@Jayced!!
She’s only about a year old, but holy moly wildly different than the white cockatoos. I had a male U2 for 20 years that I lost last spring. I wanted another big bird and looked at various macaws, because I didn’t think I could do a cockatoo again but she stole my heart. I did as much reading up on the species as I could before committing to her and bringing her home.
Much quieter, much more independent than the white cockatoo species. She calls to me when I come home or if I haven’t been able to spend a lot of time with her that day, but she is overall very quiet. She mostly makes little baby honks but she does so quite a bit. It doesn’t bother me, but I am told that may diminish as she matures. Minimally dusty. My U2 was a bit atypical I think, but god is she destructive. I was warned before bringing her home. She’s destroyed more toys in 6 months than my U2 would in 2 years.
What I found most striking was the consistency in which people spoke of their personalities and behaviors. I expect a certain amount of variability within a species, but EVERYONE I talked to said the same thing about their red tails. Gentle, quiet, loving birds. Someone I spoke to summed it up beautifully: “These birds are nothing like their white counterparts…not as dusty, not as noisy, not as demanding, and sweet as can be. I wish there were more available for the pet trade as they encompass everything positive when it comes to companion parrot ownership.” I whole heartedly agree.
She really is the sweetest thing. I think the gentleness is her best trait. I can’t really think of anything negative right now, except that I do miss the crazy outgoing personality of my U2. She doesn’t dance or do any super crazy antics like he did, but she is goofy in her own way and makes me laugh still. So far she’s not a fan of people she doesn’t know, but I’m hoping that improves with time and socialization. She LOVES to learn. Highly trainable and excellent drive to work.
I got her from Parrot Stars. She was the first red tail they have put into a companion bird home. She was costly as you know, but I really would do it again. Someone told me there’s more than one reason that they are expensive, obviously they are a rare species in North America, but that there’s also literally not a single other species that can even come close to approximating their personality. If you want that, you have to pay for that, and I would agree. FWIW, Parrot Stars has one breeding pair and her sister is currently for sale! They double clutched this year so they may also have a 3rd chick coming to the store unless they choose to keep it as a breeder. They were excellent to work with, I flew out to meet her and then back to pick her up and drive her home. I was also recently back there with a friend who got a pionus from them, but before they brought up the new red tail baby from their FL facility. They just posted a video of her sister recently!
I hope that answers your questions, please feel free to ask anything else!