Zibili Jungle

I had to return Elvis - he was SO perfect in everyway... EXCEPT one minor habit of screeching loudly for attention everytime I tried to leave the apartment. I couldn't let him stay home alone from fear of the ruckus. It's clearly the result of the previous owners not socializing him properly, and a habit that could be broken, if I weren't living in an apartment (just let him scream). Perhaps his abandoment issues stem from the owner's divorce. But it looks like he was never well trained, so I think it is more likely that they spoiled him and didn't do him justice. (Every article/book I read on Cockatoos emphasize how important it is, to teach it to be happy on its own, or they will become too attached to their owners).

He was so sweet in everyway - in fact the above problem of fear of abandonment came up because he got so attached so quickly. He settled into his new cage fabulously, ate a lot, taking food from my hand. He would sing and dance, bobbing his head up and down and swaying from side to side, as I sang a bit of "Can't Help Falling in Love" - he would always chime in the last few notes in his own voice. He nuzzled and rubbed his beak on my arm and shoulders happily.

But alas, he is back in the store, looking for a better home (a real house) and owners who have experience rehabilitating behavior problems.

I miss him terribly, even though I only had him for 3 days. Though I know it was the right thing to do, as I could not give him the care he needed (he was like a child with emotional and behavioral disorder), we bonded really quickly. The guy at the store told me I could try it out for a week or two, but I knew it would only get more difficult. I will get another bird in the next few weeks, but Elvis will always be King of my Jungle Room.

Posted by at 12:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Elvis is a 14year old beautiful Umbrella Cockatoo, and was given up by his previous owners due to a divorce (as it was explained to me). I've been going to see him for a few weeks, to get to know him, and see if he had a good personality.

He had a GREAT personality. He was always quiet (uncharacteristic for Umbrellas), friendly, and often mumbling something - trying to speak to us humans, but not quite getting the words right. You could tell he wanted to say something and sometimes was confused why we "weren't getting it".
Because of his mumbling and beautiful white pompadour (crest), and the fact that he loves to sing and dance, I named him Elvis, and brought him home to see if he would do okay. My biggest concern was whether he would get along with my Jungle Cat.

Turns out, he and the cat got along so wonderfully, it was too cute. He would talk to the cat, from his perch. They sat with me on the couch together. They would look at each other curiously, and neither were upset or threatening when left alone (Elvis in his cage, the cat on his tree next to it)

Posted by at 12:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)