Advice for someone looking to rescue a U2?

[Nissili]

My family is aware of the situation, and I've been relaying things to them as I continue to study. I know that no matter how much I read there will be more to learn and some I can only learn from experience.

I continue to look through cockatoo inflicted injuries and read stories of them, and honestly I have a healthy dose of caution -but I'm not afraid. Why be afraid of something if the fear only increases the chances of it happening? Rule number one of bird owning:if you can't handle the bite, you can't handle the bird. Because no matter how sweet the bird, no matter how well you care for them, someday you'll get bit, and it won't just be once. Even if the reason was I had the utter audacity to exist that day, it's never the bird's fault.

I'm hoping for the best that if brought home, he will at least tolerate the family's social interactions and love, but preparing for the worst that I'll be his handler and be ready to bite the bullet -or rather be the one bit.

Some birds aren't very fit for domestic life, I agree. But while I agree, this is a bird born in captivity far from native land and in need of care and love, and he isn't coming from a breeder waiting to breed more, he's sitting in a tiny store in a small cage with plucking issues and in desperate need of more love and trust than he is being given. I understand the employees are afraid of being attacked again, but its holding them back from easing him into liking them and being less likely to lash out. I don't blame him - as far as he knows, they took him from his owner, gave him away again, then took him back who knows how many times. He probably bit them because he associates them with being abandoned.

 

[rocky'smom]

@JLcribber do you think that that noise level can best be heard from the site that you use to be a part mytoos.com, is it??

 

[Lodah]

My hat goes off to all U2 and M2 Parronts! HOW in BLAZES you can commit to such a daunting task is beyond belief! God Bless you all!

 

[JLcribber]

@JLcribber do you think that that noise level can best be heard from the site that you use to be a part mytoos.com, is it??

Well that depends what you're playing the sound through. If they're tiny laptop speakers then no. If they're playing through a nice big stereo then yes.

www.mytoos.com

 

[Loppy]

Good luck, @Nissili! You have more guts than I do! Toos are simply too much bird for me, but I do enjoy interacting with them. It sounds like this Too needs a home, and you can provide that home. Please keep us updated on your progress and I hope you are able to provide the living home this bird desperately needs. I understand wanting to be able to give a bird a good home. I met a zon last year or the year before who had been rehomed twice. The previous owners would toss him into a drawer when he got too loud. Had I have had the money, the means, and no cat, that zon would have gone home with me that day. But, birds and a cat who used to be a stray wouldn't mesh well. Anyway, this is my long-winded way of saying I really hope everything works out and you can give this U2 the loving home he needs.

 

[rocky'smom]

earbuds will work, tried it on friend's laptop. I can still hear them .LOL

 

[Jenphilly]

Jenphilly, I don't disagree with you at all. However, it seems this poor baby is un-cared for and already rehomed several times. Taking in a large bird like a U2 is a daunting task I'm sure and I can only advise she read read and read some more about their care.

Only because of my experience with so many toos at the rescue, taking in any parrot because you feel it needs better care often ends in heartache and just more behavior issues for the bird. There are other options, get a shelter or rescue involved to try and get the too into a better environment. We have many toos that are not adoptable or suitable for a home but love being in a flock setting. Many won't believe or want to hear but many U2 and M2s do much much better in a good rescue or sanctuary environment. I can offer do many specific examples of toos that are wonderful in the shelter with other toos to scream and socialize with, but were stressed being in a home environment.

Sounds like she has read a lot and its good to read as much as possible. But the family needs to be included in this thought process as she lives at home. They should read the same materials.

Huge point and so on target ... and being a younger person getting a bird, this is even more important. Being a mom of a 'kid' who just finished college (BA and MBA), time for a high maintenance feathered child is gonna be tough....

My advice. Go volunteer at a rescue, get reality of hands on cockatoo experience including getting bit (sorry it's part of reality). Your family needs to spend a couple days too. And if you are committed to trying, have your backup plan in place. Best laid plans often don't go as anyone intended. But that's just life, we've all been there!

 

[JLcribber]

Huge point and so on target ... and being a younger person getting a bird, this is even more important. Being a mom of a 'kid' who just finished college (BA and MBA), time for a high maintenance feathered child is gonna be tough....

My advice. Go volunteer at a rescue, get reality of hands on cockatoo experience including getting bit (sorry it's part of reality). Your family needs to spend a couple days too. And if you are committed to trying, have your backup plan in place. Best laid plans often don't go as anyone intended. But that's just life, we've all been there!

They just don't know what they don't know.

What we are trying to do Sandra ( @Nissili )is prevent you from making a decision that has extremely high odds of ending up in regret. We know your heart is in the right place but you are about to become pregnant and have a child in every sense of the word. The day you bring that bird home your life no longer belongs to you. It must and will revolve around that bird for the rest of your life. You will not be able to do or plan anything without considering that bird first. And because of the birds situation it's going to need a tremendous amount of time and dedication right from the start.

At 19 just what are your plans for the future?

 

[janicedyh]

Good point Jen, we have a wonderful Parrot rescue in our area that is a Godsend for uncared for Parrots

 

[Lady Jane]

Everyone posting here has written such great advise. So much cockatoo wisdom it's really good to read. I really hope this bird can experience a better quality life where ever it ends up living. Original poster no more vacations. The bird won't let you go!

 

[Bokkapooh]

It is very possible that her home and her family will make excellent cockatoo people. Even despite her young age. I got my first cockatoo at 16. My life changed for the better. I worked hard to provide for Bokka.

I suppose if I never got Bokka I may never have gotten any large parrots until after I moved out of my moms. I might have had a slightly different life than I do now.

So it is possible to be a teenager and have big birds. And be the sole responsibility too.

 

[JLcribber]

It is very possible that her home and her family will make excellent cockatoo people. Even despite her young age. I got my first cockatoo at 16. My life changed for the better. I worked hard to provide for Bokka.

I suppose if I never got Bokka I may never have gotten any large parrots until after I moved out of my moms. I might have had a slightly different life than I do now.

So it is possible to be a teenager and have big birds. And be the sole responsibility too.

Hope so. Pretty darn rare.

 

[macawpower58]

I agree, Mercedez is not the norm.

 

[WendyN]

My advice. Go volunteer at a rescue, get reality of hands on cockatoo experience including getting bit (sorry it's part of reality). Your family needs to spend a couple days too. And if you are committed to trying, have your backup plan in place. Best laid plans often don't go as anyone intended. But that's just life, we've all been there!

I think this would be a good first step before you decide on whether adopt U2.
Understanding and insight gained through the benefit of experience would make you a better parront if you still want to adopt.
It is a lifetime commitment.
I wish you well and many good things in life.

 

[Bokkapooh]

Hope so. Pretty darn rare.

I dont know how rare. But there are already a few on here that have toos and other parrots and are teens. And probably many more not on here. So although most people in general are not cockatoo people, teens included, they're out there.

Some are more ideal to be a cockatoo owner than some, ofcourse. No doubt. But its also without a doubt not ideal to be a teen and have such large responsibilities. I completely agree.

 

[Nissili]

My mother brought up a point that I cannot, with any amount of dedication or effort, compensate for. Eventually, we will have neighbors upstairs, directly above my ceiling. If they complain about the bird, my landlord will have to tell me to either get rid of him or move out (alternatively, she could tell me to make him be quiet, but we all know that's not something you can do with a bird, let alone a cockatoo) - and I cannot afford to move out, and my family cannot afford to lose my income.

As sad as it is, I cannot take that risk and bring this bird home only to have him feel abandoned another time. It wouldn't be fair to him.
Since I cannot take that chance, the best I can do is hope for the best and potentially call up the store to ask how he's doing and if he's found a home yet.

I hope for the perfect home to find him. And I regret that I cannot provide that for him without the notable risk that it would be ripped away from him. If I can, I'll try to go down and donate some toys or treats for him to hopefully perk up his mood at least a little bit.

 

[WendyN]

I totally respect and honor your decision. It was a difficult one to make.
You did a great job researching and asking questions and taking into account the needs U2 and your family.
Please continue to take very good care of your family.

 

[iamwhoiam]

So sorry that you are unable to take the 'too but it's good that you considered the noise level and what might happen if other residents complain. Hopefully he will find a wonderful new home.

 

[Bokkapooh]

I am sorry you had to make a tough decision on not adopting him.

Perhaps post which pet store and state he is in and post on local FB groups you are part of to try and get him adopted.

 

[Tiel Feathers]

I'm sorry things didn't work out and I hope he finds a very nice home. I'm sure he would love it if you could visit him once in a while until he does!