Interested in owning a U2

[greyburd]

:P Hi, I'm new to the boards. And I'm really hoping someone can help me out here. Throughout my life, I've owned several different birds (parakeets, cockatiels, blue crowned conures, a goffin's cocaktoo, and an african grey). Some have died, and others I had to get rid of when I went away to college. It's been several years since I've had a bird, and I think I'm ready. I've always loved greys (that was the last one I had--who died of unknown causes--I got him from a friend, we weren't sure of his age). I've been researching greys in the hopes of getting another one sooner or later. There's always been a spot in my heart for cockatoos, as well. And I knew I'd probably enjoy a 'toos comical side more.

So, I was torn...grey or 'too? I hadn't met too many 'Toos in person, but had seen several greys (including the one i owned).

Fast forward to this past Sunday....I met a 3 month old U2 in the pet store that me and my partner visit once a week. This was the sweetest baby in the enitre world. I must've spent 45 minutes playing with him. And I've gone back to visit him 3 times this week (since Sunday).

So needless to say, I think I've fallen in love. I've checkout out different web sites about Cockatoos (including the famous mytoos.com ----- it hasn't scared me away). I have a book (that I page through often). What I would like now, is to get in touch with other people that own or know lots about U2's.

I know they can be sweet babies, then turn into little monsters once they're 2 or 3, then the sexual maturity thing kicks in. I guess I just want to know how different people handle these situations. What seems to work, and what doesn't seem to work? I realize that owning a U2 is NOT going to be a walk in the park everyday. But I'm sure it can't be a totally horrible experience.


I also live in Pennsylvania (S.E.), if there are any good breeder that can be suggested, that would be welcome as well.

Thanks for listening,
~Don

[Cindy Q]

Hi welcome here :D I live in NC but got my m2 from a really great breeder in Bensalem,PA. We did go to visit Bliss while he was weaning her and to check out where she was growing up at and when she was all weaned and ready at almost 10 months old he drove here to bring her home to me. He has greys, g2's,mm2's, u2's and m2's. His addy is http://www.claviaryonline.com/.
I have a u2 also and she (Tiki) is a ball of energy. She's like a little mischievious kid always getting into trouble. She's just now turning 3 and we've noticed a few changes in her but luckily nothing serious yet. So far she's still such a good girl. I also have a grey and to me theres no comparison between the 2 its like comparing apples and oranges. Its all a matter of what type of companion you want and how much time you have to interact with it I suppose. Umbrellas can be much needier and need alot of supervision, actually mine needs almost constant supervision where as my grey can be left to entertain herself and doesn't get into trouble. When I brought my umbrella home I strived to make her as independant as possible and she can and does entertain herself happily but still enjoys lots of human interaction and snuggles. My grey is content with being in the same room along with a little petting, rubbing and talking to her throughout the day. They both could be left to play and entertain themselves happily in their bird room and with my grey the room would be unharmed but the cockatoo will have eaten something or everything she could get her beak on and never utter a peep so I wouldn't suspect a thing till I came back and found my room in shambles. Then as she hears my footsteps she will scamper off and assume an innocent position/expression and look at the mess as though she too wonders who could have done it!
Good luck in your decision. I typed this up a bit quickly, may revise it tomorrow when I'm more awake 8)

[greyburd]

Thank you so much for your reply. I actually live about an hour from Bensalem, so I may have to check him out. Your house must be none stop action with all the birds you have. Do they all get along? I guess I could see myself, at some point down the line, owning my 2 favorite parrots. Again, thank you Cindy Q, and I look forward to hearing from others.

~don

[TooLover]

Hi Don
I am owned by a lesser-sulfer, a female umbrella, and a male umbrella. The male U2 came from an abusive home and has bonded to me and me alone. No one else is allowed to hold him and when he bites he does not let go. For me he is the sweetest baby and a cuddle bug. My lesser-sulfur we call little britches. He won't stay in one place for long and isn't a snuggler at all. The female is the sweetest of the bunch - she is a great talker and was given to me by a dear friend. I am also owned by a B&G macaw, a quaker, and a sun conure. Of them all my favorite is the cockatoos.
As Cindy mentioned, it really depends on how much time you are willing to spend with the bird, and the type of attention you are willing to give it. Mine are all pretty well-adjusted and will play by themselves well. But they do have that time where they want to be held and cuddled.
Another good point that Cindy made is the destructive side of the cockatoos. My umbrellas chew everthing and anything in sight, and buying toys can get expensive. Heck, I spend more on them in a month than I do myself in a year!
Hope this helped a little.

[greyburd]

First of all, I want to thank both of you for your comments. Every little bit helps. My question for you, Laurie, is this....... Should I get a male or female? When they reach sexual maturity, which is easier to handle? I'm not sure of the sex of the "baby" that I've fallen in love with, but it willingly comes to me and enjoys being with me. The pet store also has a Goffin, that is a male. He doesn't like me. I can't handle him at all. But a lady can walk in and have no problems with him. I guess what I want to know is, in the long run, does it really matter?

[Cindy Q]

Birds are so different then dogs because they choose who they like. You have to earn a parrots trust, respect and friendship and sometimes its just a matter of chemistry. My birds all have different realtionships with each member of my family. They seem to treat me like the mom and the hubby is irresistable to all of them and they treat him like a boyfriend.
As far as cockatoos go, I think the males are more rambunctious and rough and tumble. My cockatoos are both girls and while the males are known to be more aggressive when they reach maturity its not unheard of for females to also become aggressive. I think more common though amongst females is that they can become phobic, or begin plucking and mutilating when they reach maturity. This is not all cockatoos, some will never become aggressive, pluck or mutilate but this can and does happen to some.

[Beaks]

You think you are ready?

You need to KNOW you are ready because Toos are needy, loud pains in the butt for most people not to mention the best and fastest chainsaws on earth.

I have 2 U2's and 2 M2's and i can tell you upfront and honest they are not for everyone not even 5% of the biird people can handle a too for more than a few months without going totally nuts.

Now that 5% is another story Those people are usually the hard core bird junkies and even they get stressed by their toos.(i love my toos and would never part with them but i am almost deaf in one ear(caused by birds) and here all of the time that is why the noise doesn't bother me as much as most people)

U2's are on the top of the list of the most needy, noisy, neurotic, moody toos and if you don't have the time(all day) to spend with them they go nuts and start plucking or screaming or........... get the picture?

I think its great that you want to make the commitment but visiting a too in a pet store does not even come close to what you are in for when you bring that little white baby into your home.

I just hate to see people buy those toos and dump them a couple of months later for some reason or another.

You can also forget about just hopping in the car to go on a vacation because unless you have someone there that will take care of your bird you will be SOL on vacation time.

Now that i have tried to talk you out of it i will admit they are great birds when they want to be as long as you teach them some manners and dont let them stay stuck up your butt all day.

all parrots are like children (very smart children even smarter than chimps and some people) and 1 too is like having 3 2 year olds running around all day every day eating everything they can get their beaks on and throwing a fit when they don't get their way.(they can also send you in for a ton of stitches if the too is not trained right or you get one with a genetic predisposition to mental disorders(yes just like humans and the great apes they can plan their actions and paired with insanity, etc they are a very dangerous animal)

if you are still set on getting a Too get one that is already grown so you don't have as many surprises they live for 80 years or more so you don't have a problem there and it will give an older bird a home that probably needs it more than a baby.(Try adopting i may be able to find someone close to you that will help you out)

You would think i hate toos from my post but you are wrong i just think ahead (sometimes 20 or 30 years ahead) and i am realistic about life and parrots.

And i have seen way too many Too's given up in the last 30 years or so to sugar coat my words.

BUT if you still figure on getting a too i will help you with as much info as you can use (most of which you won't find on the net)

John

[TooLover]

Very good post John. My male U2 is 10 years old and was sold to me as the couple just couldn't keep him. My female U2 was given to me as the couple is older and had no patience or tolerance for the destruction any longer. Unfortunately the too's ARE the birds that are rehomed the most as people really don't understand what they are in for. I got so lucky with mine as they are home some days by themselves; I keep plenty of things in their cages to keep them busy during the day and none of mine pluck. However, as soon as they know I am home they are screaming for mommy time, and it doesn't matter how tired I am I HAVE TO TAKE TIME FOR THEM.
Vacations? Haven't had one in 3 years! Can't think of a single person that I would allow in my home to take care of my fids properly.............

[greyburd]

Hi everyone,

First I wanted to thank those of you that I've spoken to in private. I haven't completely made up my mind on what I'm going to do yet. But I think I'm leaning toward a Goffin. I've had experience with one and really enjoyed the time I had with her. I also think a Goffin might be a better choice for me, than a U2. Thanks for listening.

[TooLover]

Goffins can be little snuggle muffins as well, and may be a good choice for you! Glad we could help you a little!