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When I first got Tango, my Goffins cockatoo, in October 1997, I didn't know a thing about parrots. All I knew was that I wanted him as soon as I saw him. A few years earlier, my auntie had a lutino cockatiel called Guzzle that she gave to us when she moved to south africa. He was very tame and would let us stroke his head. After that, I always wanted a bird of my own but never got one until I saw Tango.
I made a few mistakes when I got him. I got him from a pet shop called Pets at Home. He cost my mum (who got him for my 18th birthday) �1250 plus the cage and food etc, �1500 altogether. It is recomended that you find a reputable breeder to purchase a parrot from, that way, you know all about its history. Although, I did get all his papers.
The second mistake I made was that I had no idea on how to look after a parrot. I bought a book from Pets at Home, and several more since, but it is recommended that you fully research everything about owning a parrot, before you decide to buy. Nothing could have prepared me for what I had let myself in for!

When I got Tango, I didn't realise that Goffins are a rare breed and it is recomended that they should be bred in captivity. With my hectic lifestyle and still living at home, I don't think I could cope with another bird such as Tango. Although, later, when me and Peter get our own place, I hope to get more parrots. Parrots are like babies and need a lot of love and attention from their owners. Tango certainly get plenty of that. He makes an awful lot of noise, especially when there is something on tv that we all want to watch. the noise of him is enough to drive even a saint mad!
       Tango can't talk yet. Cockatoos are the worst talkers. He can say "hello" and he barks like a dog. Hello to him means lots of things. If we are eating, he will say "hello" because he wants a bit. He saysit for attention. He also says "hello" in all different accents. His favourite is the Yorkshire accent, often sounding like a squeaky Seth in Emmerdale! It is also useful to him when he sings. He is known to bop up and down and sing along to a song by repeating "hello" over and over, especially whenI start singing. At the moment, he likes Westlife's "Uptown Girl".
       He's done many funny things. I got him a bell once and he stuck his head up it and was hanging onto the ball inside. He couldn't see where the perch was so his legs were just dangling there. He realised he had to let go and fell to the bottom. Luckily, he wasn't hurt. Also, when his leg incident was going on (read the "Lucky Tango" page) he had his collar on and he was asleep in his cage. Suddenly, he started sliding backwards and he was still asleep. He ended up on the floor again! Poor Tango.
       Tango is a very destructive bird. I have to keep a sharp eye on him when he is out of his cage. He has bit holes in sofas, curtains, remote controls and numerous other things. It drives my mother mad! I am reduced to taking him upstairs to my room when I get him out. I hope to get a parrot stand for him for when he is upstairs.
       While Tango is out, he often masturbates on my hand. Although this may seem rude to do it in public, it is perfectly natural for him to do it right in front of my eyes! He loves to be stroked all over, under the wing, on the head, belly and back. He also strokes himself while I am doing it. If anyone can tell me why they do this, then please let me know!

When it comes to food, Tango is very fussy. His main food is sunflower seeds. I don't like that because they are not good for him. I try to give him a variety of food. These include pears, apple, mashed potato, with a little butter, bread and butter, raw cabbage and cauliflower, carrots grated on his seed. He doesn't eat much of these foods but he has a few mouthfuls and thats better than nothing.
I try to get Tango out of his cage at least 2 hours a day. I have bought a harness for him. at the moment, he is a bit weary about wearing it, he doesn't come out of his cage if he thinks the harness is coming. He doesn't mind it going on. As soon as its on, he bites it to try and get it off again. He is facinated by the outside world. If a plane goes by, or a bird, he stars at it and stands there like a statue. He is a bit nervous of strange people. He won't let them near him if he can. When he is on his harness, it is funny to see him waddle down the garden path. If he doesn't want to walk, he sits down. No wonder he barks and begs like a dog! also give him a fly outside on his harness, just to give him a taste of a free birds life. I hope that one day, he will come to love his harness, as a dog loves a lead.