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« on: February 04, 2008, 07:47:12 pm »
Melissa can probably chime in here with more info, I won't say once a screamer always a screamer, but you won't break that habit anytime soon.
We don't a cockatoo, we do have 2 B&G macaws though, and we've managed to finally get Cookie out of his screaming habit by giving him a room of his own with the other B&G. His problem was our quaker would screech and it would drive him batty and he'd scream. Away from the quaker he is a totally different bird.
I would never let a cockatoo on my shoulder.. sorry, just me, but they seem to be the worst parrot of any for serious facial bites.
Unfortunately anything done with birds to change a problem behaviour happens very slooooooowwwww llllyyy. We adopted the 2nd B&G about a year ago, we are her 5th home and it really has taken all of a year for her to come out of her shell more and trust us more. She still does not like or tolerate me very well, but she is getting better (might take years), but she does like a cuddle with Melissa now.
Oh..... something that works around here for more quiet time, we feed warm mash with a spoon (err... Melissa does), the full belly and some play time to stretch the wings usually makes for a sated and quiet bird. Warm oatmeal with some veggies and maybe a bit of peanut butter to make it more palatable would work great in a pinch, I bet he/she would be a lot more sedate with a nice full crop.
Beer, Cereal boxes, newspaper weaved in the bars of the cage some sticks from outside (I can send you safe trees list if you want), magazines hung from the top, toilet paper roll, adding machine roll, anything he can tear up is a great to get some of the excess energy out.
Good luck if we can help in any way give us a hollar. I personally think that Cockatoos are one species that don't really make good pets in the long run... with a lifespan of 80yrs and their excessive neediness they just aren't independent enough for life as a companion animal, seems like most of them end up going crazy as they get older from boredom and lack of stimulation.