baby umbrella cockatoo

[sayaka]

so ive had my eyes on an 11 month old female umbrella cockatoo. she has been hand raised and is super tame. (the person is saying anyone can hold her upside down) seeing a video pf her kind of helped confirm how sweet she can be. i also am aware she wont be that smooth sailing forever since she is just a baby!!! ive only handled a few of my families cockatoos but never owned any myself so this would be a huge step for me. i have also been doing a ton of research on them and am educating myself on stuff i need to know. even though i feel it isnt enough.

im just wondering if any of you current too owners have any advice or things you would have liked to know before owning one??? i feel like hearing more experienced owner might help with my decision.

thanks in advance

here are some photos of her i thought id include-

 

[EAI]

Not a Cockatoo owner, but she's adorable!

 

[getwozzy]

Nawwww!!!! Look at that sweet baby!!!

I don't have umbrella experience, but I do have a galah...

IMHO it's VERY important to teach them to self-entertain...so they don't rely on you for all of their entertainment. Also, it's a good idea that everyone in your household play a part in her care so that she doesn't become over-bonded to one person.

They are very very toddler-like, so don't coddle them all the time, be firm in your parronting otherwise they will try to push their boundaries....and yes, they can throw temper tantrums lol

Going back to the self-entertaining subject...I think it's important that they not spend ALL of their time with you- they need to know it's ok for them to play in their area while you're in the next room (or not home, etc)...don't give in to screaming- once they know that screaming gets your attention, it'll get worse.

It's honestly just like raising a toddler lol

I think that's all I can think of right now...

 

[Allee]

Wow! She's a stunning baby girl! Can you tell us more about yourself? Are you a full time student, have a full time job? Do you have a big family, pets, kids? That sounds really nosy but all those things make a difference when considering adopting a Too. If you've never taken care of a parrot of your own, I'm hesitant to tell you to start with a U2.

It sounds like you have been around enough cockatoos to know how beautiful they are and how sweet they can be. As far as sweetness goes, when they want to, they can charm your socks off, a baby U2 can rival a St. Bernard puppy in a cuddly contest. They are born dancers, my U2 loves music, he's a comedian, he talks and everyone who sees him thinks they want one.

You knew it was coming, since you asked and you haven't leaped off that cliff just yet, here goes. They need an enormous cage, they have big beaks and they are happiest when they are destroying something. I've known messy teenagers, but U2's can put them to shame, they can trash a freshly cleaned cage before you can leave the room. They can trash a room in record time if given the opportunity. They are escape artists and delight in figuring out locks. They can't be left unattended even for a few minutes, they are a danger to themselves and everything you own. They are picky eaters and turn up their beaks at the finest, healthiest avian cuisine, but they'll wrestle you for junk food of any kind, it's better to never have unhealthy foods in your home, they have radar and they'll find it. They want to be with you all the time, no matter what. They can be taught to self entertain but they need attention and if their needs aren't met, they'll make you pay.

There's volumes written about their screams, it's according to how sensitive your eardrums are, how close your neighbors are, and how your family members feel about a U2 when the bird turns the volume all the way up. My U2 flock calls most mornings and every evening, just a few times usually but when he uses his jungle voice, he rarely does, but he can, it's jet engine loud.

U2's are intelligent and emotional and extremely prone to plucking. When they reach sexual maturity, those cuddly little plush toys can turn into demons with can openers in the middle of their faces. That's usually when their owners decide it's in everyone's best interest to find them a new home, in far too many cases, only the FIRST of many homes on the way to a sanctuary. Their lifespan is roughly eighty years, I've made plans for my Too, it's not a happy thought, but something you need to consider. You need an account for emergency vet bills because when you look in those big brown eyes, you'll do anything to get him to a doctor. You'll need a sturdy travel cage to transport him, pet carriers aren't suitable for most U2's, they see them as chew toys.

If you're still reading, before you get in your car to pick up that precious baby too, look up MyToos and read every word, I did.

My baby has been with me for a year now, but I had more bird experience than most and I work at home. I can't imagine life without him, it's a beautiful challenge for the right person.

I wish you the best.

 

[sayaka]

Wow! She's a stunning baby girl! Can you tell us more about yourself? Are you a full time student, have a full time job? Do you have a big family, pets, kids? That sounds really nosy but all those things make a difference when considering adopting a Too. If you've never taken care of a parrot of your own, I'm hesitant to tell you to start with a U2.

It sounds like you have been around enough cockatoos to know how beautiful they are and how sweet they can be. As far as sweetness goes, when they want to, they can charm your socks off, a baby U2 can rival a St. Bernard puppy in a cuddly contest. They are born dancers, my U2 loves music, he's a comedian, he talks and everyone who sees him thinks they want one.

You knew it was coming, since you asked and you haven't leaped off that cliff just yet, here goes. They need an enormous cage, they have big beaks and they are happiest when they are destroying something. I've known messy teenagers, but U2's can put them to shame, they can trash a freshly cleaned cage before you can leave the room. They can trash a room in record time if given the opportunity. They are escape artists and delight in figuring out locks. They can't be left unattended even for a few minutes, they are a danger to themselves and everything you own. They are picky eaters and turn up their beaks at the finest, healthiest avian cuisine, but they'll wrestle you for junk food of any kind, it's better to never have unhealthy foods in your home, they have radar and they'll find it. They want to be with you all the time, no matter what. They can be taught to self entertain but they need attention and if their needs aren't met, they'll make you pay.

There's volumes written about their screams, it's according to how sensitive your eardrums are, how close your neighbors are, and how your family members feel about a U2 when the bird turns the volume all the way up. My U2 flock calls most mornings and every evening, just a few times usually but when he uses his jungle voice, he rarely does, but he can, it's jet engine loud.

U2's are intelligent and emotional and extremely prone to plucking. When they reach sexual maturity, those cuddly little plush toys can turn into demons with can openers in the middle of their faces. That's usually when their owners decide it's in everyone's best interest to find them a new home, in far too many cases, only the FIRST of many homes on the way to a sanctuary. Their lifespan is roughly eighty years, I've made plans for my Too, it's not a happy thought, but something you need to consider. You need an account for emergency vet bills because when you look in those big brown eyes, you'll do anything to get him to a doctor. You'll need a sturdy travel cage to transport him, pet carriers aren't suitable for most U2's, they see them as chew toys.

If you're still reading, before you get in your car to pick up that precious baby too, look up MyToos and read every word, I did.

My baby has been with me for a year now, but I had more bird experience than most and I work at home. I can't imagine life without him, it's a beautiful challenge for the right person.

I wish you the best.

yes she is very beautiful!! i adore her a ton!!! i go to work/school part time. both arent very demanding so i will have a good chunk of time to spare. i live with my dad and i have one other sibling who isnt a young child. i do have a dog but he is strictly outdoors so im not too worried about that. i definitely understand that. some birds i have owned in the past are 4 parakeets. they dont compare to owning a u2, but they are parrots i have experience with.

ah i had a feeling about that!!! ive also seen their poop before which is a bit intimidating but not enough to make me run. hmmm id expect them to love being destructive. id hope having a couple of distracting toys or just soending time with them in general will deter from that behavior. i know it wont be totally avoidable.

aaa i was a little worried about the noise. i think living out in the country will help a lot for the most part. of course ill have to check in with my sister and dad.

yeah ive seen a couple horror stories about those stages. its upsetting that people turn to rehomining them. i think you just need patients!!! its pretty sad that most owners dont take their full life span into account i will definitely keep that in mind.


thanks a lot!!! i appreciate the help. it will really help with my decision!!!

 

[EAI]

The noise might not be an issue for you, but really talk it out with everyone in the family. Let them go along and meet some Too's so you know how loud they get. I suggest a sanctuary or visiting a rehoming site

Some distracting toys should be foraging ones wether its shredding or puzzles. But you really can't solve that issue, somehow they (all parrots) all find a way of destroying things >.

Estimating, on average, how much time would you have to devote to a Too? Any too deserves AT LEAST 5 hours of out of cage time, but that is my preference. You also have to add up the time spent cleaning the cage and surrounding area.

Just to make sure your'e prepared, the bites from an Umbrella can be horrific. Parakeets are more like pinches where a U2 can pretty much snap a finger off.

 

[chucka]

Hi sayaka
She is beautiful what a little minx
I have a galah and experience with corellas and have played with the odd sulphur, and from my understanding U2’s and m2’s are the most demanding of the cockatoos ….
Everyone has pretty much stated all the pros and cons so the choice is yours but I don’t think any research can prepare u for the time and patience required, I really like EAI suggestions spend some time at a rescue maybe even foster one or a month or two that would give you a good taste for a life with a tooJ
Good luck with your decision let us know what you decideJ

 

[Kiwibird]

It takes a certain kind of person to love a cockatoo for the rest of forever and those people with the cockatoo "gift" are far and few between. If your average large parrot is like a toddler perpetually going through the terrible twos, a cockatoo is one who has special emotional needs on top of it. VERY needy birds, very emotionally fragile and don't seem to be well suited to life as domestic pets. Theres a reason when you go to a avian shelter, you almost always see more cockatoos who have been given up than any other species. They are prone to plucking, aggression and screaming (not regular noisy parrot screaming, but behavioral neurotic screaming).

Thats not to say there aren't people out there who are suited to such a creature as a cockatoo or individual birds who do well in a home environment. My dad has had his goffin cockatoo for 39 years (he got him as an unweaned baby) and really loves Alfie. He's not a behavioral screamer, but around the time my dad would get home from work, he lets out screams of joys you can hear a few blocks away and give a near immediate headache (and he's pretty small). He's also very defensive of my dad, and thus no one but my dad can handle him without a glove (and he didn't always used to be that way, but information on how to deal with bad behavior wasn't always easily available on the internet either).

Who knows though, you may be one of those people who has the gift to keep these kinds of birds happy There are people out there who have had their cockatoo 10/20/30+ years and just adore their bird and visa versa. I would also suggest checking out mytoos.com I know it's a controversial website, but the main objective is to make sure people understand how fragile toos can be and really think hard before buying or adopting one. Best of luck with the decision making, and let up know if you do get her. She is an adorable sweetheart and perhaps you're the perfect person to give her a wonderful life

 

[Blancaej]

She is gorgeous! No too experience here, but good luck with your decision!

 

[EAI]

It takes a certain kind of person to love a cockatoo for the rest of forever and those people with the cockatoo "gift" are far and few between.

Wow! That's perfectly stated.
If I were able to get a 'Too it would have to be fostering. I don't think I'd ever be suited to have a Too for over 15 years at the least, and we're talking about 50-80 years!
I really, really admire the people who have Cockatoo's or any other "more needy" parrot species.

 

[4dugnlee]

I've had my 7 year old U2 for about a month so I'm certainly no expert. I read everything "bad" about the big toos that I could find before making the decision to take her in. I love her dearly and she (so far) is just an awesome sweet bird. That said, if she was a baby I don't know if I would have made the same decision to take her. I think I would have needed big too experience to take in a baby. She was owned by a first time bird owner from a baby and was neglected and abused.

The U2 you are considering is an absolutely beautiful baby! Whatever you decide make sure you weigh the pros and cons heavily and make sure your decision is a lifetime one. Good luck whatever you do.

 

[aether-drifter]

It's sensationalistic, but I would recommend checking out mytoos.com. They only present the negatives of cockatoo "ownership," but all of what's on there is a very real possible outcome for a cockatoo in captivity.

Also, raising a baby cockatoo is not something to take lightly! So much can go wrong (from having to finish hand-feeding them after they are force "weaned" to potentially messing them up psychologically to having to teach them everything, to having their personalities seemingly do a total 180 at maturity). If I was to get a U2, I would definitely adopt an adult, with so many needing homes. And with a mature bird, what you see is what you get, generally speaking. Just my opinion, of course it is your decision and I completely understand falling in love with this baby (it's not hard to do...just look at that face. :smile015

 

[punkindave]

It's sensationalistic, but I would recommend checking out mytoos.com. They only present the negatives of cockatoo "ownership," but all of what's on there is a very real possible outcome for a cockatoo in captivity.

Also, raising a baby cockatoo is not something to take lightly! So much can go wrong (from having to finish hand-feeding them after they are force "weaned" to potentially messing them up psychologically to having to teach them everything, to having their personalities seemingly do a total 180 at maturity). If I was to get a U2, I would definitely adopt an adult, with so many needing homes. And with a mature bird, what you see is what you get, generally speaking. Just my opinion, of course it is your decision and I completely understand falling in love with this baby (it's not hard to do...just look at that face. :smile015

Well stated... Agreed 100%..

 

[ClutchNJ]

I am no expert when it comes to cockatoos seeing as I've only had Baby my 15 year old U2 for a few months now but I love her just as much as my other bird and she is here to stay especially the way we have bonded… I also saw you said you had experience with parakeets and all I can say is those parakeets are like goldfish compared to a U2... I got baby from a home that could no longer care for her and did a bunch of research before doing so. All I can say is good luck on whatever decision you may choose but be ready to have a bird that may not like you in the future… I have read time and time again and it has to be the truest statement out there " A bird will choose you" not the other way around. So you may wind up with bird down the road that takes more to someone else in your family. I brought baby home from a house with all girls and the first few days she loved my girlfriend but now I can't allow her and my girlfriend or really any female in the same room alone. She just does not like girls or small children and at the first chance she gets she will be on the floor crest up running after them. Not to mention if someone walks into the house doesn't matter what time it is, could be 2am but if she hears them she goes off like an alarm and wakes everyone. It's a scream i cannot even describe it just wakes you in an instant. She does the same thing during thunderstorms in the middle of the night but calms down quickly when she realizes she is not alone and my sun conure is in the same room with her. I also had to take low hanging curtains off the window because she became fascinated with pulling them down off the wall… Destruction is the name of the game with them and no matter how many toys you supply they will always find something else to chew on. I change out toys every 2-3 weeks just to rotate so their never the same and it helps when she's alone but out of her cage she just doesn't care about them. Also bath time is a necessity with them otherwise you can prepare to have white dust everywhere. Either way thats a beautiful bird there and best of luck to you whatever decision you make.

 

[4dugnlee]

I also saw you said you had experience with parakeets and all I can say is those parakeets are like goldfish compared to a U2

I like this comparison...very true

 

[Scott]

It takes a certain kind of person to love a cockatoo for the rest of forever and those people with the cockatoo "gift" are far and few between. If your average large parrot is like a toddler perpetually going through the terrible twos, a cockatoo is one who has special emotional needs on top of it. VERY needy birds, very emotionally fragile and don't seem to be well suited to life as domestic pets. Theres a reason when you go to a avian shelter, you almost always see more cockatoos who have been given up than any other species. They are prone to plucking, aggression and screaming (not regular noisy parrot screaming, but behavioral neurotic screaming).

Thats not to say there aren't people out there who are suited to such a creature as a cockatoo or individual birds who do well in a home environment. My dad has had his goffin cockatoo for 39 years (he got him as an unweaned baby) and really loves Alfie. He's not a behavioral screamer, but around the time my dad would get home from work, he lets out screams of joys you can hear a few blocks away and give a near immediate headache (and he's pretty small). He's also very defensive of my dad, and thus no one but my dad can handle him without a glove (and he didn't always used to be that way, but information on how to deal with bad behavior wasn't always easily available on the internet either).

Who knows though, you may be one of those people who has the gift to keep these kinds of birds happy There are people out there who have had their cockatoo 10/20/30+ years and just adore their bird and visa versa. I would also suggest checking out mytoos.com I know it's a controversial website, but the main objective is to make sure people understand how fragile toos can be and really think hard before buying or adopting one. Best of luck with the decision making, and let up know if you do get her. She is an adorable sweetheart and perhaps you're the perfect person to give her a wonderful life

I live with eight Cockatoos* and utterly adore every aspect of their complex persona. Perhaps part of my success is six of them live as a "flock" in a dedicated room. Three species of Cockatoo are free to share food, groom, and choose their best buddies. Four of them are Goffins, and are related, though they probably have no clue. Best of all, they are free to mingle 24/7 with one exception - the oldest Goffin offspring is not liked by his mother or one of his brothers, hence a carefully choreographed rotation of those three. All six are well behaved, adjusted, and aside from cage-lock destruction have no vices. The wild-caught mother particularly enjoys cuddling as do her children, yet none are the classic "velcro" parrots and do enjoy their time without people.

Stereotypes are often justified, and life with a Cockatoo can be a challenge. All three of the Goffin babies were hatched and raised in my home. After carefully assimilating advice from a variety of sources and if you feel a bond with this Umbrella, take the plunge, Sayaka!!


*4 Goffins, 1 Citron, 1 Moluccan together. 1 Goffin and 1 Citron in another room, distressed mates from the group of 6.