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

[Littlesavedgirl]

Hello All Fellow Bird lovers!
My name is Tracy,
I have dreamed of owning a” Too”, and finally looks like it's going to happen! I am so excited to finally be in a place to do so. I have been doing research on cages and “Too” character. I have found some positive sites on “Too” ownership and some down right opposed to” Too “ownership. I am aware of the volume of these fluffy lovers and there housing, diet, attention, mischief, outdoor activity, cage and play space, destructive nature and of course their incredible smarts and all the other various needs this bird requires to be properly cared for.
But more then facts from rescuse's and over eager pet store or breeders, I'm here to hear from the owners (Lovers) of these gorgeous and affectionate birds. Please help me plot my course on this slow and cautious road to” Too” ownership (Umbrella or moluccan,hard to decide really). Any and all advice is welcomed and needed. I live in St. Louis Mo. in a house, though not our own; we will be very attentive to our new family members need for great tasky toys and wood toys to be destroyed in seconds. I plan on making most of them myself of safe materials. The loud nature has also been experienced by me and my family.
I would love to have as much feed back as you can give. My heart is fixed on my love for the cockatoo. I am for the first time home and no longer working, due to my MS. To some this might be a concern and I do understand, but really it’s the very physical jobs and cognitive taxing of being a Target employee for 6 years has just taking it's toll on me. Just so I am clear to some who may not understanding MS, it will not end my life prematurely, I am 39 and my older sons already have with eager happiness agreed that this blessed bird would be passed on to live with them and she would stay in our family, when and if the time comes. The children also love birds, and have experience handling and caring for them. We have Cockatiel’s "Sheeba" and two Parakeets "Fred & Ethel". 14 years ago I was in an abusive marrage that ended very badly. At that time I lived in Phoenix with my Budgie "Sparkey" My two Cockatiels "Loco & CoCo" and my clown Jenday Conure "Snoopy". But in a work of shear spite laced with evil, my ex-husband opened all their cages and left the front door open..they were all gone. I was crushed; I drove the neighborhood for days. I did hear my Snoopy up high in a palm tree down the street, thankfully un-harmed. He however enjoyed his freedom and chose to stay there. But still he was singing to me when ever I would call to him.
I look forward to your feedback and advice. Hopefully friendships and great fellowship with others who share my fondness for this lovely creation of God.

Thanks for your patience in reading my post and your future responses!

Tracy

[Greycloud]

I am the parront of a U2 who I rehomed. He is definitely a handful but we love him dearly. He came to us as a screamer and we have worked hard to really cut back on the amount of time he screams. He is a cuddler too. Just remember as they mature they become sexually stimulated very easily. We only pet him on his head and neck, anywhere sends him into a humping frenzy! The important thing to remember is to make sure whatever time you are going to alot to the bird you stick with it. Having him out all day and with you is going to make him develop the desire to always have it that way. There may be days you might not be up to all the one on one time or you have things to do. So, it is very important with Toos that they learn to entertain themselves. Give plenty of foraging toys and wood chew toys. They go through them like buzz saws and it can get expensive unless you learn to make your own. My U2 is not good on staying on his playstand. So I always have to be near him or he is going to destroy my sofa. He did figuire out how to unlock his cage one night and when we woke up he had chewed two door frames and peeled the wallpaper off of 3 walls! But hey, we needed to paint anyway. LOL! His cage is locked now with a key lock. Everyday is an adventure. I think it is important that your kids interact with the bird if in the far off future they take over it's care.
As far as Umbrella or Mollucan? My only experience with a M2 is working with one at an educational zoo. They are huge birds with huge beaks and huge toy needs. But they sure are beautiful and do love to cuddle. Noise is tremendous! But so is a U2 when they get going. Mu U2, Sammy is enough bird for me. Good luck on your new adventure.

[Abby]

My experience is more with the Australian 'too rather then the Molluccan and Umbrella. I've had some wonderful experiences with my guys, I've also had some awful ones. They're not for everyone and need patience, time and sometimes luck. I'm really glad to hear that you have had the foresight to chat to your sons and are realistic about your MS. I'd make sure the boys are involved right from the start so should you be hospitalised short term or long term that your 'too is comfortable with them.

Now, one of the better references I've found is "The Essential Cockatoo". Great book and written by experienced cockatoo owners who look at the good and bad side of these amazing birds.

You really need to be prepared for possible noise. Unless you're getting an older bird whose history that you know there is no guranatee that that cute little fluff ball won't end up shaking the windows with screaming. Even the most well adjusted 'too will scream. The sun is up, woohoo, you're home, woohoo, there just too much excitement and I have to join in, woohoo, the sun is setting, woohoo. Make sure that neighbours if they are close are going to be prepared for this. Nothing like a screaming bird to totally ruin your relationship with neighbours. Up there with the dog that doesn't stop barking.

I'm a big fan of many of Barbara Heidenreichs techniques. I suggest getting hold of some of her DVDs as well to assist you with training (not tricks just basic lets live harmoniously training).

Umm, that's all for now from me. Best of luck with this venture. It's either going to be a dream or a nightmare. Chances are a bit of a mix of both at times depending on the day.

[ThreeX]

A wise person once said "never give your bird more time during the first "honeymoon" than you're prepared and able to do for the rest of its life" I feel that is a very sound basic rule.
I am not fond of, *to put it mildly* 'toos myself (with all due respect to cockatooers out there) so i will stop here instead of posting prejudice ;)
However the quoted advice goes for all species and breeds there is IMO.

[Congobongo]

I have 2 Umbrellas. They are lovely girls. I adopted them both from homes that could not keep them but treated them lovingly.

Any help you need you will find out here.

[brinstrong]

I just rescued a M2 from a bad situation, so I am a new Too owner. I am in Michigan and we traveled to Tennessee to save him just this past weekend. He is being so very sweet right now. I know his true self will be out in a few weeks. Right now he plucks, eats his feathers and cusses up a storm. There are a lot of too's that need to be adopted and saved. So many people want a new baby and when they turn about 2 years old, they can't handle it and these poor babies end up in either bad situation or in shelters. As a bird mom, I feel more people should adopt, not buy babies. Have you considered adoption? I have had my heart set on having a too someday, but I knew I was not going to buy a baby, as sweet as they are. Good luck with your new too they are so beautiful.

[Littlesavedgirl]

Thank you for all your advice and encouraging words. To answer the question of adoption , I am very much interested in adoption! Oh that is exactly what was on my heart to do from the beginning. When you take into consideration the sheer life span of these lovely birds , unless we are living in the Himalaya's we will check out alot sooner then they will.
My sons are very excited about the Too, they have very good bird manners and interact well with them. The Cockatoo will be in the living room where the boy's frequent, so socialized with the whole family.
I have visited MYTOO'S so please know I have had my share of newbe bashing, and am in no-way ignorant to the noise, we have gone to visit some in enclosers and it really was something else. My Conure was very loud also, so its really simular except with bigger lungs.
The choice is really a hard one between the two Too's Um or Mo. Perhaps the noisiest should be a factor in my decision. I am usually very impatient but I'm really enjoying all the advice. My research has really helped me know what i am getting into.
I even gave my husband a clearer understanding of what Cockatoo ownership intails, ie noise, dust ect. But he said he was ok with it, so I then let him know it would be nessesary for him to want this bird also... He said he really did want the bird and so That was nice to hear.
So keep it up everyone , keep giving me your thoughts, experience and pros/cons and all I will need to be eyes open. I really do hope I am given the opportunity to adopt an older sweet girl, that would be ideal!

[loyallyroyal]

Have you seen this? Home page Cockatoo Rescue and Sanctuary
They dont adopt birds out but I enjoy reading their experiences with the different species of cockatoos.

To be honest, I think mollucans are cuter than umbrellas. But my personal faves are goffins, ducorps and major mitchell"s cockatoos.

[nanmadpad]

I hand raised a umbrella and a molluccan and i can tell you there is a huge difference. The u2 was alot less noisey more mannerly and more lovable The m2 was really noisey, 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 didnt 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

[Angelsmum]

I had 2 outside aviary SC2s so not exactly the same. I found they were mostly quiet and happy, screamed now and then, the best watch "dogs" I ever had. I had no bought toys as such in there as they are native here so we dragged in logs from the farm from gum trees with the tractor for them to destroy. They had a colourful vocabulary from the previous owner. All people departing here in their cars were either treated to a screeching fan belt that some had to stop and raise their bonnets on the cars or were screamed at to F*** off. There were wild ones that used to come and sit with them in the tree their big cage was under.