Meet Maui!

[TortoiseLady17]

Well a week ago we adopted an umbrella cockatoo! His name is Maui and he is 6 years old! He is adjusting very well to us! He likes both of us but prefers me over my husband. Has a pretty good vocabulary but has already picked up one new word since being with us! I am slowly learning to read him, he did bite me on the finger and a small bite on my cheek. The previous owners allowed him on their should and he got excited and went to my shoulder and when I tried to get him down he bit. He has already started to learn the shoulder is off limits now. When he was younger he injured his foot in a toy and they amputated his right foot. He gets around amazingly well, but he of course uses his beak a lot, which has made reading him hard sometimes. But we are getting it. He loves to cuddle, and I can touch him anywhere. When I have him out for one on one time, I don't want the whole time to be cuddling so we are working on trick training. Since he is not motivated by food I use cuddling as a reinforcer. We work on the trick, when he does it he gets a few seconds of cuddling. This seems to be working well so far. He is starting to wave now! Here are some pics of our new boy!

 

[MikeyTN]

They always give you that innocent face but they're super stubborn and have hidden agenda...lol...

 

[TortoiseLady17]

Oh I have found that out already lol

 

[MikeyTN]

I don't doubt that one bit....you learn very quickly with a Cockatoo....

 

[Mozzie]

He is absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sharing the pictures!

 

[pamcor57]

My first large bird was a Umbrella Cockatoo named Shasta. Very strong personality. Taked back alot. Never ever bit me or anyone in my family. She was scared of the color "Black"...if you got near her wearing any clothing that was black in color she would flare up and hiss at you. Anyone that came to my home in black clothing I had to ask them to put a smock on over it. ( I provided) I know that seems weird, but I didnt want my bird upset, and I wasnt willing to re-locate my Cockatoo to a different room...after all, this was her home. And my friends understood. Good luck with your new Umbrella!

 

[BillsBirds]

What a beauty!

 

[Spiritbird]

This is the one that has had so many homes isn't it? Just go slow and steady and establish a daily routine and thank you so much for adopting him.

 

[terry52449]

Welcome
My umbrella cockatoo is 9 years old and too loves to cuddle. Even though Cameo is a treat hound she will nag you til she gets you to pet her.
Be careful of how you cuddle with him as he becomes a mature bird, about 9 years old, you may stimulate him sexually. Make sure you pet him on the head and occasionally under the wings. Stay away from the back tail area.
Cameo is such a wonderful addition to our family. We have been blesed. And yes the cockatoos can be very stubborn and your persistance and patience will eventually be rewarded.

 

[Neravas]

so cute, but that beak is SCARY!

 

[TortoiseLady17]

Thanks everyone!

Spirit bird I am not sure which cockatoo you are referring too. We got him locally, but we are his third (and last) owners.

Terry, thanks for the advise. I don't usually mess with his tail area, on occasion I will run my hand from his head down to the tip of his tail but not often. He seems to prefer to sit on my lap up against my side. He will put his head flat down on leg and just sit there. He doesn't seem to care whether I pet him or just have my hand on him.

 

[Mare Miller]

They always give you that innocent face but they're super stubborn and have hidden agenda...lol...

Is there any other way?!

That's wonderful you are giving Maui a wonderful home, awesome! My 4yr. old niece reminds me so much of Mi Amigo with her headstrong, forceful, logical, single minded, loving ways. Got to love them!

 

[TortoiseLady17]

I am a special education teacher and I am learning owning a cockatoo requires a lot of love and patience, just like being a teacher. lol

 

[MikeyTN]

I love Cockatoos regardless of countless bites I received from Java. He can be such a sweetheart when he wants to. Just stubborn and refusing to take no for a answer.