Hello, my name is Peaches.  I'm a Goffin's Cockatoo and I was hatched on December 12th of 2003.  I am one of the smallest members of the cockatoo family, averaging 12" to 13" in length and ranging from 200 - 300 grams in weight.  I am a fun-loving, cuddly, and extremely intelligent bird.  At least that is what I have been told!

I was adopted by the Harvey's on May 8th, 2004.  They first saw me 4 days earlier at the Pet Supplies Plus store.  Nancy, one of the store employees was kind enough to get me out of my small cage so that I could exercise and play on a bird recreation center in the store.  Since I was hand raised and hand fed, I explored the Harvey's by climbing onto their hands, arms, and shoulders.  They kept saying how friendly I was, but that is the nature of a Goffin's Cockatoo.  I love one-on-one contact with humans!

The Harvey's came back on the 8th with the intention of buying me, but I didn't know that at the time.  When they saw me, they said "hello".  Wow, did I surprise them when I said "hello" to them several times!  I'm learning how to talk!  It was kinda like that Kenny Chesney song: "You Had Me From Hello".

Nancy was getting petty attached to me at the store.  She would spend time with me every time she worked.  They were calling me "baby" at the store, but I don't think the Harvey's wanted that to be my permanent name.  She was rather upset when the Harvey's purchased me.  Nancy, it's OK, I'm in a good home now.  Maybe I can visit you someday.  Send me your e-mail address!

The Harvey's had already purchased a new King's cage for me.  This cage is huge!  I have several perches, food, water, and plenty of toys.  My cage also has a play area outside the cage.  Thank you Nancy for giving the Harvey's my favorite toy.  Dad (John) immediately rebuilt the toy with new popcycle sticks and wagon wheel macaroni.  Of course, I'm already in the process of destroying the toy again.  Dad said he might need to rebuild it 3 or 4 times a week!

I am a cockatoo in perpetual motion.  I am very inquisitive and have the carefree temperament of a busy two-year-old child.  I am always looking for things to do and things to explore.  I love to chew!  My new family has provided me with plenty of chewable toys and a few toys that will challenge my intelligence.

It is my nature to vocalize several times per day, usually in the morning and evening. I will also often vocalize when I am excited, happy, or alarmed. This is quite normal and my family knew that before the adopted me.  Ha, I even vocalize when I see Cookie, Cracker, and Pepper are trying to get some sleep!  Here is a picture taken during one of our playtimes together!

On October 22, 2004 a blood sample was taken for DNA sexing.  The results are in......... hmmmmm..... I'm a girl!!!

I think I'm going to send an e-mail to Dell, they need to make keyboards that are Cockatoo friendly..... these keys are too close together!

Queen Peachie is now here to update everyone.  It seems that I am the only female in this Avian family.  Can you say spoiled?  I'm now 20 months old and still as cuddly as ever.  Pepper seems to be training everyone to talk, so I figured what the heck, let him do it.  I've trained everyone to say "Peachie Bird".  At one time, I was working on "Hello" and "Birdie, Birdie, Birdie".  But I gave it up for now.

I'm the cautious one in the family.  I need to get familiar with something before I take a liking to it.  If I see something I'm uncomfortable with, I just raise my crest and fan my tail.  That lets everyone know that I don't like what I'm seeing.

Since my last update, I have been playing a few new games.  I now play basketball with a hoop setup that dad made.  I also put plastic coins in a piggy bank.  I'm trying to teach my servants their colors.  They just don't want to do it my way yet.  I guess I will need to do it their way eventually.  These humans can be so difficult to train.

I don’t like trying new foods right away.  I need to keep my girlie figure.  It's tough maintaining this weight of 245 grams.  I will admit, I love those almonds!  I hope I'm having some cream of wheat again soon…. I love that stuff.

I just love Melissa!  We have so much in common.  I like going to her room…. She likes going to her room.  I like being held…. She likes holding me.  She likes the computer…. I like the computer.

I also enjoy the other members of the family.  I enjoy my showers with mom or dad.  Sometimes I enjoy playing "catch me if you can" with everyone.  This game is most fun when they want to put me back in my cage.  I learned how to open the fold-down door at the top of my cage.  I would sneak out when everyone left the house.  Of course, I didn't get in any trouble or anything!  But dad has now made it more difficult for me to get out…. I'm still working on a new escape system…. someday…. I know I can do it.