Umbrella Cockatoo- tell me about yours.

[MELISAZACK]

So our lovely blue head amazon passed away recently unexpectly...
my boys can't be without a bird and went and got a rescue Umbrella Too... He is 5 yrs old we don't too much on him since he was a drop and run.
he is not a feather picker.. but he doesn't step up at all and refuses flat out.
he seems to be favoring my husband and likes my son... me he seems to take me or leave me... which is sad cause my amazon loved everyone..
anyway tell me about your TOO... he has bit my hubby 2x's so far - once on the baby toe and when he yelled ouch and pulled the bird "max" turn full feather out and about 5 seconds later lunged for him -no damage hubby arm blocked him... prior to that our neighbor came over and he got nutty and screamed jumped off cage on to hubby and bit his ear clear throught he cartlidge...then jumped off him and went after her... we think Max doesn't care for her at all.. He is in love with our Lhasapoo, wants to cuddle with her all the time and prune her -- she isn't so keen on it since no other bird did this to her - but she tolerates it and when she done goes under the couch.
anyway what are your experiences - oh he is verbal he talks, barks and whistles too... I think we are going to have a challenge on our hands for a while.
any advise will help!!

 

[storzo]

Mine, Freddie, doesn't talk at all. We've tried everything and her since she was very young but never picked up speaking. She can scream like crazy and bark just like the dog and laughs her head off.

They need to be around people from when they are young or they will get attached only to their caregiver and then that can cause problems....the biting. I don't know about an older bird like you have now but mine immediately took to my husband and would bite me until drawing blood but that did stop after a few weeks. She sometimes will go after one friend of mine but cuddle with another. IDK. I guess they're just picky. But she does not bit anymore.

Sometimes she steps up, sometimes she doesn't. It did take us a few weeks to get her to do it though so I'm sure that'll come with time. They have to feel safe and secure with you. Get a "hand" held toy. He'll drop it over and over and you just pick it up over and over and give it back. That's how they learn you are trustworthy.

Freddie is also very close to my dog who thankfully doesn't mind at all. She cuddles with Harley (the dog) and clucks to her and will even rejuritate to feed her.

Mine loves getting pet under her crown and under her wings. She will cuddle close and start to cluck when this is done.

I am no expert. This is just all from personal experience. Hope it helps.

 

[MELISAZACK]

Thanks that helps a lot...max was doing some of those same traits.
The hand held toy is a great idea I will work on that tomorrow.
I used treats today to ale him step up...then tonight to help him down from a chair he was stuck on..
Guess this will be a learning process and take time...

 

[ilovejack02]

Oh the Umbrellas .. boy they are a feisty challenging bunch for sure !

It has been years since I worked with them, they are soooo beautiful , but sooo much trouble sometimes too. One of the species that I saw passed around the most. Poor babies. Keeping their wings clipped is important , helps keep them safe and others around them.

http://www.mytoos.com/ is a great site for info.


At five this bird has a long long life to live. Hopefully you all can find some good information to help with training etc so you all can live happily together for many years to come.