If you find that you don't have the time, space or circumstances to adopt a bird at this time, please consider a donation to Safe Haven, to help support the birds here.
Most recent revision May 20th, 2001.
Zeus wanted nothing to do with me throughout quarantine, but I felt that would eventually pass, with loving care. The vet announced that he was the biggest, strongest male cockatoo he had ever seen ! As months passed, Zeus always retreated to the farthest corner of the cage and froze. He never ate in front of me, or vocalized, or played with any toys, or preened himself. His feathers were ragged looking from neglect. I could service his cage in safety, but any attempt to touch him caused him to fall backwards off his perch, his beak opened in a silent scream.
1 1/2 years ago, in an attempt to help him relax, I moved Baby, male U2, next to Zeus in a separate cage, including a visual barrier, since Zeus's initial reaction was to scream at this new guy !
Baby was placed here by a wildlife rehabilitator, who had lovingly fostered him for about a year. She had removed him from a home where, when the girlfriend would return from work, would find Baby's cage at the opposite corner of the room, where the boyfriend had kicked it. The cage that he arrived here in, was in fact dented. Needless to say, Baby was terrified of hands, and I had to towel him for grooming or transferring.
After about 6 months, I would catch Zeus peering over the divider, his curiosity finally peaked, trying to check out Baby. This spring I came to a decision, after giving it long and serious thought. In an attempt to give these birds an acceptable quality of life, a chance to bond to another bird and to relate to their own species, after such a dismal exposure to ours, .... I put them in together. I had a large flight that 4 smaller conures were sharing, and it was more room than they really needed. We installed larger, sturdier perches and lots of wood to chew. Zeus went in first, and then Baby followed. These 2 male Too's RAN towards each other and immediately started snuggling. Baby started preening Zeus's crest feathers and Zeus put his wing protectively over Baby. Now several weeks later, they are getting along perfectly and Baby is often seen with his beak buried in Zeus's chest. They sleep together and play together and there is a pile of sawdust under the flight, from all the shredding. They are both vocalizing with morning and evening calls. They are finally getting from each other, what they couldn't get, nor did they want, from me.
At last, after 4 years, it is very heartening to see them finally exhibit normal Too behavior.
If you find that you don't have the time, space or circumstances to adopt a bird at this time, please consider a donation to Safe Haven, to help support the birds here.