Is this possible? Should I go for it?

[Tombstone]

Umbrella Cockatoos in the wild can be heard for three miles away when they scream. They want to be with you 24/7, and they are very loud even when well adjusted. These birds need mental and physical stimulation daily, and they need several hours of your time each day - if they don't get it, they protest! They need to fly to release energy, and they need a lot of foraging exercise to keep them from becomming bored. One great thing about U2s is their personality is such that they can be a good bird for the entire family to hold and cuddle - not just one person like many macaws...U2s just need to go into a home where their neediness and their noise/mess/etc. does not become too burdensome for the household. In my opinion, I would say this is a good owner who is sincerely trying to find a good, forever home for this U2. It's likely that the pizza invite is so that the bird can get a good look at you and so can the owner AND you can get a good idea of how that U2 behaves - I bet you're likely to hear some screams when the pizza comes out and you've been there a while. I would look at it as your chance to interview the bird. If it isn't right for you, you can walk away without having to shuffle that U2 to yet another home. It's a potential win-win for everyone involved.

Good luck!

[Tom Lawless]

Did you see the June 2008 issue of Bird Talk? It has a good article on larger Cockatoos. It might answer some of your questions. I know nothing about cockatoos so someone with more experience may be able to tell you if it is good advice but if you haven't seen it might be a good place to start.

Everything I've read that you've posted and the pictures of you and your family tell me any bird would be lucky to be in your home. I hope it works out for you.

[babycakes122972]

I personnally wouldnt worry about the small rehoming fee....... I received an umbrella cockatoo just about a month ago for free. They requireed a good home and my own cage. He is one of the greatest guys..........I cant say the best cuz I have many birds and cant pick just one.........hehe.. He did have some plucking on his chest due to boredom, but he is growing back in fine... his original owner got in an accident and ended up getting very bad headaches and couldnt deal with his loudness(which to me is not loud), so he was put ina back bedroom for 3 months. Needless to say he is doing great and getting lots of attention, so a low rehoming fee doesnt mean anything bad, they are looking to make sure she gets a good home I would think.... well good luck and keep us posted

[mabird]

Originally Posted by Tom Lawless

Everything I've read that you've posted and the pictures of you and your family tell me any bird would be lucky to be in your home. I hope it works out for you.

Oh my goodness, how sweet are you?! Thanks so much for the compliment! That is really one of the nicest things you could have ever said... thanks so much. Truly.

[Luvmyparrots]

I personally don't worry about the price. Just because they are more expensive does not mean they are a better bird or fit for your family...same thing, just because they are cheaper doesn't always mean there is something wrong either. I gave $500 for the first B&G and his cage, which wasn't much of a cage, $800 for the GSC Too, which didn't come with a cage and not tame lol (I know that is prob high, but I couldn't resist and sooo glad I brought him into my family) $800 for this last B&G with his cage and $600 today for the MSC Too with his cage. If I think I'm interested, I meet with them and interact with the wonderful beings and check them out, you will know when you "meet" them if they are a fit for you and your family or not I think. Of course you have to have some discipline, unlike myself and know when to stop. LOL I am VERY content with where I am with my family of God's wonderful beings at the moment. (till the next one comes along probably lol) Petey is just what I needed. He needed me and I needed him! You will know. Meet and follow your instincts. I figure if it works out, it is meant to be, if not, it's not meant to be. Good luck and God Bless.

[jmfleish]

I personally think that the most expensive part of a bird is after you get it home and anyone rehoming a bird should realize that the home it is going to is going to be taking on the vast majority of money problems. I personally don't care for "adoption fees" and don't ask for them when asked to get involved with rehoming a bird. People too often feel like they should "recoup" the money they put into the bird which makes the bird seem more like a piece of furniture than a living creature. These are just my feelings on adoption fees of course!;)

As for white 'toos, definitely visit My Toos and really do your homework and don't think for one second that the bird you visit for an hour or two is the bird you're going to live with. I'm currently listening to my 7 year old male D2 scream his little lungs out because he's back in his cage after continuously attacking me. Welcome to breeding season. Before I got him five years ago, I visited him every week for five months and he never screamed, not once. He was a perfect gentleman. The first thing he did when I got him home was scream bloody murder...the most blood curdling scream I have ever heard in my life. I couldn't believe a bird that small could make a noise that horrible. He's been doing it ever since whenever he doesn't get his way or even when there's nothing wrong and I have worked very hard to break this nasty habit...it's nearly impossible and I'm still living with it. Have I mentioned how much the bite in my arm hurts right now? Don't get me wrong, I love the little brat and can't imagine life without him but 'toos are definitely not for the weak hearted!;)

[Ina246]

I would only ad that if you do go take some one with you. Some one large and scary just to be safe. I have also been told to not take cash or a check book so that you can think about it over night. If the ladie is a good mom she will appreciate the fact that you are taking time to make such a big decision. You can always ask to meet some place near by her house so that you can get a feel for the ladie before you commit to going to her house. Keep us informed on how the meeting goes. I hope you like pizza.

[Luvmyparrots]

Well, let me retrack a little. I certainly did not intend to imply that the bird she visited would be the same bird once home. I however have not had a problem with any I have taken in or bought or whatever. I know they are not all like that. I have been around birds before that I didn't "feel" right about, for lack of a better way of putting it. Maybe it is just me, but I always seem to just know if the bird is going to be a fit for our family or not. And two of the last 3 I have taken in have not been very tame. The macaw, I can handle without trouble, he's giving me kisses and will step up even though they said he did not like women. I know I haven't gotten Grumpy tamed down all the way yet and may never, but he sure is alot farther along that he was with the person that had him the 6 mo. prior to me taking him.
I don't particuarly like paying high rehoming fees either, but I have a soft spot for these God's creatures and I pay it. I figure if I bought a baby it would be alot more. And personally I like giving homes to them that seems no one else wants, I feel sorry for them and want to love them and give them a forever home. But that's just my opinions and feelings. I think you have to go into it when you get an older bird, that it's either going to work, or not, but either way you will be committed. Again, maybe that's just me.

[mabird]

Hi again all! Thanks for all of the advise. I am currently deep in my research and plan to take the two hour hike on Friday morning. We are doing a pizza lunch and we've discussed it and I will stay for a few hours. I realize that if I do take her she of course will not act the same in my home as she did in the home she was nice and safe feeling in, but all in due time... good things come to those who are patient.
Also, I agree with the comment of I will probably "just know" if it will eventually be a perfect fit... I'm very lucky to seem to be able to tell what will be right for us, eventhough it may be a bit rough at the start. Thanks everyone so much for your input and caring concerns... we truly appreciate it.

[Tombstone]

mabird - sounds like you have a good plan in place. Of course, birds act differently when they come into your home. The thing you must do is identify WHY the bird's behavior is changing and try to correct it...reward and nurture positive, desired behavior and IGNORE negative behavior (such as screaming.) There's a reason some birds suddenly begin to scream in new homes; if screaming gets your attention, the bird will adapt quickly to what works - and there are many, many other reasons for such a change in behavior in a new home.

Good luck. You are going to give this bird a great home, and I agree...you'll know what is a right fit. Look at the current owner and a lot of your questions will be answered in their behavior and interraction with the bird. :)