Goffin Cockatoo

Goffin Cockatoo Info

Goffin cockatoos are one of the most complex and difficult to understand species of bird.  One goffin will be happy and amenable 99% of the time while another will screech, bite and pull his beautiful feathers out.  If you're having issues with your Goffin Cockatoo we can teach you how to overcome your Goffin Cockatoos problems.

This difference in behavior is often caused by the owner, often completely unintentionally. Whether you’re the owner of a new Goffin, an older goffin, or you’ve recently acquired a goffin cockatoo from a family that just couldn’t commit to the bird, there are three things that you absolutely must do or your Goffin will take over your house and home.

One thing I do suggest if you've purchased a goffin is that you pick up a copy of our training materials which will make both of your lives much happier in the long run.

#1.  Goffin cockatoos have tons of energy!

You must make sure that your Goffin Cockatoo has plenty to do when he’s not with you.  In fact, the more you can train him to entertain himself and give him the  tools to do so, the happier everyone will be. 

Setting up an interactive and engaging environment begins with making sure your Goffin’s cage is large enough for him to move around.  This means that he can explore in all directions without bumping into the cage, his toys, or other birds.  

It also means that you give him plenty of toys to play with.  These toys need to vary in color, texture, shape, sound, and even purpose.  Some toys are designed to be chewed on while other toys are problem solving toys. 

Watch your Goffin Cockatoo and see what toys he plays with and what toys are ignored.  If a toy is ignored, replace it with a different toy – one that your bird is more likely to play with. 

Don’t forget to give him a foraging environment by placing some toys in new locations, food in hiding places, and interesting ways to explore his environment.  #2  Goffin Cockatoo Bad Behavior. Don't accidentally encourage bad behavior in your Goffin.  For example, biting can be encouraged unintentionally if you give your bird a strong response like yelling or removing your hand and walking away.  You’re teaching your bird, albeit by accident, that he controls your behavior.

Screeching can be encouraged in much the same way.  Many people believe that yelling or splashing water on a screeching bird will stop it from screaming – well it may stop him for the moment but the end result is a bird that screams more often – simply because he’s afraid of you. 

Fear breeds bad behavior.  By splashing or yelling you’re doing exactly the opposite of what you want to do.  You want your bird to love and trust you.  You want your Goffin Cockatoo to feel comfortable, happy, and loved. 

#3  Trick train your goffin cockatoo

Speaking of making sure your Goffin knows that it’s loved…Trick training solves bad behavior problems in several ways by doing exactly that.  First and foremost it gives your Goffin Cockatoo what he wants most; time with you.  Secondly, it engages your cockatoo’s intelligence.  Bored Goffins cause trouble – you already know this to be true.   

Trick training Goffin Cockatoos challenge their intelligence.  You stimulate his problem solving skills.  Third, and maybe most importantly, when you trick train you build a bond of trust between you and your bird.  If you want to show your bird that you love him, that you’re the boss of the house, and that you want to spend time with him then trick training is your answer.   

The key is to look for trick training programs that focus on two things: One the uniqueness of your bird species and two overcoming bad behaviors.  The programs and free resources we provide are designed to do just this.  If you treasure your Goffin Cockatoo and the sanity of your family and home, take the steps above and visit the experts at Birdtricks.com.