Good Morning

[dsilver]

Hi,

I "stumbled" upon this site just a few minutes ago and am excited about conversing with a bunch of parrot folks. Even in the short amount of time I've explored, there seems to a rich variety of experiences - from aspiring want-to-be owner, to very experienced. Though I've loved parrrots for many years, I haven't re-aquired any until about 4 months ago. Upon reaching a time in my life when I actually can schedule hobby time, I found to my dismay that what I thought were my hobbies - weren't. I had a beautiful handgun, almost new DSLR, and other goodies. I did my best to muster up some enthusiasm about becoming more absorbed in both, but wasn't able to care about following through. 4 months ago, as a straight trade, I obtained a 1.5yo double head for the camera stuff I wasn't using. He came complete with cage, stand, toys, his owner'setc. He was hand trained, but not overly friendly - very wary of being touched anywhere except for his beak. 4 months later, and he is allowing me to run my hand from his head all the way down his back. He growls/purrs while I do it, but he definitely enjoys it.

After this sign of pseudo success, I looked at adopting another parrot. Having not used my weapon for several years, I sought another no out of pocket trade. I found an ad for a 3yo umbrella cockatoo that a couple was desperately seeking a new home for. The bird had been hand fed/raised by this same couple was quite loving. They had downsized to a condo and just didn't have room for the enormous macaw sized cage - plus 2 other cages - or the time to give him the attention he needed. They were willing to not only trade, but deliver the bird with all the goodies from more than 50 miles away. I was a bit leery at first due to things I had read about cockatoos not tolerating a change from a loving home without becoming very despondent and resorting to plucking their feathers out. Long story longer, Cabo has been an absolute joy in my life for the past 2 weeks. He loves to sit on my lap and lifts his wings to be scratched. Almost NO screaming for attention, no biting, and a very happy personality overall.

I am slowly acclimating the birds to each other. Gil wasn't happy at all about having my time partially usurped by the new kid on the block. After readiing about similar situations, I have been able to successfully divide my time between the 2 and have 're-civllilzed" Gil. I've given him favored bird status by picking him up first when I come home and hand feeding him sunflower seeds. I've also learned to spend time in the room in which they are both caged without releasing either one. Shortly after I enter and work on my computer, the 2 of them settle down and pretty much ignore me - which was my goal. I'm in the process of buying a couple of other perches to attach to the sides of the cage and bring them into closer proximity within their safe zone. I've tried it with a couple of stands, but Gil just becomes overwhelmingly noisy when the 2 are in a different room together. If anyone is interested, I'll keep you up on my progress.

Anyway, it's great to be here and I'm looking forward to making some friends with common interests.

[liz]

Welcome to the forum.

Yes we are interested.

[Water]

Welcome!

[Wolf]

Welcome to the forum, we are glad that you found us.
I have a Yellow Naped Amazon hen, they are very similar birds, not only in color but in general behaviors. Most of them are very friendly and sweet birds although they are not really big on being touched. Of course there are individuals who are the exception to this. Please be aware that when you rub or pet your bird in any place other than his head, neck or beak that you are sexually stimulating him and that if you continue to do this you will not like the price or cost of these actions, when you are faced with a large overly hormonal fearless parrot out for your blood.
I am not too certain that you should bring these two birds too close together and definitely would keep a close watch on them when they are both out of their cages. I really don't know very much about cockatoo's other than they are very affectionate birds who are both extremely needy and jealous at the same time and that they will bite without warning if you displease them. Pajarita can tell you much more than I can as I believe that among all of her other birds that she has both cockatoos and Amazons.
I do know that with both of these birds you need to be very aware of proper lighting and proper diet. I, worry abit about you having this combination of birds if you don't have enough experience, So I recommend that you do a lot of in depth research on these birds.

[Pajarita]

Welcome to the forum and thank you for adopting and not buying a baby! Yes, I am afraid that I will have to second Wolf's sentiment on this... it does seem that you kind of like jumped in the water without testing it first or even making sure you are not out of your depth, doesn't it? I don't mean to scare you but you have two large and difficult species, both at an easy age right now but which will mature and change drastically in a few years and the fact that you have no prior experience is quite worrisome. Mind you, I am not saying it's not going to work out for you and them. It might very well do. But, in order for that to happen you will have to do A LOT of research (and I don't mean going to fluff birdsites, I mean going to 'the' source: scientific studies, wildlife/field biologists, ornithologists, etc), put A LOT of work, A LOT of time and A LOT of changes in your lifestyle because neither are easy birds and both can be extremely dangerous when and if they become sexually frustrated so I would urge you to put them on a strict solar schedule with good quality full spectrum lights (CRI 94+, Ktemp 5000-5500), a good fresh food diet (both species are excellent eaters) and to prepare yourself mentally for when they start to change. Because they will. Not only because of their age (you have two teenagers) but also because they are still in the honeymoon period still and the behaviors you see now are not what you are going to end up with down the road.

Wolf is correct, the caressing of the back and the tickling under the wings are both no-nos with birds, only the head, cheeks and neck should be touched.