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

[Lori~D]

I have a Medium Sulfer Crested. She is in fact our Fav bird of the house. She gets REAL LOUD for about 15 minutes once maybe twice a day and you CANNOT make phone call or hear anyone during that time. Kinda like the weekly tornado sirens?? She is inquisitive, and charming, she will poke a hole in just about anything in her reach. we taught her to play well alone, she does. She went through a serious "testing" phase around two and would bite hard. We past that, she will test you now and then - esp at bedtime - with some pecks but if you dont pull away and I even flick her on the beak lightly some times if she gets too testy, she backs down and steps up. She is Not scared of anything and loves to go walkabout with us,lol. I studied Toos HARD when Lizzy picked us. I found out the sulfer crested is the least "needy" and she is I think compared to stories I hear of toos. Less of them in shelters. Shelters are full of Umbies, Moluccans , and goffins who have been babied to death and then forgotten. The only remorse we have is the plethora of DUST she creates. Had I known it she would not have come home. I mean I knew but I didnt EXPIRIENCE IT. It is a dust that sticks. It ruins computers and electronics. It doesnt Dust off - it must be cleaned off. The Dyson even complains about it. It gets INSIDE cupboards and cabinets. Invest in an AWSOME air cleaner first.

[Littlesavedgirl]

Well I am greatful for the response , these all are things I have to take into consideration. I have a whole house hold to think about. My heart desires a Too, but my mind is stronger then emotions.
I applied for volunteer work at our local avian rescue, in an effort to help out and get a up close experiance to various large breeds. Its a way for me to really build on my own confidence.
Perhaps I am not meant to get a Too after all. Do you have a favorite large bird?

[Tom Lawless]

Originally Posted by Littlesavedgirl

I applied for volunteer work at our local avian rescue, in an effort to help out and get a up close experiance to various large breeds. Its a way for me to really build on my own confidence.

I suspect this will give you invaluable experience and you will see if your love for Cockatoos can be long lasting or not. It will also let you see others that might surprise you.

I have to say, I commend you for your research on this. I thought I had done so too when I got Dave (my first) but more and more I realize there was a lot I didn't know and therefore didn't know to ask.

I have no suggestions on type. I think they are all great although I know some would never work for me. I'm happy to stick with my three (none real big). If I were going to go big I suspect it would be a Greenwing Macaw. I love them but at the end of the day I'm willing to bet I'd buy another African Grey. To me they are the most special.

[loyallyroyal]

Do you have a favorite large bird?

Ekkies are my absolute favorites! But they arent a species that to often hits the rescue circuit fortunately.

As far as cockatoos, Ive seriously considered a goffins cockatoos. I like how Ive read that they arent overly clingy and can entertain themselves, plus, they are pretty cute!
YouTube - My Goffin Cockatoo Gabrielle

Ive recently discovered blue-headed pionuses, so I think Im going to go have to check out my local bird store soon:
YouTube - Mel In Shower
YouTube - Captain Beaky - Blue-Headed Pionus Parrot

What I want in a bird though really isnt what most people want. I dont overly need something flashy or gorgeous, I wanted a bird that liked toys, and really dont want anything velcroed to my hip. I have a dobie for that lol.

I guess the secret is to find something you can love for what it it, not what you want it to be. Do you have a list of traits that are especially important to you?

[pippy]

i've come into contact with quite a few different parrots in the last three years and Greys are definitely my favourite. I love their intelligence, character, attitude and the fact they can and will make a game out of anything! I started off with Mojo and Shinda so they've never relied on me for affection/entertainment, yet they still like to come and spend time with me and often fly over to me.

[maggy]

My cockatoo is a Western Corella and she is quiet, she calls to me (contact calls) in a inside voice,no louder than a person, she only gets loud occasionally when we are playing or egging her on to use up energy. I think the key to dealing with cockie noise is to encourge noise when it is not likely to cause problems (we keep quiet 12-2pm as the kids next door have a nap then) wear them out by playing active games, teach it to contact call by replying when it calls you, so it doesn't become worried you aren't around, and teach it when you want it to be quiet. This stuff works with my girl and she's nine years old.

[dmiller91]

I love that video of Mel in the Shower. That was posted here about a week ago.

[DeaGrain]

Originally Posted by nanmadpad

I hand raised a umbrella and a molluccan and i can tell you there is a huge difference. The u2 was alot less noisy more mannerly and more lovable The m2 was really noisy, stubborn and very hyper. By the time the hormones kicked in she was more then i could handle and it got to the point i was afraid of her and the tantrums she took. It was about 10 yrs ago and i didn't know enough about handling hormonal toos. The umbrella was much more easy going and never tried to bite. For a first too i think you should stay away from mtoos they can be a handful. Just my personal opinion because i had both. I now have experience with big birds and have a macaw and a grey. Good luck finding one. I think for the most part they are a joy to own as long as you know what to expect. Neither of my toos screamed alot, only certain times

I have an M2 and a friend has a U2. Their personalities are complete opposites. Her U2, Dory, acts like the M2 mentioned above and My M2, Ki, acts like the U2 above.

Dory is much more destructive and noisy then Ki and part of it is Mary's fault. She (and her children) started out treating him one way (lots of out of cage time, etc) then the kids lost interest in him and left him in his cage alot of the time Mary was at work. He now screams almost constantly. Mary has tried the behavior mod thing but it won't work as long as her kids are not on the same page. Ki has never bitten anyone, but Dory has pierced 2 noses and at least 3 ears, as well has numerous fingers and hands.

As for Ki, prior to him coming to live with me (actually when I had Kaze), I did almost a year of research. And even then still did not know as much as I do know (5 years later). When I brought Ki home, I intentionally varied his schedule, he almost never gets the same amount of time out of his cage every day. Sometimes is hours, sometimes its just a few minutes. I did this because I did not want him to become accustom to a set schedule and become difficult if that schedule had to change for whatever reason.

The best advise anyone could give to you is to treat him in the beginning (when you bring him home) as you intend to, say, next year. It is better that you vary his play time and activities, so that he does not become accustom to any one thing.

And IMO, don't let anyone scare you away from an M2 if that is what you want. I would much rather have Ki in my life, than Dory who is 10X more loud and more destructive than Ki could ever dream of being, and alot of it has to do with the different ways in which they have been "raised". Ki goes to visit Dory several times a year, while I go on trip (or have my house repaired) etc. Mary says that when Ki is in the house, Dory is a different bird, more quite and less likely to scream.

Hope this helps and good luck

[Congobongo]

I know there are a lot of bad things about Craigslist however I adopted both my U2's there. They came from homes that truly loved them but could no longer keep them. They were treated very well and so they do not have any issues. Actually they are both female and share the same cage. They preen each other and are close friends.

You can also check on Petfinder.com for rescues. There are many birds out there that need good homes. And a good reputable rescue will take the bird back in the event it doesn't work out.

[Linda64]

I have had Amy since she was 4 1/2 months old, she is now 10 years old and a very sweet U2! We have had some issues with her plucking and eating her feathers, as well as dry skin issues, but her chest is full of feathers now and her feet are much better. She loves it when the grand children visit, they seem to fasinate her! The U2's are definitely the "Velcro Bird," and require a lot of attention and care. I am sure you know and have heard that the U2 is the most rehomed bird. They are much like a forever 2 year old child. But I wouldn't give Amy up for a million dollars...she is the highlight of my day!