DUCORPS COCKATOO PAGE
In the realm of my cockatoo experience I found that there were many people that did not know much about the Ducorps cockatoo, so I asked my friend Karleen about them. Below is a post from her. She has been breeding Ducorps for many years.
When I saw my first picture of one in Rosemary Lowe’s book about Cockatoos, I was immediately fascinated. At the time, I had an 8-year old Goffin's Cockatoo that I had raised from a baby. The only information in Rosemary’s book was that there was a male Ducorps in the Spanish Zoo in the Canary Islands that was a major showoff, and that they had been seen with the natives in their native habitat in the Solomon Islands. Nothing else. There was no information about pet potential, nutritional needs or breeding behavior. I was fascinated by their size and magnificent feathers and powder blue eye ring. I have no idea why I read that brief paragraph over and over. It was definitely a sign that they would fill my experience in the future.
To be very honest: They are absolute jewels! I truly wish that everyone could have the opportunity to experience them as pets. I have five: two breeding pairs (one a wild-caught 1991 import, the others are second generation), and one 5-year old male as a personal pet. I can’t say enough. I can only hope that in the future, the population of domestic bred Ducorps will increase to the point that other owners and breeders will have the opportunity to experience what a joy they are to own.
I stumbled across my first Ducorps at a large bird show. I nearly passed him up. A Chinese man who specialized in canaries had him in a small cage at the back of his booth. Nicholas?pale blue eye ring caught my attention and I suspected that he was a Ducorps from Rosemary’s description. This man had bought him out of the small import lot that came in to the U.S. in 1991 and he assumed that he could easily find a mate locally. And, of course, no luck. That was the only import lot that ever came into the U.S. So, since his investment was going nowhere, he was trying to sell the bird. Everyone thought he was some sort of Goffin's/Umbrella hybrid. I bought Nick at a fraction of his import price on the condition that the man would hold my check until my vet gave him a clean bill of health. My vet thought he was a splendid bird, and all of his testing was negative for bacterial and viral infections. Dr. Stonebreaker also raises Black Palm, Gang-Gang and Red-Vent Cockatoos and had never seen a Ducorps Cockatoo at the time. This beginning was a frustrating experience. Nick had been wild-caught and then housed in a large 15 X 20 ft. aviary. Now, he was in a cage close-up to humans. He was terrified and screamed every time I came near. Dr. Stonebreaker had clipped his wings for me, so he couldn’t even get away. In addition, I was insulting him by giving him a pelleted diet and fruits and vegetables!! The Chinese man had been feeding him only sunflower seeds and mashed corn ?nothing else. Bringing Nick around has been a slow trip, but worth every moment. He will now eat anything offered with total gusto. He calls out softly in a very lilting call that sounds like “rock-up, rock-up?for you to come a scratch his head or tickle his feathers. He won’t perch on my hand, but I can pick him up with two bare hands and do just about anything with him. He has never bitten me, but he is still a wild bird and quite intimidated by strangers. When I discovered the gentle spirit (and I mean “spirit? in Nick, I have been in love with these birds ever since. I love Cockatoos as a parrot species. I think they are a wonderfully social family bird. I have raised Goffin’s, Bare-eyes and Slenderbills and my dearest friend raises Rose-Breasts and Umbrellas. So, when I say that there is something special about Ducorps, it is in relation to my experience over the past 20 years with the others.
At the time, there were no females to be had anywhere. When I bought Nick and was looking from one end of the country to the other for a female, I spoke with a number of big name cockatoo breeders who weren’t interested in selling any females that they did have and told me horror stories about how they were extremely sensitive, that they weren’t a healthy species and died (probably from their experience living in quarantine with other possibly diseased birds), would attack and bite, wouldn’t breed, babies were difficult feeders, wouldn’t wean and they cried A LOT!! My experience has been the total opposite, without exception. One breeder in Texas said that he heard that ABRC in Florida was having “some success? My first female and later 3 others all came to me from ABRC as 35-40 day old second-generation babies. Those birds are now mature and are breeding and having their own young ?and doing it quite happily and well.
In raising a healthy, happy and independent Ducorps baby, the secret that I found to be most important is an abundance of everything. A large cage with lots and lots of different and stimulating toys (both to chew and cuddle with); a large variety of healthy foods, including a seed mix that includes many varieties of seeds (no sunflower), dried fruits, pasta, pellets, nuts, etc.; and an abundance of patience to let them choose their own weaning time. Buy a rocking chair and some baby blankets. Ducorps babies cry A LOT. Let them cry. Its OK, there’s nothing wrong ?they just CRY (mostly in the evening). So, until they are about 6-7 months old, hand feed them. When they are also eating from their bowls and you’re tired of offering them a “formula?feeding, I spoon feed or finger feed them warmed baby foods, vegetables, fruits, or whatever is on the shelf; or warm oatmeal, cream of wheat -- be creative. They wany and NEED the feeling of being offered warm, nurturing, mushy food. There’s no getting around it. One day the crying stops ?forever. In the meantime, feed them whatever they want that’s warm and mushy, and bundle them up in their “blankie?and rock them while you watch TV while they whine and cry. When this developmental period in Ducorps babies is over (and truthfully, it’s not all that bad), they emerge a very quiet, but talkative, happy and independent Cockatoo. They are not at all noisy. My two breeder males will sometimes get “vocal?when they are flashing all their feathers for the benefit of their female companion, but it is not to get my attention. They are not “needy?birds and are very content to be left to their own devices. Even when they do “sound off?when flashing for a female or just from pure exuberance, it’s not because they are demanding attention and the sound level is no where near that of an Umbrella, Triton or Moluccan. They love toys and objects they can untie, unwind, unlock, tease apart or destroy. They are very intelligent and their talking ability is excellent. They are very social and do not have a “dominant?personality in their relationships with other species of parrots. My one Ducorps, BenJammin, is best buddies with my African Grey.
I have never found it difficult to offer new foods or vary their diet. All my birds do get warm “soak and cook?mix at least three days a week. They also love sprouted seeds. But, they also get “left-overs?from the table ?rice, veggies, scrambled eggs, chicken, pizza (they can all spot a pizza store box at 50 yards!!), cottage cheese, tofu, yogurt, etc. They love for you to share whatever you are eating and will eat it with gusto. Start offering a good variety as soon as your young baby starts to perch well and shows any interest in other objects. Offer him seeds, fruits and veggies all the time, even if he shows no interest and you have to throw them out. One day he will be interested and play with them and sample them.
I can’t say whether I prefer a male over a female Ducorps although there is a subtle difference between them. The females are very enchanting and endearing. They just ooze sweetness. When I tickle Cassie or scratch her head, she makes the most unusual noises, almost as if she was sighing or cooing. Although I just cave when BenJammin says “I love you, guy? The boys, on the other hand, go through a bit of juvenile adolescence where they appear to be a bit “bratty?and, for example, although they may know that they aren’t supposed to bother your earrings or buttons, will tug at them just to let you know that they can do so. They kind of test the edge just as an 11 or 12 year old juvenile human will do. But as soon as you let them know where the line is, they go back to being a marshmallow. The males, as mature adults, love to show off their feathers and fan their tails, to let you know just how cool they are. It’s hard to compare their talking ability, although with the exception of Nicholas, who is wild-caught, the other breeding males and females talk about the same. Their mimicry is very clear to understand and is definitely situation related, which puts their intelligence level on that of the African Greys. BenJammin is in the house all the time, so he is among people and conversations all the time. From the moment I am home, his cage door is open and he is free to go wherever he wants. He is potty trained and will only go potty away from my shoulder on command or off his cage. Ben is a 3-ring circus act and loves to show off for small children; he loves to go shopping and for rides; he will say “come here? then when I do so, he’ll say “I wanna come out? “want to go shopping?? He knows his cats, Mouse and TigerLily and calls them by name and then “meows?to them whenever he sees them. As you can imagine, a cockatoo doing a “meow?is rather pathetic, but very funny! But he’s dead earnest and I know he thinks he’s talking to his cat. He climbs all over them when they’re sleeping and tries to preen their whiskers and fur. He knows everyone in the family by name, and all the other birds by name; and when a stranger comes by, he’ll say “Hey dude, what’s up?? He’ll tell you “I love you,?and then come up to you and give you kisses. When I turn out the lights at night, he will say “Night, night sweet baby birds? He’s heard me say that to the babies I’m feeding when I put them to bed for the night. Although he’s gone through his adolescent period, he is so even in his temperament and is sociable with everyone. Just like any guy, his favorites are blondes with long hair. I think I would have exactly the same experience keeping a female as a pet, with a little less flamboyant display at times. I know this doesn’t much help your decision on whether to choose a male or female. You might spend time with the babies, if possible, and pick the one that you feel most connected with. I ordered my Ducorps babies over the phone from ABRC and what I received at the Delta Dash security desk in a wooden crate was just perfect!
There’s some information on Ducorps cockatoos and other parrot species and very nice photos on Gail Worth’s website for her aviary, Aves International (website: avesinternational.com). She has an outstanding reputation as a breeder here in Southern California. If you look on the internet at the following site: Avian Companions you will find a picture of my breeding pair, Sam and Cassie, in the wisteria tree on my patio. The photo was taken by my friend, Teresa Brandt, about 8 years ago. She later shared the photo with the editor of the “Online Book of Parrots?. I have seen it also used on another site. Sam and Cassie are wonderful, healthy parents and are so gentle tempered, they will come out of their enclosure to play with my granddaughters, even though they have been paired and isolated since they were 9 months old and may have babies that they are feeding.
If you haven’t already read the “Companion Parrot Quarterly? formerly the “Pet Bird Report? I would heartily recommend subscribing. The information contained is invaluable. Especially in regards to cockatoo raising and nurturing. Every person that buys a baby from me whether a parrolet, caique or cockatoo gets a sample copy and copies of some downloaded articles on socialization and nutrition. Sally Blanchard, the editor also has a new book out. I haven’t read it yet, but I am sure it is packed with value.
If you haven’t fed a baby bird around the clock, you might want to wait until your chosen baby is 8-10 weeks old and eating some foods on his own. Leave the formula mixing and cleanup mess to the breeder. On the other hand, the more time that you can spend with your baby from day one, the better. Another option is to visit your baby at the breeders often, if he will allow it and spend supervised time feeding him yourself until he’s eating independently enough to go home.
As for overall health, my own personal experience is that they’re pretty much “bullet-proof? They’re not a nervous bird and seem to roll with the punches as far as changes in cages, environment, companions, family, diet or routine. I have spent zero dollars on health issues with them. Only initial exams and cultures as babies when I received them from ABRC or when I purchased Nick. I think an ABUNDANCE of nurturing love and environment and an ABUNDANCE of a highly nutritious and varied diet is a major key to raising a healthy independent Ducorps companion. There’s nothing cuter than watching a baby Ducorps who can hardly perch trying to roll brussel sprouts and carrot chunks around his cage. He doesn’t know whether they are toys or food. I would suggest following the breeder’s schedules and food regimen for a while before making any changes or additions. Let your baby settle in.
The following is a description of Ducorps Cockatoos on the Seattle Parrot Market website. I think it’s fairly accurate:
The Ducorps' cockatoo (Cacatua ducorpsii) is native to the Solomon Islands, which are east of New Guinea and northeast of Australia. This is the only cockatoo species that occurs on these islands. Although this species has similarities to the Goffin's, bare-eyed and corella cockatoos, it is distinctly different. The people there did not legally export any of their native birds until the early 1990s. Therefore, Ducorps' have been bred in the United States for less than a decade. Since importing wild-caught psittacines into the U.S. ceased in 1993, relatively few Ducorps' have entered this country compared to many of the other Indonesian cockatoo species. The Ducorps can be a very loving pet. It is somewhat difficult to find any written information on this species, but in my opinion, it is one of the finest cockatoo species. At approximately 12" inches in Length (31 centimeters), this species is about the same size as the Goffin's cockatoo [actually, generally at least 100 gm. larger] . Much of the care information you find written about the Goffin's can be applied to the Ducorps'. Toys designed for Amazons or cockatoos can be used with the smaller cockatoo species. According to Joseph Forshaw's Parrots of the World, their diet in the wild is seeds, nuts, fruits, berries, leaf buds, blossoms and insects and their larvae. These cockatoos raid village gardens, eating cultivated papaya and digging up sweet potatoes. Cockatoo species require less protein in their diets than macaws and should be fed a large amount of fresh vegetables. I recommend feeding them a variety of fresh raw vegetables, such as corn on the cob, broccoli, cucumbers, green beans, kale, chard, squash and green peas. Root vegetables, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, yams and beets can be boiled for about 30 minutes or microwaved. Once cooked, they can be chopped and added to a mixture of sprouted or cooked grains, such as red wheat, brown rice, lentils, beans, peas, corn and other grains and seeds. All of these items can be mixed with an avian vitamin-mineral powder and powdered spirulina for a high quality fresh diet. If you wish, an avian pelleted diet can be added. Fruits, such as papaya, grapes, apple and plums, can be fed as treats.[the recommendation for lots of green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli and kale which are high in vitamin A such as those listed above was suggestedby my vet]You may have already discovered how wonderful the Ducorps' is as a pet. This species has a calmer; more mellow personality than the Goffin's or bare eye I would suspect its talking ability would be similar to the abilities of the smaller cockatoos.Sometimes, the Ducorps may make a soft crying sound. That is most likely a juvenile whining that will probably diminish with time. I do not recommend that you attempt to correct this, because it is normal and instinctual for them. In the wild, this sound gets the attention of the parent birds. I have heard this whining from chicks I have hand-raised, and I don't find it too annoying. It is certainly better than having a cockatoo screaming for attention! [invest in baby blankets and a rocking chair]The Ducorps' is an elegant little cockatoo that will surely gain popularity as more are domestically bred in this country.
Sorry, I just couldn’t help interjecting my comments. His brief notes are right on the money.
You can easily see that I could go on and on. But I will stop for now and let you digest my experience with these sweet intelligent birds.
This is a question from Debbie to Karleen about weaning babies
I thought you might be able to help me with a question.
Our ducorp was born on March 5th and she/he is in a tub now trying to eat
moistend food now and being weaned. I know that weaning process varies with
each bird but I have been reading conflicting informtion in places. About
how old does the bird need to be before we bring it home? The breeder said
it would be completely weaned when we bring it home but I hear other
cockatoo owners saying that their birds were on one or two handfeeding s a
day well into their 7, 8 or 9 months and now they are having trouble
getting them off the handfeedings. I just so excited about bringing our
baby home but do not want to do it to early but it would seem like waiting
forever if I had to wait til it was 6 or 7 monts old too?
Can you offer me some information on this when you get a chance?
GOOD MORNING DEBBIE:
Your question is SO important. I have a perspective that many breeders don't want to hear -- mainly because they want to get the baby raised, weaned and into the hands of the buyer (and then can get paid); so often an arbitrary time line is established regarding a "weaned" time. When I was looking for a female to pair with my wild-caught import, Nicholas, all I heard was horror stories from breeders who either had some or were familiar with a breeder who had some, was that they were difficult to wean and cried. At 12-15 weeks most parrots of all species are developed enough physiologically to eat food from a dish on their own -- and they will exhibit their ability well at this age. So, you can be confident that a young bird at this age period is able to feed itself sufficiently to survive well. But, in the wild, the parents feed their babies on a different schedule, and this biological timeclock has been inherited over centuries of development in each parrot species.I firmly believe that by "weaning" a baby before he is emotionally developed such that he feels independent and in charge of his own care and feeding often results in a needy parrot; and this continued feeling of dependence often results in perpetuating behavior issues in later development. I feed my young Ducorps formula, soft mushy warm foods, or even canned baby foods in addition to a normal daily parrot diet until they aren't particularly interested in it. And, once a baby is eating cage food on his own, whatever I feed them is from a small spoon and is not at all difficult to do. My suggestion to you, personally, is to accept the baby once your breeder feels he is weaned (according to her definition) and eating well on his own. But if he cries or whines, offer him at least twice daily warm food from a spoon. Yes, it's a bit messy, but Brawny works great as a bib. Place him on a perch, or in a bundled up towel and offer him warm food -- he will slurp it up. Below is a list of some of the many things I use after I have stopped offering a prepared formula food:
Applesauce
Mashed yams & sweet potatoes
Mashed potatoes
Yogurt
Any prepared "baby food", including veggies and chicken/veggie dishes
Warm, freshly prepared oatmeal (no sugar, just water and milk added)
Cream of wheat and other multi-grain cereals
Soaked "Scenic" or "Pretty-Bird" weaning pellets (soak in hot water and offer)
Boiled and mashed beans
Small pieces of warm scrambled eggs
Anything else that falls into the category of "warm, mushy food" that's healthy for humans
The issue at hand is not nutritional, but emotional independence. But based on my own experience, you might need a baby blanket and a rocking chair, and a few jars of baby food. And, you may not. Actually, once baby Ducorps are not dependent upon a scheduled (and measured) formula feeding, they are really not at all difficult to finger, spoon or handfed in this stage of development. What I have distinctly noticed is that when they stop begging (and sometimes crying) for warm food (which was what their parents would have continued to offer), they are such quiet, independent and totally happy birds. When I am feeding babies, all my other older birds can hardly wait for me to offer them what's left in the syringe, jar or bowl. At ten years old, my Caiques still love spoonfuls of baby food. As adults, I prepare a soak & cook veggie/pasta/bean mix at least 3 times a week to all of my birds. Daily to my pairs that are feeding babies. It is so fun to suddenly hear all the chatter stop and all I hear is adult birds sounding like happy baby birds. It's kind of like going home to mom for that special meal that makes you just feel good inside. Besides, its the best of nutrition. This Saturday morning, they all had scrambled eggs, steamed brown rice and veggies. Not a drop out of the bowl and nothing left. Don't know why -- they just love it.
Looking at my calendar, at 10 weeks, your little Ducorps should be eating fairly independently now, and in a few more weeks should be able to come home. Have you had an opportunity to visit and play with it? Maybe your breeder would show you how to formula feed your baby and if you feel confident in it, he might be able to come home sooner. As a breeder, I am reluctant to release any baby bird at an age where it is not feeding itself independently, unless it is to another experienced breeder. I only retail business that I would even consider selling unweaned babies to a bird store in my area called "BirdCrazy". When they purchase a young bird, it will go to a special staff person who is responsible for handfeeding and socialization, before it is available for sale. It is one of the finest, most ethical bird stores on the West coast. Check out their website:
Bird Crazy
In Orange county is another fine store called Omar's Exotic Birds. Their website is under construction. Omar Gonzales has established a fine reputation as a breeder and retailer of exotic birds and supplies. I think his new website is
Omar's Exotic Birds
As a parrot species, I think that for some inherited reason, the Ducorps do not reach independence from a nurturing figure (i.e., parent, human) until a much later date than most other cockatoo species. Macaws also take nearly 9 months+ to wean. From much that I have also read, cockatoos in general should be given as much time as possible to become independent. Phoebe Linden, a noted cockatoo breeder in Santa Barbara, has written number of articles about this in the Companion Bird Quarterly (formerly, the "Pet Bird Report") If you can find anything she has written, it might also give you additional information about raising your baby. I think she uses the term "abundant weaning". - and it works!
I know I have only given you some additional "food for thought", the decision as to just when to take your baby home is between you and your breeder. But, as I said in my earlier email, PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO GET IN TOUCH. Any information I can pass on or person I can refer you to, I am more than willing to share. I can't tell you just how much I love these sweet, enchanting birds. You are so lucky to have found someone locally who breeds them -- they are very scarce and most people don't even know anything about them or have never heard of them. Just be committed to doing whatever it takes, but what I do know is that you won't be disappointed with your decision.
Warmest regards, KARLEEN
I got this picture from the www.birds2pet.com website. I thought that it was a wonderful picture of a ducorps
This is Karleen's granddaughter Kelssea trying to give BenJammin a kiss
This is a picture of Hawk & Snowflake, young bare-eyed ("Little Corellas") cockatoos about 12-14 weeks old
Sam & Cassie
These are pictures of BenJammin when he was just a "wee bappy"
BenJammin at 42 days -- not too much in the way of feathers yet -- looks more like a white porcupine. He couldn't even perch. He already weighed about 300 gms (now he weighs between 485 and 505 gms.)
The second is an affirmation of my recommendation for an ABUNDANCE of soft, cuddly and stimulating toys. Looks like "overkill" but it really works. There's nothing that will spook him. They are all familiar. It also gives them so much to do between whining and crying.
The third photo is of Ben and his teddy, snuggling down for the night. This works well since a heavy baby cockatoo really can't perch to sleep and all the soft cuddly toys keep him secure and warm. And in the morning, they all go into the washer with a cup of soap and bleach, followed by a quick fluff in the dryer.
All of his old stuffed toys are stored on top of his cage. He loves to throw them off the top and then drag them back up -- and then off again!! Poor old Garfield is always getting the boot. he can spend an hour with this routine -- keeps him out of trouble. Note: although you can't see all of Garfield, he still has his eyes!
CKC Birds website on ducorps
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