Major Mitchell's Cockatoo?
- Thread starter PhilK
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We had a pet buggie that had a mirror in his enclosure. Spent his entire days guarding it and talking to it, never got him to socialise much with us. We have a cockatiel now and left out the mirror and he is a wonderful bird if not a bit agro about us going near his cage, in my opinion he reached teenage male age and never grew out of it. Could just be the birds, or maybe the species. But you may as well leave it out to be safe.
As for the hand raised thing - I will agree with the fact the bird doesn't know it's a bird and that is - in theory - fine as long as the bird is going to remain in captivity. That's probably the downside to it, if you know what you're doing maybe you could hand rear it yourself, given you're at the bird vet, could be an interesting and rewarding experience. But depends what you are looking for.
My opinion on parrots as destructive machines of terror is a bit biased though. I mostly work with the wild ones which are in pain and stressed and very eager to start ripping into your flesh with their nice long point beaks.
F
FAY
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Hi, My name is Andrew - this is not Fay, I'm a work colleague, she mentioned this thread as she knows I have a pet MM, and allowed me to make these comments knowing what I have experienced.
I purchased a male MM from a breeder as soon as he was on solid food. With attention he tamed quite quickly and became a very affectionate, intelligent & humorous pet, and pretty of course. He is out of the (large) cage with us every night after work, but alone during weekdays - with as many toys as you could imagine to keep him occupied, and great variety of food.
BUT, after 18 years I have to get rid of him. My partner & I just can't stand it anymore - the noise. We recently moved to a new house where he no longer has his own room with windows over the yard that we can close the door on at night. He's in the living room and driving us nuts. Problem is he is only quiet and relaxed if he can see both of us & we are settled seating. If one of us moves around he starts to fret, shaking with his wings out (he can do this for an hour). If we both start moving around he starts screeching, if we disappear into another room he launches into a full blown cacophony that must be the most painful noise known on Earth - it is that bad. And it doesn't stop. We have tried everything over the years, change in diet, mirror (he ignored it after 1 hour), ignoring him, giving more attention, yelling back at him, none has made an iota of difference.
So if you want ours you can have him!
I do know personalities of Cockatoos vary wildly, our birds half sister is not that bad. But I just wouldn't take the risk. BTW, I also know of 2 cases where a male has ripped off another MM's beak - Fay can confirm that.
It will be very hard to let him go, but if we don't we could end up throttling him!
So if there is a breeder out there that wants a fit & healthy male for a good environment please contact Fay - soon!
On that note, can anyone suggest a large parrot/cockatoo that is intelligent, playful, would normally make a good pet - and relatively quiet!
Cheers, Andrew
I purchased a male MM from a breeder as soon as he was on solid food. With attention he tamed quite quickly and became a very affectionate, intelligent & humorous pet, and pretty of course. He is out of the (large) cage with us every night after work, but alone during weekdays - with as many toys as you could imagine to keep him occupied, and great variety of food.
BUT, after 18 years I have to get rid of him. My partner & I just can't stand it anymore - the noise. We recently moved to a new house where he no longer has his own room with windows over the yard that we can close the door on at night. He's in the living room and driving us nuts. Problem is he is only quiet and relaxed if he can see both of us & we are settled seating. If one of us moves around he starts to fret, shaking with his wings out (he can do this for an hour). If we both start moving around he starts screeching, if we disappear into another room he launches into a full blown cacophony that must be the most painful noise known on Earth - it is that bad. And it doesn't stop. We have tried everything over the years, change in diet, mirror (he ignored it after 1 hour), ignoring him, giving more attention, yelling back at him, none has made an iota of difference.
So if you want ours you can have him!
I do know personalities of Cockatoos vary wildly, our birds half sister is not that bad. But I just wouldn't take the risk. BTW, I also know of 2 cases where a male has ripped off another MM's beak - Fay can confirm that.
It will be very hard to let him go, but if we don't we could end up throttling him!
So if there is a breeder out there that wants a fit & healthy male for a good environment please contact Fay - soon!On that note, can anyone suggest a large parrot/cockatoo that is intelligent, playful, would normally make a good pet - and relatively quiet!
Cheers, Andrew
F
FAY
Guest
So if any one wants a 'free' pet! Andrew is in Sydney.
All I can say is - you are at a bird vet. Talk to the bird vets!!! (Hopefully you already have). MM are a massive handful, I know some of the most experienced bird people around still have issues with these guys. Doesnt mean they're not lovely birds, but as a fellow survivor of a vet degree, I have no idea how you could spend the time on one of these guys that is required.
PhilK
Very Well-Known Member
Yeah I have spoken to the vets... the problem is I am getting a lot of mixed stories. Have heard from some people they are aggressive terrors and from others that know birds who are perfect little angels, but I guess that is what you get with animals - individual variation.
I know my limitations and as much as it really sucks I don't think a Major Mitchell seems the best idea for me, especially at this time - perhaps in 20 years with more bird experience!
Thanks for all the opinions and help guys.. oh and Andrew there are no cockatoos that meet your specifications like that haha get a budgie!
I know my limitations and as much as it really sucks I don't think a Major Mitchell seems the best idea for me, especially at this time - perhaps in 20 years with more bird experience!
Thanks for all the opinions and help guys.. oh and Andrew there are no cockatoos that meet your specifications like that haha get a budgie!
ScalyMung
Active Member
Hi philk
I once was a lucky and proud owner of one of these beautiful birds, unfortuntly I had to get her put down as she had PBFD and she lost the lower part of her beak not after injecting her every day for a week [ by me ] Icould write a noval on how fantastic, quite, loveable ect... She lived inside and would be out of her cage all day until I said she could go to bed at night she would never go back into her cage until I said If the wife got up before me and opened her door she would come looking for me in either 2 places in bed or down the other end of the house in the toilet. that was the only time she would leave her cage and wonder around without asking me if its ok [ she understood yes & no ] the only time she was naughty was if she didnt get a salada biscuit in the morning the rest of the food in her bowl would end up on the floor. all in all she was the best bird by far. Not noisy at all Cheers Deano
R.I.P SERGANT MAJOR MITCHELL
I once was a lucky and proud owner of one of these beautiful birds, unfortuntly I had to get her put down as she had PBFD and she lost the lower part of her beak not after injecting her every day for a week [ by me ] Icould write a noval on how fantastic, quite, loveable ect... She lived inside and would be out of her cage all day until I said she could go to bed at night she would never go back into her cage until I said If the wife got up before me and opened her door she would come looking for me in either 2 places in bed or down the other end of the house in the toilet. that was the only time she would leave her cage and wonder around without asking me if its ok [ she understood yes & no ] the only time she was naughty was if she didnt get a salada biscuit in the morning the rest of the food in her bowl would end up on the floor. all in all she was the best bird by far. Not noisy at all Cheers Deano
R.I.P SERGANT MAJOR MITCHELL
F
FAY
Guest
Hi Phil, Andrew posing as Fay again. I know all cockatoos are noisy - thats why I used the words 'relatively' and 'or parrot'. I've done more research online & spoken to a few experts, and come to the conclusion we'll have to get a smaller bird, I'm leaning towards a Cockatiel. I've had a couple before & they are relatively quiet - compared to a MM anyway! Was hoping for something different but I think I'll settle for something I know.
Any breeders out there that are interested in a 20 year old male, very fit (too fit!) for a good home, let Fay know. Cheers,
Andrew
Any breeders out there that are interested in a 20 year old male, very fit (too fit!) for a good home, let Fay know. Cheers,
Andrew
Kristy_07
Very Well-Known Member
Sounds exactly like my rescue galah!! So maybe steer clear of galahs
Andrew, a ring-neck or an alexandrine or a conure may fit your bill (ha ha, bill), as well. Ring-necks and alexandrines can be noisy at times, but I've found they are often more settled than the cockatoos, and just as interactive. A little bit bigger than a cockatiel, but they need HEAPS of things to chew on and destroy! Alexandrines are among the top mimics, which can be a lot of fun. Conures are smaller, but very intelligent and interactive, and, often, have very sooky, loveable personalities. Like all parrots, they need lots of love, attention, and toys, but aren't screechy in a cockatoo way.
Hope that helps, both Andrew and Phil
damian83
Very Well-Known Member
my grand father had a mojor mitchel from a baby never bit anyone and wasnt that noisy, he sat on his shoulder pretty much everyday till he got sick and i think because they mate for life when gramps died the mojor did within a week i guess from lonliness
Sounds exactly like my rescue galah!! So maybe steer clear of galahs
Andrew, a ring-neck or an alexandrine or a conure may fit your bill (ha ha, bill), as well. Ring-necks and alexandrines can be noisy at times, but I've found they are often more settled than the cockatoos, and just as interactive. A little bit bigger than a cockatiel, but they need HEAPS of things to chew on and destroy! Alexandrines are among the top mimics, which can be a lot of fun. Conures are smaller, but very intelligent and interactive, and, often, have very sooky, loveable personalities. Like all parrots, they need lots of love, attention, and toys, but aren't screechy in a cockatoo way.
Hope that helps, both Andrew and Phil
Thanks Kristy, good advice. (Got my own login now so Fay doesn't have to worry!) I've been doing more research and I'm leaning toward a Green Cheeked Conure at the moment. Supposed to be very intelligent, playful, and inquisitive, while being relatively quiet. Apparently some can be a bit nippy, you need to ensure you get one that's been properly hand reared. Look Like I'll have to wait until years end though, they don't start breeding for a few months.
Cheers,
Andrew
Kristy_07
Very Well-Known Member
My cousins have a green-cheeked conure, and they love it to death. When one of them gets up early to go to work, he lets the conure out, who waddles into the bedroom, climbs into bed with his wife, and goes back to sleep with her for another hour. I have heard that they tend to be a little better tempered than sun conures, as well. Good luck!
PhilK
Very Well-Known Member
Yeah mate go for a green cheek... you will NOT regret it. I have one called Archie and he is an absolute delight. A bit nippy, yes but only sometimes. Most of the time he is a perfectly behaved little man and the sweetest thing! We love him to pieces.
Thanks Kristy & Phil,
That just about seals it for me, you've pretty much confirmed what I've been reading about the green cheeks. Now I just have to wait until years end, as previously mentioned they aren't breeding now. But I want to offload my Major Mitchell sooner rather than later. If you happen to know of a reputable breeder in Sydney that may want a male MM, let me know.
Cheers,
Andrew
That just about seals it for me, you've pretty much confirmed what I've been reading about the green cheeks. Now I just have to wait until years end, as previously mentioned they aren't breeding now. But I want to offload my Major Mitchell sooner rather than later. If you happen to know of a reputable breeder in Sydney that may want a male MM, let me know.
Cheers,
Andrew
VR1ton
New Member
I've breed Majors for about 8 years & have sold a few for pets, it all depends on how they are treated and how much effort is put into training them. My own pet major is generally quiet, more so than the Galah & either of the Corellas. She is a bit tempremental when it come to anybody else handling her as the kids used to get a bit over zealous when she was younger so will not allow anybody else to touch her (even for the kids to feed her). That being said, two of the young I sold locally, are excellent pets, not making much noise, morning and evening ritual excepted, are loving family members, one of wich rides around on the dogs back. Both of the owners would not part with them for love nor money. I also breed Ekkies, and they can be just as bad as Majors are reputed to be, hens in particular. But as a general rule, Majors do not make as good a pet as Sulfas, Galahs, or Corellas (Long Bills in particular), but all of these can also make a terrible pet if not trained properly, but none come even remotely close to the Majors beauty(a little bias here as I'v got 4 pair).
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