adding to my flock

[zracin]

I have 3 macaws (2 b+g's, 1 greenwing) i just built a very large outdoor aviary and would like to add another bird. I was debating between an amazon and an umbrella cockatoo. I really would like the umbrella cockatoo, but have been reading a lot of cautionary tales about them (relentless constant screaming all the day long, feather plucking, etc). Could they possibly be that much louder or needy than my birds (very needy)? Any advice?

 

[LauraBear]

I was literally just wondering the same thing. Except I'm up in the air between an African Grey and a Cockatoo. I've always loved Too's, there's just always been a connection between the one's I've interacted with. But my boss just says not to do it, because they always scream and they're horrors and that I should come over to her place to experience her Umbrella. But I can't help but wonder if maybe it's situational. I work with a Cockatoo at my zoo, I'm his lead trainer... and the only time I've ever heard him scream is at night when he's startled or when attention is placed on another bird, which he know's doesn't work on me (but I don't know if other people respond to it when they're around him). He's been a lot better lately. But I'd be curious to know opinions too.

 

[jenphilly]

We have two bare eyed toos, so they are smaller then the umbrellas, but still your typical white cockatoos... Neither of them scream. The most we ever get from Ivory is a flock call when everyone is out of the house and she hears the keys. She does a single flock call and then starts her clicking sound and saying hello. She is a rehomed baby and one of the previous families stated that her nonstop screaming was the reason for rehoming. If there is any truth to that, then she is a perfect example of a good home with attention, lots of toys, teaching her to forage and how to be a bird, eliminates the screaming.

Folger is also an adopted boy, but he has years and years and years of emotional and physical abuse. But even with his painful and sad history, he does not scream. He talks all the time, sometimes at various levels. He very sweetly says 'hello' or 'hi Folgie', but he uses a louder voice when he yells 'whadda want'.... At the shelter he was much louder, but again, in a home environment with large cage, lots of toys and attention, there is NO screaming. We live in a condo and most of our neighbors have no clue we have birds, long let two cockatoos.

Every bird is different... But we have a total of 10 birds, including a sun conure which is notorious for being loud and screamers (gram for gram, they are known to be one of the loudest birds), but our Loki does more grumbling and gurgling, joke he sounds more like a frog with his noises. He only yells or screams when he is notifying us it is his bedtime and we need to escort him back to his cage immediately And thats not a nonstop, its an announcement, he looks around to see if someone is coming for him... if you don't he yells again, but if you start to him, he does not go on screaming.

If you have a flock of birds and they are bonded or live as a flock, they will call to each other, they are birds!! The two green cheeks have their morning yells for hey how you doing, sun is up, time to do something... cockatiels will call back and forth to each other, but nothing I would say as screaming.

All of our birds have large cages with tons of toys to keep them busy. If someone gets a cockatoo and thinks spending an hour a day with them will keep that bird sweet, calm and quiet, they have a rude (and loud awakening). Toos are very high maintenance, call it needy if you want, but they are not a part time bird. Bringing a too into your home is much like adopting a toddler, full of energy, always on the go and if you don't keep them entertained and mentally stimulated, you will have a problem child.

Toos are extremely rewarding birds if you have time and love to commit.

 

[LauraBear]

See and that's what I need to hear. I've always believed that it's simply the way home life is. Thank you for that.

 

[jenphilly]

If you adopt a screamer, you may have to invest some time to teach new behaviors, but don't believer or accept that every too must be a screamer.

Good luck!! But will warn you, as you teach your bird to be a too, you may get more then you bargained for. Ivory is really a wonderful bird, no bad behaviors, but we've worked to what I jokingly say 'find her inner too'... months and months later, she has, but now, she just has the confidence to get into everything and anything. You can find some of my posts about her and that process... I've posted before, I keep joking her new name is Stopitdammit.. no screaming, but she has to investigate what I am doing or eating and she does not hesitate to put her nose into whatever that may be!! Its exactly what we wanted her to and she's totally being a cockatoo, but you have to have eyes in the back of your head!! Again, that 2 year old that only has high and off switches, not much in between Wouldn't trade her for the world tho!!

 

[KierneM]

Jenphilly, what would you say is the minimum time commitment per day that a person should be able to invest if they are considering a Goffins or bare eyed too? I'm wondering if I would be able to provide for one if I work 8-10 hours a day.

 

[riaria]

Something to consider is that many macaws don't do well with cockatoos, due to the dust they produce. So you may end up having to keep them in separate rooms, with air purifiers, and be very careful about not letting the macaws in contact with the dust. It may work out fine, of course, but you need to be prepared that you may not be able to keep the cockatoo if the macaws develop an allergy. Also, were you thinking of letting them all share the aviary? For the reasons above, and also due to the aggression towards other birds that many cockatoos display, it probably wouldn't be a good idea.

Cockatoos can be amazing birds, but they are rather peculiar, so I wouldn't recommend anyone getting one without having spent time with other cockatoos first

As far as noise goes, they can be very very noisy. However, I do find their noise to be more agreeable than macaw noise, so it all depends on you. But yes, you'd need to be prepared for a very noisy, potentially aggressive bird (that goes for all parrots, really) - and if it turns out not to be, then yay

 

[riaria]

Cockatoos aren't for everyone, but that doesn't mean that YOU aren't a cockatoo person. There are some lovely cockatoos out there. Obviously, smaller cockatoos mean less risk of losing limbs.

 

[getwozzy]

I can't speak for the umbrellas, but my little galah gives me a run for my money!!! I also have a toddler as well, and I cannot stress enough how similar in behaviors they are (lol)

She is a sweetheart and a cuddler, but mischief is her middle name and she gets into anything and everything if I'm not paying attention. She also does the morning and evening screech fests while hanging upside down- typical galah.

She does really well with a schedule- the same things happen around the same times every day. She also can self-entertain for a while- which is really important for 'toos to be able to do. You don't want them constantly clinging to you and relying on you as their source of entertainment....otherwise they'll become a "Velcro bird". I have to make sure to give her PLENTY of toys and things to do because otherwise she gets bored...and a bored 'too is trouble!!

 

[zracin]

well this has been very encouraging. thank you for your advice. The dust should not be a problem, seeing as they are going to be in an outdoor aviary. I really was having trouble imagining a bird that would be louder than the macaws. are there any dietary differences between species.my birds currently are on pellets as their primary source of food, supplemented with veggies or whatever snacks they like to share with me