Help with Umbrella Cockatoo

[Squirt]

We have posted here before. My boyfriend fell in love with an umbrella cockatoo (Angela) at A Helping Wing Rescue. She really liked him, too. He brought her home and things were blissful for about a week. Then when he had to towel her to put her back in the cage (she refused to go) she suddenly didn't like him anymore. Actually, she wasn't aggressive or anything, she would just move away from him if he tried to get near her. Before that she would cuddle on his lap.

She has really taken to me. She wants me all the time. She is a great cuddler and very sweet to me. I can pick her up, pet her, etc without any issues. I don't live here and the last time I visited she was more receptive to him while I was here even though she was preferring me.

Well this visit (we live a few hours apart), she still likes me but she has gotten more aggressive with him. Two days ago she bit his finger really bad and drew blood and got him on his finger and underneath the nail. Today she was being kind of sweet towards him and she was acting like she wanted attention. She let him pet her and then she snapped. She bit his thumb deeply and blood was pouring out. His thumb even feels tingly and numb so she may have gotten a nerve.

I gently picked her up with a towel (I didn't cover her. It just made me feel safer using the towel but I am sure she could have bitten me if she wanted to) and put her back in her cage.

How can we improve their relationship? He really wants her back. He loves her.

 

[Squirt]

Anyone, please?

 

[getwozzy]

I don't have experience with an umbrella, but it sounds like either the honeymoon period was over rather quickly, or she's holding a serious grudge for him toweling her. [emoji51]

What kind of other methods has he tried to get her back into her cage? Using a perch? Luring with treats?

 

[getwozzy]

Also, another thought is she might be having a rough time with you (her preferred person) coming and going, and is lashing out at him. [emoji17]

 

[Squirt]

He tried luring with treats (that works with the Amazon, although she will just step up and you can put her in), and the perch. At the rescue she had been toweled for not going back in and she didn't appear to hold a grudge there. When he first adopted her I was scared of her and never thought she would like me so much.

According to her previous owners she was surrendered because they had a child and she would attack the child/baby. I didn't know if that was really the problem or not but now I can see it was entirely possible because of jealousy. I have no idea if they tried to work with her or not.

She hasn't been aggressive towards him until this visit.

 

[Dopey]

My U2 got an attitude towards me after I took her to the vet. It took about five days for her to like me again. I have a friend that my U2 seems to like better than me and when my friend and her husband come to visit I let my friend do the holding and scratching etc.

What things do you do with the bird that are fun? My U2 likes to dance and we all dance with her and laugh with her (and at us). What do you do with her so that she is worn out and wants to go back into her cage? What things is your boyfriend doing to bond with her...besides let her out of her cage?

 

[TeenageBirdMom]

Cockatoos are very smart and highly emotional birds. Do you know any past history of her before she was adopted by your bf? A lot of my adopted birds often have issues with adjusting because they have had multiple homes. Also, if she feels bonded to you more so then your bf, she may be lashing out at him, in a way to relieve her anxiety. When I go to visit my mom, her sulfur crested cockatoo is very loving towards me, and then will lash out at my mom for a day or so once I leave. Again, her cockatoo is adopted and has had multiple homes in her life, so she may have some seperation anxiety when a favored person leaves, thus, she lashes out.
I can only sugguest that he and his new Umbrella bond as much as possible to get past the adjusting period. Also, offer treats when she is put back in her cage so she will realize it is not a punishment.
Good luck! Umbrellas are one of my favorites and hopefully she will adjust soon