How to make it like me.

[SerBonz]

I have a big Cockatoo that used to belong to a breeder and was made to live with another Cockatoo to make babies for her to sell.
All the time I am on my computer in the formal living room I am near his cage and talking to him and he does not like it one bit. He puts his head feathers up and yells if I get too close.
I want to be able to love on him like I see other people doing in their pictures.

[hsmoscout]

Well, that's part of getting a non-hand-tame cockatoo. It is hard to tame them since they are so large and it may be hard for you because of the big beak. If he puts his crest up, it means he's alert and when he squawks, that's his warning call saying "their is a predator in the area!"

[Abby]

Cockatoos can be a bit hit and miss. Lots of patience and time required. There qare some that you will just never be able to turn inot a pet. I read on one of your threads that this guy had been part of a breeding pair. He may well be grieving for his mate and having been a breeder will never have the pet quality that you desire.

Many years ago I was involved with taming down basically wild 'toos. Took alot of time, patience, blood and learning to read body language to do this. Knowing when it was time to back off because they really had had enough, being able to read that they were just bluffing and being able to continue. This was a process that took weeks of constant work just to be able to gain trust never mind anything else.

[SerBonz]

Thank you Abby. I do think he is sad that his mate is gone but maybe not because the breeder said that they hated each other. I am not sure if they ever stopped hating each other or not. I think not because he injured the girl Cockatoo very badly but she left them together for a long time any ways and they made 4 babies. She told us he was so mean she did not want him any more and only charged $500 for him. I dont know if this means he is not able to be tamed or not. I have had him since January 4 2009 and I believe that I have made no progress in gaining any trust or him becoming less fear full.

[Astrid660]

I think he probably fears people, or at least feels resentful for being forced to be a breeder bird with a bird he didn't really like ? Either way, I would take it at his pace and talk to him softly, probably without making eye contact at first. Blinking games can be played, see if he blinks back when you look at him. Have you looked into a book called The Second Hand Parrot ? Also, Guide to a Well Behaved Parrot ? They have games in there for shy parrots, ways to interact with non tame birds without spooking them and eventually earning their trust. Make him feel safe and secure, let him retreat to a covered corner of the cage when he's not feeling okay about the interaction. It's about making him comfortable and building trust, not destroying it. He probably hasn't had many good experiences with people treating him in a loving way - it may take him a long time to decide he can trust you.

I have an African Grey who 'hates me' but in reality, i know he is just scared, which causes aggression whenever I get too close. I will always have him and love him all the same, but I hope one day he realizes he can trust me. I don't care if it takes 5 or 10 years, it will be very worth it the day it happens, if it does. Patience is key, realizing they might have been through a lot, it's nothing personal, but they still need love and a good home, like any other bird. Best of luck!

[failurebydesign]

500$ is an aweful lot for an untame bird

Maybe you can take him out onto a perch or back of a chair so he is not near his cage, the cage may make him want to protect his nest, or make him more nervous about you entering his home.

See if you can lure him onto a long stick and then get him in a somewhat empty room on some type of perch.
From there you can sit with him and talk to him and offer him treats from a long spoon.

If his wings nails and beak are not trimmed I would lure him into a little carrying cage and take him to the vet for trimming first.

[jenseits]

Originally Posted by SerBonz

I have a big Cockatoo that used to belong to a breeder and was made to live with another Cockatoo to make babies for her to sell.
All the time I am on my computer in the formal living room I am near his cage and talking to him and he does not like it one bit. He puts his head feathers up and yells if I get too close.
I want to be able to love on him like I see other people doing in their pictures.

Given his background, you may never be able to "love on him", but I do believe that most birds can be rehabbed with the right approach. Maybe not all, but many more than are given the opportunity.

First, you need patience and time. You need to exude calm around your birds... if you feel frustrated that they aren't tame, they'll pick up on that frustration and anxiety.

In addition, you need to respect that your birds are birds, not little people and not dogs. They have very different instincts, behaviors, ways of thinking.

I really recommend reading some books specific to parrot behavior to lay a good foundation for your understanding of your birds.

Next, work on a 100% positive reinforcement training program to teach your birds that you are the source of nothing but GOOD things, that you can be trusted, that you respect what they are trying to communicate with you, and that it pays off for them to try to understand what you want.

For your situation, I would recommend joining Melinda Johnson's Bird Click group and Susan Friedman's BAS group. Please apply to join these groups and thoroughly read the materials they supply.

Given the size of your flock, and the fact that many of them seem to be untamed and/or from not so great backgrounds, you have a lot of hard work ahead of you, I won't sugar coat it ... but let me tell you, there is nothing as rewarding as having EARNED the trust of a bird who was previously aggressive or fearful. But it does take commitment, patience and time.

[Phenomenon]

Can someone direct me to pictures of these birds? Ser..have you posted pics anywhere?

[Abby]

camera issues going on. No pics at this stage.

[Phenomenon]

Originally Posted by Abby

camera issues going on. No pics at this stage.

Ahhh..Thanks!