Advice on rehoming

[brayark]

Hi I have been asking about galah cockatoo s and have been advised to rehome a bird rather than getting a baby due to there long life span and the number of birds needing new forever homes.
My worry about this is how important socialising a cockatoo seems to be to avoid stress and bring up a happy sociable bird .
So what level of problems can be overcome with tlc and a novice trainer willing to commit up to 3 hour's a day .
I would obviously only go at the pace the bird wants and a lot of the initial time would probably just be taking quietly then target training .
Can any inexperienced galah owners tell me what you feel I should ask the current owner and when I should omit this bird needs a more experienced owner to help over come the current issue's.

 

[JLcribber]

I’m going to be totally honest with you. Having no experience with birds and you want to get a cockatoo you’re going to be in way over your head for a long time (could be years). It may even be too much for you.

When we learn how to swim we start by getting our feet wet in the shallow end of the pool. As we practice and learn we venture into deeper water and actually swim.

You want to “dive” off the “high” diving board into the deepest part of the pool without ever taking a swimming lesson.

Good luck. You’re going to need it.

 

[finchly]

@JLcribber are galahs like the others?

 

[brayark]

O sorry not new to birds I grew up with a parrot my dad had greencheek Amazon and currently has a gray after she passed after he had her 27 years but he didn't know her age when he got her I have recently lost my orangewing Amazon who was a lovely bird but I had from a baby and didn't need to overcome any behaviors drought on by another owner .
But only having worked with my own bird I still feel I'm a novice

 

[JLcribber]

O sorry not new to birds I grew up with a parrot my dad had greencheek Amazon and currently has a gray after she passed after he had her 27 years but he didn't know her age when he got her I have recently lost my orangewing Amazon who was a lovely bird but I had from a baby and didn't need to overcome any behaviors drought on by another owner .
But only having worked with my own bird I still feel I'm a novice

Ok. That's different. In that case all you really need to know is can you provide what this bird needs. A lot of time. Especially at first. A lot of space. The more the better. A healthy diet and stimulating environment. Do that an you will any bird happy. There's no rule book for these things. It's a relationship. You meet someone. Get to know them and take things from there.

 

[JLcribber]

@JLcribber are galahs like the others?

They are well known to be very phobic birds when they go over the edge. And it doesn't take that much to push them over the edge.

 

[Sarahmoluccan]

If you volunteer at a rescue first that would be ideal. My first big bird was at Moluccan cockatoo, I had a cockatiel and lovebird at the time too. Can't say they really prepared for my Too. But I met Zane, my M2, at a rescue first and we form a bond. I knew him for about 3 years before I took him home. The catalyst to bring him was the woman who ran the rescue started working nights and Zane needed more attention than she could give.

Bringing Zane home was the best decision I've ever made. I didn't know much as I know now. And noone in their right mind would recommend a M2 to a novice like me at the time. But it worked pretty well for us The hardest about Zane was he was a self mutilator. But the amount time I spent at rescue and bond I had already created with him helped prepare me for when Zane came home.

Now my second Cockatoo a U2 named Echo I only met a handful of times before I got him and our relationship had a much more rocky start. Things went pretty good at the very beginning but then we hit rough patch when he started going after my face. Learning how deal with an aggressive bird like that was a huge learning curve for me. But I figured out what triggered Echo and how deescalate situations when he super excited or angry both which can lend to bites. Now he's crazy easy to handle and get along with. Part of that is his temperament really shifted when when I learned how to understand him, I got really lucky that way.

So I consider myself novice with both Toos when I got them. Zane who since passed was a pretty easy going, especially for an M2. M2 have been called one of the hardest birds to keep in captivity. Because of that I thought an U2 would be easier and it so wasn't for me.

So my take away is all birds are individuals and which species they are certainly play in who they are, but can't be solely count on how their personalities will be. I can't say I know about Galahs as I zero experience with them, thou I've heard they're more independent than most other species of Too, which may make them a bit easier to manage.

 

[finchly]

They are well known to be very phobic birds when they go over the edge. And it doesn't take that much to push them over the edge.

I did not know that. Before Ernie, which was my first 'real' parrot (the others being cockatiels) I nearly adopted one. Didn't know any better, and the adoption coordinator was encouraging me to get it.

 

[JLcribber]

I did not know that. Before Ernie, which was my first 'real' parrot (the others being cockatiels) I nearly adopted one. Didn't know any better, and the adoption coordinator was encouraging me to get it.

They’re not all like that but it seems like when they do snap they take it to a whole new level.

 

[Just-passn-thru]

@JLcribber are galahs like the others?

No they are not ...
I had a Galah for 30 yrs. Completely different from an Umbrella Cockatoo.

I would say as far as Cockatoos go, Galah would be an excellent choice to venture into medium size parrot.

Fundamentally it's how the care giver is going to provide positive enrichment .

Please research as much as you can about the species, before "diving in".

A good understanding will provide you with a better chance of success.

One size fits all approach to thinking how a certain bird will behave is cancelling out any chance of success.

This puts a very negative energy starting out which will translate to the bird...not a good start!

Rosie Breasted Cockatoos, as they are also called ,can be a very good choice , their not as needy as the big white Cockatoos.

They are hardy stocky fun medium sized Cockatoo.

Research all your options before making commitment.

 

[Mockinbirdiva]

Have you found a Galah you are considering? It sounds like you have in one of your sentences and would like to know what questions to ask the owner about it. If you have, and since you mentioned this bird needs a more experienced owner to overcome some issues... can you enlighten us on all of what you do know about it?

 

[brayark]

Thanks everyone for you help the answer is no I'm in the research stage currently I know I want to get another bird and couldn't have another Amazon unless was of very different colouring as would be to painful .
I have got to the point were I torn between to options a galah which I have found a few birds looking for new homes locally and I would of arranged to meet if not for the government lockdown and the pionus which are hard to find but I member as given me a decent breeder to get a baby from but he's not local .
My issues are my wife wants some time to grieve before getting another bird were as I'm finding being on hear talking with other bird lovers very therapeutic and working with another bird would be even better for me and I know if my wife meet some local birds with me and we connected with one the timing wouldn't matter.
The main reason for this request for help is that I have read how cockatoo s can develop behavioral problems and I wasn't sure if this would require more than tlc and patience to overcome .
And secondly what you would recommend me to ask a current owner to assess the birds current condition .
diet is simple but I wouldn't really know how to ask about behaviour issue
Ps sorry for delay I was at work 1400 ~2130 today

 

[Just-passn-thru]

Thanks everyone for you help the answer is no I'm in the research stage currently I know I want to get another bird and couldn't have another Amazon unless was of very different colouring as would be to painful .
I have got to the point were I torn between to options a galah which I have found a few birds looking for new homes locally and I would of arranged to meet if not for the government lockdown and the pionus which are hard to find but I member as given me a decent breeder to get a baby from but he's not local .
My issues are my wife wants some time to grieve before getting another bird were as I'm finding being on hear talking with other bird lovers very therapeutic and working with another bird would be even better for me and I know if my wife meet some local birds with me and we connected with one the timing wouldn't matter.
The main reason for this request for help is that I have read how cockatoo s can develop behavioral problems and I wasn't sure if this would require more than tlc and patience to overcome .
And secondly what you would recommend me to ask a current owner to assess the birds current condition .
diet is simple but I wouldn't really know how to ask about behaviour issue
Ps sorry for delay I was at work 1400 ~2130 today

Getting another bird doesn't negate the loss of a feathered companion. Love has no boundaries, for myself, being able to care for another living creature, gives me purpose and helps me heal from the loss.

 

[brayark]

Getting another bird doesn't negate the loss of a feathered companion. Love has no boundaries, for myself, being able to care for another living creature, gives me purpose and helps me heal from the loss.

I'm exactly the same and I had to push my wife when she lost her cat as she was depressed so took her to cat rescue home and we home with a cat and kitten
I know I'm a little down and feel having another bird to work with would help me but the biggest problem is its current illegal to visit people in there home's so meeting birds isn't really possible as things are I might risk bending rules a little and keep 2 meters social distancing but wife wouldn't and she needs to be convinced it's time to get a bird. .
But her plane is only to wait till mid October after we have a coupe of weeks of so if I was to get a baby pionus it would be good timing but I'm more tempted with the galah but still torn but haven't had the chance to meet any pets of either type.
I have watched some video clips of both and scratched a galah at our local parrot zoo the toos seem to be the only birds looking fore scratches from strangers

 

[Sarahmoluccan]

Toos tend to be extremely sociable and affectionate. Which can lead to problems if you over do it. Of course there are exceptions to the rule and some variations with each species. I have heard of cockatoos being called "lap birds". So it doesn't surprise me at all that the Toos at your Zoo are attention seekers

 

[brayark]

The big toos are grate to visit but I don't have the room for one or the time I'm hoping a galah more independent nature will give me the middle ground of liking regular affectionate from anyone but happy to play on own as well .
I have liked what I've read of the pionus birds as well but think they may be more reserved in the affections but they are lovely looking birds with sweet birdie sounds but it's hard to know when you have never meet any well raised examples and I'm not sure I have ever meet one as they are rare in uk

 

[Vittror]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your bird.

And I hope you find a new/adoptable bird of your liking.

But something irks me a bit about your posts:

My issues are my wife wants some time to grieve before getting another bird

I know if my wife meet some local birds with me and we connected with one the timing wouldn't matter.

I had to push my wife when she lost her cat as she was depressed

I might risk bending rules a little and keep 2 meters social distancing but wife wouldn't and she needs to be convinced it's time to get a bird. .
But her plane is only to wait till mid October

I hope I'm reading these things wrong but to me .. it feels like you're kind of pushing the case of getting a new bird?
I mean you literally said in your last post I quoted that her plan is to wait till mid October.
I'm happy for you if you're ready for another bird in your life and home and if it helps giving you a purpose that's also nice.
But that's not everyone's way of mourning and grief is very personal and can take time.

If you really want to work with (a) bird(s) could it be an option for you to volunteer at a parrot/bird rescue until your wife is ready to take another feathered friend in your hearts and home?

 

[brayark]

That would be nice if their was a local place but I'm ok with waiting till things change as they are in the UK even if my wife was as ready as I am it's still impossible to meet up and spend time with birds to see if we connect with one it is currently illegal to visit people in their homes even family you don't live with. I can't see visting a pet bird being allowed and I'm still in research stage I might be keen to get another bird but I wouldn't rush into a life time commitment lightly . I don't know how breeders are going to work out selling there birds .

 

[Ali]

currently illegal to visit people in their homes even family you don't live with. I c

@brayark Actually, it isn't. As of Monday, groups of up to 6 people could meet at a person's home, as long as the different groups maintained social distancing...

 

[Just-passn-thru]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your bird.

And I hope you find a new/adoptable bird of your liking.

But something irks me a bit about your posts:





I hope I'm reading these things wrong but to me .. it feels like you're kind of pushing the case of getting a new bird?
I mean you literally said in your last post I quoted that her plan is to wait till mid October.
I'm happy for you if you're ready for another bird in your life and home and if it helps giving you a purpose that's also nice.
But that's not everyone's way of mourning and grief is very personal and can take time.

If you really want to work with (a) bird(s) could it be an option for you to volunteer at a parrot/bird rescue until your wife is ready to take another feathered friend in your hearts and home?

I think poster is just sharing ideas, "no one" is pushing ideas.
I agree with you ,that you may be reading things wrong.
Social Distancing is in place globally, therefore , time for posters grief is still a part of the process .