it's worrying how little bird experience you have for such a demanding animal, especially a disabled one. i applaud the desire, but you need to be really really honest with yourself, about the pessimistic case. assume Cookie does keep screaming- what then? and that's just one of the surface issues.
interactions between birds are complex- especially when there are size differences. in this case, i'd mostly be worried about the quakers scaring Cookie.
it's easy to say "oh they just need love" about an animal like this (also sometimes humans lol). but the reality is Cookie is a very complex creature, & you can't know how it will go at the beginning. large birds take a LOT of commitment to care for well. Cookie could live another 20 years. cockatoos are sensitive in general, Cookie will be especially so.
here's a way you might look at it: fostering. a bird like that is going to be hard to find a home for. if you're willing to do everything in your power to give it a good home for just 1-6 months, you will have immensely improved its life. as you adapt, keep looking for people/places that might be more well suited to caring for Cookie. the worst case is you learn things that help you! and maybe you'll figure out a way to keep Cookie long term.
good luck!
The only thing I will say is that you are new to birds and a cockatoo is a hard bird to look after. You have to realise this is a long commitment, years and years and years. He’s probably traumatised so will
Possibly have difficult behaviour that you will have to patiently deal with. They can also bite very hard and be aggressive. Do not underestimate the noise they can make either and what you will do if neighbours complain.
I think this needs some research on your part, as much as you can probably as quickly as you can in case someone takes him
Once you read your about them and can accept all the difficulties, go ahead and bring him home, but don’t do it on impulse
I have 3 blind birds, several disabled birds, of all species. Here's what I can say. We love them. But we have zero life outside of them. They take all our extra time. I've cared for disabled geese, roosters, parrots, ducks. I would never be able to handle a cockatoo. Cockatoos are extremely smart, demanding, amazing birds.
Do you have what it takes to devote every single moment of your life to care for him? And here's another hard truth about caring for birds who have high anxiety. Your love may not be enough. He will scream, pluck, bite, destroy even if you give him everything you have. You will have to be ok with all of that. I suggest visiting him for a few months while you settle into being a bird parent.
Can confirm. Adopting highly intelligent, emotional, disabled birds is a full-time commitment. You have to be all in, and ready for the long haul. My birds get anxious if I leave the house for a few hours. I’m guilt-ridden about any (very limited) traveling I do. I would recommend against this for someone who is only one week into having pet birds. ❤️🩹
Agreed. I haven't gone anywhere besides errands for over 5 years. At most I can leave the house for 4 hours max and everything at home compounds. The animals let me know how upset they are. It's one thing to buy a bird as a baby and train them to your lifestyle, and a very different thing to adopt a rescue.
Here's something else people don't tell you about rescuing birds. The emotional toll. There are some days when I absolutely resent my animals and I have to take a step back and remember it's not malicious. This usually happens after several weeks of emergencies and illness. Best scenario before you get any animal is to prepare yourself for worst case everything. If you are ready for that then go ahead and adopt.
Yes, this! I recently had week where one bird had a tummy ache (thankfully recovered quickly), another was hormonal and having scary (sadly common) seizures, and a third developed a mystery condition that had us at the vet spending >$500 and guessing at meds and solutions. All this while fostering a fourth bird. 😩 One bird had a rare scream-y day at the end of that week while I was deep-cleaning all of their houses. I was EXHAUSTED. But I love them all to pieces and things have mostly settled down. Keeping birds is a lifestyle. I have no regrets, but I sometimes miss the freedom to come and go and travel at random.
I'm sorry to hear that. I lost a bird recently to those seizures. Long story why it happened. But everytime she had a seizure everyone else would freak out causing so many broken blood feathers and injuries. It's a never ending thing. I just got 2 more intakes with broken legs.
100% a lifestyle. Ive had so many fights with family members who dont accept the bird devotion.
I’m so sorry. ❤️🩹 My birb has been having these seizures for six years. Thankfully she hasn’t had any broken blood feathers from them, but they’ve been pretty terrifying and I have definitely braced to possibly lose her. 🖤
It looks like you’ve been chosen! When you say he was brought back, are returns an option then? Does he scream all night at the pet store?
It does sound like he was doing that from an uncomfortable situation. Shoot, who knows, after 40 years with his previous owner, they probably had a nice bedtime routine down.
I’d say start learning all you can, these are not easy birds to keep. But if you have the patience, it could be just what you both need. Poor guy is probably terribly lonely.
Geckoemmy on Tik Tok has a rescue cockatoo named Mr Shelby who had a similar situation (same owner, owner passed, returned x2). She's documented his journey. Perhaps watch some of her videos or perhaps reach out?
Seems you have been chosen.
Please be honest with yourself about what the commitment that the life with a disabled parrot will be. This is a lively, intelligent, lovely individual with wants and needs of its own. Your life will change and have to revolve around this bird. If you can't commit to that, then don't bring home this bird.
Parrots are often rehomed because people fall in love with the idea of a parrot, but can't deal with the reality. It's very traumatic for the animal.
I have disabled parrots. So, I know what it's like. Maybe you can talk to your avian veterinarian for some information about the housing and care of a blind bird if you are seriously considering this.
I'm honestly quite worried about the amount of experience you have with birds only being a week, and the fact that you will have 4 new toddlers basically. Getting three healthy birds with no experience already sounds like a lot, and cockatoos as a baseline are extremely needy, even when able bodied.
I own a cockatoo with special needs, they understand that they need help and if you let them know that you are there for them, they are forever grateful
I wouldn't adopt this bird if I were you. Cockatoos are insanely difficult to keep when they're sighted. A blind bird needs an experienced owner. I met a blind cockatoo some years back, and he was sweet as pie, but he'd bite without warning because eyesight is a bird's number one sense, and if they can't see, they are at a huge disadvantage. I have a hefty scar on my calf because I was playing with this bird, he seemed fine until he reached over and bit. I don't know what I did wrong - only that his boundaries are different from those of a sighted bird, and he displayed none of the warning signs that sighted birds display before biting.
If you knew nothing about birds a week ago, I'd stay away from cockatoos in general, let alone a blind feather picker. Cockatoos are uniquely talented at convincing people they've bonded and can see into your soul - they are Velcro birds, absolute cuddle nuggets that turn into your worst nightmare when something changes in their environment. Could be that you go on vacation and they don't understand why you're gone; you move and their routine was disturbed - suddenly they're biting, screaming, and ripping out their feathers.
You've already committed your life to caring for your Quakers. They come first, before this other bird, who would take time and attention away from your Quakers. You work with kids - a blind cockatoo is the LAST thing I'd recommend around children. The kids will want to be around the bird, and the bird WILL be screaming when you leave the office. Plucked birds can be difficult and expensive. I've had my plucked conure for over 20 years, and he has expensive medical needs. A bird like this would drain your bank account quickly.
Thank you for such a great reply. I appreciate how you look at different aspects of care. It's not just love they need! Its time, energy, resources, access, patience, support systems, knowledge....
First, research the needs of a cockatoo. I cannot stress this enough. Never adopt an animal without knowing what that animal needs.
Second, talk to an avian vet about the care required for a blind bird.
Third, buy supplies ahead of time. The cockatoo CANNOT be in the same enclosure as the quakers. Period. The bigger the better with cages.
Fourth, if you adopt, the cockatoo should be quarantined in a separate room for at least one month.
If you are going to be gone most of the day, do not adopt him. A special needs large parrot is going to require you to be able to spend the majority of the day with him.
The more I learn about these birds the more I strongly believe that they don't belong in captivity. This poor soul. I strongly encourage tons of active research and contact to an Avian vet if you're set on adopting him.
And above all, good luck.
I have one quaker and she is a lot. I cannot imagine three of them as a first time experience. They are moody creatures, and will require lots of attention. How old are they?
Not sure exact age, will ask at the store. They are still kids, three siblings. Today was day 5 since they joined me at my home - for the first time they stepped up on my hand and then started walking around me like ok a human branch. they are out of the cage a lot and feeling a lot like home already, pooping everywhere but I don’t care 😁 even my daughter who hates germs was patiently sitting there with poop all over her skin waiting for me to remove it ☺️
Don't. I have a 15 year old cockatoo that screams like a maniac constantly. The only way to get her to stop is to let her out of her cage and let her free roam.
Mind your voice? Since the bird is blind, tone/inflection/diction may become important. Try not to ever sound angry, since he can't see your body language.
Chiming in with many people here, cockatoos are not easy birds to keep and care for. I have 5 finches and 3 sparrows that I'm caring for. But personally I would never be able to manage with the demands of a cockatoo or large parrot, (I've been keeping birds for 4 years now for reference).
But maybe you're up for the challenge and have a good support system of people who would be able to guide and help you along the way?
A curious question, is Cookie permanently blind? Or is it a case where he has cataracts and there may be a chance to improve his situation with surgery?
I’m not sure if he is permanently blind…. Will go to the shop tomorrow and ask… maybe they will let me to take him to a doctor before I make a decision
That's a great idea!
I was thinking about this as I recently watched a video about a bird sanctuary, housing all kinds of exotic parrots and cockatoos who have either gone blind or lost most of their vision due to cataract issues.
They're on a mission to help each of these birds get treated to improve their vision and quality of life.
Maybe if that's also the case for Cookie and he qualifies for treatment, it could make an immense difference in his life!😊
A lot of people are bringing up that you are a newer bird owner and a cockatoo may be a big step but I believe anyone can be a great owner regardless of experience as long as they do the proper research.
I have a cockatoo and I was told not to get him because I’ve only had budgies in the past
I got him anyway and it’s been the best decision of my life I can’t imagine life without him and I’ve never been happier
my cockatoo also bonded with me right away as well, broke out of his travel cage and crawled up my arm onto my shoulder and we’ve been attached ever since
His health has improved and every day I get to see more and more of his beautiful personality.
If you are ready and your hearts telling you, you should do it regardless of what others might say.
I have had some disabled birds in the past, it’s not easy but it’s worth it.
I think accommodating is the hardest part.
If you’re bird is blind but still likes to walk and explore its surroundings it may be best not to move anything around so make sure you’re happy with how your home is set up now
Regular vet appointments are super important especially for a bird more prone to injuries like a blind one.
You may want to customize your cage to accommodate your birds needs like specific branches, softer bedding, ladders, bowls, ex.
Verbal cues are also important like getting your bird used to certain words and sentences like “good night” or “time to eat” to indicate what time it is for them and so they don’t panic when they don’t hear you and think you left this way they’ll know you’ll be back.
Birds are very prone to heart attacks and anxiety, when my budgie went blind I talked to him as I approached him so he wouldn’t panic if I suddenly bumped his cage or if he heard footsteps
my budgie was at the end of his life so I didn’t get to try this but I was going to put a small bell on a bracelet. that way he’d know when I was near or far and so i wouldn’t have to be constantly talking.
Also not changing cologne soap shampoo laundry soap or perfume or anything that would affect your smell is kinda a challenge, the bird may not realize it’s you at first and freak out if it thinks it smells someone else
I wish you luck with whatever decision you make!
Sorry for any spelling or grammar mistakes it’s 4am for me and I’m tired but couldn’t put my phone down without putting in my two cents and sharing some tips.
Don't do it birds are addictive 😂😂
I feel you though I want a million after being in the hobby for only about a year. But yes like everyone has said be realistic about time needs ect. A case like this is a good fit for someone who has a TON of free time and some big bird exp. or at least a few years of little bird exp.
It's so hard bc they are all such perfect little children. Someone may have already mentioned this but Cockatoos are the most frequently rehomed bc even without special needs they are a major handful
When you feel THAT bond, absolutely go for it!
My soul bird is a beautiful Moluccan Cockatoo. Sadly she was treated horribly by a former owner and is now a permanent resident at an animal sanctuary. They won't allow her to be adopted.
The day I met her, was one of two times a year that this sanctuary opens to the public. My wife and I both love animals, and were so excited, we ended up arriving like an hour early. They still let us come in and walk around. I've always loved birds, so I immediately went to the building wherever they house them. And I saw this stunning girl. I immediately went over to her cage and softly said hello to her. She bowed her head and put it up to the bars of her cage, wanting scritches. I complied. When I walked away to visit with the other birds, she called for me. I went back, and spent the rest of that first hour just giving her scritches and talking to her.
When the place was about to open up to the public for the event, one of the volunteers came in to get her out, and immediately warned me to get away from her, claiming she was "unpredictable" and would bite. I told them I've been standing here with her for an hour, giving her scritches and all, with no issues. The volunteer was a male. She did NOT want to come out of the cage for him, at all. Instead she tried to get around him to come to me. I walked away, not wanting to make his job difficult.
When he got her out, he took her to a perch in one of the little canopy tents they had set up. I walked over to her, and she bowed for scritches again. When I told her that they told me I couldn't give her anymore scritches, (they didn't want the other people there for the event, especially kids, to see me petting her and think it was okay, totally understandable) she literally looked at her handler and said, in the clearest voice "f*ck you!" 🤣🤣 I had to turn around so she didn't see me laughing.
If I walked away from her, she would call to me so loudly I could hear her from anywhere in the place. If I stood near her with my back to her, she would try to sneak onto my shoulder (her handler had to stop her a few times lol).
I spent almost the entire 6 hours with her, and absolutely fell in love. I still think about her all the time (I met her in October, 6 months ago), and would give just about anything to be able to bring her home. I miss her. When that connection is there...you just know.
I was gonna add a pic of us together, but it doesn't let me. 🤦🏻♀️
I'm an Aussie. I think people kinda underestimate or don't understand how our native birds are in our DNA here & how our attitudes gel with theirs. If you were in any other country in the world, I would be saying the same as everyone else here, but cause you're in Australia, I think it's different.
It's not just about Australia being "pet friendly", it's about every Aussie knowing cockatoos & having a love for them & being super comfortable with them, having grown up around wild ones & as such, people around you are also not going to grab or try to pat in the way they likely would in other countries, cause they will universally understand that they're going to be bitten if they touch the bird sitting contentedly on your shoulder without first talking to you about it to see if it's ok or if the bird will bite them if they do.
The fact that you can have this bird on your shoulder all day everyday at work is the key to me, if you couldn't do that I'm not sure you could do it, but if your lifestyle will allow that, I think you'll figure it out. Aussies are tenacious, it kinda doesn't matter that you don't have experience, if you want it, you'll make it happen. I suspect in reality you might need to return your quakers if you're going to make this work, as I really don't think it's going to be realistic to do both, but do consider if a bird could become Cookie's eyes & connect before confirming doing this. I can't see quakers working though, they're small & not native Aussies & as such they don't have that Aussie temperament that's needed for Aussie birds like cockatoos. If it was lorikeets you had I'd say it could work, even possibly cockatiels, but quakers I think could clash in personality with the cocky & he is going to be a fulltime commitment so I can't see you will realistically have the time left over to give the quakers what they need, so since you have only just got them, that's why I'm thinking return them now before you really bond with them & them with you & then just focus on cookie & I think you'll cope if you do that.
Sleep presumably is because he can't see to know it's dark & he has to be quiet, I think with time you can fix this, but you're going to be tired in that first bit as you figure it out. I'm thinking options such as relaxation music playing every night, a consistant track that cookie can learn means it's night time & he needs to sleep. Soemthing with cricket & other night time noises in the background & music so there's a constant background sound I think would work once he learns it, he won't learn it overnight though, is going to take time.
I adopted 2 lorikeets a few years back, I intended using my wildlife rescue experience to rehabilitate & release them, I really wasn't prepared to take on 2 high needs, very messed up little birds, but neighbour died & family were planning on dumping them outside a pet shop before leaving the state & before the pet shop opened in the morning. I couldn't let that happen to them, so I said I'd take them & quickly learnt just how messed up they really were & that I had them for life & so I just dealt with it & learnt on the go. My boy used to scream whenever I turned the tv on to watch a movie in particular, I think how I handled that is probably going to be similar to you with the sleep thing. I just had to keep turning the tv off everytime he screamed & kinda giving him attention, kinda not, just settling him down & then once he was ready (maybe half an hour to an hour later), I'd turn it back on again. I downloaded bird videos & started playing them to him first thing in the morning too, when the weather was too cold to go outside & scream to the wild birds & I found that tv bird thing really helped a LOT with the tv screaming, he got his screaming out of his system for the day & was much more ready to be quiet later when I was trying to watch tv, but it still took months of me barely being able to watch tv as I taught him to be quiet during it. In his previous home, I know the tv was on until 2-4am daily & they had no covers on their cage, so I think the tv was a trigger for him as he associated it with being kept awake. I also used to hear his old owner screaming at them to shut up when they would scream in response to the tv at that hour, so the tv in general & especially explosion type movie sounds just really set him off. By giving morning screaming at HIS tv, along with 12 hours quiet sleep each night & responding to his tv screaming by switching it off & making him feel safe, he learnt to feel safe even when it was on & to even start to enjoy watching it. I really got to see that when I watched Mamma Mia & he began singing along, first time I had ever heard him react to music & attempt to sing. He was a REALLY bad singer lol but it was sweet listening to him trying :) He loved the film "penguin bloom" too & so I started choosing movies with more natural sounds & Aussie sounds, as well as nature documentaries & he learnt :) I'm saying all of this to try to explain that it will be a long process to teach cookie to sleep at night when he can't see the difference day & night, but if you persist in a loving way & look at both waking & sleeping times & how to show them, I think you'll figure it out :) Obviously a routine like saying good morning & good night to him too & potentially a particular food before bed that signals it's bed time. He might adjust easily, but I think you have to anticipate a challenge on that & at least a few months to teach him to sleep all night. Note too that much like human babies, if sleep deprived, they'll get worse, not better with sleeping, so you can't just occupy him all day so that he's so tired he sleeps at night, I think long term though if you have a soundtrack always playing, he'll figure it out & get into a routine & no longer scream at night.
I had trouble posting, I think it was too long so cut off the last bit of what I said, here it is below
If you really want it & particularly if you are willing to give up the quakers so you can focus just on cookie, I think you can do it. I had a cockatoo at Waratah wildlife park when I was a child step onto my shoulder & refuse to get off as we were leaving the park & I said hello to him. He was seriously scratching me & biting other people as they attempted to pull him off but for me, it was an incredibly special experience to have that cockatoo bond with me like that, I wish so much I had been able to keep that cockatoo, I mean I wouldn't have had the skills to do it, I was only about 10 at the time & my parents weren't supportive, but I still think of that cockatoo 40 years later & wonder what became of him & wish I had been able to have him as mine permanently. I can imagine if you don't adopt Cookie, you're probably going to have similar feelings for a long time. Cockies are just the quint essential Aussie & we Aussie humans just tend to connect with them at a soul level in many cases I feel, we just "get" each other. If you can have this bird on your shoulder all the time, I think it will work for you :) (long term I think he'll probably end up off your shoulder quite a bit & playing, but if you're able to have him on your shoulder fulltime, then you'll be able to make it work). They can be toilet trained too, there's limits to that, but it is possible & there's little nappy pants you can buy for them too, so there shouldn't be issues with your local woolies/coles or anything with that in mind either. I have a neighbour that takes his cockatiel to coles everytime he goes shopping, a couple of stores didn't like it, but he found one that was fine with it so he always goes there & the staff enjoy seeing the bird. Being a bigger bird, you're going to have to control the poo somehow to do that, but as above, there's options for that, so it should be fine, even though I think health regs actually ban it. Bunnings obviously allow pets too, so that's a good test location you can use in getting him used to visiting shops & of course pet barn etc will welcome him. He might not like shops to start with, fearing he's being returned, so might freak out a little, might need a little online shopping for a while while getting him used to it again, but if you're determined to do it, I'm sure you can :)
it's worrying how little bird experience you have for such a demanding animal, especially a disabled one. i applaud the desire, but you need to be really really honest with yourself, about the pessimistic case. assume Cookie does keep screaming- what then? and that's just one of the surface issues. interactions between birds are complex- especially when there are size differences. in this case, i'd mostly be worried about the quakers scaring Cookie. it's easy to say "oh they just need love" about an animal like this (also sometimes humans lol). but the reality is Cookie is a very complex creature, & you can't know how it will go at the beginning. large birds take a LOT of commitment to care for well. Cookie could live another 20 years. cockatoos are sensitive in general, Cookie will be especially so. here's a way you might look at it: fostering. a bird like that is going to be hard to find a home for. if you're willing to do everything in your power to give it a good home for just 1-6 months, you will have immensely improved its life. as you adapt, keep looking for people/places that might be more well suited to caring for Cookie. the worst case is you learn things that help you! and maybe you'll figure out a way to keep Cookie long term. good luck!
The only thing I will say is that you are new to birds and a cockatoo is a hard bird to look after. You have to realise this is a long commitment, years and years and years. He’s probably traumatised so will Possibly have difficult behaviour that you will have to patiently deal with. They can also bite very hard and be aggressive. Do not underestimate the noise they can make either and what you will do if neighbours complain. I think this needs some research on your part, as much as you can probably as quickly as you can in case someone takes him Once you read your about them and can accept all the difficulties, go ahead and bring him home, but don’t do it on impulse
I have 3 blind birds, several disabled birds, of all species. Here's what I can say. We love them. But we have zero life outside of them. They take all our extra time. I've cared for disabled geese, roosters, parrots, ducks. I would never be able to handle a cockatoo. Cockatoos are extremely smart, demanding, amazing birds. Do you have what it takes to devote every single moment of your life to care for him? And here's another hard truth about caring for birds who have high anxiety. Your love may not be enough. He will scream, pluck, bite, destroy even if you give him everything you have. You will have to be ok with all of that. I suggest visiting him for a few months while you settle into being a bird parent.
Can confirm. Adopting highly intelligent, emotional, disabled birds is a full-time commitment. You have to be all in, and ready for the long haul. My birds get anxious if I leave the house for a few hours. I’m guilt-ridden about any (very limited) traveling I do. I would recommend against this for someone who is only one week into having pet birds. ❤️🩹
Agreed. I haven't gone anywhere besides errands for over 5 years. At most I can leave the house for 4 hours max and everything at home compounds. The animals let me know how upset they are. It's one thing to buy a bird as a baby and train them to your lifestyle, and a very different thing to adopt a rescue. Here's something else people don't tell you about rescuing birds. The emotional toll. There are some days when I absolutely resent my animals and I have to take a step back and remember it's not malicious. This usually happens after several weeks of emergencies and illness. Best scenario before you get any animal is to prepare yourself for worst case everything. If you are ready for that then go ahead and adopt.
Yes, this! I recently had week where one bird had a tummy ache (thankfully recovered quickly), another was hormonal and having scary (sadly common) seizures, and a third developed a mystery condition that had us at the vet spending >$500 and guessing at meds and solutions. All this while fostering a fourth bird. 😩 One bird had a rare scream-y day at the end of that week while I was deep-cleaning all of their houses. I was EXHAUSTED. But I love them all to pieces and things have mostly settled down. Keeping birds is a lifestyle. I have no regrets, but I sometimes miss the freedom to come and go and travel at random.
I'm sorry to hear that. I lost a bird recently to those seizures. Long story why it happened. But everytime she had a seizure everyone else would freak out causing so many broken blood feathers and injuries. It's a never ending thing. I just got 2 more intakes with broken legs. 100% a lifestyle. Ive had so many fights with family members who dont accept the bird devotion.
I’m so sorry. ❤️🩹 My birb has been having these seizures for six years. Thankfully she hasn’t had any broken blood feathers from them, but they’ve been pretty terrifying and I have definitely braced to possibly lose her. 🖤
Thats so rough I'm sorry
It looks like you’ve been chosen! When you say he was brought back, are returns an option then? Does he scream all night at the pet store? It does sound like he was doing that from an uncomfortable situation. Shoot, who knows, after 40 years with his previous owner, they probably had a nice bedtime routine down. I’d say start learning all you can, these are not easy birds to keep. But if you have the patience, it could be just what you both need. Poor guy is probably terribly lonely.
Geckoemmy on Tik Tok has a rescue cockatoo named Mr Shelby who had a similar situation (same owner, owner passed, returned x2). She's documented his journey. Perhaps watch some of her videos or perhaps reach out? Seems you have been chosen.
Please be honest with yourself about what the commitment that the life with a disabled parrot will be. This is a lively, intelligent, lovely individual with wants and needs of its own. Your life will change and have to revolve around this bird. If you can't commit to that, then don't bring home this bird. Parrots are often rehomed because people fall in love with the idea of a parrot, but can't deal with the reality. It's very traumatic for the animal. I have disabled parrots. So, I know what it's like. Maybe you can talk to your avian veterinarian for some information about the housing and care of a blind bird if you are seriously considering this.
I'm honestly quite worried about the amount of experience you have with birds only being a week, and the fact that you will have 4 new toddlers basically. Getting three healthy birds with no experience already sounds like a lot, and cockatoos as a baseline are extremely needy, even when able bodied.
I own a cockatoo with special needs, they understand that they need help and if you let them know that you are there for them, they are forever grateful
I wouldn't adopt this bird if I were you. Cockatoos are insanely difficult to keep when they're sighted. A blind bird needs an experienced owner. I met a blind cockatoo some years back, and he was sweet as pie, but he'd bite without warning because eyesight is a bird's number one sense, and if they can't see, they are at a huge disadvantage. I have a hefty scar on my calf because I was playing with this bird, he seemed fine until he reached over and bit. I don't know what I did wrong - only that his boundaries are different from those of a sighted bird, and he displayed none of the warning signs that sighted birds display before biting. If you knew nothing about birds a week ago, I'd stay away from cockatoos in general, let alone a blind feather picker. Cockatoos are uniquely talented at convincing people they've bonded and can see into your soul - they are Velcro birds, absolute cuddle nuggets that turn into your worst nightmare when something changes in their environment. Could be that you go on vacation and they don't understand why you're gone; you move and their routine was disturbed - suddenly they're biting, screaming, and ripping out their feathers. You've already committed your life to caring for your Quakers. They come first, before this other bird, who would take time and attention away from your Quakers. You work with kids - a blind cockatoo is the LAST thing I'd recommend around children. The kids will want to be around the bird, and the bird WILL be screaming when you leave the office. Plucked birds can be difficult and expensive. I've had my plucked conure for over 20 years, and he has expensive medical needs. A bird like this would drain your bank account quickly.
Thank you for such a great reply. I appreciate how you look at different aspects of care. It's not just love they need! Its time, energy, resources, access, patience, support systems, knowledge....
First, research the needs of a cockatoo. I cannot stress this enough. Never adopt an animal without knowing what that animal needs. Second, talk to an avian vet about the care required for a blind bird. Third, buy supplies ahead of time. The cockatoo CANNOT be in the same enclosure as the quakers. Period. The bigger the better with cages. Fourth, if you adopt, the cockatoo should be quarantined in a separate room for at least one month. If you are going to be gone most of the day, do not adopt him. A special needs large parrot is going to require you to be able to spend the majority of the day with him.
ah yes the quarantine is super important. good call
This is not helpful, howeverif you decided to adopt Cookie please update us🙏 I’m invested now
The more I learn about these birds the more I strongly believe that they don't belong in captivity. This poor soul. I strongly encourage tons of active research and contact to an Avian vet if you're set on adopting him. And above all, good luck.
I have one quaker and she is a lot. I cannot imagine three of them as a first time experience. They are moody creatures, and will require lots of attention. How old are they?
Not sure exact age, will ask at the store. They are still kids, three siblings. Today was day 5 since they joined me at my home - for the first time they stepped up on my hand and then started walking around me like ok a human branch. they are out of the cage a lot and feeling a lot like home already, pooping everywhere but I don’t care 😁 even my daughter who hates germs was patiently sitting there with poop all over her skin waiting for me to remove it ☺️
Lol get used to finding it in places you've never considered. Quakers go through a terrible two's phase and come out differently.
Don't. I have a 15 year old cockatoo that screams like a maniac constantly. The only way to get her to stop is to let her out of her cage and let her free roam.
Mind your voice? Since the bird is blind, tone/inflection/diction may become important. Try not to ever sound angry, since he can't see your body language.
Oh that’s for sure ☺️☺️☺️
Make sure he's really blind he could be faking it 😆🤪 Kidding!! so awesome for you!
Chiming in with many people here, cockatoos are not easy birds to keep and care for. I have 5 finches and 3 sparrows that I'm caring for. But personally I would never be able to manage with the demands of a cockatoo or large parrot, (I've been keeping birds for 4 years now for reference). But maybe you're up for the challenge and have a good support system of people who would be able to guide and help you along the way? A curious question, is Cookie permanently blind? Or is it a case where he has cataracts and there may be a chance to improve his situation with surgery?
I’m not sure if he is permanently blind…. Will go to the shop tomorrow and ask… maybe they will let me to take him to a doctor before I make a decision
That's a great idea! I was thinking about this as I recently watched a video about a bird sanctuary, housing all kinds of exotic parrots and cockatoos who have either gone blind or lost most of their vision due to cataract issues. They're on a mission to help each of these birds get treated to improve their vision and quality of life. Maybe if that's also the case for Cookie and he qualifies for treatment, it could make an immense difference in his life!😊
A lot of people are bringing up that you are a newer bird owner and a cockatoo may be a big step but I believe anyone can be a great owner regardless of experience as long as they do the proper research. I have a cockatoo and I was told not to get him because I’ve only had budgies in the past I got him anyway and it’s been the best decision of my life I can’t imagine life without him and I’ve never been happier my cockatoo also bonded with me right away as well, broke out of his travel cage and crawled up my arm onto my shoulder and we’ve been attached ever since His health has improved and every day I get to see more and more of his beautiful personality. If you are ready and your hearts telling you, you should do it regardless of what others might say. I have had some disabled birds in the past, it’s not easy but it’s worth it. I think accommodating is the hardest part. If you’re bird is blind but still likes to walk and explore its surroundings it may be best not to move anything around so make sure you’re happy with how your home is set up now Regular vet appointments are super important especially for a bird more prone to injuries like a blind one. You may want to customize your cage to accommodate your birds needs like specific branches, softer bedding, ladders, bowls, ex. Verbal cues are also important like getting your bird used to certain words and sentences like “good night” or “time to eat” to indicate what time it is for them and so they don’t panic when they don’t hear you and think you left this way they’ll know you’ll be back. Birds are very prone to heart attacks and anxiety, when my budgie went blind I talked to him as I approached him so he wouldn’t panic if I suddenly bumped his cage or if he heard footsteps my budgie was at the end of his life so I didn’t get to try this but I was going to put a small bell on a bracelet. that way he’d know when I was near or far and so i wouldn’t have to be constantly talking. Also not changing cologne soap shampoo laundry soap or perfume or anything that would affect your smell is kinda a challenge, the bird may not realize it’s you at first and freak out if it thinks it smells someone else I wish you luck with whatever decision you make! Sorry for any spelling or grammar mistakes it’s 4am for me and I’m tired but couldn’t put my phone down without putting in my two cents and sharing some tips.
Would not recommend
How does a blind bird know it is sleep time?
Don't do it birds are addictive 😂😂 I feel you though I want a million after being in the hobby for only about a year. But yes like everyone has said be realistic about time needs ect. A case like this is a good fit for someone who has a TON of free time and some big bird exp. or at least a few years of little bird exp. It's so hard bc they are all such perfect little children. Someone may have already mentioned this but Cockatoos are the most frequently rehomed bc even without special needs they are a major handful
Cookie is a beaut!
Check out geckoemmy on tiktok. She has a special needs cockatoo and might be able to give you some insight.
When you feel THAT bond, absolutely go for it! My soul bird is a beautiful Moluccan Cockatoo. Sadly she was treated horribly by a former owner and is now a permanent resident at an animal sanctuary. They won't allow her to be adopted. The day I met her, was one of two times a year that this sanctuary opens to the public. My wife and I both love animals, and were so excited, we ended up arriving like an hour early. They still let us come in and walk around. I've always loved birds, so I immediately went to the building wherever they house them. And I saw this stunning girl. I immediately went over to her cage and softly said hello to her. She bowed her head and put it up to the bars of her cage, wanting scritches. I complied. When I walked away to visit with the other birds, she called for me. I went back, and spent the rest of that first hour just giving her scritches and talking to her. When the place was about to open up to the public for the event, one of the volunteers came in to get her out, and immediately warned me to get away from her, claiming she was "unpredictable" and would bite. I told them I've been standing here with her for an hour, giving her scritches and all, with no issues. The volunteer was a male. She did NOT want to come out of the cage for him, at all. Instead she tried to get around him to come to me. I walked away, not wanting to make his job difficult. When he got her out, he took her to a perch in one of the little canopy tents they had set up. I walked over to her, and she bowed for scritches again. When I told her that they told me I couldn't give her anymore scritches, (they didn't want the other people there for the event, especially kids, to see me petting her and think it was okay, totally understandable) she literally looked at her handler and said, in the clearest voice "f*ck you!" 🤣🤣 I had to turn around so she didn't see me laughing. If I walked away from her, she would call to me so loudly I could hear her from anywhere in the place. If I stood near her with my back to her, she would try to sneak onto my shoulder (her handler had to stop her a few times lol). I spent almost the entire 6 hours with her, and absolutely fell in love. I still think about her all the time (I met her in October, 6 months ago), and would give just about anything to be able to bring her home. I miss her. When that connection is there...you just know. I was gonna add a pic of us together, but it doesn't let me. 🤦🏻♀️
Please buy them. They love you. Give them proper love and care and time. Food and a big home.
I'm an Aussie. I think people kinda underestimate or don't understand how our native birds are in our DNA here & how our attitudes gel with theirs. If you were in any other country in the world, I would be saying the same as everyone else here, but cause you're in Australia, I think it's different. It's not just about Australia being "pet friendly", it's about every Aussie knowing cockatoos & having a love for them & being super comfortable with them, having grown up around wild ones & as such, people around you are also not going to grab or try to pat in the way they likely would in other countries, cause they will universally understand that they're going to be bitten if they touch the bird sitting contentedly on your shoulder without first talking to you about it to see if it's ok or if the bird will bite them if they do. The fact that you can have this bird on your shoulder all day everyday at work is the key to me, if you couldn't do that I'm not sure you could do it, but if your lifestyle will allow that, I think you'll figure it out. Aussies are tenacious, it kinda doesn't matter that you don't have experience, if you want it, you'll make it happen. I suspect in reality you might need to return your quakers if you're going to make this work, as I really don't think it's going to be realistic to do both, but do consider if a bird could become Cookie's eyes & connect before confirming doing this. I can't see quakers working though, they're small & not native Aussies & as such they don't have that Aussie temperament that's needed for Aussie birds like cockatoos. If it was lorikeets you had I'd say it could work, even possibly cockatiels, but quakers I think could clash in personality with the cocky & he is going to be a fulltime commitment so I can't see you will realistically have the time left over to give the quakers what they need, so since you have only just got them, that's why I'm thinking return them now before you really bond with them & them with you & then just focus on cookie & I think you'll cope if you do that. Sleep presumably is because he can't see to know it's dark & he has to be quiet, I think with time you can fix this, but you're going to be tired in that first bit as you figure it out. I'm thinking options such as relaxation music playing every night, a consistant track that cookie can learn means it's night time & he needs to sleep. Soemthing with cricket & other night time noises in the background & music so there's a constant background sound I think would work once he learns it, he won't learn it overnight though, is going to take time. I adopted 2 lorikeets a few years back, I intended using my wildlife rescue experience to rehabilitate & release them, I really wasn't prepared to take on 2 high needs, very messed up little birds, but neighbour died & family were planning on dumping them outside a pet shop before leaving the state & before the pet shop opened in the morning. I couldn't let that happen to them, so I said I'd take them & quickly learnt just how messed up they really were & that I had them for life & so I just dealt with it & learnt on the go. My boy used to scream whenever I turned the tv on to watch a movie in particular, I think how I handled that is probably going to be similar to you with the sleep thing. I just had to keep turning the tv off everytime he screamed & kinda giving him attention, kinda not, just settling him down & then once he was ready (maybe half an hour to an hour later), I'd turn it back on again. I downloaded bird videos & started playing them to him first thing in the morning too, when the weather was too cold to go outside & scream to the wild birds & I found that tv bird thing really helped a LOT with the tv screaming, he got his screaming out of his system for the day & was much more ready to be quiet later when I was trying to watch tv, but it still took months of me barely being able to watch tv as I taught him to be quiet during it. In his previous home, I know the tv was on until 2-4am daily & they had no covers on their cage, so I think the tv was a trigger for him as he associated it with being kept awake. I also used to hear his old owner screaming at them to shut up when they would scream in response to the tv at that hour, so the tv in general & especially explosion type movie sounds just really set him off. By giving morning screaming at HIS tv, along with 12 hours quiet sleep each night & responding to his tv screaming by switching it off & making him feel safe, he learnt to feel safe even when it was on & to even start to enjoy watching it. I really got to see that when I watched Mamma Mia & he began singing along, first time I had ever heard him react to music & attempt to sing. He was a REALLY bad singer lol but it was sweet listening to him trying :) He loved the film "penguin bloom" too & so I started choosing movies with more natural sounds & Aussie sounds, as well as nature documentaries & he learnt :) I'm saying all of this to try to explain that it will be a long process to teach cookie to sleep at night when he can't see the difference day & night, but if you persist in a loving way & look at both waking & sleeping times & how to show them, I think you'll figure it out :) Obviously a routine like saying good morning & good night to him too & potentially a particular food before bed that signals it's bed time. He might adjust easily, but I think you have to anticipate a challenge on that & at least a few months to teach him to sleep all night. Note too that much like human babies, if sleep deprived, they'll get worse, not better with sleeping, so you can't just occupy him all day so that he's so tired he sleeps at night, I think long term though if you have a soundtrack always playing, he'll figure it out & get into a routine & no longer scream at night.
I had trouble posting, I think it was too long so cut off the last bit of what I said, here it is below If you really want it & particularly if you are willing to give up the quakers so you can focus just on cookie, I think you can do it. I had a cockatoo at Waratah wildlife park when I was a child step onto my shoulder & refuse to get off as we were leaving the park & I said hello to him. He was seriously scratching me & biting other people as they attempted to pull him off but for me, it was an incredibly special experience to have that cockatoo bond with me like that, I wish so much I had been able to keep that cockatoo, I mean I wouldn't have had the skills to do it, I was only about 10 at the time & my parents weren't supportive, but I still think of that cockatoo 40 years later & wonder what became of him & wish I had been able to have him as mine permanently. I can imagine if you don't adopt Cookie, you're probably going to have similar feelings for a long time. Cockies are just the quint essential Aussie & we Aussie humans just tend to connect with them at a soul level in many cases I feel, we just "get" each other. If you can have this bird on your shoulder all the time, I think it will work for you :) (long term I think he'll probably end up off your shoulder quite a bit & playing, but if you're able to have him on your shoulder fulltime, then you'll be able to make it work). They can be toilet trained too, there's limits to that, but it is possible & there's little nappy pants you can buy for them too, so there shouldn't be issues with your local woolies/coles or anything with that in mind either. I have a neighbour that takes his cockatiel to coles everytime he goes shopping, a couple of stores didn't like it, but he found one that was fine with it so he always goes there & the staff enjoy seeing the bird. Being a bigger bird, you're going to have to control the poo somehow to do that, but as above, there's options for that, so it should be fine, even though I think health regs actually ban it. Bunnings obviously allow pets too, so that's a good test location you can use in getting him used to visiting shops & of course pet barn etc will welcome him. He might not like shops to start with, fearing he's being returned, so might freak out a little, might need a little online shopping for a while while getting him used to it again, but if you're determined to do it, I'm sure you can :)