Cockatoos and Hormones ! [Archive] - Birds of a Feather Forums

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Jean

06-26-2005, 10:30 PM

Cockatoo hormone frustration and aggression

I feel compelled to write about my mature male cockatoo and the hard time he is having with hormones this mating season. I've read and heard about some mature male parrots going through some terrible hormone frustration. The last two years had been a trial since our male umbrella cockatoo turned 10 and now 11 yrs old, We are seeing him display moments of aggressive hormonal temper tantrums. I have tried many things to correct his behavior outbreaks with success until this years mating season. We have tried Chamomile tea with some help in keeping him a little calmer. New toys from brushes with soft bristles, to other toys that require thought and concentration to figure out how to get the snack, we have also added a choice of three stuffed animals. Last year he only chose one of the three stuffed animals, he chose a cute beige 6" bunny with long ears. So far this mating season these things do not seem to interest him like prior years.

Do not be surprised if you find a completely different bird, for a quick moment, that has taken over the body of your tame, gentle, lovable, well adjusted parrot during moments of his mating / hormone season, He wants me, as his human mate. This happens more often when a bird is bonded to just one person. The bird views that person is it's mate. Having a mature male umbrella cockatoo I try to discourage this behavior during mating season. A feathered captive companion bird does not know, or have a chance to understand anything more then it's natural hormone drive. A bird that has had a bird companionship will choose it's companion, that allows him/her normal bird to bird mating season. If your bird has only lived as your human / companion bird it has never been given the chance to learn there is any alternative mate for it. It is normal for parrots to mate the one they love. When they try to climb on your hand kiss and squat on your hand or arm and start to wiggle their tail they are trying to breed with you. Some make noise and some are more quiet about their mating pleasure. More often a medium to larger parrot or cockatoo can becomes very aggressive toward anyone they perceive is a threat to their human bonded mate, this is so hard on their emotions.

I have always said they have the emotions of a 5 yr old and also the emotions of a mate. What an emotional train wreck the combination of these two can cause . They can bite or attack their human mate out of hormonal frustration and jealousy. I encourage you to try to find a special toy they may view as a companion toy or stuffed animal for them to share this mating experience within place of human - bird sexual interaction which only frustrates your bird which can lead to your bird showing signs of further frustration and emotional outbreaks.

After being bit drawing blood and making a sizable wound twice this week from pure male jealousy and control, along with his continually wanting to be with me while being as sweet as can be. He's never been a clinging cockatoo like he has been all week. I am at the point of seeking further help for him. I have read a lot and consulted with his avian vet, together we have tried many things in his environment his cage placement, he spends most of the day out of his cage , either playing on his playtop on top of his cage or on his manzanita tree. He has always been a well adjusted, very loving and quiet cockatoo that enjoyed playing with his toys and keeping himself occupied a good portion of the time unless he is not feeling well, then naturally, he wants his mama or daddy to comfort him.. He is truly a miserable little guy this breeding season. I feel, I will do him an injustice if I continue to allow his hormone frustration to bother him like this. I am seriously thinking of talking with his avian vet to discuss medications to help him cope with this. We have always strive to make his life pain free, happy and well adjusted. It is breaking my heart to see our sweet little guy having so much agony and frustration.

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I would love input from any of you that have had this experience with your mature males or know someone that has. I would truly like to know what measures of help you sought. I also, wonder if any of you have had to resort to medication during hormone season. If so, what help or side effects did it have?

amazing greys

06-27-2005, 12:44 PM

Thanks Jean for posting this. It is very difficult dealing w/a Too at times, but a prime hormonal parrot is another story!!!

From what I know, Turk may be 7 but possibly 8. I think how hard they may hit the hormonal stage also depends on his status as a Male, Super Male, or darned near a Super Male. I think depending on his nature, also depends on how sever he may hit that stage.

It is said that a male 10yr old is at his prime in hormones, and truely a challenge to understand.

So being at this end, hitting the years Turk is, with also the fact he is on the verge of being a Super Male, I'm starting to see the challenges ahead. When they have that driven in them, it is hard to make them think of anything else, expecially when the conditions are right.

I have heard and also used a homeopathic remedy to help w/hormones, although at this time, I do feel it needs to be modified a bit, but do see some change if I had stopped using it, other than; ie: calmer, not so vocal, and a little less hormonal.

I guess the key is to distract, but how is my question?

I love this species, but their complexities make me believe that they should be in the wild, not confined in our home..........sad thought, but know it's true. They are certainly wild creatures still driven by their wild instincts!!

Sue

06-27-2005, 02:10 PM

Jean, I've never had too much of a problem with Toto but as you know we don't know his correct age, my vet said he could be anywhere between 22 and 50.

A couple of times he's rubbed my hand but I just take it away and ignore the behaviour, i'm sure you know not to stroke his back or anywhere other than is head at these times.

He has gone for Dave a couple of times and this could have been hormonal, one minute cuddling on the setee between us then in a flash jumped up and bit Dave on the face, luckily not serious.
What hurts more is the fact that he did it, not the physical pain, Dave just couldn't understand why and was really upset. He has bitten me too but I always say you're not going to have a parrot for 20 years and not get bitten.:funny:
I agree with Barb, they haven't been domesticated long enough to be completely tame, say like dogs have.

Sorry you are going through this:tighthug:

amazing greys

06-27-2005, 02:51 PM

I agree with Barb, they haven't been domesticated long enough to be completely tame, say like dogs have.

Sue, with this Species, I don't really think they would ever be that domesticated. It's driven in this particular species, to have such a need to mate & procreate. Let's put it this way, they are one tough bird, and I do respect their natural side of them.

Jean

06-27-2005, 03:35 PM

I appreciate all the input we can share on this matter. It is sad to say, these outrages burst at the peak of their emotions. He is having such a tough time with his hormonal rages this year.

He bit me last week a good one on my wrist, yesterday when I was talking with Shirley on the phone. He thought I should be with him and got jealous when I put him back on his cage and continued to talk with her. This is all new frustration behavior.

Barb, you have read and been told a lot of what I have read about many larger species of cockatoos reaching their sexual maturity at around 5., we had a few problems with Elvie at this time which we were fortunate to work through this
together as I mentioned in my first post. Now, he has reached a new level of extreme jealousy and his need for continual companionship during this mating season.

Sue, I understand what you mean about Dave and you being very shocked when Toto lunged at Dave and bit him in the face. This was one of those jealous rages. Luckily, he has subsided since that outbreak. That is more like Elvie's past outbreaks of Jealousy. This time we are up against another hurdle.

I have also read over the years as much as I could find about studies of cockatoos in the wild. One study noted, when a cockatoo male reaches the ages between 10 and 15 yrs old they can reach another peak. This is supposed to be their time to prove they have reached (in human terms) their manly-hood and are now perceived as the head of the flock. In other words a man of the flock that has Sr, status in the flock. This seems to be the peak he has reached.

Thank You Both, for replying to this thread. I believe it is an important thread to share with other avian parents that may someday be met with these problems. The more we share the more educated we can all become.:book2:

I hope, this string continues and can collect as many ideas as possible. What may work one time may not necessarily be the key for the next. Hopefully, sharing our success and trial and error we can all learn different techniques from one another.

Jean

03-20-2006, 12:58 AM

Hi Dr.C,

This is the thread I discussed Elvie's hormone frustration when it came to an all time peak.

Jean

03-20-2006, 02:44 AM

I am going to update this string with how we finally seemed to connect with Elvie during his mating season.

We tried this, and that, avoided certain body contact that may add to his stimulation. Nothing seemed to make a measured difference or last as a deterrent very long. Then we decided to take him into different rooms for a change of scene and environment. That was a positive choice, when that wore off we decided he needed an outing, either a walk in the yard, or down town window shopping or a ride in the car pointing out things to look at and talking about different things, flowers, houses, cars, trucks, trains, even horses we saw during our outings. So far, change of scenery and communication hand in hand, made a huge difference in his change of mind. :) However, this is not to say we won't have to deal with his out of control hormones again... This time I am a little better prepared to deal with it if it arises to such a peak again.

It's heartbreaking to watch your loving companion bird experiences such intense hormonal frustration. To watch their moments when they are in such agony and frustration they are so out of control of their emotions they lack
the ability to prevent such outbursts.

parrotgirl

03-20-2006, 03:30 PM

How awful for poor Elvie to have to go through this. It must be so heartbreaking to see him like this. My heart goes out to both of you. As yet we have not been through this and am not looking forward to it either. :wub:

amazing greys

03-20-2006, 04:20 PM

Peta, other than when Greys hit their "terrible two's" I have not had any issues with Akeela or Sinbad at all. The Grey species is not of an aggressive species to where their hormones are so high it effects them in that way.

Akeela may get more kissy kissy with daddy, and I'm starting to see Sinbad getting a little moody, but never could you compare it with a Too.

Jean

03-20-2006, 07:23 PM

Griminsdj

03-20-2006, 08:43 PM

I don't have any help for you , just big hugs for you and Elvie and my prayers you can find an answer and help through this.

Ellen K. Cook, DVM

03-20-2006, 10:55 PM

I am going to update this string with how we finally seemed to connect with Elvie during his mating season.

We tried this, and that, avoided certain body contact that may add to his stimulation. Nothing seemed to make a measured difference or last as a deterrent very long.

Then we decided to take him into different rooms for a change of scene and environment. That was a positive choice, when that wore off we decided he needed an outing,

So far, change of scenery and communication hand in hand, made a huge difference in his change of mind. :)

Dear Jean-

I am so delighted with your response!:emot-danc You have certainly found the right tools to work with Elvie by:

1. avoiding certain body contact
2. POSITIVE choices :thumbup:

Redirecting Elvie's hormonal energies as you explained is the perfect solution to his outbursts. I am a huge advocate of trick training for this very reason. Merlin knows a few simple tricks and when I see he is getting a bit "too wild", I refocus his energy by asking him to wave or shake or whatever. Sounds goofy and simple, but it really works. And it is all about POSITIVE reinforcement. I am just so excited for you Jean; I am not sure you realize what a wonderful thing you are doing-taking your relationship with Elvie to a whole new level of trust and love!:goodjob:

Jim, please join in here, as I know you can add some valuable input.

Ginny

03-20-2006, 10:56 PM

Yes Peta, Hopefully we've learned enough to forewarn us before things ever get so intense. I'll sure try to divert it early on.

Cockatoos are a species that often have a harder time, especially the strong willed super male personalities, experience unbelievable frustration often more intense then many other large species. ( Not to say, they don't experience hormone frustration.) This is what I was told by his avian vet when he was a baby. Even then, I never imagined hormones could trigger such split second outbursts of frustration accompanied by such anger.

Jean I am sorry I don't have any help for you. It looks like I have all females (that is the feathered ones) in the house, except for the Bourkes. The only hormones I have to deal with are the human ones and that is BAD enough. LOL

I think the female birds go through the hormone thing also but maybe not as bad. If anyone knows let me know so I can be prepared. I do know that the male cockatoos are so aggressive a lot of times they kill their mates. A friend of ours that breeds Goffins has had two different males kill the females. It is real sad. They seem to get along and then he will go out there and find the female dead. So that is proof they can get real aggressive.

I sure hope Elvie get over this soon and back to his sweet self.
:heart:

Jean

03-20-2006, 11:56 PM

Dr.C. I truly appreciate your reply and added knowledge. And of course, I love getting it. As simple as it sounds, I never thought to shake hands with Elvie as a deterrent. He loves to shake hands. I will remember that one.

Thank you so much! :tighthug:

Ginny, from what I've read and been told most female cockatoos don't have the same hormone issues the males are prone to. Yes, I have heard and read about mate aggression. That is why many cockatoo breeders never clip their breeding females and clip the males to give the female an edge on escape. It's sad the aggression hormones can cause. :( I hope you never have to deal with any such problem.

Ginny, this happened last summer. I thought it was such an important subject I brought it current for Dr.C to revew and to share with those that missed it then.

Ginny

03-21-2006, 12:37 AM

Shirley

03-21-2006, 07:15 AM

I agree, we have some really good past posts/experiences here that can be so helpful when brought back to "life" again for new discussion.

If ever a female Cockatoo were to be over the top hormonally... I would make a wager it could be Shelby.

There were a few times when she decided Steve was her mate and I was on the sofa next to his recliner, he of course didn't allow her to behave with his hand or arm that way at all but she would be sweet to him like crazy, over the top sweet, strut around with a cocky attitude, and if I reached over *during* those times, she'd do what I call a very hard, forceful "beak slam" as she let out the LOUDEST yelp (short loud screech, not scream, but screech) with each repeated beak slam. She'd slam her beak down hard as she could on my hand or whatever was near her that was me, and screach with each slam. She didn't bite and it didn't leave a mark, but it would have scared a child to death! She'd hop a lot in between the beak slams, too. BE2s hop a lot any way, but she hopped then... then she'd go back to Steve, and he'd tell her if she couldn't be nice, he was going to put her up, and sometimes she'd calm down, other times he'd put her up on her tree stand (she was usually clipped then) or in her cage. Or, he'd put a pile of toys in his lap (from a box full of small toys kept by the recliner) and her favorite game was to hurl them as far as she could one by one from his lap... this turned from screeching and throwing to happy noises and throwing... and then I could pet her again without being slammed. And she quit trying to mate with him for that evening...

I think this started when she was about 1-1/2 yrs old -- the 2nd winter she was with us... it wasn't hard to deal with, and it was off and on, not really seasonal. And, if Steve wasn't around, she'd choose me as her mate... can't say she was a monogamous young lady!

BE2's reproduce a little younger than U2s I've heard... sometimes as young as 4 yrs old I've heard from a breeder, but don't know. That breeder also told me that of all the cockatoos, the BE2 was the most aggressive during captive breeding... that a hole should be in the back of a LARGE nestbox so the female has a backdoor to escape the male during breeding.

parrotgirl

03-21-2006, 07:59 AM

Barb, thats a relief to hear.

Shirley Ouch, I know when Bucc has shaken his head and caught me with his beak how much that hurts, slamming ouch!!!

It is strange, but you see the pics of the birds and you hear stories about them and you tend to never think of them as having an off day, or hormone trouble. This has been such a brilliant topic, and one that makes you sit back and think a bit more.

Well done Jean, you did brilliantly with Elvie and thank you for bringing it forward again. I keep going to the archives to read past posts, but there are so many you never get to them all. It is really great when one is brought forward. Thank you.

Jim

03-21-2006, 12:16 PM

Jean I think you are doing great and are certainly on the right track. It is refreshing to read that you are working toward a solution. Dr C already touched on what I'm about to say.

Most of us have read something along the lines "Tis' the season - just back off and don't interact with them, this to shall pass" I'm sure this is true. What you are doing is teaching Elvie there is something better than being ignored and not spending time with his family in a time of need. This is great! - I assume Elvie is far better off. Sitting on his stand or cage with pent up emotions would have to be adding to his stress. Not good for the relationship IMO.

I also totally agree with the trick training to give them something else to focus on. Might be worth adding a few new games/tricks to your tool box. The car ride is great - for a quick and less time consuming activity a few trained behaviors/tricks should do fine.

Elvie has a great family!:heart:

You know I have to get my training thing in. If someone is reading and doesn't care for the term trick training - believe me I understand. My own birds aren't show birds doing parlor tricks. Maybe looking at it in a different light may help. Step-up is trick training but most of us call it teaching. Ah Ha... same thing!!! If you can teach step-up you are a teacher. When teaching with positive reinforcement the sky is the limit.:agree:

Jean

03-23-2006, 03:40 AM

Thank you so much Jim,

You always come up with a good suggestion. I'll have to try some educational trick training with him.

Something we started a couple weeks ago is using childrens flash cards. I hold Elvie on my lap show him the different cards and tell him what the picture or number is. So far, he has repeated after me by saying the animals name or number a good 50 % of the time. He likes really enjoys this learning session. His attention span lasts about 4 minutes. That is when I put them away until next time. Since he favors certain animal pic more then others I have started to divide the ones he likes best into a stack of their own for next time. Then I will try to figure out which ones he likes best. Maybe, I can learn something. LOL