Story with a U2

[RachaelR]

Hey all,
I am really rolling on my second book now, The Cockatoo Called. This is a fictional mystery, so don't get worried!!
First, I'm going to have him found in a yard. I am having his wings clipped. How far could he fly in that condition?
He's young, probably just a year old....
Also, how can you tell the age or sex of a cockatoo, specifically umbrella, just by sight...I know they need to be surgically sexed to know for sure....

This isn't a sequel to The Parrot Told Me, but it will be a mystery and the cockatoo will be a character!!

 

[kq_fan]

That sounds awesome! I am always trying to find books about parrots! I hope I can read them some day. I also really like mysteries! Awesome!

 

[punkindave]

First, I'm going to have him found in a yard. I am having his wings clipped. How far could he fly in that condition?
He's young, probably just a year old....
Also, how can you tell the age or sex of a cockatoo, specifically umbrella, just by sight...I know they need to be surgically sexed to know for sure....

This isn't a sequel to The Parrot Told Me, but it will be a mystery and the cockatoo will be a character!!

If they are clipped, they can still fly a bit, just cannot gain much altitude without assistance from a wind gust.
Cockatoos cannot be sexed 100% visually and are normally done with a DNA test using blood from a feather or a nail clip. Commonly the male has deep black eyes, but I've seen females with the same. Hope this helps..

 

[RachaelR]

It does help. I was wondering if the eye color differed when they are younger. When does the eye color change?

Writing the books has been really fun! And The Parrot Told Me has a CAG, so other folks have liked the talking part!!

 

[punkindave]

Not sure as I've never had a baby.. I know that Caique and CAG eyes change color with age but I've always noted that the white Cockatoos ALWAYS had deep dark eyes, even the brown isn't really obvious unless you look closely. It's one of the things about them that's so endearing, they have "soulful" eyes. Of course it also makes it hard to tell their mood because there are no apparent pupils.

 

[RachaelR]

That is true. They have such sweet expressions!