sulphur crested advice needed !

[chz6173]

Hi, Can anyone give me any advice? we have just ( a week ago) purchased a beautiful sulphur crested ( 4yr old female) from a couple who could no longer spare her the time anymore.
She is very tame, will sit happily on a perch inside or outside the house & loves watching tv etc with us. I was told when i bought her that she belonged to the wife as the husband works away, but since coming to ours she seems to have bonded more to my husband. she will let me pick her up & will sit near me, but if i try to scratch her she goes to bite or moves away. she doesnt bite hard at all, just more of a warning.
Will this change & will she become more amiable to me or not? how can i get her to become more friendly to me? I know its pretty soon after having her move in with us & shes probably still quite nervous & unsure, but really want to do the right thing by her.
Very grateful for any advice!
Thanks

[avinet]

Hi and welcome to the Forum, hopefully we can be of help with any questions you have. And remember we enjoy seeing photos of the birds members own.

A week isn't very long at all for a 4 year old Sulphur-crested Cockatoo to settle down - so patience will be a virtue here. Encourage the bird to like you with reward training - positive reinforcement techniques. Find a food treat that she really loves, that might be a bit of a plain biscuit (I use Nice biscuits for my birds), or maybe a sliver of almond or a small bit of plain unsalted cashew - whatever you find she really likes and can be given in small pieces. If she is on a pellet diet then it could even be a sunflower seed.

You then are the only one that gives her that treat - and she gets it by being good - stepping up on your hand or arm etc, and especially if she lets you give her a scratch. It is important to give the treat immediately she does the desired behaviour. It is very important that you alone provide that special treat - at least until she is relaxed and happy around you.

I strongly recommend you buy the book and DVD by Barbara Heidenreich - available at www.birdkeeper.com.au/other-bird-books/good-bird and www.birdkeeper.com.au/bird-dvds/dvd88-parrot-behaviour-and-training-an-introduction-to-training - you will find them an excellent resource and ensure you start out with the right approach to owning a big parrot.

cheers,

Mike