How to Raise an Umbrella Cockatoo
The Umbrella Cockatoo is one of the most popular parrot species because it is a social creature, likes to cuddle, and is intelligent and curious. Often called the White-Crested or White Cockatoo, it is known for its white coloring with pale yellow underneath the tail and wing areas. Its white crest is flat on the top of the head, but unfolds when raised -- thus the name umbrella. These birds can live as long as 70 years, so if you want to raise one for a pet it requires a long-term commitment, among other things.
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Things You'll Need
- Large cage
- Bird pellets
- Water bottle
- Raw fruits and vegetables
- Nuts and seeds
Instructions
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Purchase a large cage for the Umbrella Cockatoo. This type of bird is curious and has a strong beak that can destroy many household items if he gets loose from his cage. Your bird will quickly become adept at unlocking his cages and escaping into the living area of your home. He should have plenty of room, perches and activities in his cage to avoid boredom. Toys will also satisfy his need to chew on something.
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Place the cage in an area of your home where he can see the family and people can walk by and interact with him. The Umbrella Cockatoo craves the interaction and will provide hours of fun with his chatter and acrobatics.
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Remove your cockatoo from his cage at least once every day. This will provide him with much needed exercise and a change of environment. This action will prevent boredom that can lead to feather plucking.
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Feed your parrot twice a day, once in the morning and again in the evening. Give him a diet of bird pellets, along with raw fruits and vegetables, seeds, nuts, and cooked beans, grains and legumes. You may decide to leave a dish of pellets available at all times and feed him the other foods twice daily for variety and if you have a meeting late in the evening during his normal mealtime. Do not forget to keep his water bottle filled with water at all times.
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Teach your parrot to talk once he is acclimated to his new home. Either give him one-on-one attention in his cage or while holding him. Say the new word repeatedly and slowly and soon he will start to mimic you. Exposing him to language takes time and patience. Do not attempt this when you or the bird is stressed.
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Tips & Warnings
Leave the room when your Umbrella Cockatoo starts to scream, according to Cockatooanswers.com. If you give him attention, he will use this technique every time he starts to get a little bored. When he finds out the behavior makes you exit the room and gains him no attention he will stop the bad behavior. Do this the first time it happens and thereafter, he will soon learn you cannot always be there for him when he is bored and will learn to entertain himself.
Train your parrot to ring a bell or say a cute word when he wants your attention. When he rings the bell or says the word the first time, immediately respond by going to the cage and giving him attention. He will soon learn this is the appropriate behavior for attention.
Avoid the Umbrella Cockatoo if you live in an apartment or in close situations. The voice can be quite loud and carries easily through walls, according to Birdsnways.com. The vocabulary of a Cockatoo can include 50 words to 100 words, so he may choose to chatter just when you are trying to rest.
