Adding a new female Umbrella Too to my home with a Male

[TnTHold]

I am new to this forum and if this topic has been already discussed please forgive me. I rehomed a male umbrella cockatoo “Charlie” just over one year ago. He is now approximately 16 years old. He has adjusted to our busy home very well and has the house to roam 10-12 hours a day. We have several dogs, cats, and a couple guinea pigs. He wants to play with our Great Danes but has not figured out how to without getting jumpy and nippy with them. I think he is trying to be loving but the dogs disagree! Lol

We have enjoyed and learned so much from him that we thought maybe we should get another Too to enjoying for him. Looking at our statewide classified ad site we found that there are 2 different ads with female Umbrellas are in need of rehoming...

My question is do we try to find another male, look into one of the females or maybe a different species all together?

 

[noodles123]

Oh man... My heart jumped a bit over this..(okay, it always does when I see posts about adopting cockatoos lol)
That is a HUGE question and I (personally) would not get him a mate...period. Others will likely have different opinions.

There is a lot at risk....They do love a good flock, but there are so many unknowns and the massive potential for hormonal/behavioral interference...Just my opinion. Egg binding can be deadly and aggression around a mate can get "extreme". If you have a good thing going on right now, I would not mess with it. Cockatoos are notoriously complicated birds and there is no reason to rock the boat by adding a wild-card to the mix.

 

[itzjbean]

I wouldn't get him a mate -- just asking for trouble especially if you aren't interesting in breeding. Cockatoos are known to be extremely neurotic parrots when it comes to bonding, pairing and breeding and can sometimes end up killing their mates from the whole frustration and aggression breeding and hormones brings on.

Stick with your guy, let him be by himself no need to get him a friend if you have as busy a household as you say, he will never be alone.

 

[Laurasea]

Wellcome, I hope you enjoy the broad topics and parrot info sharing here.
In regards to parrot dog interaction, don't do it, don't encourage it, and stop it when ever it happens. We have had so many tragic deaths reported here!!!!!
I have four dogs, I never allow interaction, despite my parrots thinking it would be fun to harass dogs. My dogs are trained to give five feet of space to the parrots, and I've discouraged the dogs from even looking or focussing on the parrots. I've done this with my two prior dogs that are now passed and my four current, do that's six. It can be done. But I still don't completely trust the dogs. When the parrots want to mess with a dog I tell them
No and put them up, the parrots learned pretty quickly messing with dogs isn't worth being shunned.
Sorry to go on, but I've cried to many times over other people's parrot deaths.

As for a second cockatoo. The second bird may be completely different experience than you've had with your first. I rescued a second quaker who at first was a real screamer. My first Quaker decided that was fun to mimic, and now he lives to scream!!! And his screaming started her screaming.... So I went from a reasonably quiet household to a very loud house......that risk is there for you as well....two parrots are going be louder as they feed off eachother, try and out shout scream eachother.

 

[Siobhan]

'Toos are SO demanding and require so much attention that two will only double the demands, plus if you get a female, you'll have all kinds of hormone issues going on, both hers and his. I'd stick with just one, for everyone's sake.

 

[Flboy]

Dogs! I have had to bury 3 parrots! One of my own! The other two were equally sad! Mine was killed right in front of me, you cannot move fast enough! It also cost me my marriage!

 

[Scott]

Welcome! Every situation is unique, so thanks for posting a personal narrative.

Dogs: As others have posted, they can be a deadly combination with parrots. That said, I've had Great Danes for decades and they are among the least aggressive species towards birds. Gentle giants indeed! Which means the probability of disaster is reduced but not eliminated. Please take every possible precaution and never turn your back and assume an interaction will be safe.

I have a home filled with cockatoos and realize they can establish deep friendships. You never know until they are introduced, thus acquiring a second bird is not for the faint of heart. You may be confronted with two hostile birds and the need to separate for life, enjoying them as individuals. Unless you intend to breed, a large cage without nestbox or other pathway to egg laying is crucial.

 

[TnTHold]

Thank You all for your in put. We will hold off on the female for sure. Charlie is my bird but loves everyone in the house. My wife would like to have one of her own, do you all think a bird of different species would work with a Too? We would love to have a Macaw or Africa Grey. But, certainly don’t want to ruin a good thing

 

[ParrotGenie]

Thank You all for your in put. We will hold off on the female for sure. Charlie is my bird but loves everyone in the house. My wife would like to have one of her own, do you all think a bird of different species would work with a Too? We would love to have a Macaw or Africa Grey. But, certainly don’t want to ruin a good thing

This one definitely a hard topic to answer. Usually I usually say no to a mate for various reasons. One main reason being is unless you are very experience with breeding behavior and what to look for, you can still get the female cockatoo, but keep them separate when unsupervised and in separate cages. Reason being is one could get very aggressive and dominant towards the other and even if they are fully bonded to each other and mate, they can seriously injury and even kill each other. Yes seen it happen when I use to work for and train breeders. They could be fine for 2 years, or more even and then next minute is all it takes. In the wild they have space to get away from each other, in captivity they don't. Plus your male U2 could have bonded to you, or your wife as a mate and may not know how to handle a female U2, or even attack the female U2 when you come around, as he consider you, or your wife as his mate. Breeders match the bird to each other and watch for aggression and try various methods to curb the aggression and worst case will break the bond and one of the reason breeders look for a proven breeding pairs.

Then you have the hormonal nesting Behavior issues. It take a lot of experience to deal with a mated couple and tons of training. Now thankfully I can handle and play with and deal with my mated pair of U2 during nesting season, but it took me a while to train them and to curb the behavior. Most can't handle a mated pair during nesting season as one could attack you, even when they didn't before and even when fully bonded to you.

If your wife and family want another U2 and since you have one already and know pretty much what you are getting yourself into and don't mind and have the time as you stated earlier. Then it doesn't hurt to visit the bird a few times and see if she going to fit into your family. Take into consideration there is no guarantee they will get along and sure be kept separate when unsupervised and in separate cages. Plus you have to go through quarantine period and introduce them slowly while giving your male U2 the same and for a while first attention, since he was first in your house, so he won't get jealous of the new bird. If you take it slow and do it right it can work. Don't get the other bird for the reason you want your other bird to have company. Get her due to you want the bird yourself and don't mind keeping them separate. Yes they still can bond and play with each other, just have to take it slow and let the other bird get to know each other safely with supervision and could work out great.

As far as a different species of bird, same rules apply. Having a Macaw with a cockatoo is ok so long you have a good air purifier like a IQ Air, to help with the dust the Cockatoo create as macaws are sensitive to that.

As far as dealing with a mated couple and nesting hormonal behavior, if they do decide to mate, is for a whole another topic on its own.

 

[Scott]

My experience with toos is they don't generally mix with non-too species. Three of my Goffins live in a room with a TAG and none are caged. They occasionally fly to a common cage top or stand but keep a respectful distance. Nor do they get close to my BFA when he visits.

That said, different species of toos can live harmoniously. At one time I had the three Goffins living with a M2 and Citron. Plenty of mutual grooming occurred. One of my Goffins is currently living with a Citron - no nest box of course!

 

[noodles123]

Umbrellas and Goffins are fairly different though (in terms of certain behaviors)---Not saying that they aren't both cockatoos, but Umbrellas seem to be a bit more prone to problematic situations in general based on stats. A pair of Umbrellas (especially male and female) is probably not going to be as smoothly-operating as a group/flock of goffins...Just based on what I have heard/read (I don't own Goffins, but I do have an Umbrella, and it seems that Goffins may be slightly less uptight about things). A pair of anything is more likely to "pair off", if you catch my drift, and if the birds form a bond, they may drift from you in some cases (especially if one is less inclined towards a particular person).

Whatever the case, your wife can't assume that she will "have her own bird" because birds pick who they pick. Luckily for her, a cockatoo can pick more than one special someone because of their flock dynamics. Why not work to strengthen the bond she's got with your current bird? I do believe that relationships with birds (especially cockatoos) can be developed, even if they don't seem too fond of someone at first.
Yes, they tend to have a single person that they are obsessed with, but they can have multiple favorite people. In the wild, they pick a mate but then they continue to hang out as a big flock (unlike most parrots). This is one of the reasons that they are so socially needy. She should work with what she's got and try to get over the idea of having "her" bird. Even if you did get another (of any species) there is no promise that it would bond to her (and even if it did, bonds often change at puberty). When I first got my bird, it picked my boyfriend over me (he didn't even like her). We are good now, but that can and does happen and not all people end up with birds who like them. Yes, they say "let the bird pick you" but at the end of the day, there is a lot up in the air here.

If you get another bird, that would mean that you would need enough time to interact with both birds out of the cage at separate times (playing, socializing etc)----If they do not get along (or get along too well...), this may mean 2 totally separate times for all of their play/social needs. That's roughly 8 hours a day at 4 hours per bird (because Umbrellas need a lot of time). Even if kept separate, hormones and aggression and jealousy can still become an issue just from them being nearby and your new bird could be a screamer etc..You have to consider the fact that your current bird sounds very mellow and a new one in the mix could totally rock that boat. Typically a well-behaved bird will modify its behavior for the worse when around a less polite bird (and not the other way around).

It sounds like she wants to experience what she thinks you have with your current bird, but each bird has its own personality and in all honesty, you guys sound like you lucked out on round one. If she gets a different one for "her" and it doesn't meet her expectations/ behave like yours, it will have defeated her purposes for getting another bird and it will have complicated what was once a good thing.

A year is not all that long, so I would also consider the fact that your current bird could still change etc. My bird has been adjusting to new things and changing for years, even as an adult (she is 11). I didn't fully know her a year after adopting her (adult re-home), even though I thought I did. Much like a child, they learn and change over time---even as adults---since the one-year adoption mark, she has formed more healthy bonds with people etc. My bird put my little sister through the ringer for that first year (tested her, bit her, bullied her). My sister finally got over her fear and learned how to call Noodles' bluff/assert herself/read body language and now they are great friends! Noodles loves her to death, which wasn't the case for the first year.

I am just afraid that because your first experience has been so good, that you may end up in way over your head (mostly due to hormones and jealousy) but also due to potential behavioral issues and personality differences between birds.

I say this lovingly, but the stereotypical umbrella cockatoo is an obsessive, fickle, flying, two-year-old with a chainsaw, the volume of a jet engine (+ wings), and ADHD tendencies---that is the stereotype for a reason....If your current bird is nothing like that, he is in the minority.

I would not risk ruining a good thing---it sounds like you guys have a great situation and this plan to add a new member could upset the balance.

 

[ParrotGenie]

Umbrellas and Goffins are fairly different though (in terms of certain behaviors)---Not saying that they aren't both cockatoos, but Umbrellas seem to be a bit more prone to problematic situations in general based on stats. A pair of Umbrellas (especially male and female) is probably not going to be as smoothly-operating as a group/flock of goffins...Just based on what I have heard/read (I don't own Goffins, but I do have an Umbrella, and it seems that Goffins may be slightly less uptight about things). A pair of anything is more likely to "pair off", if you catch my drift, and if the birds form a bond, they may drift from you in some cases (especially if one is less inclined towards a particular person).

Whatever the case, your wife can't assume that she will "have her own bird" because birds pick who they pick. Luckily for her, a cockatoo can pick more than one special someone because of their flock dynamics. Why not work to strengthen the bond she's got with your current bird? I do believe that relationships with birds (especially cockatoos) can be developed, even if they don't seem too fond of someone at first.
Yes, they tend to have a single person that they are obsessed with, but they can have multiple favorite people. In the wild, they pick a mate but then they continue to hang out as a big flock (unlike most parrots). This is one of the reasons that they are so socially needy. She should work with what she's got and try to get over the idea of having "her" bird. Even if you did get another (of any species) there is no promise that it would bond to her (and even if it did, bonds often change at puberty). When I first got my bird, it picked my boyfriend over me (he didn't even like her). We are good now, but that can and does happen and not all people end up with birds who like them. Yes, they say "let the bird pick you" but at the end of the day, there is a lot up in the air here.

If you get another bird, that would mean that you would need enough time to interact with both birds out of the cage at separate times (playing, socializing etc)----If they do not get along (or get along too well...), this may mean 2 totally separate times for all of their play/social needs. That's roughly 8 hours a day at 4 hours per bird (because Umbrellas need a lot of time). Even if kept separate, hormones and aggression and jealousy can still become an issue just from them being nearby and your new bird could be a screamer etc..You have to consider the fact that your current bird sounds very mellow and a new one in the mix could totally rock that boat. Typically a well-behaved bird will modify its behavior for the worse when around a less polite bird (and not the other way around).

It sounds like she wants to experience what she thinks you have with your current bird, but each bird has its own personality and in all honesty, you guys sound like you lucked out on round one. If she gets a different one for "her" and it doesn't meet her expectations/ behave like yours, it will have defeated her purposes for getting another bird and it will have complicated what was once a good thing.

A year is not all that long, so I would also consider the fact that your current bird could still change etc. My bird has been adjusting to new things and changing for years, even as an adult (she is 11). I didn't fully know her a year after adopting her (adult re-home), even though I thought I did. Much like a child, they learn and change over time---even as adults---since the one-year adoption mark, she has formed more healthy bonds with people etc. My bird put my little sister through the ringer for that first year (tested her, bit her, bullied her). My sister finally got over her fear and learned how to call Noodles' bluff/assert herself/read body language and now they are great friends! Noodles loves her to death, which wasn't the case for the first year.

I am just afraid that because your first experience has been so good, that you may end up in way over your head (mostly due to hormones and jealousy) but also due to potential behavioral issues and personality differences between birds.

I say this lovingly, but the stereotypical umbrella cockatoo is an obsessive, fickle, flying, two-year-old with a chainsaw, the volume of a jet engine (+ wings), and ADHD tendencies---that is the stereotype for a reason....If your current bird is nothing like that, he is in the minority.

I would not risk ruining a good thing---it sounds like you guys have a great situation and this plan to add a new member could upset the balance.

Cockatoos are one of those species of birds that can form relationships with and can have multiple favorite people and other birds. Funny part is how well they adapt and act like that person. My female U2 knows people names even and call them when she see them if she want to get pick up by them and then start to minic and then talk to them. My male U2 last weekend saw his favorite lady friend he hasn't seen in a couple of weeks and was upset at her as she pick up Baby first, he started to gripe mumbling from far and then decided to fly over to her and bit her lightly, not to hard but enough to get his point across and started to yell at her with his crest up and then, he did his apology bonding clicking noise he does was fine with her.

They are very temperamental and have people like emotions and adapt to people differently based on the relationship they have with that person.

Most species of birds I say stick with one as a few that tend to prefer a person, over another and can get aggressive toward the other, but cockatoos are different and adapt faster then most birds do and love attention anywhere they can get it and adapt to many people and birds quite well.

My rescue male U2 mated to my female literally a week after introducing them, over a year later I can't separate them with them without calling to each other after a couple of minutes. Yes they get into trouble together as well and defend each other. I seen where my female as she larger can't reach to get a item she want to destroy, my male will get it and then give it to her and etc, it funny how well they work together. Yes my Little Corella cockatoo Frankie gets along with them now and get preen and etc and if he does something he not suppose to my male U2 will flock scream at him to let him know.

If you do get another bird in your flock, plan to train and spend time with the bird separate at first and have separate cages available and etc. You seem to have the time as you stated in first post, so likely would work out, just take it slow and don't force birds to get along and get the bird only if your willing to accept the fact they may not accept each other, or it take a while. My Little Corella cockatoo male Frankie, it took 3 to 4 months for my male U2 Cooper to accept him into flock and at first he would chase and fly after him to keep him away and even show wings and get larger to threaten him. Then he started doing his bonding call and accepted him one day out of the blue. Before I would have to spend time with them separately.Yes there was behavioral issues and personality differences between birds that took time to work out, so it is not easy. Now my cockatiels usually will stay on other side of where my cockatoos are and respect distance. I do keep them separate for the most part as know it take one bite from one of the larger birds. My cockatiels fly around and never attempt to get close to the larger birds and stay to themselves in their own flock.

What funny is my male U2 is way more lay back and tries to keep out of trouble for the most part, it my female U2 that crazy at times. I remember when she escape her cage while at work of course made a mess of the room, my male was still on his perch. Of course he could have when back on it, so he won't get blamed for the massive mess? They are slick and know when they did wrong as one day my female U2 chew up a wood trim, she heard me walk back upstairs and I heard her run back into her cage before I made it all they way back up the stairs. They are extremely smart. She even stay quite and pretended nothing happen, but had that guilty look about her.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Jonesy ( a goffin) and Amy (an Amazon) got along very well,but Amy likes ALL birds anyway. Like humans,birds have their own birdonality. Jonesy would fly to Amys playtop and hang out and play together or Amy would walk ( he doesn't fly) over to Jonesy crib and help himself to whatever toys or treats that where on Jonesy's roof,and at times preen eachother...but I ALWAYS watched them interact like a hawk!


Jim

 

[Siobhan]

Everything Noodles said is true. I have three birds and Rocky is by far the most demanding of my time and attention. Clyde and Freddie want me around, but they also will wander off to play with something or get a snack and they don't insist on being in my face 24/7. Rocky does. If he could come to work with me, he would.