Spike is 4 years old and a Little Corella Cockatoo. I got him at Christmas time. I had just lost a beloved cockatiel and was hoping for another one to love.My daughter and I had been visiting a particular cockatoo at the pet store for many months. He was my dream bird, but he was way out of my budget.He would grab my finger through the cage and beg me to take him home. This went on and on.
One day my husband insisted we go the the pet store. He grabbed me, the kids and the cockatiel cage and and we headed off to the pet store. It happened to be the store with my dream bird. Knowing we could not afford him, I still wanted to show my husband how much this bird loved me. He said, " Is that the bird you want? " I said," Honey, we could never afford that." I started looking at the cockatiels. Little did I know he had already purchased my dream bird and a huge cage. I guess my daughter tipped him off. We went home with my dream bird. It was a magical Christmas.
Spike likes to eat our furniture, sing and dance, in that order. Spike can somehow tell when some is leaving the house and will say "Bye, bye!" We aren't exactly sure how he knows.
At our house, nothing goes to waste. We started out feeding Spike some of our healthy leftovers. We soon began to realize that the wild birds and critters could also benefit from things that would otherwise be tossed in trash. We have since watched generations of birds, raccoons and possum grow up in our yard because of leftovers. It feels so good knowing we have helped so many critters with things most people just toss away!
By Ivy
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Awww, look at that face. He is posing for you, what a ham. I worked for a Veterinarian for over 27 years and we had a Cockatoo as our hospital bird. He was our greeter and we took him home on weekends. His name is Max.They are very smart and learn quickly. Have fun with him.
What a wonderful story. You became friends first. Sounds like a love story. Lol. I think it made him even more special the way you got him as a surprise gift.
Such a joy to see and read your story! It makes me happy to think of you together. That is so wonderful, that you got your sweet bird, and you are so happy.
I am glad you are respecting and helping wildlife, we need more people to do that. Blessings.
I am like you and feed 'Gods animals' our left overs from the day... it makes me feel extra special to read that someone else is doing it also!
And by the way! What a beautiful bird!
Congratulations on getting him, they are very, very intelligent birds - my Aunt Sherry has had two of these birds for years and considers them her 'feathered children' they live much longer then one would think. We are so glad they are there for company to her. :)
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Spike is a 4 year old Little Corella Cockatoo. Spike was a surprise Christmas gift from my family. Spike likes to eat furniture in his spare time.
I fell in love with Spike while visiting our local pet shop. He would reach out from the bars of his cage a grip my finger. He would not let go! It was love at first sight. My daughter and I would visit him as often as we could, until one day my husband bought him as a surprise Christmas gift.
Spike speaks only a few words, but he understands what he is saying. He says "Bye, bye" whenever I grab my car keys. A wonderful friend he is!
Spike is a beautiful bird and maybe you need to buy him those little sticks that my parakeets used to love to destroy. Does Spike have cuttlebone? It helps to keep their bills (beaks) filed down so the top part doesn't end up lapping too far over the bottom. They will starve to death. Spike might be trying to tell you he needs something, and I know you love him enough to get it for him.
Since you've already had him for 4 years, I guess you already know what he needs, and he sure looks healthy enough. Maybe he just likes to whittle wood. Who knows?
Try buying him a box of tongue depressors, anything to save your furniture. :-)
Thank you for sharing him with us. I wish you many happy years together.
Pookarina
Yes, Spike does have a cuttle bone and many toys to gnaw upon. I do get him groomed every 2-3 months as well. One thing we all know about Spike is his love of leather. I will be purchasing some leather strips mad just for birds. Thank you for the feedback, Pookarina.
