Horror stories of Umbrella Cockatoos a bit over exaggerated?

[Dinodude]

I am just reading about Umbrella cockatoos online(I may add her to the family 1 1/2 - 2 years) and I am bit confused by the horror stories of cockatoos in general. My eleanora cockatoo has been only vocal in the mornings and evenings and she definitely is NOT aggressive.
Umbrella cockatoo owners out there, do you think over exaggerated? I understand they need a lot of time and affection but are they really horrific to care for(just umbrella cockatoos I am referring to).

 

[Kiwibird]

I have never been around U2's, but I will say in a generalized way, I think U2s are stunning bird. As such, they unfortunately attract the type of people who want a "trophy" instead of a companion that naturally has the intellect of a 3 year old who will never grow up, have a voice capable of calling across dense rainforest and has a device on their face made to crack nuts and hollow out trees. Those people also tend to whine the loudest when the bird they put bare minimum effort into and have 0 understanding of acts out. It's the same with pretty much all parrots, not just U2. EVERY species of parrot it seems has a most awful reputation for being destructive, neurotic, vicious, screeching blood thirsty savages.... Not because a well trained and properly cared for parrot is any of those things, rather a bunch of bad-intentioned whiners got their hands on parrots and tarnished the entire lot of them in the public eye. It's a 2 way street though, because you also get the avian community perpetuating horror stories right along with the bad prior owners.

Just look at whenever a new member asks "what type of bird should I look at getting" or "I;m thinking of getting a xyz type of parrot) and gives some details on their lifestyle and such. Either everyone who answers dances around with their wording and no one is direct about what they REALLY think or a "pack" mentality forms and out spews nothing but a heaping pile of negativity based off of fear of an inexperienced person getting their hands on a parrot they aren't capable of caring for. The avian community as a whole is very guarded and often outright aggressive/jumps on the horror story bandwagon for fear of more ill-informed owners getting in over their heads (which= more homeless parrots with severe behavior problems).

In conclusion of my rant- Your elenora is a good bird because she is well cared for and has been trained as such. It sounds like whatever you're doing, it's the *right* way to care for a too. I'm sure a U2 could also be a good bird IF the right steps are taken. Plenty of U2 owners on here who love their birds and seem to not have the "devil birds" everyone makes out cockatoos to be.

 

[Minimaker]

That's what I was thinking, there has to be some people out there who have adopted this bird and were able to deal with the drama right? I see videos online of people who have one and they seem to be the only bird in the house and they seem very happy and well cared for. They look clean, healthy, happy and non-neurotic. Not every new owner is going to fail at dealing with them. I suspect that these unhappy birds are the result of not being entertained and allowed to be free and busy enough. I think they must belong to people who shut these highly intelligent and emotional creatures up in their cages many hours of the day while working or out of not wanting to deal with them and then wonder why they go mad.

 

[Phlox]

The only U2s I know are public animals -- my avian vet has one that lives in his office. The bird doesn't really get out of cage time, except after hours, but thrives with the constant activity and is rarely noisy. The bird DOES bite, ferociously and they have a sign on the cage...she only likes a few people from what I understand.

She was an abandoned pet, and does best at the office, instead of at someone's home. Without the constant companionship, she apparently has problems.

I think that's the key thing with cockatoos. They bond really hard to their flock. With another bird in the house (even just nearby) that should help with that a lot. You'll have to take my comments with a grain of salt though, since, this is definitely not my bird, just a bird I know.

Let me add though, that I'm almost waiting for my new BFA to get some bad habit or another. I'm doing everything I can to help her adjust and she came to me with the history of not really having any serious issues, but as a hot 3 Amazon, I feel the same trepidation. There's a LOT of horror stories out there. Training/raising aside, clearly these birds are prone to issues, so it is a careful thing to have one (or it feels like it should be anyway)

 

[thekarens]

I think if you search and read actual owner stories U2 can and are one of the more challenging species to have as a companion. I'm sure they're are lots of exaggerated stories, but there's also plenty of them that are spot on. I know I wouldn't be up to the challenge.

 

[Birdman666]

No, actually they're not.

When they go bad, they go really bad.

BUT A LOT of these problems have to do with the fact that people don't raise them correctly, hold them too much, and/or never teach them to self entertain.

The result is a bird that screams bloody murder for 10-15 hours at a time, and can't think of anything better to do with it's time than over preen...

These are already needy birds, and a lot of people take them and make them even needier...

Sometimes, when the hormones kick in, they can be Sybil-ish, i.e. just suddenly turning on you and biting. We don't know why, it just happens occasionally.

So those are the downsides. The upsides are they are entertaining cuddle monsters... which when raised properly, and taught to self entertain, can be great birds.

 

[GIJoe]

Most of these goofs y'all speak of, take the same approach with their children!! Lazy and Whiney, then wonder why the kids are rotten.....

I will say, I passed on an Umbrella, due to stories I read online.... Maybe I'll try one later, when I get my bird knowledge back up to par..
Right now, I'm focusing on getting my new(to us) Goffins to accept my kiddos...

Good luck!

 

[Minimaker]

No, actually they're not.

When they go bad, they go really bad.

BUT A LOT of these problems have to do with the fact that people don't raise them correctly, hold them too much, and/or never teach them to self entertain.

The result is a bird that screams bloody murder for 10-15 hours at a time, and can't think of anything better to do with it's time than over preen...

These are already needy birds, and a lot of people take them and make them even needier...

Sometimes, when the hormones kick in, they can be Sybil-ish, i.e. just suddenly turning on you and biting. We don't know why, it just happens occasionally.

So those are the downsides. The upsides are they are entertaining cuddle monsters... which when raised properly, and taught to self entertain, can be great birds.

You can hold a bird too much or give it too much attention? I didn't know that. How do you teach it to self entertain? Just leave it alone with toys for awhile?

 

[Kiwibird]

You can hold a bird too much or give it too much attention? I didn't know that. How do you teach it to self entertain? Just leave it alone with toys for awhile?

ABSOLUTELY! It's just like waiting on a child hand and foot- they become incapable of functioning on their own and turn to attention-seeking and/or self destructive behaviors. Parrots are very similar to toddlers, and NEED routine, structure and shouldn't be coddled. They need attention of course, but they also need time alone each day so when there is a time you can't be with them, they know what to do with themselves (playing, napping ext...). They will probably pitch a fit the first few times you leave them on their own to play or forage, and if you reward" the behavior by returning to the room or paying attention, they will only learn screaming=getting what they want. When you let them screech themselves sore, they will eventually take note of the fun toys and tasty treats to forage and learn when you are not around, there are a lot of other fun things to do too.

Self entertaining behavior is simple to instill in a bird, you provide them with play options such as toys and foraging options and leave them alone for a few hours a day to entertain themselves (even if your home). Foraging is of especial importance, as it is also self-rewarding and occupies a bird in a way that simulates natural behaviors. A busy bird is a happy bird, and being occupied all day should not necessarily equate to being glued to a human at all times.

 

[Birdman666]

What you have to understand about the large toos, and these particularly apply to the 3 most difficult - M2s, U2s and Tritons...

These are flock birds, that live in flocks of 100+ birds, and are hard wired for that kind of, quite literally constant, day and night companionship... That's why they do so well as animal ambassador type rolls. The San Diego Zoo had one out front that greeted everyone who walked in the gate for 90 years, until it became critically ill and couldn't do it anymore... that was as well adjusted a bird as could be.

They simply don't get enough stimulation in captivity most of the time. Ergo, they turn into scream n plucks...

Yes, they have to be taught to play on their own, because play, like everything else is a flock activity.

Hold an M2, or a U2 too much, and you are in hell. DON'T SET ME DOWN AGAIN EVER!!! I WILL SCREAM MY HEAD OFF FOR HOURS ON END IF YOU DO... Like 15 hours a day, non-stop, ears bleeding, jet engine noise, neighbors calling the police and having you arrested loud!

Tritons are sweet birds, but they can be major league tantrum throwers.

A too with "spoiled bird syndrome" is the hardest animal in the world to rehab. They will "out suffer you" to get their way.

And yeah, when you see the ones that pluck themselves to the point where they are grocery store chickens, with festering sores all over, THOSE are the kinds of birds I ended up working with, and it wasn't pretty...

I love M2's to death, but I wish to god they'd never been introduced to the pet trade, because 95% of the people that get them are simply not capable of meeting their needs... and the results are just horrible to see!

With the three species I mention, I caution people, that you don't really know what kind of bird you have, or how good a job you did raising him til the bird turns five... that seems to be when it really kicks in.

THEN it's either heaven, or 80+ years of HELL!!!

 

[Dinodude]

What you have to understand about the large toos, and these particularly apply to the 3 most difficult - M2s, U2s and Tritons...

These are flock birds, that live in flocks of 100+ birds, and are hard wired for that kind of, quite literally constant, day and night companionship... That's why they do so well as animal ambassador type rolls. The San Diego Zoo had one out front that greeted everyone who walked in the gate for 90 years, until it became critically ill and couldn't do it anymore... that was as well adjusted a bird as could be.

They simply don't get enough stimulation in captivity most of the time. Ergo, they turn into scream n plucks...

Yes, they have to be taught to play on their own, because play, like everything else is a flock activity.

Hold an M2, or a U2 too much, and you are in hell. DON'T SET ME DOWN AGAIN EVER!!! I WILL SCREAM MY HEAD OFF FOR HOURS ON END IF YOU DO... Like 15 hours a day, non-stop, ears bleeding, jet engine noise, neighbors calling the police and having you arrested loud!

Tritons are sweet birds, but they can be major league tantrum throwers.

A too with "spoiled bird syndrome" is the hardest animal in the world to rehab. They will "out suffer you" to get their way.

And yeah, when you see the ones that pluck themselves to the point where they are grocery store chickens, with festering sores all over, THOSE are the kinds of birds I ended up working with, and it wasn't pretty...

I love M2's to death, but I wish to god they'd never been introduced to the pet trade, because 95% of the people that get them are simply not capable of meeting their needs... and the results are just horrible to see!

With the three species I mention, I caution people, that you don't really know what kind of bird you have, or how good a job you did raising him til the bird turns five... that seems to be when it really kicks in.

THEN it's either heaven, or 80+ years of HELL!!!

Cockatoo care definitely seems to be similar to caring a toddler. Lol I am 15 so I guess I am training before I have kids

 

[Birdman666]

Macaw care is a human toddler.

Large Cockatoo (not including RB2s, and a few of the other less needy species) care is sometimes akin to taking on a "special needs" child!

 

[Dinodude]

Macaw care is a human toddler.

Large Cockatoo (not including RB2s, and a few of the other less needy species) care is sometimes akin to taking on a "special needs" child!

But they're rewarding! My Eleanora cockatoo was my first bird but I always loved birds! She loves my 10 year old brother and she likes my dad a lot too! I must be really lucky or I'm just a natural with birds

 

[thekarens]

Macaw care is a human toddler.

Large Cockatoo (not including RB2s, and a few of the other less needy species) care is sometimes akin to taking on a "special needs" child!

But they're rewarding! My Eleanora cockatoo was my first bird but I always loved birds! She loves my 10 year old brother and she likes my dad a lot too! I must be really lucky or I'm just a natural with birds

I'd say you're a natural with toos, which is awesome! That's pretty uncommon.

 

[Phlox]

Eleanoras are known for being easier, like RB2s. They are not like Moluccan or
Umbrellas at all.

 

[Minimaker]

All the warnings have finally paid off, my husband has been effectively scared away over reading all of this (he had me read all of these replies to him) plus the advised trip to see one in person. I find it kind of sad now actually, because I know me-the one who will be dealing with it all the time-and my own heart. My level of commitment is not like some people's who give up easily. That's why I'm still married after nearly twenty years to my high school boyfriend and why my children were never once left with a babysitter their entire childhood. I'm used to my life being completely about someone else-it's my gig so to speak. I don't give up. I know our home and life and I think we would have been ideal people for one. I have that sort of iron clad persistence and love for birds, coupled with all the time in the world to deal with it. Tripled with a large rambling farmhouse with room to spare. I know these birds will continue to be bred, and I know that the possibility is high that one of those wrong people for the job will be taking a U2 that probably would have lived a very good life with me with all that room to roam and homemade jungle gyms to climb all over in different parts of the house.

I just want you all to know that for every horror story you've seen or heard about with those 95% who can't handle it-there will be a potential 5 percenter in the bunch somewhere. They are out there and every great parrot parent here started out by buying one bird sometime. Everyone here had to start somewhere right? That's all I'm going to say.

 

[Phlox]

If just reading our comments and honesty in a forum prevents a bird from ending up in a home that isn't right for it, then we've actually done the right thing.

We've all seen the horror stories and they are called that for a reason.

If you've never had a bird before, a U2 is probably not a very good starting point. The 5% of good homes are typically very bird experienced with a flock of birds so they provide the family humans just can't always accomplish for the big cockatoos.

I've had birds since I was 16 years old and I'm 39. I could not handle a M2 or a U2. There's no way. There's no shame in admitting that the trophy bird is the wrong one for your life and your home. I think U2s are adorable and that M2s are the most beautiful birds I've ever seen. I will never have one because I know I couldn't handle one.

For every horror story we've heard, there are 200 we haven't heard, where the bird was euthanized or stashed in a closet and tore itself apart until it died. We'd rather hurt someone's feelings than sentence a bird to death.

 

[SilverSage]

Fortunately Minimaker has bird experience Even if it is not parrot experience. Mini, please do not be discouraged. Not bringing home one of the top 3 difficult parrot species as your FIRST parrot does not at all mean you will never be that loving, safe home for one. Many of us have learned that birds are a bit like potato chips - you can't have just one! Anyway, we are all still really excited to hear which bird you choose and be with you through the process, as well as have you hear with us to offer your knowledge.

 

[Abigal7]

Minimaker, you probably could handle since you have bird experience. However, in honesty Birdman666 is not exaggerating about large toos. They live in very large flocks in the wild, they are never alone. I even read the rumor that in the wild these birds will wean their babies a lot longer then a lot of parrot species and that unlike other birds or parrots the rumor adds they do not even enforce tough love and force their babies to wean etc at a certain time. I never owned a too and as of right now Captain Jack is my first macaw. I seen videos on toos and they seem to have a lot of energy and seem fun and funny. Seeing the videos of them bouncing up and down and acting funny is way different then how Captain Jack acts. I open Captain Jack cage he will go in and out of his cage, eat drink, chew and destroy a lot of wood toys and newspapers, gets on top of his cage, fly to me and land on my shoulder, bob his head. However, he does not have the energy level that I seen in those too videos. He has never jump off my shouldered with the though he is going to chew on the laptop or wires. He will just stays on my shoulder. In honesty I do not think a cockatoo would be a good bird for me because there is no way I can be with a bird 24/7. I read people online say a well socialized too loves strangers while a well socialized macaw tolerates strangers but probably has a favorite person. (That describes Captain Jack). The only thing in common a macaw and cockatoo have is the fact that they can be cuddly.

 

[Minimaker]

Thanks SilverSage.

You know even here in this tiny little country village of 1700 people, there are two successful umbrella cockatoo owners with big happy healthy birds. I know this because I just visited them tonight to find out more about the birds in person (small town, everyone knows everyone else). They are the delight of their owner's lives and very spoiled. That much was clear. I could hear an umbrella too at one of the houses from the front porch calling "Come on in! Come on in!" over and over again. His cage was large, his toys plentiful. He didn't look ruined at all, matter of fact he looked delighted. Neither did the next house that had them. So in essence, it is quite possible there are other people who have them and love them and the parrots are not unhappy bald birds of despair. If there are two here right now in the middle of nowhere, just imagine how many more there are in the world that aren't abused or neglected. So it does happen they other way around as well then.