well getting groomed and at the vet as long as he is handled by confident and experienced bird people though.
Since then our family has grown and he has not adjusted well. He has become increasingly aggressive despite our every effort to help him. My brother-in-law is a professional animal trainer and I am a behaviorist but we haven't been successful. We corresponded with many professional bird trainers and even had an Avian specialist work with us (although she didn't tell us anything we hadn't already read/learned before). We have concluded that he simply needs to be the top-bird of the house. We thought we were the worst parrot owners ever until we took Dobby to an Avian vet and he told us Dobby has a uniquely naughty personality for a be2. The vet suggested putting him on a Haldol solution, and it seemed to make things better for a while because he started playing with his toys again, but I am just not certain he should be drugged forever. We both work from home, so we have always been able to socialize lots with him, but he is not content unless he is out and about with us at all times. I just can't trust him around my three year-old. I think Dobby really needs a home in which he is the prince pet that receives all the attention from his owner/s. I believe he can love someone the way he used to love us if he is given all the attention and handling he needs; which means not sharing that attention with kids or other pets. I want to find a home where he can be spoiled. Please help!

[FoxersArtist]

Hey there!
so sorry to hear you are having such a time of it with your little bare eyed fellow. As sweet as they can be, they do tend to be quite aggressive at times, especially when around people they do not care for. Because birds are hard wired to be part of an existing, evolving, forever changing flock I am unsure about your theory that Dobby prefers to be "top" bird. Instead I wonder if things changed in the household somewhat when the baby arrived and Dobby is having some unresolved resentments because he never learned where he fits in with all the change. Aggression does not always equal a dominate behavior. Many times our birds become secure when we show them where their place is in the flock. If things have drastically changed in the past few years and Dobby has not been reassured that his place in the household is still the same, (this could have been affected by moving his cage, changing his play schedule, changing the foods he was/is getting, changing mannerisms, etc) Dobby is feeling confused and is just trying to tell you! As far as bare eyed cockatoos and children - I have noticed a trend with many of them fearing kids. My own bare eyed cockatoo will not even come out of the cage when a child is present in my aviary. I can see where a more assertive cockatoo might chase or try to bite a small person. I think the best way to help this issue is to provide lots of reward around small people. Giving the bird extra love and treats whenever a little person appears will help him to associate kids with happy things.

Anyway - it sounds like you have tried many ways to understand Dobby and i'm sorry that he has been extra difficult. I do not live in CA but I do have a lot of experience working with parrots, learning what their needs are, and placing them in homes where those needs will be consistantly met. I run a rescue in NM and have cared for nearly every commonly kept species, including a handful of bare eyed cockatoos, several with major aggression issues. My advice to you would be either to go about placing Dobby by having people visit consistantly to see you and him for a period of time before making any decisions or find someone who has excellent people skills and bird skills who can evaluate Dobby and a potential new family. I do not know which rescue groups are in your area but a good rescue will be able to provide Dobby with what he needs short term and also long term by helping to find the right family. If you cannot find a rescue that will work with him or help in the way you need, we would be happy to consider working with Dobby. Please let me know how I can help and good luck finding the right situation for your little guy. He is lucky to know someone who tries to understand him, even if it is not working out. Take care.
-Anna

[maggy]

Your story broke my heart, I have a longbilled version of Dobby and can only imagine how horrid having to rehome her would be...wish I could help but we are on different continents.....good luck in your search!

[SoCalGal]

I truly appreciate the notes regarding Dobby. It has been difficult because people seem to expect a cuddly bird right off the bat, and that just isn't the case with Dobby. Someone had suggested that Dobby may not need to be the "Top-Bird" of the house, and I think I agree. When we get him groomed at bird stores, he acts naughty as if he is a big ferocious bird, but after his "attitude adjustment" (as they call it) and he is around all the birds in the store he seems to be pretty humbled.
When I am able to give him hands-on attention, he is the sweetest and cutest cuddly thing ever! He really just needs a new mommy or daddy who can embrace him as a member of the family-flock, (he doesn't think he is a bird) and can tolerate the screaming.
I could do it if it weren't for my son's sensitivities...
Anyone in San Diego?

[crazyconure]

Hmm I am kind of confused, didnt you post something different on craigslist??

Experienced Parrot Owners Needed! Bare-Eyed2 Needs a New Home


I am searching for a loving and patient home that is interested in adopting a medium-size Bare-Eyed Cockatoo (similar to the size of a "Goffin" or "Little Corrella"). He is seven years-old, beautiful and healthy!
Experienced parrot-owners only! Dobby needs some time to warm up to new people because he was abused and neglected by his previous owners and the bird store we rescued him from. We have to move to a colder climate and believe he would do best here with a loving family-flock. We will certainly take the time to work with you learn that your hands are associated with treats before we move. We know it is a process; as it was with us in the beginning.
Some info:
-He has never plucked his feathers
-After some systematic bonding, he loves to be held and sit on your lap while he grooms his feathers and "preens" your hair
-He also likes to go out and about in the car (uncaged)
-He can be a screamer when left alone
-NOT suitable around small children
-He has been around dogs
-Doubt that he's been caged with another bird
*We are not certain he is a male because we have not had a DNA test, but that is what we have been told and what we suspect based on his personality.

He will come supplied with two cages (one for outside and one for inside, and all his toys).
Worth well over $3000, we are asking a crazy-low re-homing fee of only $600 to cover a portion of the cost of the cages and to ensure he is going to a committed owner who knows what a big responsibility it is to have a parrot. (If you can't afford to buy one, you can't afford to care for one.)
BUT, I am in search of some items so I am happy to consider a valuable trade, for the right candidate.
Thank you!

[SoCalGal]

That is Dobby... It's all true. If you are interested in clarifying, you are welcome to message me privately. :)

[LovelySydney]

Im not sure now what the story is but regardless I hope Dobby finds an amazing forever home where he will be well cared for and looked after for the remainder of his life. All birds deserve to be safe and healthy and happy, even rehomes. Good luck in your search for a new owner, I hope you find the best person possible for your baby and please make sure you do your research on potential new owners and know that they are a good fit. There are too many people in the world who will pose as good bird owners and turn around and resell or use the bird for breeding and no bird should have a life like that. I'll keep dobby in my thoughts, I hope everything works out for the best.