Ok.... I now have a new addition!!!!! He is really beautiful..... A little shy yet but he is warming up now.... I brought him home sunday night... He does not like any fruit/veggies tho.... unlike the rest of my flock... He was just vetted a few months ago and I was told he is free of parasites and other problems but I feel he is a tad bit skinny.... I can feel his backbone when I rub and caress him..... I dont really feel he has enough meat on his bones at all...... Or mabey thats how they are?? Any help on getting him to eat anything that might fatten him up?? I know that he probably wont do much for a week or so but he is talking and doing this little dance and barks like a small dog (which he used to have..lol) He let me take him out at his previous home and as of yet he has only come to me 3-4 times to be held... I dont think I should push him..???? Lola is totally infatuated with him and coos to him and he already says "Hi Lola"  !!!!!!!!!! which shocked me the day after he came to me....... wow how smart is that?!?!?!...... He was born in 1997...... so he is not that old...... any help would be great!!!!! Thanks, Marni

Oh Marni, he's beautiful!!!  It sounds like you are getting him settled in well. The dancing, birdie babble, and barking are all umbrella traits. Our umbrella was in an animal shelter for about 3 months before we got her and she barks just like the small dogs there when she gets excited. It usually leads into her joyful cockatoo "sounding off" which happens once every evening so get your ear plugs ready! But as long as you know its out of joy for life, its easier to take.  As far as fruits and veggies, our 'too is very picky. We have found that she loves red bell peppers (we have to cut them up and peel them for her). Also she likes seedless grapes (which she will peel for herself, hurrah) and papaya.  Her diet before we got her consisted of cheeseburgers and french fries so it is a long road to a healthy diet.  As far as his weight, the only way to know for sure is to have him weighed. Our female stays around 500 grams which is small for a too, but she is small framed. To me cockatoos always feel smaller than you expect when you pet them under their wings, I think all that fluff gives the illusion of a larger bird, and then you're shocked when there's not much bird under there! Be sure he has some good chew toys in his cage to keep him busy when you're not available. Wooden blocks are great. I'm glad you have him and will give him the forever home he deserves. He will bring you much happiness, toos have a way of melting your heart!  Keep us posted.

He's so beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Merlin....what an absolutely PERFECT name for such majesty.   He is my dream bird and I envy you.   How wonderful that he just sorta fell into your lap like this, it was meant to be.  So tell me how your first days were?  How is that ever-so-famouse Cockatoo scream and sundown?  Have you experienced that yet?   Some day I'll have and Umbrella, but until then, I'd love to hear ALL ABOUT yours!!!!  LUCKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! 

Thank you both of you....... I do love him so already no screams as of yet this is day 3..... Whhhooooooo Hoooooo I was able to get him to eat a single green been... he likes 'em long.... hmmmmmm ... I know some birds like things cut differently... like my tiels they like things grated.. but my parrotlett likes thing large.... ha ha ha and Lola she just likes things cut in small handleable sizes.... so its going to be alot of trial by error..... I cant wait until He gets more used to me ..... He has really taking a liking to my teenage daughter. I think its because her hair color is the same as his old moms..... not really sure but when she walks into the room he starts talking like a mad-man..... hee hee hee.... She has already stated she gets him in my will..... lol... that makes me feel good.... I dont know whether I should be more firm about him getting out or not tho ??? He has but only 3-4 times and it was very brief... Should I be a little more firm?? Or will he do it on his own terms?? He will let me carress him and gives me kisses and will let me snuggle right up to him but is firmly attached to his perch.... My daughter cant even get him out ... I kinda tricked him alittle to get him out the couple times he's gotten out but I dont want to stress him out any more than he's already been thro... any tips????? thanks in advance.. Marni  

Marni, Merlin is beautiful! Good luck with him. In the February issue of Bird Talk there is an article on Cockatoos.                                    Lorain

I love each and every one of my babies.... My parrotlett does not talk but he does whistle nicely and is a real big snuggler and will do anything for an apple.. tee hee hee...I used to have some lovebirds but they both have passed on now and I had them cremated and then sent their ashes to Oregon to my mom and she mixed their ashes into some concrete and made a bird bath for the wild birds with them... That way thay are still with us in a way...I know kinda corny but Mick and Matty were my first babies and they lived 12 and 13 years... wow!!!

Thanks for the advice... He is warming up slowly and by golly today I had the pleasure if hearing that Too squawk... I thought something was wrong with him but he was just being vocal.... Oh and he was getting ready to escape to the back of his cage(right after I got him and he was really scared of being out of his comfort zone in the corner with his shredded blanket) so his foot is O.K. but thanks for the concern..... I have had him out quite a bit but he freaks out if you walk away from his cage so I have to hold him at his cage for short sprints of time... I am worried that he is going to get unused to being held.... Do I need to worry????

Hi Marni, I sounds like Merlin is a little cage bound and is clinging to the only thing that gives him a sense of security and familiarity right now.  I think you are doing exactly the right thing right now by not forcing him to go too far from his cage.  I would put a chair by his cage and get him out and sit with him next to his cage until he starts to relax and trust you. As long as you are getting him out, I don't think he will get unused to being handled. Just make sure you stay consistant. In time, and you will know when the time is right, you will want to take him completely out of the room where he can't see his cage. In the beginning just for short stints, and as he relaxes, take him away from longer periods. He  needs to learn that you and your family are safe and will not harm him. I think with time and patience Merlin will come around just fine. Keep us updated!