What caused this sea to erupt with no apparent warning? Those blending muted colors, on a typical morning in New South Wales, might include hundreds of Greater Sulphur-crested Cockatoo’s, Rose-breasted Cockatoo’s and Little Corella’s (Bare-eyed Cockatoo’s). While these allied species walk along the ground together, shoulder to shoulder, grazing eagerly on fields of freshly sprouting grass seeds, they are seemingly unaware of any approaching danger.

In such situations, there are designated birds who are relied on almost completely, and are critical to the continuing safety and well being of the entire flock...those known as sentinels. These particular birds (there are often several) instinctively adopt positions in close proximity to feeding and roosting areas where they have the ability to identify potential threats.

In the scenario above, perhaps a hawk was circling a little too closely; maybe a car was seen driving down the dirt road that separates the two adjoining feeding grounds; or a snake was spotted slowly making it’s way toward the lone straggler who had inadvertently wandered away from the group. Whatever the cause, that distinct and recognizable warning call immediately sends the entire flock skyward, in mass, for protection. When the alarm ceases to sound and the ‘danger’ has passed, the flock returns to it’s previous activity, confident that the sentinels will continue to skillfully perform their self-appointed duties.

Sentinel behavior is recognized as part of the unique and individual nature of certain cockatoos (as well as some other species). Based upon personal observations and ongoing research, this appears to be a genetic trait, passed only to some offspring. Of course in the wild there is also the opportunity for young, already genetically programmed birds to ‘learn’ by observing adult sentinels. However, it would seemingly be very difficult for young birds to learn all of the intricacies involved in being a sentinel purely from watching/observing.

Something that may appear to conflict with this previous statement to some degree is that wild galahs, when observed in flocks containing no other cockatoo species, do not appear to have designated sentinels. Yet, when intermingling with birds who do react to the warning calls, they immediately adapt to that behavior. (*NOTE: There will be future in depth articles on sentinel behavior).

There is no doubt that a predator can more easily focus on a single target, whether on the ground or in the air. Creating ‘confusion’, by flying in a large tightly woven group, is a survival instinct used by many avian species with great success. It becomes extremely difficult for a single prey to be identified and seized in such an environment.

There have also been some interesting observations concerning the colors of particular birds. When seen on video it becomes clear that there is a visual advantage, particularly on a clear bright day, to flocks of Rose-breasted Cockatoos. The grey, almost silver, coloration of their wings actually seems to reflect the sunlight, acting almost as a mirror (this has also been noted in African greys), and may serve to momentarily ‘blind’, or at least confuse, a predator who is approaching from above.

At the other end of the spectrum are the truly white cockatoos. They also appear to have the ability at times to create a type of visual perplexity when flying as a flock against the pale blue sky on a sunny day.

So, what happens when an individual bird in the wild perceives imminent danger, but realizes that it cannot take flight for some reason? Let’s take the example of an approaching predator such as an eagle or large hawk. Perhaps the cockatoo knows instinctively that as a solitary bird it is a much easier target. So rather than bringing further attention to itself by taking flight, it makes the instantaneous decision to ‘freeze’, hoping to remain unnoticed, and therefore survive. A number of avian species use this defense strategy successfully.

Freezing is often witnessed in companion cockatoos, but may not be immediately recognized as a fear or protective response. This adaptation to life in a captive environment is testimony to both the intelligence and instinctive nature of these birds. The majority of our companion parrots have clipped wings and quickly learn that they are unable to escape danger, whether real or perceived, through flight. In some instances, with more sensitive birds, this inability to escape a threatening situation may lead to severe problems such as phobic behavior. However, a more typical reaction is for the bird to simply become completely motionless.

I received some interesting data on an individual companion cockatoo who has distinctively portrayed two ‘defense’ responses: "Along with my goffin’s, I have a pair of 'tiels, both of whom are always looking out the window and ready to sound an alarm. When the goffin’s, Peaches, was fully flighted and my female 'tiel sent out her warning call, Peaches wouldn't waste a minute taking flight (inside the house) and looking later. Since her wings have been clipped, when a warning call is sounded, she stands straight up, fully alert and frozen. Even petting her and talking softly won’t bring her around. Only after she feels it's safe will she relax completely."

I can’t help but laugh when I think back to how many times we were asked if our own Loo-Bird, Greater Sulphur-crested, was a ‘stuffed’ bird. She and Rosie O’Grady (galah) went to work with us every day for nearly a year and Loo-Bird spent much of her time on a climbing tree located behind the information counter of our store, away from direct contact with customers. In the mornings and afternoons when large tour groups would come in, she would often sit absolutely still until such time as she determined there was no threat.

Charlotte Fox forwarded this to me after a discussion on the PBR (Internet) behavior list several months ago: "My Triton Cockatoo, Jackson, is normally a very vocal and active bird. Yet he hides on the back of his cage when strangers arrive. If I could only remember to think like a bird I would have seen that behavior (for what it truly is). Our cherry-headed conure Bobby is the ‘guard bird’ (sentinel). When the outside gate opens, he sounds the alarm and Jackson runs for his hiding place. Since Bobby is making so much noise, everyone walks up to him and he raises his hackles, starts posturing and makes kissing sounds. I never really knew if he was excited to see people or warning them off. Thinking more about it after reading your post, I realize that Jackson does not leave his hiding place until Bobby stops the posturing and relaxes. It all makes sense now!"

In nature, there are certainly circumstances where these first two defense methods are not successful. A pertinent example of this (relating to parrots in captivity) might be when wild birds are captured by trappers. Under normal circumstances, most healthy adult cockatoos in the wild would not react calmly to being caught and then confined in a small space. Although the instinct to fight is secondary to flight, or even to freeze, this reaction may be used when a bird feels cornered with no visible means of escape, or recognizes that it’s life is in danger and there is no other option.

Why is the instinct to fight generally the last one to be utilized by these wild birds? As their human caretakers, we may see these animals as extremely intimidating at times. Certainly their beaks, aggressive attitudes or posturing can make us leery about approaching them without caution. Yet, in nature’s circle of life, these creatures are no real match for determined predators, including hawks, eagles, large snakes, iguana’s (who rob the nesting cavities), feral cats...or man.

Something that we should remember is that these normal ‘defense’ measures are not used by cockatoos in their natural habitats only to avoid real, or perceived, predators. Within the flock structure these instincts also serve them well to establish and maintain their position in the group, and during breeding and nesting season.

It was always intriguing to watch squabbles within a wild flock.

Occasionally, I would see two birds grab beaks, shaking their heads and fussing, or giving each other a few ‘warning’ pecks. However, this always resulted in one bird taking a submissive posture, either retreating to the far end of the branch or taking flight.

On a few occasions while observing various flocks, I saw a cockatoo (presumably male) make sudden and very quick aggressive moves toward its mate, or possibly another family member, at the onset of sudden activity in the tree or surrounding area. After watching over a period of time, I realized that the ‘aggressors’ of these pairs or groups were actually chasing away the others, even though only moments before they had all been sleeping, preening or playing. Based upon the particular behaviors I observed, my conclusion was that, in these situations, there were leadership or territorial challenges taking place within the flock, and the males were warning the females (or offspring) of possible danger and encouraging them to flee to safety.

If we relate that type of behavior to our parrots in a captive breeding environment, what might happen with this hypothetical pair of eleonora cockatoos? Something disturbs the male...maybe a stray dog wanders up to the aviary, or humans come into contact too closely, too often, or a hawk lands on a branch of the tree beside their aviary. The male tries to chase the hen away from the perceived danger, but she can't flee, due to cage restrictions. So, he tries harder, following the natural instinct to protect his mate. Not realizing that the flight cage is limited by size, he becomes angered that she doesn't respond to his warning command, and what started as a protective response may in some instances become a physical attack.

The frustration of birds in a captive setting (companion or breeder) who cannot adapt to behavioral variances to suit that environment might take several forms. In breeding pairs of some cockatoos, this may appear as mate aggression. It is extremely important for one bird to feel that she, or he, can retreat to a safe distance if necessary, from any threat. For example, during breeding and nesting season in the wild, a female can leave the nest, tree, etc. flying to a neutral space if she feels threatened or uncomfortable, due to the males assertive hormonal behavior. In a cage or aviary, this can become a totally different situation.

I know personally of a number of instances where ‘aggression’ from a male has resulted in serious injury, such as the beak being completely torn off the female, and even death. In captivity, this type of behavior appears to be more prevalent (although not restricted) to slender-billed corella’s, moluccan’s, umbrella’s, some members of the sulphur-crested family, and goffin’s. Some birds also seem to do a great deal of gesturing prior to resorting to a physical attack. One of the most common postures when feeling threatened is for the male to ‘stand tall’, holding one of his feet up and pushing it toward the female, often hissing at the same time. There are also quick pecks with the beak in an effort to encourage taking flight.

In companion cockatoos this frustration might also, in some cases, manifest itself in forms other than aggression...screaming, plucking, withdrawal and in more severe cases, phobic behavior. If we look for just a moment at several examples with differing outcomes, let’s say I’m playing hide and seek on the floor with my pet corella, and that this is something we do every day. We’ve been hiding around corners, chasing each other around the chair and suddenly the bird takes off down a long hallway, stopping at the end because there is nowhere else to go. If I keep running in the same playful manner and reach down to pick up this ‘cornered’ bird who is crouching down, looking up at me and hissing, there is the possibility my action might be perceived as a threat or danger. Obviously there are many variables to consider with individual birds and situations. Yet, if this little corella is backing up while I approach, looking around obviously trying to identify a way out, and then lunges ‘without warning’ (as people often describe cockatoo aggression), there is a chance that this behavior was actually the result of fear, as opposed to birdie overload. With clipped wings there was no way to fly, it was too late to freeze as the ‘predator’ was already quickly approaching, so the final instinct took over, which was to fight.

With some other cockatoos, using a galah in the same above example, the reaction could possibly be different. Rather than the falling back onto the natural instinct to fight, the little galah might become so frightened that it loses trust in the human caretaker, and in a worse case scenario, becomes phobic. Looking at yet another cockatoo, this time a citron, that same short period of being ‘trapped’ might seemingly have no negative affect at all. Yet, we notice a few days after that incident that when we walk into the room the citron begins to scream, which is something she never did before, and is nervously chewing her toes and chest feathers.

The three ‘F’s I have attempted to elucidate are very real, and very strong, survival instincts in our still wild companion cockatoos.

Unfortunately, behavioral ‘rules’ for parrots in captive environments are not set in stone, and there is no way to definitively predict every reaction of each particular bird. Yet, I truly believe that if we carefully observe and study the personalities and reactions of our avian companions, and combine that information with the knowledge we continually accumulate on their natural and instinctive behaviors, we will be able to foresee, more often than not, the potential outcome of situations, such as the one previously described.