Popcorn - Male Cockatoo (Elizabeth, NJ)

Popcorn - Male Cockatoo

Popcorn is always ready to put on a show and thrill a crowd. He earned his name by doing the popcorn dance - hiding under a shirt a pant leg or other piece of material then quickly popping his head and body out of the hiding place calling out POPCORN. This Umbrella cockatoo has been with TGF for many years. The story about how he lost his home is one that is sadly all too true and one of the reasons why it s critical to teach all birds including cockatoos how to become independently curious interactive social and keep themselves busy with plenty to do. Poppy came to TGF from So. CA where he had two previous families of his own for 11 years. He came to TGF in 1999 at 14 years old when his relinquisher believed that he had separation anxiety. Poppy had learned to vocalize excessively when his favorite person left the room and over the years this was reinforced so that he learned to scream endlessly until someone came back into his room no matter how he was treated or what was said to him. A vicious cycle was created which cost Popcorn his home. TGF exposed Popcorn to a flock and to many new activities that encouraged him to learn to forage play and stimulate his curiosity. He was able to spend time outdoors and have a consistent daily schedule. TGF believed we d found him a wonderful home when he was adopted out in 2000 but he was returned to TGF in 2002 because the adopter couldn t live with his noise. Popcorn stayed with TGF until 2003 when he had an opportunity to go to work for a living. Popcorn is a willing and avid learner. His new home was with a highly skilled animal and bird trainer. Popcorn became a star for the next 4 years. Then things changed in the lives of his human family and in February 2008 Popcorn was returned to TGF for the 2nd time. Since then Popcorn attends outreach events and he is one of the favorite birds of visitors to our Aviary and Adoption Center. It s not likely that Popcorn will find an adoptive home after all these years. To date more than half of his life has been spent at TGF. Like many of the birds in our flock you can share your love by sponsoring Popcorn or one of his many friends. Primary Color White Weight 0.565 Age 32yrs 7mths 2wks... More Info