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birdielover
Bappie
Joined: 07 Sep 2005
Posts: 73
Location: Australia |
| Do Major mitchells make good pets? |
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Hello i am new to this forum (but a member of a few others). I have joined this as i was asking questions about Major Mitchells on another forum and someone suggested this forum for some info.
I live in Australia and have owned sulfer crested 'toos and a galah (RB2) in the past as well as cockatiels and budgies and an indian ringneck. My galah died recently  I also own a Redsided female eclectus who is just lovely. I have had her since 4 months old and she is almost 16 months old now. She talks and does tricks (I have begun clicker training her).
I am thinking about getting a Major Mitchell and there is a breeder locally (I bought my ekkie from him) who breeds MM as well as many other 'toos and other types of birds.
I would like to know if they make good pets and can they talk well. Can they be taught tricks. I take skye with us almost everywhere in her travel cage or harness and the new bird I get (whether it be a MM or not) will be treated the same. I also want to clicker train the bird. I think it is a good bonding thing to do with the birds. Any info would be most appreciated
birdielover - slave to Skye (RSE) |
Wednesday September 7, 2005 7:00 am |
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birdielover
Bappie
Joined: 07 Sep 2005
Posts: 73
Location: Australia |
Just thought I would add, that the only reason i am asking these questions is that I have read that when they mature they do not make good pets. Some people have told me that they can also be a bit aggressive. But the breeder told me that he considers them to be less moody than Rose breasted 'toos (galahs), less "needy" than Sulfer crested, and not as loud as corellas. And I must say my galah was the nicest natured bird I have ever owned. So if MM are less moody than her, then they must be just the sweetest. |
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Wednesday September 7, 2005 7:04 am |
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Fluffy Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10070
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| Re: Do Major mitchells make good pets? |
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I'm so sorry to hear about your galah.. 
Well, I wouldn't recommend a too in the first place.. According to my avian vet cockatoos are quite difficult to handle.
That set apart, I can tell about my own mm2 Zazu.
Zazu is also quite a handful, he plucks, he's a 'genuine' male of over five years old..
I wouldn't recommend a too if you really want a talker. Zazu does talk: He introduces himself, greets people etc.
But he isn't a good talker!
Zazu doesn't like cuddles very much, but he loves to be part of the family..
If you have any other question, please don't hesitate to ask them..  |
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Wednesday September 7, 2005 1:23 pm |
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birdielover
Bappie
Joined: 07 Sep 2005
Posts: 73
Location: Australia |
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Thankyou for your wishes concerning my galah (RB2). She really was the sweetest natured little bird ever. I had her for 15 years. She was not a great talker - one word "hello" (unlike my eclectus who is starting to put words into context at times).
What surprises me is your vet advising not to get a cockatoo at all. I live in Australia (was born here) and have owned 2 sulfer crested 'toos and my rosebreasted 'too and I found them to be lovely. The sulfers were very loud and destructive if allowed to free roam the house, but mine were allowed to roam around the yard, and not so much in the house.
I have heard the MM2's can be aggressive when mature (males mainly) and can be a bit hard to handle. But there have been a few that have said their birds are lovely. I guess ultimately, I will just have to make a decision when I see the babies and the parents. I may decide not to get another bird at all and just spoil my ekkie.
Thankyou for sharing the info on your Zazu.
birdielover - slave to Skye |
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Wednesday September 7, 2005 11:30 pm |
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Fluffy Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10070
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Yikes, in 15 years you can build such a strong bond! I already have a strong bond with Flit, who only lives with me for 1 year so I can imagine how it must be after 15 years!
I don't say that toos aren't lovely.. I keep falling for them, but they're difficult birds as well. At least, Zazu is..
And I've been told, like I said, that they are really difficult birds. They seem easy but..
I don't think Zazu is agressive, or more agressive than he was when he was younger. He's sweeter than he was at young age!
He has developed some behavior problems though: Plucking & phobia..
That can be quite difficult!
I'd love to hear about your decision.. |
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Thursday September 8, 2005 12:31 pm |
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birdielover
Bappie
Joined: 07 Sep 2005
Posts: 73
Location: Australia |
Just so I have a better understanding of the MM2 personality - I am thinking that they sound very much like my ekkie. A bit aloof, not into too much physical attention. Loving in their own way. Skye (RSE) loves to sit on my shoulder and just be with me. She will preen herself and talk and put her face/beak against my face, nibble my neck and ears (not bite) and preen my hair. But she is not a cuddle bug like my galah was. I have had Skye for only 1 year (not long compared to my RB2). She has no phobias at the moment, no plucking or anything like that. She loves to go out with us. Last night i took her in her travel cage to dog obedience training which she enjoys because it is a change of scenery. |
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Thursday September 8, 2005 8:49 pm |
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Fluffy Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10070
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Skye sounds like a wonderful birdy..
I had heard that galahs aren't that cuddly? See, there are exceptions to every rule!
You take her to dog obedience training? Wow! My fids never been to that! Will the dogs pay attention to her? |
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Saturday September 10, 2005 12:57 pm |
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birdielover
Bappie
Joined: 07 Sep 2005
Posts: 73
Location: Australia |
Oh yes some of the dogs would love to "play" with her. LOL. But I do not take her out of her travel cage
http://i4.photobucket.com/albu.....elcage.jpg
This is skyes travel cage, as you can see she can see everything. When at dog obedience she sits on the canteen bench where she can see and hear everything, but I do not take her out as her flapping would attract the dogs. Not mine, but the others.
She also has a portable dog crate as her home away from home when we go to dog trials or camping or volleyball comps. It gives her heaps of room to play in when we are too busy to hold her. Otherwise she sits on my shoulder or arm (now with a harness on - which I made for her)
http://i4.photobucket.com/albu.....lecage.jpg |
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Saturday September 10, 2005 9:24 pm |
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birdielover
Bappie
Joined: 07 Sep 2005
Posts: 73
Location: Australia |
I meant to say in the previous post, that my experience with my galah and my sulfers are that the galah was just as cuddly as the toos, not as loud or as distructive and no where near as needy or demanding. She did not need to come out all the time. She was quite happy to sit in her cage, but loved to be out and walking around the yard. |
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Saturday September 10, 2005 9:26 pm |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7967
Location: Australia |
I think the personalities of all birds are different. One may be the cuddliest of the species, and another won't let you scratch it much. I guess it's the pick of the bunch, just like in humans i guess. |
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Sunday September 11, 2005 9:50 am |
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Fluffy Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10070
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Ohhh it doesn't mind that you don't take her out of her travel cage.. It's nice already that she can join you there! I was quite surprised!
I think it can become dangerous when she'd start flapping: Just like you said..
Great to hear that Skye is such a beloved member of your family! |
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Sunday September 11, 2005 1:58 pm |
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