Mellow with age?

[Mare]

I know there aren't many folks here with cockatoos, so, I'll ask here, rather than cockatoo section. Amigo is now 14yrs. old, not old when they can live to be 80. He came to us at 9yrs. old and what an aggressive little buddy he was, for a few years. He was always in attack mode towards any man in my life, even visiting ones. Over the last year, he has really mellowed out. He's not as concerned, to the point of shooing them away, as he use to be. He is healthy, no worries there (right now) and enjoying life.

This is super nice to see but was wondering if this is normal at this age of a long lived bird?

[Pinkbirdy]

I think its more adjusting to over time [and accepting] his life with you. Ive seen my birds change a ton over the years Ive had them. Mare Im sure its also due to the interest you have in him

[Mare]

Thanks, Terri . I guess I just assumed he would always be that way. I've noticed that he feeds off of my energy, feeling anxious/nervous, about what he might do, so, maybe it's me mellowing out with age, hmm. Don't know for sure but happy about it, anyway

[ShellyBorg]

With his ability to fly he may also become more mentally stable. His whole life is not focused around you, but the wonderful world he gets to explore.

[Mare]

You're right on with that Shelly but even though he has been flying freely for over three years, he just now, within the past year is settling down to not being so aggressive. I was wondering if this age, in long living birds, may be a turning point for them?

[Turquoise]

I don't have any mature birds so I can't speak from experience. I don't really have any knowledge on what stage or age of a parrot's life they begin to mellow out. Has he mellowed more since he became ill? I was just wondering if the sickness and your care may have changed his attitude about his whole world. And how he feels within himself about his existence with you and the extended flock including the human ones.