Post by jakinthebox on Jan 22, 2012 22:32:28 GMT 10
Hello everyone!
Hi, I have a juvenile rose-breasted cockatoo who I guestimate to be around 4 months old.
He came into my care (I am a wildlife carer) after being badly attacked by a crow, leaving serious head and beak injuries. He has now fully recovered and does not seem to have any major issues besides having a great fear of crows and loud noises, he's a sweetie pie and to date he has never bitten me once, although he gave the vet staff hell when he was treated. We are the best of friends and do almost everything together. He has free flown twice and come home but I won't be doing it again after one of my other birds who free flew every day (and was always back by sunset), was killed by a local dog...
it is a joy to see them having so much fun in the sky but I love them too much and the risk is too great.
Lately (usually whilst playing with his toys, but on his own as well ) he has started to do a funny little headstand before flipping right over onto his back with feet up then screams for as long as he is on his back, making no effort to right himself, if I flip him right side up he stops screaming immediately. I think this could be his way of having some cockatoo fun, my spouse thinks he is having a temper tantrum and needs a 'time out', but then a book I'm reading called "Parrot Training, A Guide to Taming and Gentling Your Avian Companion" says that this is "a posture that parrots display when they have given up all hope of escaping with their lives and lie waiting for death." and that "This is a mortally frightening experience for the bird and should be shown every kindness and consideration at such times"... and I'm kinda confused
Can anyone tell me what it means? Is this normal, should I be worried? Should I do anything? It seems to happen mostly on the couch when playing with a ball, he hangs onto the ball, rolls with it, over the top onto his back, I can't tell if it is intentional.
Thanks for any help.
PS: he has never hung off his cage screaming in the usual cockatoo manner.
Hi, I have a juvenile rose-breasted cockatoo who I guestimate to be around 4 months old.
He came into my care (I am a wildlife carer) after being badly attacked by a crow, leaving serious head and beak injuries. He has now fully recovered and does not seem to have any major issues besides having a great fear of crows and loud noises, he's a sweetie pie and to date he has never bitten me once, although he gave the vet staff hell when he was treated. We are the best of friends and do almost everything together. He has free flown twice and come home but I won't be doing it again after one of my other birds who free flew every day (and was always back by sunset), was killed by a local dog...
it is a joy to see them having so much fun in the sky but I love them too much and the risk is too great.Lately (usually whilst playing with his toys, but on his own as well ) he has started to do a funny little headstand before flipping right over onto his back with feet up then screams for as long as he is on his back, making no effort to right himself, if I flip him right side up he stops screaming immediately. I think this could be his way of having some cockatoo fun, my spouse thinks he is having a temper tantrum and needs a 'time out', but then a book I'm reading called "Parrot Training, A Guide to Taming and Gentling Your Avian Companion" says that this is "a posture that parrots display when they have given up all hope of escaping with their lives and lie waiting for death." and that "This is a mortally frightening experience for the bird and should be shown every kindness and consideration at such times"... and I'm kinda confused
Can anyone tell me what it means? Is this normal, should I be worried? Should I do anything? It seems to happen mostly on the couch when playing with a ball, he hangs onto the ball, rolls with it, over the top onto his back, I can't tell if it is intentional.
Thanks for any help.
PS: he has never hung off his cage screaming in the usual cockatoo manner.
It is a favourite position for a Rainbow Lorikeet to adopt if you are trying to get it out of a net. However a parrot lying on it's back has not given up all hope and expects to die - it is playing or it is ready to fight and expects to win!!!
