Peace and quiet help a cockatoo settle in.
When you bring a cockatoo home, it may feel uncertain and even scared in the beginning. The cockatoo is in an unfamiliar environment, surrounded by strange people and perhaps other pets. Like people, birds need time to settle into a new home. To make the cockatoo feel as secure as possible, ensure that everything is peaceful for the first few days. Even if you are merely transferring your pet to a larger cage, observe the bird's body language and provide reassurance if it appears nervous or uncomfortable.
Instructions
1. Transfer toys from the old cage to the new one. Ask to take the cockatoo's toys along with the cockatoo when you purchase or adopt a new bird. Familiar items make a bird feel more secure.
2. Position the cage in a relatively quiet room, if the cockatoo is a new pet. Although cockatoos like company, children and pets rushing about and making a lot of noise can be unsettling. If the cockatoo has been living with you for a while, put the new cage in the family room.
3. Visit the cage as often as possible. It is best if only one person does this for the first few days. After that, introduce one new person at a time. Hand-feed the cockatoo and talk to it quietly. Allow the cockatoo out as much as possible if it is an existing pet.
4. Avoid making loud noises in the vicinity of the cage. In particular, avoid yelling at family members or other pets. Ask people to take their squabbles elsewhere. Cockatoos may pick up on anger and become alarmed. Loud noises in general are startling to these birds.
5. Dim the room each night. If lights will be on for a long time, perhaps because people are working, place a cover over the cage.
Tags: first days, other pets