Newbie - Please help us find a bird!!

[homebird]

Are Too's known for displaying agressive behavior towards children?

They can be very aggressive in the blink of an eye - they have very powerful beaks. Sexual maturity issues are huge - do research - be safe!.

Regarding petting & cuddling - they are not like humans - although I've heard about Toos cuddling. http://www.companionparrot.com/Sexual%20Behavior.htm

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by uehling

Mike,

No, your reply is not harsh; although this is the first that I have heard regarding our daughter; everyone we've talked to have said that the Cockatoo's are family friendly. We have been told to be careful and watch for signs of agression. We don't plan on leaving our kids and our bird unattended; and our daughter will learn what to expect, what to do and what not to do. We only allowed her to sit with him and pet on his head, during the inital peorid when we were deciding on / bonding with him. This is when we noticed that he got a little carried away and was quick to jump in her lap, it startled her a little bit & then he was anxious to ride around with her; and was quick to go to her again when he was being passed from my husband to her.

I don't want to totally keep them away from one another, I would like for them to get used to one another; but at the same time this concerns me. Are Too's known for displaying agressive behavior towards children?

A hormonal Too could/will attack. Did anyone tell you about their scream? Did anyone tell you there is a good possibilty that you will come home one day, and find a naked bird? Did anyone tell you there is a reason U2s, and M2s are the most rehomed bird? As honest as I can be. Is there any way you can get your money back. This was/is not the bird to start with. U2s are very cuddly as babies up until about the age yours is. Then puberty hits. I'm enclosing a link. I know alot of people don't like this site stating it's to harsh. It is harsh, but is also fact.http://www.mytoos.com/

Mike

[svolk]

Originally Posted by uehling

Are Too's known for displaying agressive behavior towards children?

'Toos are known to be unpredictable and their behaviors are sometimes harder to read than with other species of parrots. And mature 'Toos are known to go through nasty hormonal periods. Most mature parrots have attitudes when they mature, I'm not saying that U2's are the only ones to, but couple maturity with the fact that they are harder to read, and sometimes you'll lose some flesh.

*Please note that I do not own a 'too, but I have done a fair amount of research on them because I thought that a U2 was in my future - after much reading, I have decided against that.

[Asta]

I have a 18 month old Umbrella. These parrots are for adults and should never be handled by a small child. While my bird has yet to bite me, I was severely bitten by one in a pet store when I attempted to prevent it from swallowing a small piece of metal it had gotten hold of somehow. Talk about a lesson in respect! I had no idea of the power of their beaks. My poor finger...I couldn't write for almost a month. When I think about how small a child's hands are and how fragile, well, it makes me cringe to consider the damage that could befall your little girl.

I can certainly understand your attraction to an Umbrella 'Too, but whoever you got the parrot from was not thinking and should have steered you away from this particular species. 'Toos need A LOT of attention, they are intelligent and emotional. It's like having a 3 year old child for the rest of your life.

Please, reconsider your choice. I am really afraid that you will rue the day Peanut came into your life. And please don't think that I am being judgmental of your abilities to raise a family and a parrot, I am sure you can. But a cockatoo is not a choice I would have made if I had children in the house. Please, seriously rethink this choice.

[The Outlaw]

You have been given good advice. Whether or not you take it is up to you. The U2 and M2 is not recommended for many people and RARELY recommended for families with little kids. I'm very surprised any vendor, breeder or birdstore would ever recommend either species as a good family pet choice. JMHO

[leighrivera161]

oh jeeez. I have to agree with everyone here. Can you please tell us the situation with this 6 yr old u2 and why its being rehomed? Where did you get it? How big is its cage? I have 2 cockatoos, a Goffins and a Rosebreasted. I wanted a u2 or a m2 but because of all said by other members I decided against it. The screaming alone is enough to make you shy away and the potential for plucking. This one may not bite, but I dont think I would give it a chance with a child under 10. Even under your supervision, it only takes a second to get a nasty bite, without being provoked. Keep it away from faces also, even your own until you really know this bird. It could take a few weeks before its comfortable enough to show its true personality.I pray for the sake of the bird it all works out since the rewards of this species are like no other. But there are concerns. Did anyone tell you about the dander they throw off?

[Captain Jack]

First and foremost, I do not own any cockatoos, nor do I have much experience around them. I was going to stay completely out of this thread, but I thought my story might save a finger, a toe, or in my case an ear.

*I am not saying all cockatoos posess this behavior.* Kind of like Scarlets having a rep for being nippy, but ours is not. All birds are different.

Anyways, My Aunt rescued a 5 year old cockatoo, Deniro. Sweetest little guy ever! Loved my Uncle, Loved my Aunt; heck he loved everyone. My Aunt and Uncle both were near retirement at this time, had no children and they live near Mt. Hood on a couple of acres with their closest neighbor being at least 8 blocks away.

One day (About a year and a half after first getting him) Deniro just snapped. My Uncle was snuggling him and giving him a hug and he literally almost took his ear off. My Uncle swears he is posessed. He was humping my Aunts arm and if anyone came close to her he would fly at their heads and attack. He was going through his hormonal stage. He was screaming non stop too. Those neighbors that were at least 8 blocks away could hear him and they even complained. My Aunt still swears Deniro can read a clock. At 6am sharp he insists on being out of his cage and fed breakfast. If this happens five minutes later, be prepared to find feathers on the bottom of the cage or your fingers when you try taking him out.

Same with lunch and dinner. He is on a schedule and if there is any little glich in this he mutilates himself and attacks. Needless to say my Aunt retired early. (losing a lot of $$$) She loves Deniro enough to give him the care he needs so he doesn't hurt himself or others. Deniro has perect feathers now, but my Aunt runs a tight ship to ensure his health. She never imagined the bird who loved everyone could possibly just turn on the family one day.

Deniro is stable now, but it takes a lot of time and effort. Every minute of the day is devoted to him. She sets timers to make sure he is fed and taken out of his cage at the right time. He still won't go to my Uncle, but I think this is due to the fact that my Uncle is scared of him and Deniro knows that and taunts him.

Deniro is still loud and screams. There are no nap times at their house cause Deniro will scream and throw a fit for no reason.

I must agree with Mike on this one. You might want to consider getting your money back if you are not prepared to take on another child. A child with special needs...Cockatoos can be very demanding and if their needs are not met this can turn into aggression.

Again I would like to state though, that I do not know much about cockatoos and they all are different I just thought I would share my story.

~Amber

[uehling]

Mike, I have been reading the Mytoo's website you posted; and I'm suprised to say the least. I'm really re-thinking this Cockatoo; purchase - I'm afraid that my husband will probably not agree.

I'm all kinds of confused right now, but I want what's best for my kids - we purcharsed the Cockatoo; from a lady on Craigs list, she did indicate if we had a problem or for some reason it didn't work out; she would take him back. I need to discuss the issues wtih my husband and we'll go from there.

When I seen the pionus baby and how sweet it was; he was about the right size for me, it took awhile for my husband to talk me into a "larger" bird and it helped to meet a few over the weekend; I knew that they would be a lot of work and I've been back and forth on the bird owning issue a few times; I guess there's always a reason why you should listen to your heart!

I relize that breeders want to make money, but the breeder we spoke to - showed us his 24 year old Cockatoo; him and his wife have children and he never indicated to us that there would be any expected or possible problems.

[FairyMom]

I just wanted to share an experience I had with my step dad's U2. I'm 25 and no longer live at home but for a while I would go to my mom's almost nightly and hold and cuddle with Dundee(their U2). He would sit on my lap and let me pet him and talk to me and lovey up. Then one night, as we were sitting there, nothing unusual happening. He attacked. Pierced my ear and scared the daylights out of me. And I was 24.

Also another incident. Stepdad had people over at the house. And Dundee was exhibiting the exact same behavior you have described while Peanut tries to get to your daughter. Dundee has never liked females a whole lot. We figured I was the exception. But in the group of people that came over there was one woman. Dundee did everything he could to get to her. Wanting to love up and be petted. And again. He struck. 3 nasty large wounds in drastically different areas(Head, hand, arm)Out of the blue, no warning at all. The poor woman bleed all over the living room befor we could get the bird away and get towels ect.

U2's are not kid friendly birds. IMHO they should not be allowed anywhere near kids. The damage a full grown U2 can do to an adult that I have PERSONALLY seen is bad enough. I dont even want to imagine what one could do to a tiny little 5 year old. I do have kids of my own, a 6 year old boy and a 3 year old girl. I make sure, every time I take the kids to my parents that the bird is not anywhere in the house that the bird will be. Its just not worth the risk Emotionally and physically the damage that bird can do to your baby.

In other words. I agree with Mike. Get your money back.

[FairyMom]

Also, because Dundee dosent like my mom and my dad works, Dundee spends most of his day screaming for attention. He hasnt started plucking YET(Knock on wood) but I'm sure it wont be long behind.