What sort of cockatoo?
i'm sorry i missed earlier posts about Scruffy, could you elaborate a bit on his "explosive reaction," and how you've responded?
Would you be caring for him at your friend's house, or would you bring him to yours?

Scruff is a Corella, I'm not sure about age or really even sex. He's always been called 'he'.

The first time I met him was about two years ago. He was staying with my friend for a sort of 'feather rescue' holiday. During this time the feather destruction actually stopped. Our first introduction was rather eventful, Scruff was on my friend's shoulder as we walked through the avairies and I had actually not paid much attention to him at all. The next thing I know he attacked the back of my head as I was walking in front of them. I can't remember my reaction being anything more than me ducking and unbalancing him.
Ever since then I have been 'No. 1 villian'. I will walk into the bird room and I don't even have to look at him before he'll start to get agitated, pacing back and forward and fluffing up his feathers. A few seconds later he'll start screaming and lunge at the side of the cage nearest me. If I dare stop to talk to him all heck breaks lose. At this point I just ignore the outburst and walk away.

Scruff in the end, will have to come to my home. At this point we really need to think about what is the best for everyone concerned, him especially. Maybe Scruff would be better in an avairy (which would have to be built) or maybe even going to someone else (no one as yet standing in line)

What do you think?

Debbi
NZ

i haven't experienced this exact situation, but i would tend to think you'll stand a much better chance at befriending Scruff after he moves in with you. Once he identifies you as the resource person, he might start to see you in a better light.

You should learn all you can about him - likes and dislikes re: food, treats, bathing, toys, etc. If at all possible, have it be your friend or a neutral third party who actually brings him to your home when it's time.

You should be the person who feeds and cares for him, and i would start him in a cage if that is where he's currently living. Calmly ignore outbursts as you've been doing, and go about your business. Walking away from him is probably not going to be so effective, as it's more than likely what he'll want at this point. Of course you must insure your own safety and avoid bites. Be prepared to reinforce any relatively more accepting behavior on his part.

i've managed to befriend birds who seemed to hate me by clicker training through the bars of the cage. There are all sorts of behaviors you can teach this way. In a surprisingly short time the birds decided i was not so bad, and then we were able to develope affectionate and trusting relationships. The hardest part is not taking their grouchiness personally in the beginning, or letting it wear on your nerves. My advice is to let go of all but the most immediate goals in the first weeks or months, and let Scruff adjust. Chances are good that he'll be making friendly gestures before too long.

What Lisa said...
I've also befriended a bird who seemed to hate everyone - I think he was lunging at people because it was the only way he knew to interact with people other than his owner. Basically, rewarding good behavior and ignoring bad behavior goes a long way toward changing a bird's attitude.

The other key thing is to not put yourself in a position where you can possibly be bit. (I say that like it's really straight forward, but if it was I wouldn't be wearing scabs on my thumb right now!) If you stay out of striking distance, the only interactions will be ones you can reward.

The first thing I did when I got Darwin was try to find a treat that he really liked, so I could reward every good thing he did. Then, reward every little thing. I rewarded him for stepping up, for stepping down, for making quiet noises (instead of screaming) and so on. Darwin "chooses" to REALLY like certain people, and I'm not one of those lucky people, but he has still learned that I'm fun to be around, and for the most part we get along well.

I've also seen what Lisa said about things changing after Scruff moves in. Phoebe won't go near anybody else when I'm around, but she warmed right up to my mom and my girlfriend when I left Phoebe with them for a little while. With Phoebe it was like night and day, she went from "I won't go near those people" to "I want to live on your shoulder." Scruff may not do the same flip-flop but there's a good chance that his attitude toward you will improve when you're the main person in his life.

Good luck,

Nate Waddoups
Redmond WA USA

Update on Scruff -

Thanks for all the helpful advice. It has been decided that in Scruff's best interest he won't be coming to me. (Wow, that makes me sound like a really bad home!) Instead of risking another outburst of feather destruction, a home has been found where he shows no murderous intent towards his new handler.

In one way I'm rather relieved, in another rather disappointed. I was looking forward to trying to work with him, although not to pain of the bites that I knew that would involve. (Yes, I'm a chicken about pain!) I'm pleased that he now has a home with someone he already likes instead of being made to deal with me, 'No. 1 villian'.

Thanks again.

Debbi
NZ

I know how you feel. Sometimes Darwin meets people he just can't get enough of, and I wonder if I should try to find him a home with such a person. He seems pretty happy here with me so it's not that big of a deal, but it's something I wonder about sometimes. I still think there's a good chance he'll come around to me (our relationship is good, and still improving day by day), but it's interesting how some birds so obviously 'choose' some people right away.

Nate Waddoups
Redmond WA USA