"Houdini: The Master of Mystery"

Just like the person he's named after, this parrot
seems to share the same characteristic of being somewhat mysterious.

Meet Houdini, a 23 year old goffin's cockatoo.

Houdini's story, before he came to Best Friends, is quite sad. I'll tell you the short version of it since I want to focus on how amazing he is today! Houdini's previous owner owned multiple parrots, but when she became injured and unable to care for them, things turned for the worst. They were moved into her basement where they were cared for once a week by a person she hired. Due to these circumstances, Houdini's mate died. Because of what he went through, I believe, explains why he is so terrified and reserved when interacting with people and even other parrots.

Houdini is my second project parrot that I chose. After hearing his story and seeing how unconnected from the world he actually was, I knew I had to try and help. Over the last few weeks, I worked with him as often as I could. At first, it felt like I would never get through to him. He was so shy and always cowered in the corner when I came near and would climb away when I tried to move closer. For my first session, I spent a lot of time talking/singing/whistling/humming/dancing/reading to him. I attempted to have him come out of his cage by leaving the door open, but he was too scared to move. It was even a struggle to get him to take treats from me. 

'Seriously lady.. I'm not moving!'

'Wait! Did you say peanut?!'

My second session went more smoothly. I opened his cage door and sat in a chair next to him. After socializing with him for a while, he actually came out and climbed to to the top of his cage. I was so proud of him! After letting him come out of his cage for a few more sessions, I still didn't feel like he was connecting with me enough. He spent most of his time away from me when he was out, but would occasionally take treats when I offered. 

The next step I took was more intense. I decided that I would catch him in a towel and see how he reacted. The first time I caught him, I brought him to another room and sat with him. He looked like a little baby wrapped up with only his head poking out. I kept a hand on his chest to monitor his heart rate and at the moment it was racing. I held and socialized with him for about 10 minutes before he got too irritated. During that time, I was able to touch his face with a feather which didn't seem to bother him. Later, when I put him back, he started to dance and bob his head like crazy, with his crest puffed up. He even started to spread his wings, stretch, and flap them. It seemed as though my efforts to connect with him were working. 

After cradling him in my arms day after day, he seemed to get used to me handling him. When I went to take him out of his cage, using a towel over my arm, he seemed to resist me less and actually started stepping up on my arm without me having to catch him. 

 



















The progress that he's made so far just blows my mind, but it gets even better. I recently decided to let him roam around the other enclosed area and he started to enjoy hopping around on the floor and exploring. When I bent over to try and step him up, I decided to use my bare hand, and with the first try, he stepped right up! I let him back down on the ground, and he continued to allow me to pick him up over and over again without hesitation. I was bursting with excitement that I ran over to tell Stacie about my accomplishment with Houdini.

The moment I've been waiting for! SO proud of him for stepping up

After several days of letting him run around and explore, he seemed to become more confident in his actions. When I started bringing him out to play, I would always try and set him down on a wooden stand, but each attempt failed with him flying away. Well, today (02/23/12) when I set him down, he actually stayed in place! I was so proud of how brave he was getting. I sat on the floor and watched him dance on the perch. He then started to flap his wings like crazy and continued to do that for over an hour. He seemed to just come alive and was enjoying his new found freedom. 

From just working with him for a few weeks, the changes in his behavior are monumental. I can only imagine how amazing Houdini would do if he had a forever home. Will you be the one that helps him forget his painful past and and help him to know what real love feels like?     

CLICK HERE TO ADOPT HOUDINI!!