File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
Lesser Sulfur Crested Cockatoo coming home with me tomorrow :)
>> Anonymous
Birds are awesome. Enjoy.
>> Anonymous
Name it biscuit.
>> Anonymous
fuck yeah cockatoo
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Such an unfortunate name. . .
Like Jim Lipshits.
Jim didn't like his name, so he changed it to Rob.
>> Anonymous
I hope you're very patient and don't have sensitive hearing

http://www.mytoos.com/

seriously
>> Anonymous
>>303187
The bird was born and raised in CA. It's very quiet (I've been with it at the the store for about 2 days getting to know it and it hasn't made a single noise besides saying helo). Money is not a problem for me (pharm industry). I also live in my own house and the nearest neighbor is about a 100 feet away.
>> Anonymous
Mytoos was already linked, definitely read through at least the 3 minute version at the top of the page. Also go to the messageboards. People there are pretty to the point, sometimes to the point of being harsh, but they know their stuff. Any question you can possibly have they can answer.. lots of them have had 'toos for many many years.
Mytoos is against breeding and buying/selling animals (for good reasons), but they will not turn you away for buying the bird (if you did.. if you rehomed, you are awesome :)

First things to do:
- Find a certified avian vet in your area (Mytoos forums has links)
- Get a check up asap. Have them run a blood panel at least and get a baseline weight and general health. Then you should go back to the vet once a year.
- Set up a bird fund. Surprise veternary visits can be really costly, you may want to look up vet insurance just in case. You said you have money, but you never know what can happen in the upcoming years.
- Let your bird settle, you're in the honeymoon period. Expect noise and lots of it soon XD
Continued..
>> Anonymous
- Start with clicker training once the bird is settled and is more trusting of you. Get the book "Clicker Training with Birds" and join their yahoo group bird-click, I also recommend the book "Don't Shoot the Dog" to understand behaviour better.
- Buy the biggest cage you can possibly afford.. do up an aviary if you can afford that even. For a 'Too, you probably want a stainless steel cage if possible, Caitec carries some good ones.
- Get toys, lots and lots of toys. 'Toos typically like to shred. I also highly recommend getting your bird into foraging. For ideas, look up the dvd "Captive Foraging". Having your bird forage for his/her food instead of just having it available can eliminate a lot of behavioural problems (plucking, mutilating, screaming, etc). Look up toy making on mytoos for safe toys to make at home. I typically avoid the toys at chain pet stores now.. Look for reputable stores online or in your area. One toy maker you should look at is "Motherpluckin' Bird Toys", they make high quality toys that 'Toos really seem to love.

I also want to add something about nutrition. Parrots need more than just seed or just pellets. I recommend a healthy diet of Harrison's Bird Food (Roudybush would be the second pellet I suggest if you cannot find Harrisons), fresh food, cooked food and treats. Find the book "The Healthy Bird Cookbook", there are some excellent recipes in here that you should be making every day, freeze the excess. Don't give any supplements, if you have Harrisons and are giving fresh/cooked food, supplements are unnecessary and can actually be harmful.

Phew, I think that's all for now XD;
Anyways, join Mytoos, you'll be glad you did if anything comes up (and with a 'Too, chances are it will lol).
>> Anonymous
Oops and under treats, this can be anything from a slice of apple with a bit of peanut butter (not too much!) to nutri-berries to seed. See what your avian vet thinks is a good diet. In general I'd say one-third pellet, one-third fresh/cook, one-third treat.. but this can change depending on what your vet thinks.

Also avoid junk foods. Salt, Sugar and Fat should be avoided as much as humanly possible. These things are bad for people, but they are ten times as bad for birds. Also avoid toxic foods such as fruit pits/seeds, avocado, alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, etc. Also birds are lactose intolerant, so avoid dairy products if possible.

Oh yes, some birds are intolerant/allergic to certain foods, so if you notice behaviour changes after feeding (aggression, toe-tapping, hyperactivity, etc), cut that food out (if it's a mixture, try to nail down exactly what's causing the problem).
>> Anonymous
Oh and here's the Harrison's website (must stop posting..): http://www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com/
They actually say not to feed other foods besides Harrison's, but I think that is innacurate (and most bird owners and vets agree). Harrisons can be the bulk of the diet, but should not be the only part.. Same deal with Roudybush.
>> Anonymous
Cool thank you