Perspective U2 owner~ Tips/info appreciated

Reetno

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I've never had a cockatoo or any large parrot, but before anyone says anything, I'm not planning on getting one anytime soon... maybe in a year, but no sooner then I think I'm ready.

I've been researching many different bird breeds and out of them all I think the Umbrella Cockatoo is the best fit for me in terms of their behavior. I have read up on all the pros and cons from many different sites and have gotten a lot of insight on what I would be getting myself into.

Things I know:
- They live for 50+ years
- They can be very loud
- They are very dusty birds

- They can be very sensitive
- They can be destructive if not given enough to chew on/keep their minds busy
- Need fresh fruits and veggies everyday along with pellets
- They need lots of attention(I can give that since I'm home all the time)

-- The one thing however that I think I really need to know that could make or break this decision is how would my emotional state effect the bird?
I'm bipolar(non-manic) and even though I am on mood stabilizers I still have mood swings that can be stronger then most people would have. So the smallest things could send me into an unbalanced state.
Now, I have lived around birds all my life(mostly budgies) and for the longest time I had a female budgie named Meimo and she was the best bird I ever had(surprising being that she wasn't even hand tamed as a baby) she just seemed to be like a mini-cockatoo to me just in the way she acted; her temperament was amazing(so gentle and loving) and bonded with me instantly. She would always come to me even after she had gotten outside a few times. And then one day a few years ago she got sick and died hours later... I think it was bacterial since I fed her bulk budgie seed and then found out later when I was looking some stuff up that, that was the worst thing I could have been feeding her... I feel so responsible for her death now...

Anyways, those had to have been my best years emotionally because she was always there when I really needed someone and because of that it really helped my emotional state to stay balanced, being that we didn't know I was bipolar back then so I wasn't on any medication stabilize my mood.
I did try to have that relationship with another budgie I got from the same place(again not hand tamed, but she took a lot longer to trust me), but after nearly a year of loving dedication she decided to reject me and began to attack me, not even letting me get into her cage to clean it without fighting me... heart broken I knew it was best to find her a new home with someone she liked...

I still long for that peace and balance again that I got from such bird love Meimo gave me and though I think a cockatoo would be the best choice as a bird breed, but I don't want to get a U2 if there is a chance that if I end up going into an unbalanced state that it could also hurt the bird being that they can be far more sensitive then budgies in what I've read...

So in-short, I'm not only thinking about getting one for the companionship, but also as a type of therapy that I know can work for me.

----
If that doesn't become a real issue then other things I'd need to know about is training...
I've never done any type of animal training other then encouraging natural trick/traits my cats do; like the one with fetching, but that isn't really training since I didn't teach it to her...

How would I go about training a cockatoo and what should I train one to do?

~Amber
 
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Von1983

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Welcome to the forum!

I am so sorry to hear of your lil birdo's death. I lost a budgie after 9yrs and I still think of him often.

Can I just ask....why a cockatoo? They are very beautiful but very difficult birds to care for properly. They are known in parrot circle's as "the needy ones" and are very VERY time consuming. There are a few too owners on the forum and I know they will chip in here to help.

If your previous experience is budgies, maybe something a little bit smaller might suit you better? I'd like to be clear, this is not because of your bi-polar, this is because there is such a tremendous difference between a budgie and a too!

For example, my sunny will cuddle up and preen my fringe when I am sad. Conures/quakers/senegals are all wonderful birds. Conures in particular think they are a big bird in a little body. They are all hugely intelligent and very in tune with their favourite humans moods.
 
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Reetno

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I'm not really sure why, but I've always been drawn to cockatoos and I've always wanted to get one, but never had the money so I settled with budgies (^^') and I know I have the time to dedicate to a 'too...
Though, I think I'd like to have one more then any other bird breed because I think if I was a bird I'd be a cockatoo... I myself am a 'needy one' but since most people don't like that I stay away because I annoy people and I'm always so alone because of it...
Also I've always wanted something bigger then a budgie since I really liked preening the feathers myself(I find it so calming), but it's very hard to do that with little birds...

I know it's a very large step from having budgies to a cockatoo so that's why I want to learn all I can before hand... but the more I read the more I think it would be the best breed for me even with all the cons that can come along, but all have their own cons...
 

Von1983

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I see what you are saying.....as long as you do your research, have the time and money....why not?

I'm sure some more Too owners will help you. I have had experience with these lovely birds but always other people's.

As for feeling lonely, now you've joined the community - stick with us! You'll never feel lonely again, I promise! :)
 

suebee

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well, welcome and if your not getting a big bird for about a year, keep reading the posts :)
you will have a better feel of what certain birds are like from our problems and joys :)

and any question?? just ask :)
 

birdiemomma

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My Hahn's Macaw Bella <3
Just so you know exactly what you are getting into I would go to All About Cockatoos - MyToos.com their screams can get pretty loud! I absolutely love my Hahn's Macaw. She is such a love, she isn't a screamer but she has the personality of a big bird. As long as you know what you are getting in to and you are willing to work with the bird all will be fine. Keep reading around here and you will learn SO MUCH!
 

Boo

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Welcome to the forum!! I just joined two days ago and the people here are SO helpful! If you definitely think you can handle a too, I say get one :). They're beautiful, and very entertaining! But like you said, they are very dusty. I have a cockatiel, which is a smaller cousin to the cockatoo, and he shakes up feather storms all the time. I'm glad he isn't any bigger than he is because everything would be covered in little feather dust :p. It gets stuck to my clothes, my skin, my hair, even my eyebrows and eyelashes lol! Cockatoos also get very loud, and I know I wouldn't be able to handle screams at that level. If you're iffy about cockatoos, I would recommend a cockatiel (well there's many smaller parrots you can choose from lol, not just tiels). I have a cockatiel, and he LOVES head scratches. Sometimes I'll give him a finger to step up to and he'll bend his head down for a head scratch instead :D. He is pretty closely bonded with me. He screams when I leave the room if I don't have him on my shoulder, he'll run, sometimes fly, after me, and he'll always find a way to my shoulder from anywhere. He even climbs up my pants and up my shirt from the ground just to sit on my shoulder :). There was one night that he even slept with me on my pillow lol :p. He didn't want to sleep on his cage and he kept coming back to me so I just gave in and put him on my pillow so I wouldn't squish him. He's such a cuddle bug! He even takes showers with me in the morning and sings, and watches me do my makeup and hair before I go to school.

Here are some videos I took of him showering :p

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtX_tnuXpP8"]YouTube - ‪Stormy in the Shower (Part 1)‬‏[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR9Vjw4lpUs[/ame]



I definitely think cockatiels are more personable than budgies. But a cockatiel, at least not mine, won't dance to music or use his feet to grab things like a larer parrot. Smaller parrots won't be as loud or dusty as a cockatoo, and they'll still be big enough to preen and head scritch. So think hard before you get a cockatoo, because it's a lifetime commitment, with many factors such as noise and dust (possibly development of allergies) that come with it. I'm not saying you shouldn't get a cockatoo though, I'm sure they're wonderful birds :). I just can't give you first hand experience because I've never had one. Just keep in mind that there are many other cuddly, quieter parrots to choose from. Plus, budgies to cockatoos is a pretty big jump. But if you are sure you can handle a cockatoo for 50+ years, then I encourage you to get one! :D
 
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Reetno

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Just so you know exactly what you are getting into I would go to All About Cockatoos - MyToos.com their screams can get pretty loud! I absolutely love my Hahn's Macaw. She is such a love, she isn't a screamer but she has the personality of a big bird. As long as you know what you are getting in to and you are willing to work with the bird all will be fine. Keep reading around here and you will learn SO MUCH!

I've already seen that site and it has a lot of insight...

@Boo:
All my expereances with cockatiels have all been bad ones sadly, so I'm a tad leery around them... every time I've every handled(or tried) I either got bit or hissed at... I think they just don't like me...
But your boy is a cutie~

--
Anyways, I don't think it matters anymore... I'm having real doubts that because of my emotional instabilities that I could keep a 'too from mutilating itself... and if that ever happened I think I would go over the deep end... I could never live with myself knowing that I caused that...
I could handle the squawking, the dust and even it destroying items/stuff, but not that one thing...
And as far as that site says it will happen so why bother?
 

Boo

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@Boo:
All my expereances with cockatiels have all been bad ones sadly, so I'm a tad leery around them... every time I've every handled(or tried) I either got bit or hissed at... I think they just don't like me...
But your boy is a cutie~

Awww :( Well I think maybe you just haven't met the right ones. Stormy was actually given to me for free, complete with a cage and everything, because my friend's friend didn't want him anymore. I brought him home and after a couple days he was completely bonded to me! He's a sucker for head scratches lol. I think it was just luck, and maybe we were meant to be :p. And thanks! :) Stormy is quite flattered right now :D

Anyways, I don't think it matters anymore... I'm having real doubts that because of my emotional instabilities that I could keep a 'too from mutilating itself... and if that ever happened I think I would go over the deep end... I could never live with myself knowing that I caused that...
I could handle the squawking, the dust and even it destroying items/stuff, but not that one thing...
And as far as that site says it will happen so why bother?

Well like you said, toos are very sensitive. You could always try another parrot :). Although a too may be your dream, I'm sure that if you find a good, tame parrot and you bond with him, you'll fall in love with him and think he's way better than a too :). Don't just give up on birds altogether! Maybe something around the size of a lovebird or conure would be good. They're big enough to be preened, and small enough for shoulder rides :D! Since you don't mind loud squawking, you could definitely consider a conure. They're very cuddly (if you find the right one) and they're so colorful and beautiful! I think sun conures are the most beautiful parrots ever tehe :D.
 

suebee

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Anyways, I don't think it matters anymore... I'm having real doubts that because of my emotional instabilities that I could keep a 'too from mutilating itself... and if that ever happened I think I would go over the deep end... I could never live with myself knowing that I caused that...
I could handle the squawking, the dust and even it destroying items/stuff, but not that one thing...
And as far as that site says it will happen so why bother?

why not look at rescue-ing, adopting a bird?? if you know its history that is.
my sene plucks as you can see from the pic's, she's a moth eaten little thing :11:
but according to a breeder i spoke with it was because she is in season an will most probably do it again same time this yr, like she did the yr before we got her. :( and yes she has stopped around the time the breeder said she'll be out of season

there are so many reason's for these birds to pluck at themselves :( i do understand your concerns for yourself and the bird, but i also understand how benificial pets are to ppl

don't give up just yet, keep it in the pipe line, i am not saying jump in an get one asap, but stay on forum as you will find a lot of negative stories turning out OK :)
 

EdiferiousRex

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Phoebe - Lesser Sulfur Crested Cockatoo, Linus & Oliver- Red Sided Eclectus', Tiki - Odd-Ball Blue&Gold "Rescue" project
My suggestion would be not to get caught up on a species of parrot, but to attend bird-shows, and visit rescue centers until you find a bird that bonds with you. I had my heart set on getting an eclectus (Which I do have...) when I was filling in staffing a booth at a bird show for a friend, the next booth over had a sulpher crested too, as did our booth. My experience with our Too was that he wanted to kill me on sight, but when I saw the other one next door she wanted to kill everyone on sight to get to me and get some snuggles. Phoebe came home with me the next day. Despite not being even close to the bird species I was set on, she's my baby and I love her to death, but she wouldn't have been right for many many people (not because she's a too just because of her fears/personality as an individual.)
So I guess I'm saying Don't judge a book by its cover, a dog is not a dog, each one is different and all parrots and toos follow the same rule of thumb. They may be more likely to lend themselves to certain demeanors and tenancies, but they are all very different from one another.
Good luck on your search for a bird! If you meet a too that you can't live without - fantastic! But don't get one just because it's a too, give a chance to individuals and their personalities. :)
 

HRH Di

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You sound like you've got a good plan and are doing everything to make sure you make the best decision you can.

Rex has some very good advice, as does everyone else. I think bird shows or rescues would be a great place for you to see different species.

My experience with 'toos is that they beautiful and lovable parrots, but there are other parrots I like better. The U2 we fostered last summer bonded to me almost immediately, but this caused problems with other members of our family and especially with our other birds. Last time I saw him, it had been months since I had spent time with him and he still let me cuddle, pet, scratch him just like he did before and more than he lets his current family.

As for your emotions, parrots are sensitive, but I don't see why you could depend on each other to get through the more difficult days.

After all of this...if you want a 'too, get a 'too. If you "settle" for something else, you'll always wish you had gotten one.
 
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Reetno

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I was looking at the Yellow-collared Macaw before I deiced to read up more on the cockatoo... it seemed like a not bad fit by what I read, but I really didn't look hard into the type...

But I can't and won't get any type of bird that has a high pitched screech like a lovebird... it hurts my ears so badly... when I was a kid my friend had a lovebird and though she was so cute and cuddly and seemed to really like me I wouldn't go over often because of that screech... it makes me cringe every time and my mom can't handle it either...
We can handle the lower squawking of larger birds like macaws and cockatoos, but not the high pitched screeches. Another reason we got Budgies because they have a pleasant tweet...

And as to a rescue bird... I can't find any parrot rescues in my area... I'd like to look at one of those places first, but there is nowhere to look here but the 'for sale' adds...
I mean there is one way up island, but they are picky and won't even adopt out some types of birds; and I don't blame them, but it can make it really hard if the one that I make a connection with is one they won't let me adopt because I'm not part of their 'group'...

I mean I have time and patience since all the birds(other then the first budgie we had when I was 4-5) were all aviary raised not hand tamed so it could take up to a year before they would let me near them or them to come to me.
 
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Boo

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After all of this...if you want a 'too, get a 'too. If you "settle" for something else, you'll always wish you had gotten one.

That is exactly what I said about the sun conure I'm getting! The first time I ever saw a sun conure, I just thought he was the most beautiful bird ever. I just couldn't get one at the time, and after reading up about them more, I found out they got very loud, plus I had no former experience with birds. I almost got a GCC because I'm ready to have a conure now, and GCCs are usually quieter, but then I changed my mind and went for the sun instead because it's been my dream for so long. Then today I got home from school and my mom told me she was looking on youtube, and she tried to convince me to get an Indian Ringneck. They are beautiful, but I told her that deep down inside, I knew that if I got that instead of my dream sun conure, I would regret it and I would still long for a sun. And I actually phrased it the same way Di did - getting anything else would feel like I was settling for something less (meaning something I liked less) than what I ultimately wanted. I didn't come to this conclusion until today, because for some reason it takes me a long time to figure myself out, and why I feel the way I feel, so I'm sorry if my before post was misleading.. I failed to make the connection between both of our situations :(. I'm sure that if you get a too, you'll be happier than with any other bird, but just make sure you can definitely handle one. Although since you're so crazy about them, I'm sure you'll find a way to make it happen :D.
 
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Reetno

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I just don't know anymore... I have to admit I am very discouraged now since everyone that I've talking with other then my mother have been basically been telling me not to get one and I know that they are most likely right... I'll most likely screw it all up(like all things I do) and there would be yet another bird needing to find a home because of it...

I'm sorry to waste time... I kinda knew this was going to happen though... I get myself so hyped and excited and research like mad on something and then people tell me it's a bad idea then I get discouraged/depressed and quit...
 

Lesleybird

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Mar 10, 2011
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Three amazons, Moluccan cockatoo, Umbrella cockatoo, Harlequin macaw.
Hi, I have a second hand U2 female. She is very loving, sweet and cuddly. She seems to need me and gives me unconditional love. Best companion animal that I have ever had. She is happy just to sit on my lap or shoulder and cuddle. She likes to be hugged and kissed like a teddy bear. I also have a history of depression and take meds for this. I don't think mine is bipolar though. When I am sad or need love she is there for me. I am a nurse, but I call Sophie my psychiatric nurse. She is my therapy bird. She owns me. These birds tend to be one person birds and they see their primary person as their life mate. I have read that the umbrella females are not aggressive like the males when they mature. My female is about 16 years old. Her company really makes me happy when I am having a bad day and she has helped me out of some of my depressed moods. Your mood swings will not harm the bird unless you abuse her when you are in a mood. If I were you I would get a young hand feed fully weaned DNA sexed female umbrella. (We also have a male Moluccan that is very aggressive and bites us during breeding season). Also get my favorite book "Guide to a Well Behaved Parrot" by Mattie Sue Athan so that you teach your bird from the start not to scream too much or bite. My Sophie never bites me and sits on my shoulder and watches when I put my makeup on in the morning. She is also very playful and likes to dance and swing upside down from my hands.

When you get your bird that you go to see several young ones and let the bird pick you. Make sure that you and the bird have a special emotional connection before buying any bird. Make sure that the bird seems to like you, and that you really like it because their personalities are all different like all people are different, and this is a lifetime companion so choose wisely whether a baby or a second hand bird. Before anyone buys a bird they should hang out with a few before and get to know them before they choose. The females usually have lighter eyes, but find a breeder that will let you pay to send a drop of blood to have it sexed contigent on getting a female because they are usually not aggressive like the males can be at maturity. Don't get a cockatoo if you don't have a couple of hours a day to have her sit on your lap while watching TV or talking on the phone etc. because these birds center their world around their owners. Most U2's are happy just to be with their person on their lap or shoulder. These birds love to be rubbed all over their faces, under the wings and all over their bodies. They are sometimes called the velcro birds.

Also, be careful with the cats. If a cat scratches a bird it can get a really bad infection. The cats can scare or stalk a bird so I would re-home the cat. My bird was sold to me by a woman who just had the second hand bird for a few weeks and her cat was stalking it. No cat ever gave me as much love as my U2. Last thing, make sure that no one cooks with teflon pans because if they get over 350 degrees they release a gas that will kill a bird in a few minutes. Same with waterproofing chemical fumes will kill birds. Good luck, Lesley
 
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