Sulphur Crested Cockatoos

[ratgirl]

I was wondering do any of you out there in bird land have one of these birds as a pet? I am quite keen to have one as a pet but want to know all the pros and cons of having one but can't seem to find anyione with anything posotive to say about them!
I know they can he loud demanding co-dependent on their primary caregiver and with some induviduals agressive but what about the good side of them? Australia Zoo reckon they make great pets and one person replied to my post on another forum and said they are great birds but I want to even up all the bad stories with some good stories to a 50/50 ratio so I can make a more informed decision I know they don't really mix with any other species so if I get one my Rainbow Lorikeet and Coackatiel will be locked safely in their cages. I have a cage 91cm high 51cm deep and 80cms long(That I originally bought for my rats) coming from eBay and from what I've read on Google a cage of this dimension is approprate for a SCC.

So to all you cocky owners out there. Tell me about your squarkers tell me why they have you wrapped around their crest and why you decided on a bird of their species..

Thanks in advance!


BTW feel free to add me to your hotmail contacts list. I'm on MSN instant messaging and am online every night

[Admin]

ratgirl said:

So to all you cocky owners out there

I dont own a cockatoo so im sorry i have no info for you, but i know others will i had to laugh at that bit though

[ratgirl]

Cocky is the nickname Aussies give most of the cockatoos. It's nothing pornographic! It's a shortening of the word 'Cockatoo' a bit lke a prson called Ann Marie might have their name shortened to 'Annie'

Anyway if there aren any cocky owners out there please tell me your stories!

[darume]

I have just recently aquired a SCC myself.. He is adorable to say the least and I am having a ball with him.. The only problem we are having is he goes psycho and bites when we try to put him away for the night.. Just tonight he bit straight through my hubby's ear.. Needless to say Woody was PROMTLY put back in his avairy..lol..

[Billie]

This is second hand info at best as I don't have one either, but I have seen problem birds on tv where the birds have adopted as you say the primary care giver as their mate. As a result they have become territorial around that person and attacked other family members for coming too close to their mate.

I know African Grey parrots have the IQ of a 3 year old child so if these guys are as clever maybe if you have a hand reared one and train it well maybe the porblems are less. Never had anything bigger than a budgie so this truely isn't the voice of experience. Definately best to wait till you have ALL the info about them before you buy, they live for YEARS so include plans for what would happen to the bird if the bird were to out live you. Would other family members take it on in your absence. Good for you to get your facts together first, wish more people did the same then there would be less unfortunate birds screwed up by ignorant handling.

Billie x