I'm new here, Hoping for insight on Too's

[donnakris]

We are a rescue so right now we have 9 Too's. I have a personal U2 and an M2. Both were rescues and both are my heart. The U2 is about 8 years old, very cuddly, very loud, very hormonal and actually lays eggs in my lap. She gets mad at me and lifts her crest and turns her back on me. She still screams when I leave the room or when I come home but we're working on it. She is an absolute joy to have in my life and I wouldn't take anything in the world for her. She came to us plucking and chewing her feathers. She no longer plucks but still chews her chest feathers and the vet said she believes it's just a habit.
My M2 is also a rescue, about 14 years old and her chest, legs, most of her back is plucked bare. I adore her and think she's one of the most beautiful birds ever. She is very messy, very loud, a bit stubborn and will not step up. She also loves to cuddle against my shoulder and give me kisses. She isn't aggressive at all even though she's going through some type of nesting thing (still working on finding out more). She's never offered to bite me from day 1.
As you can tell I'm a huge Too fan!! I love all the birds we get in and adopt out but to me, nothing compares to a Too. Just remember to set boundaries and rules from the start, as others have said don't spend more time with her/him than you are prepared to spend the rest of your life and love him/her like crazy.
And yes, mine are loud at times, destructive (my M2 ate my recliner), messy, go through tons of toys and I'm still blessed to have them in my life.

[ThreeX]

Originally Posted by donnakris

We are a rescue so right now we have 9 Too's. I have a personal U2 and an M2. Both were rescues and both are my heart. The U2 is about 8 years old, very cuddly, very loud, very hormonal and actually lays eggs in my lap. She gets mad at me and lifts her crest and turns her back on me. She still screams when I leave the room or when I come home but we're working on it. She is an absolute joy to have in my life and I wouldn't take anything in the world for her. She came to us plucking and chewing her feathers. She no longer plucks but still chews her chest feathers and the vet said she believes it's just a habit.
My M2 is also a rescue, about 14 years old and her chest, legs, most of her back is plucked bare. I adore her and think she's one of the most beautiful birds ever. She is very messy, very loud, a bit stubborn and will not step up. She also loves to cuddle against my shoulder and give me kisses. She isn't aggressive at all even though she's going through some type of nesting thing (still working on finding out more). She's never offered to bite me from day 1.
As you can tell I'm a huge Too fan!! I love all the birds we get in and adopt out but to me, nothing compares to a Too. Just remember to set boundaries and rules from the start, as others have said don't spend more time with her/him than you are prepared to spend the rest of your life and love him/her like crazy.
And yes, mine are loud at times, destructive (my M2 ate my recliner), messy, go through tons of toys and I'm still blessed to have them in my life.

I can't help but smile when i read your post. My first thought is "ok, and are there any good sides to being a cockatoo owner" :D
It's amazing what we put up with when it comes to loved ones, isn't it? The things you lovingly describe are the very things that has made me never ever to bring a 'too in my house. Proves once again "to each his/her own"

And to one of the earlier posters convincing husband about noise - try to hire someone to play highland bagpipes in the house for like 10-15 minutes, if he's ok with that i guess he will accept a cockatoo at full blast as well ;)

[Muchi]

Originally Posted by ThreeX

I can't help but smile when i read your post. My first thought is "ok, and are there any good sides to being a cockatoo owner" :D
It's amazing what we put up with when it comes to loved ones, isn't it? The things you lovingly describe are the very things that has made me never ever to bring a 'too in my house. Proves once again "to each his/her own"

And to one of the earlier posters convincing husband about noise - try to hire someone to play highland bagpipes in the house for like 10-15 minutes, if he's ok with that i guess he will accept a cockatoo at full blast as well ;)

Pfffft, I've never met a 'too as melodious and gentle on the ears as bagpipes!

Maybe I'm just used to the big flocks of 'toos outside, but I don't really see the noise as a problem. Oh wait, it may be something to do with the fact my brother was both hyperactive and had a hearing disability all through my childhood. Spending 18 years listening to him screaming his words (because he couldn't hear it any other way) was probably REALLY good practice.
Actually, that's also a really good comparison. Have someone who lives eith you shriek their conversations regularly.

If you've handled kids you can most likely handle a 'too, there are plenty of great sites with information but what most sites will say is it's like having a permanent toddler for 60+ years. And yes, they even have a terrible twos (mines' in his now)...
I really prefer the smaller 'toos and the Australian 'toos, and don't know much abotu either U2s or M2s specifically, so I'll stop rambling... now!

[ThreeX]

Originally Posted by Muchi

Pfffft, I've never met a 'too as melodious and gentle on the ears as bagpipes!

Well neither have i.. i was more referring to the overwhelming volume of both. In my case 15 minutes of bagpipes indoors or a cockatoo leave me with mild tinnitus :(

[SallyQZ]

Bagpipes would be a great name for a loud cockatoo!

[ThreeX]

Originally Posted by SallyQZ

Bagpipes would be a great name for a loud cockatoo!

I didn't know there existed not-loud ones? LOL

[Littlesavedgirl]

Thank you so much, I need to hear things like that! It really helps me and my decision. My husband says he is ok with the noise of a cockatoo, but that does'nt mean I nessesarily should get the loudest bird on the face of the earth.
So Umbrellas in your experience, are quieter and not as tempermental. Do you still have the Too's? All these bits of info are very much appreciated!

[ThreeX]

Originally Posted by Littlesavedgirl

Thank you so much, I need to hear things like that! It really helps me and my decision. My husband says he is ok with the noise of a cockatoo, but that does'nt mean I nessesarily should get the loudest bird on the face of the earth.
So Umbrellas in your experience, are quieter and not as tempermental. Do you still have the Too's? All these bits of info are very much appreciated!

I have an an idea (i'm not being funny) Buy one of those disposable aerosol horns people terrorise football matches with and blast off a few indoors. IMO that is roughly equal to a 'too at full blast.

[Littlesavedgirl]

Well,
Im sure I will be floored by the volume of the Too, no matter how we all try to describe it. The most important qualities I am wanting from my parrot are Affection, friendliness, playful, smart, fluffy and cute! Now thats not to say I am against a Grey or Macaw. Just working it out!

[pippy]

You asked for it!

This video was posted by a member of a UK forum I frequent, it's his 'Too.

Turn your speakers up to appreciate the real of this!

YouTube - Jess screaming frenzy

I couldn't cope with that and neither could my neighbours!

By the way, a new, bigger cage is on order for this bird.