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Ducky |
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I adopted Ducky, a Moluccan Cockatoo from Beak N Wings in Feb. of 2006. I had 2 parrots, an Amazon and African Gray . My husband saw the Beak N Wings booth at the Lawn and Garden Show and suggested we go over and check out the information. We wanted to educate ourselves and learn more about parrot care to help our other two parrots. When I went over, it was an interesting site, 12 or so people with probably 20 or so beautiful parrots squawking and talking. My eye was drawn to Ducky. He was almost bare from the neck down from feather chewing, and looked scared to death. But I thought he was the most beautiful bird there.
I filled out my adoption application on the spot. I imagined that everyone would want such a beautiful and majestic bird! I wanted to get my application in first. When I went home, I immediately went to the Internet, including the Beak N Wings web site to start gathering information on cockatoos! Whew, there sure was a lot of information. Some of it was downright scary. Especially the info on adopting a bird with previous issues. But after sifting through most of it, I did figure out that adopting a cockatoo was serious undertaking, one that would be time consuming, somewhat expensive and would definitely increase the volume around our house. All of which I found are true, but I don't regret it for a minute.
After a couple of visits with Ducky and his foster family, we made the final decision to adopt Ducky. His history included, among other things, multiple homes prior to us so we wanted to make sure we were his forever home. We brought Ducky into a home with a dog, 2 cats, 2 parrots and two daughters (18 and 22).
It took him a while to develop trust and become comfortable with us. But he has grown so much in the last year. When we first got Duck, the minute anyone would walk into the same room with him, he would stand ramrod straight and hiss loudly. I have to admit that nothing is more intimidating that a big, hissing Moluccan Cockatoo!
He decided he liked and trusted me first. Of course that was probably because I loved him so much too. My daughters weren't to fond of him at first. They, like many other people, couldn't understand why I would want a bird that had so many issues, and was almost bare to boot. I just told them he was the most beautiful bird ever, and they just couldn't see his real beauty.
During my MANY conversations with Ducky’s foster mom, Michelle. She said that even though Ducky puts on a good act, he was a big sweetheart. And she was right. But it did take a lot of patience to gain his trust.
We progressed on Duck’s schedule, which was extra slow-mo. When I has questions or concerns, someone in the club was always available to answer. I felt like I was a first time mother at times, with all my questions.
Whenever I would bring Ducky to any Beak N Wings events, everyone was always so glad to see him. It was evident that everyone was so happy to see a former foster bird gain a home.
Duck has not only fit into our home, he has overtaken it, I think. He definitely has his own views on how he wants his life to run. After a few months of being with us, I felt he trusted me enough that I wanted to try a shower perch. He took to the shower like, well like a Duck to water. Now, he prefers to get up in the morning, and take a shower first thing! And he will let you know (loudly) if he is ready before you.. He loves to sit on the shower perch and make all sorts of barks, calls and whistles. Shaking his tail and stretching his wings. It is such a funny site.
But something he loves even more that the shower, is the blow dryer. He gets so excited and happy during this time. Of course I put the dryer on a cool setting. My arm always gives out before he does!
It took at least 3 or 4 months before he stopped hissing every time he saw one of us. He stopped hissing at me first. When we first adopted him, we were told he wasn't too fond of men, but my husband was very patient with him, and he trusts him completely now and rarely hisses at him Just a few weeks ago, my daughter was very proud to tell me that she walked up to Ducky and petted him, and he didn't hiss at her. Both of my daughters now are proud to be able to pet him. It is a pretty special thing when he trusts you.
Ducky still chews his feathers, maybe not quite as much as when we first adopted him but that's OK. It sure doesn't detract from his sweet personality, or intelligence. I do hope he does grown all his feathers back someday, that would be an absolutely wonderful thing to see. But even if he doesn't,. that’s OK, he is still beautiful to me.
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