The moluccan and white cockatoos (also called umbrella) are among the largest of the cockatoo family (surpassed only by black ones) and are widely considered two of the most difficult parrots to manage. With proper care and attention, however, these parrots can make wonderful pets.
Steps
Step 1. Don't rush to own a cockatoo
Unfortunately, these birds have gained a reputation as "cuddles". Although they are very loving parrots, before buying one it is important that you ask yourself the following questions, and consider buying only one if you answer all of them in the affirmative:
- Do you have the money to get the cage, accessories, toys, manage veterinary care, food and anything else the parrot needs?
- Do you have adequate space for the cage that is at least 90x90x90cm?
- Do you have some time to devote to him, as he needs at least an hour of gameplay a day?
- Do you have the patience to accept a parrot that screams very loudly and bites?
- Can you make the commitment to manage a bird that, in all likelihood, outlives you longer than you? (The moluccan cockatoo, for example, can live 65 years and over.)
Step 2. Choose your cockatoo
There are several ways to get one. You can:
- Purchase a small cockatoo at a pet store. This is extremely risky, as it is generally not known who the parents are, where he was raised, or his medical history. However, some parrot-specific shops are quite reliable and you can turn to them to buy your pet. Check out the parrot websites for forum comments and advice on where to get your cockatoo. If you buy it from a pet store, ask for written proof that the parrot was not caught in the wild, as those that are caught in the wild are subjected to a cruel practice that can physically and emotionally harm cockatoos.
- Purchase an adult specimen from a private individual. Taking an adult from a family that has to leave due to a situation independent of the cockatoo itself (allergies, divorce, etc) is a great way to get it. However, ask to see the parrot first, to check its behavior and contact the vet to check its health situation.
- Adopt an adult from a bird recovery center. This is a good way to get a cockatoo, as recovery centers and bird associations are usually able to give you all the information about the parrot's behavior and health. However, avoid those centers that appear to be individually run, or that do not provide veterinary care to animals, because the bird's health may have been compromised. Ask the recovery center or the local association for advice.
Step 3. Purchase a suitable cage for your moluccan cockatoo or white cockatoo
The cage must be rectangular and approximately 90x90x90 cm, with plenty of space for the animal to climb and open its wings, as well as a bar not more than 1.25 cm thick. Since zinc and lead are poisonous to parrots, ask for a written certificate that the cage does not contain these elements. Ideally it should be stainless steel, with a strong lock, as cockatoos tend to escape easily and damage weak cages. You need to add a lot of toys and accessories (but not so many that it restricts the parrot's movement); a container for the seeds, so that the food remains inside; three stainless steel bowls for pellets, vegetables and fruit and water; and wooden perches or ropes that are safe for the animal.
Step 4. Get him a healthy diet
Seeds, contrary to popular belief, are not a suitable diet for parrots. About 60% of your diet should include specially formulated, uncolored pellets. Vegetables are also another important part of his diet; some of the best vegetables you can include in her diet are cabbage, broccoli, dandelion, carrots, cooked sweet potatoes, and squash. Fruits are healthy and tasty, but should be given in moderation due to their high water content; only valid options are orange fruit, such as papaya, mango, oranges and melon. Healthy table foods (well-cooked meat, rice, tofu, cheese, low-fat yogurt, cooked eggs, cooked beans, carrots, etc.) are acceptable as long as they are in small quantities. The seeds can be considered excellent sweets; grains, cuttlefish bone and vitamin supplements are useless. Food should act as a mental stimulus as well as nutrition, so you can introduce new foods so your pet can find different ways to chew, play and stimulate curiosity. Among the toxic foods we remember:
- Chocolate.
- Avocado.
- Green parts of the tomatoes.
- Seeds / pits of fruit from the rosacea family, including pears, peaches, apricots and cherries.
- Caffeine and alcohol.
- Dried beans.
- Very salty foods such as pretzels.
- Many other foods; always check that a food is safe for your parrot before giving it to him!
Step 5. Leave your cockatoo out of the cage every day
He should be out for at least an hour a day, although more time is even better. Try to involve him in your life, have him watch TV with you, or let him lean back in his chair when you are at the computer. However, if you have got a parrot pup, it needs to be trained. You can do this by following these simple steps:
- Put your arm next to his chest and in a gentle but firm voice say "Go up".
- Hopefully it gets on your arm or at least puts a paw on. Don't worry if it doesn't move!
- When he takes a step, reward him! You can also offer him a treat; but don't do it all the time, otherwise he'll be the first to get on the arm, expecting the delicacy.
- Eventually getting on your arm will become a learned behavior.
Step 6. Make sure he always gets regular veterinary care
This is simply a must. Find a veterinarian who specializes in bird care; It is also advisable to find a veterinarian available in case the parrot gets into trouble when the regular doctor has closed the clinic. You must take the cockatoo to the vet every year to have a blood test and check for any diseases; if you notice that his droppings are semi-liquid, look tired and dejected, change his eating habits, or suddenly start biting or pinching while he did not before, have him examined immediately.
Step 7. If you have purchased a puppy, be prepared for its "teen" phase
While he is still small, make him abide by rules, such as don't bite, don't scream, or any other rules you want to put in, ignoring bad behavior and praising the correct one instead. This will help you during your teenage stage; around this time the cockatoo looks for a mate to mate with (which could also be you, as parrots have a vague sense of species), explores and defies boundaries, and generally behaves like a human adolescent. Adopted adults take a somewhat similar attitude: When you adopt the cockatoo, you can experience the "honeymoon" phase, to the point where he will behave perfectly. Once this phase is over, however, its behavior will become that typical of the moluccan or white cockatoos.
Step 8. Check for any dangers in the house
Typical ones are:
- Teflon and many other non-stick products, which can be found in the oven, in the iron, on the stove and many other items in the house. When heated, this material produces polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fumes, which are fatal to parrots and other birds.
- Cooling fan; this only applies to cockatoos whose wings have not been clipped.
- Open toilet in which he could drown.
- Dogs and Cats: Even their saliva can be fatal to parrots, and no matter how well they seem to get along, your cockatoo should be kept separate from all other pets.
- Lead and zinc found on some cages and many household items (Lead: frames, paints, jewelry, etc. Zinc: white rust, padlocks, galvanized plates, some paints, duct tape, etc.).
- Some domestic plants, including the classic poinsettia.
Step 9. Do not allow the parrot to interact with the children
The moluccan and white cockatoos are strong enough to seriously injure a child, not to mention any emotional trauma that an attack could cause. Even your friendly pet can attack if provoked.
Step 10. Check for any behavioral problems
The most common are plucking, screaming and biting. Plucking feathers is a neurotic behavior that causes the parrot to detach its feathers, causing great pain. If it tends to pluck a lot, it can go as far as self-mutilation; if this happens, the cockatoo needs to be returned to the family or taken to an animal shelter. Shouting, on the other hand, is a more frequent natural behavior in the morning and in the evening, however if it becomes a habit, seek the help of a professional. Biting is also natural, but if this also becomes a problem, always consult an animal therapist.
Step 11. Have fun with your parrot
It is a difficult animal to manage, but if you know how to take care of it it will be your screaming best friend!
Advice
- The Moluccan cockatoo is on the verge of extinction, it comes from the central Moluccan islands of Seram, Saparua and Haruku. It is a very intelligent parrot that requires as much attention as a child. White cockatoos are also known as U2, umbrella cockatoos or dawn cockatoos and originate from the northern islands of Indonesia. Their situation is very precarious according to the studies conducted by the IUCN. They are very cuddly animals with the main person taking care of them and they are very intelligent.
- Birds get very drained! One of the first commands you should teach them is to hold back and learn how to meet needs in one specific place. Remember to do this as soon as you take him out of the cage and then allow him to "use the bathroom" at least every 10-15 minutes during game hours. Given that this is a very frequent need for parrots, you will be surprised at how easy it will be to teach them to unload on command.
- Many moluccas and white cockatoos become territorial with their cages. If this also happens to your pet, it would be advisable for him to first climb on a wooden perch and then, once out of the cage, allow him to climb on the arm.
- If you need to part with your cockatoo, post an announcement to give it up for adoption, but carefully consider possible new families. Make sure they are aware of the commitment they make and that there will be no going back. If you cannot find a new family for your pet, take it to a center that does not euthanize excess animals.
Warnings
- White and moluccan cockatoos learn to speak. However, they learn what they hear most often. If what they hear most of the time is their name or phrases like “Hello! I love you!" then there is no problem. However, if you have the habit of saying vulgarity or using jargon that is not too polite, your pet's vocabulary will not be outdone and could put you in embarrassing situations with guests.
- Learn your parrot's body language! It will help you decipher his behavior.
- These birds form a lot of "dust" which can annoy allergic people.
- Do not allow the cockatoo to perch on your shoulder, because it is a bird that has a habit of biting its ears.
