How to Care for Umbrella Cockatoos
Umbrella cockatoos, also known as white cockatoos, are large white birds with an umbrella-like crest of feathers on their heads. They can grow to about a foot in length, and therefore require a large habitat. They are very friendly and crave attention from their owners. Umbrella cockatoos can learn different tricks, as well as some words. These cockatoos require a lot of care, and can develop loud or destructive habits if they do not receive the attention they need.
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Things You'll Need
- Cage
- Bird perches
- Bird toys
- Cage bedding
- Water dish
- Varied cockatoo foods
Instructions
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Provide a large cage for the cockatoo. Each bird should have an area about 3 feet by 2 feet long by 2 feet wide, although even larger cages are often a better option for the bird.
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Place a couple bird perches in the cage for the cockatoo to stand on. These perches can be purchased from a pet store, or made from natural tree branches. They should be about 3/4 inch around.
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Add bird toys to the cage. These can be purchased at a pet store. Umbrella cockatoos enjoy chewing, and these toys will give them something safe to gnaw on.
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Place bird bedding in the bottom of the cage. This could be strips of newspaper or a wood shaving type bedding. The bedding will catch the waste from the cockatoo and make cleaning easier.
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Place a water dish in the cage and give your umbrella cockatoo fresh water daily. Ideally, this dish, as well as the food dishes, should be located away from the bird perches, so that no mess or dirt ends up in the dishes.
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Feed your cockatoo a high-quality bird seed or grain mix that is designed for large hookbill birds. This bird mix should provide the necessary vitamins that your umbrella cockatoo needs.
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Supplement the cockatoo's seed or grain with fresh fruits and vegetables. These treats will provide any nutrients that are lacking in the bird's seed diet, and will also vary the diet, keeping it interesting for the cockatoo. Fruits and vegetables that are safe for umbrella cockatoos include plums, apples, peaches, raisins, carrots, broccoli, and lettuce. Always check with a knowledgeable bird source before feeding your bird a new food item because some fruits and vegetables, such as avocados, are toxic to cockatoos.
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Clean out the food and water bowls daily. Clean the perches daily as well, by wiping them off. Replace the dirty bedding in the bottom of the cage with fresh bedding twice a week. Thoroughly wash the perches, dishes, and toys in the cage once a week. Scrub the cage itself once a month.
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Spend a lot of time with your umbrella cockatoo. These birds require a lot of affection in order to remain happy. Without this affection, then can become loud. They may also become destructive, ruining furniture or even plucking out their own feathers. Although you'll still need to spend time with them, you can also buy two birds. This will help them keep each other company when you can't.
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References
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
