Any ideas on how to keep a cockatoo entertained...?

Question

... that don't involve screaming or destroying everything that you can get your beak onto?

Answer 1

The larger the cage, the better, of course!  Cockatoos are big birds!  Goffin's, Galahs, and Lesser Sulphur Cresteds usually do fine in something about 2' x 2' x 3', but most larger cockatoos should really be in something at least 2' x 3' x 3' or larger.  Plenty of toys are practically a necessity; cockatoos are BIG chewers and expect to replace these pretty routinely!  A playstand is also a wonderful thing, and allows your bird someplace to be when he's not on the cage and you don't want him right on you (although that's probably where he'd prefer to be!).

Grooming:  Most cockatoos LOVE baths... Spray-baths being the usual preferred method.  The spray bottle should be set so it sprays a fine mist; start out by spraying *over* the bird, so the mist falls down like rain, but many 'toos will want you to spray directly on them after a while.  Cockatoo bathing usually involves much positioning and posing so that the water falls on every area of the body.  Most will want you to spray and spray until they're absolutely soaking wet, and this is fine.

You can also turn a TV on for your bird at the same time each day so he can watch, and leave a radio for him to listen to at other times.  Try having the tv come on for him to watch and "talk to" (screech at) before the time period in which he normally is screeching (if he screams at guests, for instance, arrange for him to watch tv a half-hour before they arrive).  Pay attention to him when he's being good.

Answer 2

All of the above answers are VERY good!!

Here's an abbriviated list of what works for me:

Daily Destructables:  newspapers, phonebooks, cardboard, all toys to the bird. Cook for your bird..almost any veg or legume works here...sustinance and entertainment for the bird at the same time.

Hygiene:  Quick rinse shower with your bird every couple days...NO soap, luke warm.

Audio/Visual:  plenty of natural light, in a place of security.  Television, Radio/CD.  Plain view of favorite person, family.

Time OUT:  Clip wings/trim nails and allow bird supervised time outdoors every day (weather permitting).

Up Time:  at least 4 hours/day out of cage and interacting with people.

Down Time:  10hours sleep is recommended...close off all windows and turn off lights, and provide quiet.

**with cockatoo's you have to find a schedule and methods that work for your bird...you will also have to adjust these at times to modify unwanted behavior.  They are highly sensitive, intellegent birds requiring MUCH from thier owners.  If any one of thier many needs are neglected...they WILL self destruct.

Answer 3

buy toys, lots and lots of toys. or you could let her watch tv, i noe its strange, but my bird likes to.

here's a website that teaches you how to train your bird and/or gives your bird toys for a small fee(per month): http://www.birdtricks.com/

Answer 4

Destroying things is what cockatoos do; all parrots destroy things because it's in their nature, they need to use their beaks or else they can become unhealthy and depressed. I'm sorry you have such a problem with it but that's just how parrots are, they were meant to be that way and it is unfair for the bird to expect it to act any differently.

Most pet shops sell toys made out of rope, soft wood, etc. specifically for parrots to destroy. This will give your bird an outlet so that it can have something to rip apart and demolish, which it will greatly enjoy, without destroying anything that could hurt it or that you don't want to be destroyed.

Answer 5

Hello.

I have 2 cockatoos as pets ( one is medium crested  and one is goffin ) They both love bells ( can play hours none stop ) they also play with balls ( the balls has holes ) one is grab and play , the other one play as kick ball ( she kicks and then she gets it and they she kicks it again none stop . ) They both love rope with knods so they can untie it . TM

Answer 6

i would suggest  getting a box bigg enought to play in for your bird... cut out a bigg enough hole so it can clowl out and clowl back in...put its toys in there like its jinlle toys and such...

your bird will go in there and have fun by itself and it might also rip up parts of the box

i just read it off a website..

check these out

http://thebirdforums.com/forums/showthre...

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