"minimum" cage size for one is,
36"W x 24"D x 48"H
(Width/Depth/Hight)
They are inquisitive, active, nippy, clownish, playful, escape artists and are very hard to handle when hormonal. They tend to be pluckers and if not properly cared for they will pluck there feathers(boredom, stress, diet or needs are not being met) Most also like to cuddle. They can seem unpredictable to inexperienced owners and even sometimes to experienced owners.
1. He is very difficult to get off his cage.
Cage bound maybe?
Does the bird like nuts? (avoid peanuts)
Hold your arm/hand for him to step up on and hold a nut in your other hand, this way he will have to perch on your arm before being able to reach the nut.
2. he refuses to step up and will grab you (not bite) with his beak if you try to do so.
Are you sure he is not just using he's beak for balance before stepping onto your arm/hand? Sometimes they test the "perch" before perching on it. May even be testing you.
3. how do you suggest I begin bonding with him.
Feed him, play with him, cuddle him, talk to him.. et cetera It'll take time.
4. He CRAVES attention and loves to be scratched and loved on, he gives "kisses" and seems so far to be adjusting well.
Right now you are probably still in the "honeymoon" stage, this can be over soon or it can even last a year or so.
Remember not to give the bird to much attention in the beginning unless you continue with the same amount of attention for years to come. A lot of people tend to give there birds lots of attention in the beginning and then lose some interest later on, this will leave the bird craving for even more attention and in species like the Cockatoo it can even lead to plucking.
I think you should do what you are doing. He might just be stubborn haha. Just keep rubbing him an kissing him and hold him whenever he lets you.
I just got my a Male Goffins Cockatoo, his name is Dexter and he is 7 years old (hatched in 2007).
I have previous bird experience however it hasn't been the best, my first bird was a Cockatiel and he passed away from a heart murmur. My second was a Blue Crowned conure, he had so many aggression problems that we couldn't handle him at all. A friend of ours who breeds birds took him in since she has a female blue crown.
So now we have Dexter and we are hoping that in the end he will be as good of a bird as our Howard (the cockatiel) was before his passing. Howard was hands down the sweetest bird ever and was so smart!
We will be passing all our love to Dexter!
So a few of Dexters issues,
He is very difficult to get off his cage, he refuses to step up and will grab you (not bite) with his beak if you try to do so.
His old owner said he has always struggled with this.
Second off, how do you suggest I begin bonding with him. We got him yesterday 4/13/14 so I know it will be time before he is comfortable. But what are some small things I can do to help him feel more comfortable?
He CRAVES attention and loves to be scratched and loved on, he gives "kisses" and seems so far to be adjusting well. We have him in the living room in a huge cage with TONS of toys next to a window. He has a MASSIVE outside perch and a aviator harness. Which we don't really need since we will be keep his wings clipped.
When I am home he has free roam of the house. I am only gone 8-12.
