THE ALL WEATHER COCKATOO

THE UMBRELLA cockatoo (Cacatua alba), also known as the white cockatoo or the great white crested cockatoo, is well known in bird circles as being one of the most affectionate and affable companion birds widely available on the market today. An Indonesian native, the umbrella is slightly smaller than the Moluccan cockatoo, but is not smaller in personality or charm. This outgoing cockatoo is infamous for its outlandish antics and for being clingy with its owners to the point of wanting to be sewn to them!

The umbrella desires nothing more than to cuddle with the object of its desire, and can become overly attached to other birds or objects in the pet shop, leading to serious disappointment when these birds or objects are sold. It is important to keep the umbrella socialized while in the store by allowing employees and customers to handle the bird-with supervision, of course. This way the bird will be less likely to attach to someone or something in the shop and will be more easily relocated to a new home.

However, it might be difficult to get an umbrella not to attach to someone on staff these birds are extremely sentimental. In the wild, the umbrella is never without a companion, and the captive umbrella has the same instinctual patterning to bond to a mate, or at least to have a special friend. The best way to make an umbrella cockatoo unhappy is to keep it in isolation.

The umbrella can be distinguished from other white cockatoos by its wholly white crest that raises like an umbrella when the bird is excited, agitated, ready to play or bite. Both the beak and legs are a dark gray, and the feathers on the undersides of the wings and tail are light yellow.

The noise level of this bird is extremely high. It is prone to bouts of loud screaming; especially if it is isolated, locked in a cage, or doesn't get its way. Screaming is often a measure of the bird's displeasure-the louder the more significant the disapproval of its circumstances. Make sure a new owner knows about the potential for screaming before you sell this bird, or it might come back to you! Many cockatoos are re-homed because of their superior voices. On the up side, the umbrella can be taught to talk and may acquire a vocabulary of more than 50 words, though most will not learn that many. Often, a bird that learns to talk may substitute talking for screaming-but not all of the time.

An Umbrella Stand

Because this bird is large and hates being confined to the point of chewing and picking out its feathers, it requires a large space in which to live, preferably an enormous, well built cage with a top that opens into a playstand. An umbrella can’t live happily in a small space, and will become weary and apathetic or agitated and aggressive if confined. A large cage-top playstand is a must for, this active bird, as are portable stands, so that the bird can be taken along as the owner moves from room to room. A shower perch with suction cups is a nice accessory to stock for use with all of the larger birds.

Once we've determined our customer's compatibility with the species and arranged for proper housing, we introduce our customer to the multitude of supplies the bird will need to remain happy and healthy. Large, chewable, interactive toys are a must for the umbrella, who is as destructive a parrot as they come. Toys give a bird something to do while the owner is away. The umbrella's beak is powerful and will make quick work of wooden toys, so encourage your customer to buy a few. Acrylic toys are nice as well because they are durable, though they don't allow the bird the satisfaction of chewing. Stock toys that make noise or play songs when the bird uses them-these are especially good for the umbrella, a bird that requires a lot of stimulation. Umbrellas are extremely intelligent and will benefit from puzzle toys as well.

We encourage our customer to purchase a variety of perches in an assortment of dimensions and materials. Wood, concrete, acrylic and rope perches are all good choices, and will help to prevent foot disorders. Wooden perches with bark are especially nice because they can be chewed and replaced.

Coop cups for a cockatoo should be made from stainless steel or ceramic, though ceramic tends to break. A locking crock is great for these large birds, who have the tendency to dump their food cups for fun or when bored. Recommend two sets of dishes so that the owner can use one set while the other set is being disinfected.

We sell our customer the proper bird carrier when the bird leaves the store. This essential item will be used for travel and veterinary visits. We don't let the customer leave the store with the bird in a cardboard container, which it can easily chew apart. Also, a good bird care and training book with the sale as well.

Proper Nutrition

As with all companion birds, variety in a bird's diet is key to good health and a normal life span. Offer seeds, pellets and a wide variety of fruits and vegetables while the bird is in the store. If the bird is not used to a variety of foods the new owner will have trouble getting the bird to eat well. Feeding your stock properly encourages your customer to do so, leading to a happy bird and a happier customer.

There's a simple way we tell our customer what their new bird can and cannot eat: A parrot can eat everything we eat, with the exception of avocado, chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, rhubarb, and raw onion. We tell our customer to feed the bird everything he or she eats, but to keep junk food at a bare minimum. Also, fruits and veggies that are dark green or orange should be fed in abundance, with the exception of spinach, which should only be fed on occasion because it binds calcium and prevents it from being absorbed.

When It Rains It Pours

The umbrella owner should have experience with parrots before taking on this feathered handful. This is not a good first bird, nor is a good child's pet. The umbrella also tends to become spoiled very easily and will not adapt well to changes in routine or additions to the family, such as an infant or new puppy.

The umbrella is a long-term commitment for an owner, this species can live up to 70 years with proper care and attention. Unfortunately, many of these sensitive birds don't live that long. They are prone to self-mutilation and the infections that result from that abnormal behavior. Make sue the customer understands how sensitive this bird is before it goes home.

Another serious consideration for a new owner is the powder dust that these cockatoos emit, which can irritate those owners with sensitive respiratory systems or allergies. Stock air purifiers or ion chargers, if you have room for them, as these items help to cut down on the dust. Regular bathing with clear, warm water will also help

The umbrella cockatoo certainly makes a charming, affectionate pet, but it's not for everyone. This bird can be as fickle as the weather, playing one minute and screaming and nipping the next. Birds will be birds, with all of their quirks and caprices, and umbrellas are no exception. Yet the informed umbrella owner is fortunate to live with this extraordinary bird that was named after something ordinary-and in dispensable.

Umbrella Cockatoo Basics

Reprinted by Pretty Birds from Pet Product News by Nikki Moustaki

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