Adopted my first bird, an Umbrella Cockatoo

[Dlynjen]

I adopted my first ever bird, an Umbrella Cockatoo last week. Despite the cries for attention whenever I'm not in the room, things are going great. I was hoping to gather a few tips or positive (and helpful) insight on how to keep her happy and healthy. That, and to get a bit of a chuckle from all the immediate criticism on what a bad decision it is to adopt a U2 with zero experience.

 

[GoDucks]

I adopted my first ever bird, an Umbrella Cockatoo last week. Despite the cries for attention whenever I'm not in the room, things are going great. I was hoping to gather a few tips or positive (and helpful) insight on how to keep her happy and healthy. That, and to get a bit of a chuckle from all the immediate criticism on what a bad decision it is to adopt a U2 with zero experience.

Hi, welcome to AA. My first bird was also a Umbrella Cockatoo so I can definitely relate.
Have you done any research on the breed? We have a cockatoo thread on this site so that might be of some help.

My advice with getting to know a bird (especially a cockatoo) is to go slow- let her get use to you and her new environment. Also know that there will be times that she will get hormonal, clingy and moody. Cockatoos do best with a set routine, so please be upfront with her now as to what she can expect from you in regards to bedtime and out of cage time. They love to play with toys but those toys can be as cheap as a paper bag.

If she becomes hormonal with you, ( she will! ) divert her attention to something else.
Also, cockatoos have a penchant for getting spoiled, real quick, so please don't readily give in to her screams.
Have fun with her, get to know her body language and watch out for that beak.

 

[camelotshadow]

Congrats. Not an easy first bird or bird period but its best to get the bird you want. Just do alot of research. They are needy & smart. Will keep you on your toes.
I have no too experience but there are many on the forum.

Good Luck

 

[Clueless]

Welcome! We rescued 2 blue front amazons that were wild caught and DNA male without any bird experience.

It's all doable. You just need to learn.

 

[JLcribber]

That, and to get a bit of a chuckle from all the immediate criticism on what a bad decision it is to adopt a U2 with zero experience.

Do you realize what a bad decision it is to adopt a U2 with zero experience?

You just don’t know what you don’t know. Until you know. And you will have no choice but to learn the hard way (what other way is there?). Welcome aboard.

Hindsight is 20/20. There’s lots of that around here.

 

[Sparkles99]

 

[faislaq]

I love the "Good, Bad and Ugly" sections about each type of bird. They're all green "sticky" threads at the top of each sub forum in the Species Speedway section. There's plenty of funny stories with some good tips, etc, mixed in. And welcome to the Avenue!

The Good the Bad and the Ugly about Large Cockatoos

The attributes listed in this thread are the experiences of each individual and your experiences may differ with your individual bird. I have owned two Umbrella cockatoos in my life. Sammy U2 is a rescue I have now. He is in his 30s. THE GOOD: He is silly, loves to snuggle and sing. He is very...

forums.avianavenue.com

 

[MR. Mango]

Can't wait to see more pictures of the little bugger!!!

 

[expressmailtome]

Welcome, and congratulations!

 

[Zara]

Welcome to the Avenue!

 

[Hankmacaw]

Take heart - my first bird was a 19 year old wild caught Greenwing male that had been abused (physically) for ten years. Adult GW males have a reputation as an "assertive" bird and throw in the rest of his background with Hank, and he was more than a challenge. LOL. Plus that was 24 years ago when there was very little help around.

We survived and not only did we survive, we became best buddies. Took lots of patience and compromise on both our parts, but when he died a part of me went with him.

 

[sunnysmom]

Welcome! No criticism here. I'd much rather see someone get the bird they want from the get go then "trade up" so to speak which is a huge disservice to the equally important little birds. I can't emphasis enough the importance of training. I didn't do it from the get go with my goffin and realize that was a mistake. We had a really long honeymoon period with him and I thought wow- I am the luckiest person in the world to have gotten an easy cockatoo. (Yes, @JLcribber, you can laugh at me. ) But cockatoos really are delightful birds- smart and funny. Never underestimate the smart part. They can be destructive. So it's important that they have toys and lots of mental stimulation. And they can get excited very easily. An overly excited cockatoo often leads to a bite. So, you have to learn the fine line between we're having fun and playing and the 'too going over the edge and becoming crazy. LOL. But you'll learn.

 

[faislaq]

That, and to get a bit of a chuckle from all the immediate criticism on what a bad decision it is to adopt a U2 with zero experience.

Sorry, wrong forum. You might try FB; I hear those groups might be more what you're thinking of.

 

[Ira]

Welcome! We rescued 2 blue front amazons that were wild caught and DNA male without any bird experience.

And you hardly miss those two fingers!

 

[Ira]

That, and to get a bit of a chuckle from all the immediate criticism on what a bad decision it is to adopt a U2 with zero experience.

Well, it’s more sensible than adopting a CHIMP!

A bird just craps on the floor, and a chimp throws it at you.

 

[MR. Mango]

@Ira do u have a chimp?

 

[Ira]

@Ira do u have a chimp?

My wife would kill me.

And after a chimp ripped that woman’s face off, I kind of got turned off to the species.

How the heck can you rip someone’s face off!?

 

[MR. Mango]

IKR I saw an interview where the poor women showed her face and I was scared for life,

 

[faislaq]

There may be better threads for the chimp discussion than another member's welcome thread.

This one's always a good spot: https://forums.avianavenue.com/index.php?threads/last-person-to-comment-wins.144649/

 

[Ira]

There may be better threads for the chimp discussion than another member's welcome thread.

This one's always a good spot: https://forums.avianavenue.com/index.php?threads/last-person-to-comment-wins.144649/

I’ll stop talking about chimps, and I’d like to ask if the OP knows the age and gender.