Umbrella Cockatoos are known troublemakers. We’re talking serious screaming, biting with very strong beaks, destruction, total avoidance of their family members, and the notorious habit of pulling out all their beautiful feathers. Yep, they’re troublemakers with a capital T.
Here are 5 common causes and what you can do to make life easier for your cockatoo because when life is easier for your Cockatoo; it’s easier for you too.
- Umbrella Cockatoos act out when they don’t think they’re getting the attention they deserve.
- True, they’re snuggly and affectionate but they’re also prima donnas who absolutely insist on being the center of your world. If you’re at home cooking dinner, they want to be cooking with you. If you’re playing cards at the table, they want to be with you. Watching television, yep they want to be in on the action
- If they’re not getting the attention they think they should be, you can bet they’re going to let you know they’re unhappy. It could be as simple as eardrum-busting screams or they can silently sit on their perch and pull their feathers out.
- The solution…spend time with them. Train them, play with them, and snuggle. If playing and snuggling are out of the question because they bite, train them first and the snuggling and playing will follow. Sign up for our newsletter for more tips on how to train a biting umbrella cockatoo.
- Umbrella Cockatoos demand interaction, however when you cannot interact with them you can keep them busy by providing them with an enriched environment.
If You don’t give them things to chew on in their cage you can bet your cockatoo will exercise its beak on your favorite chair. Cockatoos need things to keep their busy minds and mouths occupied. Toys that enable them to chew and explore are fantastic.
While these toys can get expensive, something as simple as a nut tucked inside a wooden puzzle toy will provide hours of amusement. Cockatoos love to roam free of their cage and require several hours outside their cage every day. One of the best ways to spend this time is training however training sessions can’t last hours or they’ll lose interest. Spend the rest of your time with them just hanging out and you’ll reap the benefits of a happy cockatoo free of behavior problems.
Of course, if you’re umbrella cockatoo is having behavior issues, then you’re not going to want to interact with them but this is when you must, even if it is small interactions for a short period of time. Use this time to train them and begin to reverse the behavior problem. When you are spending time training them they are getting the mental stimulation they need to be happy birds free of behavior problems.
“Get your hands off of her, or him, they’re mine!” Cockatoos are loyal and possessive. When they bond, they really bond and that can cause problems.
It is quite possible that you will find that a new person or pet in your life will alter your Cockatoo’s behavior for the worse. Screaming, biting, feather plucking, and thrashing in the cage are common. The best way to avoid this type of behavior is through proper socialization at a young age. If you find that you’re dealing with a jealous cockatoo, you’re likely going to want to train it to accept the new person. Here’s what a screaming possessive cockatoo may sound like. Your cockatoo may also experience some separation anxiety when you leave the room.
“Help!” The last reason your umbrella may be screeching is that he’s terrified. Maybe the home is too loud for him, a funny thing coming from such a noisy bird but it happens, or maybe there are people around that scare him. Some birds even respond poorly to colors. To determine if this is the reason your bird is acting out, you’re going to need to play detective. Does his cage need to be moved?
Does he hate the color red? Is she frightened of children or dogs? Take notes on when your cockatoo acts out and begin training them to accept the change or alter your environment to accommodate their needs. The solution to the majority of Umbrella Cockatoo behavior problems is diligence. Not only do you need to play detective to determine why your Umbrella is acting out, but you also need to spend time with them to change the behavior. Proper umbrella cockatoo care is very important. Take them to an avian veterinarian to rule out any medical reasons for their behavior and of course, a good diet, plenty of sleep, and a comfortable cage are necessary too.