Pros and Cons of Too parronthood?

I'm sure there are other threads on such topics, and I will continue to read on the subject.

My partner and I were leaning toward an Amazon when we get our new kiddo. Possibly a Mac...I can't really decide. I don't have the ability to go play with tons of birds and we definitely want a parrot that will want to be part of our family. Cuddly, affectionate, and trusting. Some of these things you can work toward, and sometimes species traits can limit you.

However, a couple I know is rehoming their M2, and it's difficult not to take them up on her. I can see pros and cons of both options, but I also can't get her off my mind. I've met her once. She's 12. They have said she's not terribly destructive or loud, but that is cockatoo 101 for me...so I'm sure at some point she could or would be. I'm not sure if they feel that would help to be a selling point for me, or what. They've never sustained a hard bite from her. While I was there she never offered to bite me.

K and I are not married yet, but it's in the works. Our family will be changing at points...kids hopefully, etc.

I really like this bird, but I also don't want to jump in and then have to find out the hard way that it is not going to work. I'd love to have the ability to let a bird pick us, but there's really no opportunity like that here that I know of.

So, that was long winded. But...pros? Cons? I know they are difficult but very rewarding. I'm willing to put in work, but I also need to figure out if it's the right move for us or not.

I will let experienced parronts of toos chime in, but I thought you should definitely have a look at this: All About Cockatoos - MyToos.com

(I also believe since you want kids down the road, that you may potentially run into HUGE issues then - with a too)

That's what I was thinking too, Wendy. It worries me. Although she seems okay, it could quickly change. I love toos and I think that's pulling me slightly, but my logical brain says wait. Wait and get a Zon, or a Macaw...but wait.

I also don't know how she'd react with the household switch. She's fine there...could be a different story as she adjusts.

PROS: M2's are the cuddliest of the cuddly... and are big personality, generally
love everyone birds.

CONS: M2's are the NEEDIEST OF THEM ALL!!!
Plus they are jet engine noise loud.
Plus they have Macaw strength beaks, or close to it.
Plus they tend to be pluckers when their needs are not met.
(Most folks can't or don't meet their needs.)

Count me as an enthusiastic proponent of Toos, with caveats!

I'll focus on the M2 as this is a possibility for you. My M2, Big Bird, recently passed away almost certainly at a senior age. I had him for 30 years, and he had documented prior homes dating 25 years prior. He was a magnificent boy, very gentle with people and other Toos, though not particularly cuddly. Not too noisy, just a few loud screeches typically at sunset. He had some bouts of plucking, limited to a small patch on his chest. I cannot recall him biting beyond a gently pinch - ever! His best buddies were a male Citron and my 4 of my Goffins living in the same room. Big Bird was extremely trustworthy, and hadn't been locked in a cage for decades.

I also have a family of 5 Goffins; 2 wild-caught parents and 3 hand-fed offspring now in their late teens to early 20s. They are amazingly friendly, cuddly, and amusing little clowns. Hands down my favorite parrot species!

All of that said, Toos can present many challenges, particularly from a behavioral POV. The wild-caught parents have been separated for about 12 years due to male aggression issues, and some of the offspring and mother do not consistently get along - competitive and jealousy issues!

My belief is that Toos are easiest to maintain when they have both bonded humans AND other flockmates. None of mine have the classic "Velcro bird" personalities as they crave both human interaction and love their own kind. I realize this is not always possible as many folks wish for a single bird, and the specter of multiple Toos is just too much to bear!

I've worked with a couple of m2s, and from my experience the can be very sweet, but when they go bad, they go bad. Often when they are about to bite they don't give much warning.( yes this can happen with any too but a serious bite from a m2 can be devastating.) if you are dead set on a larger bird then a baby blue and gold sounds like your best pick. This way you can socialize the bird around children much easier than an adult bird. That being said I really don't want talk you out of rescuing this bird but please do your research. Best of luck and welcome to the forum..there are a lot of knowledgeable people here and we are willing to help.

I have an umbrella 'too and a male at that, and he's also got a troubled past with lots of homes and was abused. But some things are common to 'toos, whatever their background. He is LOUD. He can scream loud enough to be heard, and I am not exaggerating, a couple of blocks away when the windows are open in summer. And he doesn't get tired of screaming. He doesn't do it all the time. He has entire days when he doesn't do it at all. But he CAN. That would not be compatible with close neighbors or a child who is trying to sleep.

He can bite HARD. He has done real injury to my husband, though with me he only gives pressure bites that bruise and don't break the skin, and he doesn't do that much. But again ... imagine a curious small child poking fingers through the bars or wanting to "pet the pretty bird." You can't possibly watch a toddler every single second, try as you might. A 'too can break bones.

Yes, he's affectionate and cuddly and sweet, but if something startles him, he will panic and a panicked bird will often bite the nearest person. He's also very, very needy of time and attention. His worst screaming fits come on days when we're busy with work or chores and can't spend as much time with him as he wants us to.

We don't have kids, and therefore we don't have grandchildren. It's only adults and a teenage daughter of friends who come to our house. Everyone keeps their distance and understands the situation. You can't explain this stuff to a small child.

I would not advise a large parrot for your household at all. Consider a mid-size or small bird. The noise level and the bite strength are both greatly decreased with a small parrot, but they are just as smart and as much fun at a big one can be. Conures, greys, Quakers, cockatiels and budgies are all wonderful companions with tons of personality. My Quaker Jade is the best talker out of seven birds and you can actually converse with her.

Having had an Amazon before (just not too much Too experience) I'm rather set on another. I didn't really think this girl would be the best fit but I wanted to read up and give it a thought from both sides before I made a decision. I think my heart was trying to win over my head but logically, I know it's not the best option.

My partner and I have already discussed opting toward a baby bird so we can socialize as we sit fit. I have several friends with children so we can introduce he/she early on without having our own children in the house.

I appreciate everyone's stories and advice.

Scott said:

Count me as an enthusiastic proponent of Toos, with caveats!

I'll focus on the M2 as this is a possibility for you. My M2, Big Bird, recently passed away almost certainly at a senior age. I had him for 30 years, and he had documented prior homes dating 25 years prior. He was a magnificent boy, very gentle with people and other Toos, though not particularly cuddly. Not too noisy, just a few loud screeches typically at sunset. He had some bouts of plucking, limited to a small patch on his chest. I cannot recall him biting beyond a gently pinch - ever! His best buddies were a male Citron and my 4 of my Goffins living in the same room. Big Bird was extremely trustworthy, and hadn't been locked in a cage for decades.

I also have a family of 5 Goffins; 2 wild-caught parents and 3 hand-fed offspring now in their late teens to early 20s. They are amazingly friendly, cuddly, and amusing little clowns. Hands down my favorite parrot species!

All of that said, Toos can present many challenges, particularly from a behavioral POV. The wild-caught parents have been separated for about 12 years due to male aggression issues, and some of the offspring and mother do not consistently get along - competitive and jealousy issues!

My belief is that Toos are easiest to maintain when they have both bonded humans AND other flockmates. None of mine have the classic "Velcro bird" personalities as they crave both human interaction and love their own kind. I realize this is not always possible as many folks wish for a single bird, and the specter of multiple Toos is just too much to bear!

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I agree with your views on this. Having had various cockatoos species for 30 years including an M Too.

I'll chime in. We have 3 Macaws 2 of which are rescues, and 2 Goffins. Taking care of 3 Macaws is easier then taking care of one Cockatoo imo. Cockatoos are also more destructive (at least Goffins from my experience), but not with toys the mischievous destruction is what they do. Examples include my wife's $400 Michael Khor pursce, the couch, Internet routers, cell phones, we have all kinds of holes in our drywall, curtains, shoes, shoe laces, my favorite watch, and the list goes on. Our rescue Cockatoo isn't a normal cockatoo, but she was abused and neglected. She never wanted to be pet or handled when we rescued her and would bite you if you tried, but if you sang to her or said Go Mango Go Mango or Yea Mango Ina high pitched voice she'd dance all day for you. Now she does want to be petted at times, I can pet her almost anytime with mo problem, she is scared of kids, and at times will let my wife pet her. She now after almost 2 years of living hear, and being put on Prozac wants to actually be around me, and be cuddled by me though it is hit and miss with my wife. The cockatoo that we've handled since he was 4 weeks old, and we have had in our home since he was a baby is a very friendly bird. Anyone can handle him, pet him, he doesn't care if you flip him on his back, and will actually lay on his back in your hand if you set him like that. Now with that being said once he is on you it is a pain , and battle to get him off, and no one takes him away from his momma (my wife) he will bite, and head butt you if you do try to take him away from her. Not chomp down but it is a good pinch that'll leave a beak mark. The best/most reputable bird store in the area hasn't carried cockatoos in many, many years. They will also never carry them ever again because of how much they get rehomed due to behavior/noise, and how high maintenance they are.

Give you an idea Phoenix our Camilla Macaw when he gets loud you can seriously hear 2 blocks down the street, and it doesn't feel good on your ears. That being said I had an umbrella belt out a good one when I was in the room, and my ears rang for 3 days and I could hardly hear the rest of the day. I don't have weak hearing either I'm a professional musician, I've performed for many years so it takes a lot to make me cringe from the volume of something.

As the proud owner of a U2 this is a question I get a lot, particularly when Tiki comes with us to stores. The number one thing I can tell you is never try to predict your cockatoo. While they can be 'read', they can switch moods in a heartbeat. We are Tiki's 3rd owner for this reason, and I intend to be his last. The positives are the antics and the companionship. Tiki is my kid in almost every sense; he is part of everything I do at home (even when I don't want him to be) from eating dinner to watching TV, and I feel that's how it should be. I have owned reptiles, dogs, cats, and birds, and my cockatoo is by far the closest bond I have ever built. I honest-to-goodness love him.

The downside is the unpredictability. Tiki was a perfect gentleman when we adopted him and met him...until we got him home. We had done months of research so we were prepared for the bites and noise, and were able to handle having a new large bird well. I still sustained some bites that needed stitches and sleepless nights from screaming, but he adapted well because we had the time to dedicate to him. When you adopt a cockatoo, you're adopting a toddler that never grows up. That is, a flying toddler with a megaphone and a chainsaw. They have mood swings, temper tantrums, and even if you've known a bird for years it can change dramatically due to hormones or sickness. They can be massively destructive and have to be entertained.

I would personally recommend you look at a smaller bird. I would never recommend a cockatoo to all but the most experienced owners. Of course, you may get lucky but that's a long shot. It's estimated that 80% of 'toos adopted in the US are returned to shelters within a year. Some good alternatives are mitred conures, Hahn's macaws, or even something simpler like a green-cheeked conure or cockatiel. If you decide to buy a cockatoo, just be prepared. God knows the adoption system doesn't need more additions!

Iholm5 said:

I would personally recommend you look at a smaller bird. I would never recommend a cockatoo to all but the most experienced owners.

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This, especially when it comes to M2s and U2s.

I think it just depends on the bird. See how much you can get to know this one. We have a female U2 as well as a Du Corps and an Amazon. Definitely the U2 is more challenging. She is all over the room when out of her cage and needs very close supervision to avoid damaging things. She has her times of screaming too. But she enjoys being near the other birds and behaves pretty calmly as long as I am following her routine and keeping her busy. She's so smart and so present. I wouldn't trade her.

I do greatly appreciate the information. I had doubts about getting this girl from the get go, but the decision to consider wasn't an ill informed one. We fostered a LSC too and his moods were very unpredictable. Though this girl has a different background, I'm not sure I want that as a possible reality. Heart over head.

We have all the time in the world to consider what we may bring into our family. I'll use past experience, others experiences, and other sources to soak up as much information as I can. I appreciate the advice and perspectives.