Are rose-breasted cockatoos difficult?

[sunnysmom]

From what I've read, etc. Galahs are probably one of the "easier" 'toos. But no 'too is easy. I think the idea of you volunteering and getting some 'too experience is a great one. Cockatoos are wonderful birds, but they're not for everyone.

 

[mangobird]

From what I've read, etc. Galahs are probably one of the "easier" 'toos. But no 'too is easy. I think the idea of you volunteering and getting some 'too experience is a great one. Cockatoos are wonderful birds, but they're not for everyone.

I definitely want more experience, these are clearly challenging birds!

 

[Hawk12237]

As Bob said. You nailed it. Just varying degrees of chaos and the problems that go with it.

If you don’t have any cockatoo/big bird experience you’ll most likely be getting in way over your head. Galahs are prone to “psychotic” behaviour as was already mentioned.

You have a vision of owning a cockatoo. The reality of owning one is nothing like that vision.

Getting our hands dirty in the trenches is exactly how we start.

And that is how we all went absolutely crazy. And your not crazy until you own a too. Speaking of Too's ,this Goffin's below just might be my new baby in my home. She is just over 2 years old.

 

[cassiesdad]

,this Goffin's below just might be my new baby in my home. She is just over 2 years old.

...how exciting!

Please let us know the details as soon as you can, Michael...

 

[Hawk12237]

...how exciting!

Please let us know the details as soon as you can, Michael...

I will Bob, the owner is practically giving it away. But only to a person she feels comfortable about taking care of it.
So it has generated some interest. The other too I came across is a gem...seriously, and getting increasingly hard to find. This bare eyed, well cared for, and male..
Not a feather out of place here...!!!! So I am torn between the two... I'd take both... But wifey says not both...lol.

 

[mangobird]

And that is how we all went absolutely crazy. And your not crazy until you own a too. Speaking of Too's ,this Goffin's below just might be my new baby in my home. She is just over 2 years old.
View attachment 324231
View attachment 324232
View attachment 324233

So so so cute! I hope your cockatoo experience is a happy one!

 

[mangobird]

I will Bob, the owner is practically giving it away. But only to a person she feels comfortable about taking care of it.
So it has generated some interest. The other too I came across is a gem...seriously, and getting increasingly hard to find. This bare eyed, well cared for, and male..
Not a feather out of place here...!!!! So I am torn between the two... I'd take both... But wifey says not both...lol.
View attachment 324248

Hopefully once you meet them both, you’ll know which one would fit your home best! They always say the bird chooses you, so maybe that’ll be the case here

 

[Hawk12237]

So so so cute! I hope your cockatoo experience is a happy one!

Had 3 in past....a mitchell, silver crested , and mulican.
So yea I know all about too's....lol. Once you own one, or a few, you find it hard to pass them up.

 

[Nancy B]

My Galah, Fred, is 9 year old and we have had him 2 years this month. It is true that they are extremely friendly and are affectionate as long as they are in the mood for that. Fred goes through periods where he's almost a velcro bird, to times where he wants to interact but hands off, to times where he just wants to be alone. We all have learned his body language and follow what he wants. Tonight he let me kiss him for the first time in a few days. I got one kiss, asked for another FREDDY BIRD KISS, and he high tailed it and ran! one was all I was getting today! I would say he's easy to live with, no where near as loud as most parrots, but we like his voice so we're probably biased. They can be taught what is theirs and what is not. He only chews his things, I have not experienced any real damage to anything in my house. He's not a troublesome bird at all. But, I do have, in every room he goes, perches, toys, things he likes to chew, a cat tree for him to climb on, and play gym that I made that stands about 6 ft tall. The clue is to keep them very busy. I saved egg cartons, paper towel rolls anything fun for him to destroy I save. I tried a phone book (courtesy of Milton), but my Fred doesn't seem to enjoy paper. He likes wood and cardboard. He's a doll, we love him so much.

 

[Nancy B]

Something I forgot to add...everything I have read says the Galah is the lowest maintenance cockatoo because of their independent nature. I would also say this is probably true. I have a friend with a 22 year old umbrella and he is adorable but constant attention. He talks, and Fred lived with him for the first 7 yrs of his life. I am regretting the day they want to rehome Jefferson because I will need to find a way to care for him. Fred's the king of his castle and not sure how he would accept Jefferson. I figure I will cross that bridge if I ever come to it. I am not sure if they liked each other or not, because all the while we were visiting Fred, Jefferson kept telling me he was NOT A NICE BIRD, I AM A NICE BIRD. I am guessing he either didn't like Fred, or didn't want me to take Fred. At the time I never thought to ask.

 

[Hawk12237]

...how exciting!

Please let us know the details as soon as you can, Michael...

UP DATE:
Well the Goffin Too went south real quick. Here's what happened..... See what you think...

Been in constant contact with owner of too chatting via, video, email and photo's. We began asking questions which were answered a bit wishy washy. The too ' s age is not exactly known. Saying it's just under 2.
Before this owner, the two was with another owner that traded the too to a pet store for a dog. Before that is unknown. The too obviously traveled around a bit being only two.
The current owner claims it was sent to her by cargo. Then claims it was flown to them. Ask where it was flown from, which state, the owner didn't know.
I said well you must have some papers of some sort
on the bird if it was flown. ( ie. Certs, vet papers, airports pick up papers, something) she doesn't have anything. ( red flag # 1) .
So asked what state did it fly from....owner didn't know, Illinois or indiana they said. Ok...what place did they But it from and have it shipped from, breeder pet store?? Owner didn't know...( Red flag #2 ).
The Too's original band was cut off and replaced with a blank one. Odd, but does happen.
Asked when the owner actually got the too, said they didn't know, sometime between June and August.
( seriously?? Can't remember when you got and picked up bird??)....
So asked about vet records...owner stated she doesn't have a vet bird never been to a vet. Which I found odd.
Because, the owner claim when they got the too it was said to be male, she had its wings clipped a little, and had a DNA tests done and discovered it was female.
( where did owner have this done at??)

So my wife and I decided ok, ok, we'll take the too on one condition, that the owner give us a bill of sale
stating they are the owners of this bird, name address and everything, that to their knowledge the bird is not wild caught, and breed in cativity.

From that point the owner refused and basically told us to "F" off....wow I thought..ok fine.
red flags flying all over this.

I went this route because I had people try to sell me a bird before that wasn't theirs to sell....

 

[cassiesdad]

...sounds like a stolen bird...or a scam.

 

[Tiel Feathers]

That sounds totally fishy. Poor bird.

 

[Hawk12237]

...sounds like a stolen bird...or a scam.

We were thinking same thing Bob, stolen bird. It's just way too fishy, not to even know where it came from or when you got it. That alone threw up red flags. Kinda sad too because though the too is is great plumage, and appears happy, the circumstances behind it warrant looking further into.
I was actually looking forward to bringing it home, but got door slammed on me.

 

[Nancy B]

Oh no that poor bird. It sure sounds like the bird was stolen!!

 

[BrianB]

I have a friend that breeds Galah's and they are delightful birds. They are friendly, cuddly, and all of the other cockatoo behaviors rolled up together, with just a little less crazy. His may not be typical from others as he hand feeds from day 1 instead of letting the parents do it. They get a ton of human interaction from the day they hatch. I took care of a friend's female rose-breasted for a weekend after she was attacked by the male. She just wanted to be held and comforted. When she recovered, she wouldn't give me the time of day.

During my occasional shifts at a local bird store, I deal with M2's, umbrella's and goffins. I never have any physical contact with the M2's. They are BIG birds and this one stays in his cage while he's boarding with us. He's as loud as the hyacinth macaw that comes in once in a while. We have a resident umbrella that I never turn my back on. He is known for jumping on people and just hanging on. You can never tell when he's going to bite. He's had a hard life with some abuse in the past. I just give him space and try not to have much physical interaction with him. We had an umbrella chick that was just a riot. He was a total cuddle bug with an amazing personality. We all missed him when he went home. For me, the crazy ones are the goffins. They are unpredictable. One guy brings his female in during the day, and she's very sweet. Another we have is just crazy. She will jump on you and just sit there. Other times she will jump and bite before you can even react. Sometimes she steps up and just chatters away like you're her best friend, and other times she will scream like she wants your death. In any case, they all have loud voices and big personalities.

It's a good thing to ask a ton of questions if you're going to take one in. I know for certain that there is someone in my area that flips birds. They talk the owner into giving them up with promises of better care, they can handle the big birds, they have tons of experience, etc.... the birds are quickly sold for cash and shipped out of state. If the owner doesn't know the very basics about the bird, then I wouldn't even bother.

 

[sunnysmom]

UP DATE:
Well the Goffin Too went south real quick. Here's what happened..... See what you think...

Been in constant contact with owner of too chatting via, video, email and photo's. We began asking questions which were answered a bit wishy washy. The too ' s age is not exactly known. Saying it's just under 2.
Before this owner, the two was with another owner that traded the too to a pet store for a dog. Before that is unknown. The too obviously traveled around a bit being only two.
The current owner claims it was sent to her by cargo. Then claims it was flown to them. Ask where it was flown from, which state, the owner didn't know.
I said well you must have some papers of some sort
on the bird if it was flown. ( ie. Certs, vet papers, airports pick up papers, something) she doesn't have anything. ( red flag # 1) .
So asked what state did it fly from....owner didn't know, Illinois or indiana they said. Ok...what place did they But it from and have it shipped from, breeder pet store?? Owner didn't know...( Red flag #2 ).
The Too's original band was cut off and replaced with a blank one. Odd, but does happen.
Asked when the owner actually got the too, said they didn't know, sometime between June and August.
( seriously?? Can't remember when you got and picked up bird??)....
So asked about vet records...owner stated she doesn't have a vet bird never been to a vet. Which I found odd.
Because, the owner claim when they got the too it was said to be male, she had its wings clipped a little, and had a DNA tests done and discovered it was female.
( where did owner have this done at??)

So my wife and I decided ok, ok, we'll take the too on one condition, that the owner give us a bill of sale
stating they are the owners of this bird, name address and everything, that to their knowledge the bird is not wild caught, and breed in cativity.

From that point the owner refused and basically told us to "F" off....wow I thought..ok fine.
red flags flying all over this.

I went this route because I had people try to sell me a bird before that wasn't theirs to sell....
Definitely fishy. I

We were thinking same thing Bob, stolen bird. It's just way too fishy, not to even know where it came from or when you got it. That alone threw up red flags. Kinda sad too because though the too is is great plumage, and appears happy, the circumstances behind it warrant looking further into.
I was actually looking forward to bringing it home, but got door slammed on me.

It does sound fishy. I wonder if they even have the bird at all. Sorry - you would have been a great home for her.

 

[annoellyn]

When I first decided I wanted a bird, I wanted one of the big ones right off. There was even one being rehomed in my city. But I'm glad I never jump into things without research because I learned i do not want a large parrot and am not prepared for one. Not I have a little parrot and we're pretty happy.

 

[mangobird]

UP DATE:
Well the Goffin Too went south real quick. Here's what happened..... See what you think...

Been in constant contact with owner of too chatting via, video, email and photo's. We began asking questions which were answered a bit wishy washy. The too ' s age is not exactly known. Saying it's just under 2.
Before this owner, the two was with another owner that traded the too to a pet store for a dog. Before that is unknown. The too obviously traveled around a bit being only two.
The current owner claims it was sent to her by cargo. Then claims it was flown to them. Ask where it was flown from, which state, the owner didn't know.
I said well you must have some papers of some sort
on the bird if it was flown. ( ie. Certs, vet papers, airports pick up papers, something) she doesn't have anything. ( red flag # 1) .
So asked what state did it fly from....owner didn't know, Illinois or indiana they said. Ok...what place did they But it from and have it shipped from, breeder pet store?? Owner didn't know...( Red flag #2 ).
The Too's original band was cut off and replaced with a blank one. Odd, but does happen.
Asked when the owner actually got the too, said they didn't know, sometime between June and August.
( seriously?? Can't remember when you got and picked up bird??)....
So asked about vet records...owner stated she doesn't have a vet bird never been to a vet. Which I found odd.
Because, the owner claim when they got the too it was said to be male, she had its wings clipped a little, and had a DNA tests done and discovered it was female.
( where did owner have this done at??)

So my wife and I decided ok, ok, we'll take the too on one condition, that the owner give us a bill of sale
stating they are the owners of this bird, name address and everything, that to their knowledge the bird is not wild caught, and breed in cativity.

From that point the owner refused and basically told us to "F" off....wow I thought..ok fine.
red flags flying all over this.

I went this route because I had people try to sell me a bird before that wasn't theirs to sell....

Wow! I’m sorry that it ended up working out so badly, people can be unbelievable sometimes I’m wishing you the best of luck on your new ‘too search

 

[mangobird]

My Galah, Fred, is 9 year old and we have had him 2 years this month. It is true that they are extremely friendly and are affectionate as long as they are in the mood for that. Fred goes through periods where he's almost a velcro bird, to times where he wants to interact but hands off, to times where he just wants to be alone. We all have learned his body language and follow what he wants. Tonight he let me kiss him for the first time in a few days. I got one kiss, asked for another FREDDY BIRD KISS, and he high tailed it and ran! one was all I was getting today! I would say he's easy to live with, no where near as loud as most parrots, but we like his voice so we're probably biased. They can be taught what is theirs and what is not. He only chews his things, I have not experienced any real damage to anything in my house. He's not a troublesome bird at all. But, I do have, in every room he goes, perches, toys, things he likes to chew, a cat tree for him to climb on, and play gym that I made that stands about 6 ft tall. The clue is to keep them very busy. I saved egg cartons, paper towel rolls anything fun for him to destroy I save. I tried a phone book (courtesy of Milton), but my Fred doesn't seem to enjoy paper. He likes wood and cardboard. He's a doll, we love him so much. View attachment 324300

Aw, he’s so cute! I’m glad that having a galah has been working out for you so well