What is it to be a good Cockatoo? Don't look at the Cockatoo for an answer. It's the one with the least knowledge about this expectation. What is it to be a good child? A child knows. It may not be able to express itself in crystal clear terms. But it knows. How? Because of the child's constant contact with other humans in its natural environment, it observes and learns to differentiate good behavior from bad. And what it cannot learn from observation, it is taught. All About Training What about the Cockatoo? It has no such opportunity. We are its flock. The people in its immediate environment are its flock. Cockatoos are extremely intelligent creatures. They observe and learn a lot more than we are willing to grant it. Let's look at "feather picking" or feather abuse. Cockatoos do this for any number of reasons. The problem could be with the bird, its environment, us or our environment. often, the cause is put down to one of these and treated: 1) Insecurity 2) Hormonal fluctuations 3) Stress/anxiety 4) Disease 5) Internal/external parasites 6) Insufficient/incorrect nutrition The Cockatoo's feather picking can be because of any or all of All About Training these reasons, or none of them but something totally extraneous. To be able to address just this one issue, lets consider the basics. What is a Cockatoo? It's not a dumb question? We'll give you the answer and then you will see for yourself that it's not a dumb question. A Cockatoo is more than what you've taken for granted. A Cockatoo is a gregarious creature. And certain aspects of its psyche are hard wired. The need to keep with the flock. The need to constantly communicate with its mate or members of its flock. The need to feed together. The need for companionship and affection. The need to feel secure. These are just some of its needs. These are needs that a captive bird may not be able to fulfill. It looks up to its human family to provide these basic needs. If any of these needs is not fulfilled the bird will resort to feather plucking among other things. So, even before you can think of any sort of training, it is All About Training necessary to anticipate the basic needs of the bird and to see that they are met. Cockatoos are social creatures. They need the assurance that they are not in solitary confinement. They need to know that they belong to the family. At every opportunity, let the bird know that it is a part of a flock. Call to it as often as is possible. Pet it. Take it on your arm and set it down whenever you get the chance. Give it its feed, whenever the family sits down for a meal. And talking of feed find out the feed ideally, suited for the species. Ask the breeder you buy the bird from or take the advice of people in the know and stick to those feeds only. The right quantities is another important consideration. Cage size, cage location, light and night, a place where the bird can be alone if it wants to, relative quietness, are all important considerations. The air surrounding the cage should be free of chemical dust. All About Training Don't get into arguments in the bird's presence. It is important for the bird to know that it is part of a happy flock. Cockatoos are so intelligent that they know when all is not well. This knowledge leads to stress and anxiety. |