Cockatoo Downs Parrot Training Facility

Cockatoo Downs came into existence over thirty years ago when Chris Shank was living in Northern California with over thirty cockatoos. She started Cockatoo Downs as a small breeding operation offering hand-raised cockatoos for the companion parrot community. After many years of raising cockatoos, Chris ended the breeding program and now focuses on offering parrot training workshops. She also spends considerable time free flying her resident cockatoos outdoors.

Chris Shank is a recognized lecturer on parrot care and training. She is a graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and the Exotic Animal Training and Management program at Moorpark, California. She has cared for and trained animals as diverse as dolphins, wolves, lions, horses, and, of course, parrots, in Europe as well as the United States. Chris has also lectured across the country on the subjects of clicker training parrots, on free flying cockatoos, and on cockatoo care and behavior.