Cockatoo problems

[PaigeHgibson]

My 8 year old Bare eyed cockatoo Sunshine is being very aggressive lately , he always has been but now its gotten worse

I love him very much he has almost everything a pet parrot could have , a HUGE cage , 2 play gyms , all the toys to destroy , all types of perches, flight time outside
I even cook for him LOl he gets fresh veggies, fruits , eggs , bird bread ETC


He goes to the vet yearly
But about 1 week ago anybody he sees he wants to kill ... he puffs up and starts lunging , and prepares to fly off and attack until i say " NO " and then he gets all cute again

I always have been the only person who can handle him his previous owner she ruined him , got him as a handfed and wasnt prepared for the screaming

but up until now he was tolerable with others i am afraid he will attack my mom
I can hold him , handle him , take him outside in his harness to fly but i dont want everyone in my household being in fear of being "dive bombed " by him

If he gets worse I heard about an avian calming supplement thats all natural anyone have expierience with it ? My vet recomeneded it but i want a parrot owners opinion

I am trying my best to be a good bird mom

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Sounds like he is coming into his adult-hood.


How many hours a night is he sleeping? He really needs at least 12 hours of darkness, fourteen would be better - we aim for quiet also, but sometimes that is hard.


Our birds are put to bed between 8 and 9 pm - covered with blankets and then uncovered the next day at 10 am. This makes sure they get enough down time, and also makes sure that their breeding drive is not turned on (long daylight triggers breeding in parrots)


I will send you a pm.

 

[Okie Amazon]

Yup, sounds like he is hitting sexual maturity. You may even become the target of his attacks if he has bonded with you and regards you as his mate. It's called "driving" behavior, and males do it to force the hens to remain in the nest cavity. Not fun. You might start looking for a female BE!

 

[PaigeHgibson]

Thank you for the PM , I love that website I wish all people would read it before getting a cockatoo from the pet-store, I will have to join their blog

he get maybe 12 hours sleep I cover him at night but even if he is covered he will start screaming if he hears footsteps ....

I hope he doesn't go after me ,his bites HURT I had to get stitches when i first got him .

Thank you eveyone , I guess Hormones .... when do they stop ?

 

[Okie Amazon]

The day length triggers breeding drive, so the shorter the daylight, the less likely he is to let his hormones drive him up.