Getting a cockatoo who's afraid of woman

[JavaJoy01]

Oops I think I jumped the gun and posted this here when it should have been in the cockatoo board :(. Could this be moved? or it it ok to stay here?

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in about 3 weeks my husband and I will be bringing home a lesser sulfur cockatoo who's about 5 years old. She was originally a breeder bird, but the male got aggressive and beat her up badly. Her breast feathers are plucked out and her beak is banged up. She loves men, but not so much woman. We go up and visit with her at the place we are getting her from (She was rescued by this place) and she let's my husband pet her all over and even steps up. I'm scared of her right now because I was told she does not like women. I can pet her head but she has nipped me already.

Once we get her home, what can I do to make her feel safe and comfortable around me? I'd like to be able to handle her and touch her without fear of being bitten.

I figured that if I did the feeding and care taking she would get used to me, and maybe after a while start to accept me as a flock mate. We will have some work to do getting her on a proper diet and proper toys. We are in the process of making the room for the cage and getting it cleaned up and ready.
I'd like to have as much info as I can before we get her home so I can be prepaird.

[GlendaNS]

Cockatoo's love showers, also snugglin in a towel and head rubs. That is how I swooned Maxie into lovin me. She protested, but I pursued anyway..... I could tell the exact moment she decided to fall in love with me.

Post pictures please! We love lookin a birdies.

[tielmama]

Try talking to her real softly. Try to look real relaxed like you have no intention of picking her up. Tell her long stories about anything. You're gonna love her, and she's gonna love you some day.

[JavaJoy01]

We went to visit today and I got to touch her feet and scratch her head. She nuzzles against my husband now and he walks around the place with her. When he put her back in the cage and started to leave, she started to call for him. I can't wait to get her home, but it'll be two weeks still :(.

Any advice on training them not to bite? Small birds I can handle, but not big ones who can take off a finger :)

[GlendaNS]

Ya both just gotta build up trust. Sounds like she will come around. Try not to get between her and your husband, that is when you will most likely get bit. They don't like to share their friends.

Your best bet would be some alone time with her. She might decide she likes you if there is nobody else there. Touching her feet and head is a good start!

[JavaJoy01]

Hey wanted to give ya'll some updates. I also posted about this on the regular Cockatoo board as well.

She's coming around a little. She flew on my shoulder and sat there for a while.
My hubby also puts her onto my chest and she likes to put her head down my shirt and likes to rub her beak against me. I can pet her sometimes.. Usually when she's there I sing to her, make up nonsense songs and she reacts. She listens attentivaly and even makes sounds. Her eyes really dilate and such too.

I still cannot put my hand to her when she's on her cage for a step up. I tried and got the snot bitten out of me. Lucky she's not a hard biter, it's about as painful as a quaker but a bite is still a bite. My husband on the other hand can offer his hand and she steps up with no problems. He holds her on her back, can pet her all over and really handle her. Me if I'm lucky I can scratch her head and under her wings.

I'm not sure what to make of it. Sometimes she seems like she's very interested in me and wants to be friends, but then she goes to bite and and sometimes successful. I'm not sure why she allows my hubby to really handle her and not me.

[Bridgette Shattuck]

Just give her time. I'm sure she will come around. Ihave had the same problem when my step-son came to visit for 3 weeks. My Umbrella hated him. She would run away and not want to come near him. Within a weeks time she was climbing all over him on the couch. She still didn't like him around her cage. Maybe if she builds up your trust away from her "HOME" (cage) with time she will step up on you from her cage. Just a thought.

[kensbuns]

Keep her below head level. Sometimes being on top of the cage causes dominance issues with some birds. No all but some. I hope this helps. Try perch training.

[KimBear]

As you and she get to know one another better, you will be able to read her body language and know when she's feeling tense or uncertain. Often parrots will seem to bite or act aggressively "out of nowhere" but actually give clues that we don't always notice. Or we see them but we're just not sure how to interpret them.

She will also respond to your body language as well, so gaining confidence in being around her is important. Since it's not easy to be calm and certain around a parrot that is sometimes volitile, it's helpful to sometimes limit your interactions to situations where you know you are "safe". This is why hanging around while a parrot is in his or her cage is a good idea. They can't get you, and you can relax and spend time with them, projecting an air of confidence.

If after several more weeks, you're not seeing much progress, you may want to give me a call. Sometimes you reach a sticking point and may need a specific plan to help move things along.