Just like humans, parrots require companionship. Without one, they could end up being depressed, angry, or simply unhappy. A parrot needs companionship just like any other pet. If your bird has been living alone all its life, it will be very lonely if left on its own.
If you're considering getting a cockatoo, you should know that this pet has a big personality and needs a lot of attention. Wild umbrella cockatoos live in groups and mate for life, so they are never alone. As pets, they may expect your attention or to be near you all the time to fulfill this need.
Parrots in captivity become one-person birds. Especially when there is no cage friend or mate, this species of bird quickly becomes closely bonded to one person in the home. In fact, the bond is so strong that other people living in the home are typically shunned to the point that the parrot will bite.
It is highly unlikely that your bird would appreciate another bird in the house. He is more likely to view it as a rival for your affection. If you were to get another cockatoo of the same species, and they ended up bonded, you would become the rival and they would not want you as a companion anymore.
Understanding Separation Anxiety in Birds
But lots of birds, including parrots, cockatoos and macaws, suffer distress when left alone. It's now commonly understood that your pet bird can begin to rely on humans in an unhealthy way. It can do the same with other birds, their mirror and even toys.
Some species, but especially cockatoos, manifest stress as stereotypical behaviors such as pacing, toe-tapping, and head swinging. Often, birds perform these behaviors to stimulate themselves because they are bored.
Fortunately for us, parrots usually do like to be touched. But the way parrots liked to be touched is just a bit different from the other pets in our home. The next time you have the opportunity to touch a parrot try the following tips. Try to avoid touching your parrot on the back, wings or tail.
A single cockatoo will thrive as your pet only if you devote time and attention to it. You will need to spend a good deal of time playing with it and sharing affections on a regular daily basis. However, two pet cockatoos can be ideal if you are not able to devote so much time and attention as the bird will demand.
The Avian Welfare Coalition informs us that parrots can become jealous especially with visitors and other pets. An overly jealous parrot isn't fun to be around. It will be important to learn how to socialize and train your parrot to accept other people and pets.
Give your cockatoo three to four hours of playtime outside the cage and at least 3-5 hours of interaction with you each day. The larger the bird, the more interaction it needs with a human or other birds.
There are a few signs that a parrot may exhibit if they are scared of you. They may fluff up their feathers, crouch down, or try to hide. They may also make hissing or growling noises or try to bite if you get too close. Additionally, they may avoid eye contact or turn their head away from you.
A favorite spot for touch enjoyed by most cockatoos can be under the crest, right on top of the head, where species such as umbrella and Moluccan cockatoos have a bald spot. For other species of parrot, I've found that their forehead or top of their head is a favorite spot.
Pet parrots do get bored, lonely, and even depressed. They need lots of enrichment, mental stimulation, exercise, and (of course) fun. In the wild, parrots get this experience through social interaction or foraging for food.
Keeping two female or two male parrots together
Species like amazons, cockatoos or macaws can become aggressive and territorial in breeding mode and I would avoid opposite sex genders with species like that until you have sufficient experience.
Cockatoos also need between 10-12 hours of shut-eye a night and can be a stroppy nightmare if they don't get their beauty sleep! Establish a consistent sleep schedule, make sure your bird's sleeping quarters are in a quiet place and drape a cover over the cage to keep it dark.
Amazingly, sulphur-crested cockatoos will mate for life and can live for over 80 years. Crikey! The wild population of sulphur-crested cockatoos is very healthy and they are a species of least concern.
Yes, especially parrots. Parrots have memories that are superior to other animals, as they are known to navigate by memory. However, birds, in general, are able to recall actions by their previous owners, and they will act accordingly, such as being shy or aggressive.
A cockatoo will often selectively eat only one or two of its favorite types of seed and nuts. Cockatoos particularly love peanuts and sunflower seeds that are high in fat and deficient in calcium, vitamin A, and other nutrients.
Cockatoos are scared of birds of prey
Consequently, cockatoos are wary of birds of prey and this fear may be exploited to scare cockatoos away using kites to simulate birds of prey.
“Parrots who talk know what they're saying if they are taught appropriately,” Pepperberg says. For example, a bird trained to identify favorite foods knows exactly what they mean when they ask for them.
Parrots are very sensitive to our emotions, sometimes better than we are. Our birds are keen observers of our facial expressions, body language, tone and even energy levels and therefore we have to be cognizant of how our emotions can impact our birds.
Screaming or loud vocalization is a natural way for wild parrots and other birds to communicate with each other in their flock environments. They will also scream if they are alarmed. Birds will vocalize if they are frightened, bored, lonely, stressed, or unwell.
Parrots may be displaying signs of affection when they rub their beak on you. This is a common way for parrots to show that they trust and feel close to their owners. Other times, parrots may rub their beaks against people or objects as part of preening behavior, which is self-care and grooming.