I'm excited..
I think I might even make a new routine where she is the center of it.. he helping me with tricks I dunno how well it will work.. but I want something more than just a production...

ive been doing dove magic for about 7 years now.. and finally fond a cockatoo..

it is how ever a goffin which is a little smaller than a umbrella any ideas on a bag to make.???

also
what do you think it would be cool to see a cockatoo do?? after the production??

Train the cockatoo to do some tricks :
Eg.Nodding its head and opening up its wings - peek a boo.
I saw this tricks in a local bird park and was amazed at how the trainers train this cockatoos.
Or how about parrot from sketch pad?
http://www.davewomach.com/products.htm

Please just keep your new addition as a pet and compantion first before a prop. I know too many folks who have gotten a cockatoo just for the sake of getting a parrot ot add to their show or act and the poor animal just gets neglected in the end. there is even a guy I know who keeps his parrots in his laundy room in his basement and it kills me. I use an umbrella in my act, however I owned him for 2 years before even starting to bag train him because he was first and formeost my buddy with no real expectation to put him in the act. As it turns out he loves it and loves the attention so good for him, but I just really hope that you know what you are getting yourself into. Just taking him out for half an hour for practicing or playing around just is not enough for these amaizng animals. You have not adopted a bird, you have basically just adopted a child. sorry if I sound harsh about this but like I said iv' seen to many people invest in these animls thinking they can just get something cool to add to their show and just wanted to put it out there not just directed at you but for anyone thinking of getting a big bird. I wish you all the best with your new friend.

As for things to do with it maybe consider a doves to rabbit and putting him in the load chamber and turn the doves into the parrot, that was the first prop my little partner in crime, Spike, did way back in the day and it got a great reaction!

I also had a special duck pan that I used to put lash paper in and produce him from the duck pan when he was smaller in kid shows...another thought you could try...

Yeah no worries.. I will take great care of him... adding him to the act is a extra..

but thanks for the ideas.. anymore would be great

Just bring him to your shows all the time. I train my new parrots to stay on a T stand on stage during my show. They don't do any tricks at all. That way, they get acclimatized to the new surroundings. Balloons, flashy moving decors, mascots, spot lights, roving video & camera flashes could spook them. It takes a while before they become accustomed to this situations. I guess the same goes with most show animals.

Picking a selected card from a deck should make a good trick for your cockatoo.

Be prepared, slieght of hand, cockatoo's are much different than doves. It took me over a year to get my cockatoo into the show, I've had her in the show for about 4 months and she is still not 100%. She is moody and sometimes will not perform. I actually do the old Insurance Policy card trick and if my cockatoo is in one of her moods and wont pick the card, I use the insurance policy and act like it is part of the show. Got my bag from Puck and I am very happy with it. http://www.puckmagic.com

Boy are you right..
they are quite frustrating infact..

maybe just cause I'm use to doves..

I don't let the bird know I get frustrated..

it will just take me some time to get used how to train him..

as for rewards.. what are good? other than affection

Sleight of hand...

A) Your bird may NEVER perform in any venue. Whether or not the bird is added to the act is up to the bird, not you.

B) You've got a Goffin's cockatoo. So if all else fails. Just set her in a cage on stage. She'll escape. I promise. Call it your Houdini Bird act. Goffin's are notorious lock manipulators.

As for rewards - find out what the bird likes. Might be sunflower seeds or papaya, grapes etc etc.

And finally remember this - you are responsible forever for what you tame. Your Cockatoo is a pet and beloved family member FIRST, performer SECOND, and then only if the bird so desires.

Have fun and good luck.

Robert

PS: if you didn't want frustration, why did you get a parrot to begin with?

Mine loves peanuts.

If you don't have any of the Womach's DVD's, I'd highly recommend them. http://www.birdtricks.com

Good luck!

Thankss