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Umbrella Cockatoo

White Cockatoo Family: Cacatuidae

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Two Young Umbrella Cockatoos Cacatua alba Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The two Umbrella Cockatoos pictured here are still babies under 3 months old, and still needing to be handfed twice per day!

   To learn more about Cockatoos and their needs visit:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Cockatoo

Scientific name: Cacatua alba

Description:
   Umbrella Cockatoos are a full-sized cockatoo. They are primarily white with long wide crest feathers that resemble an umbrella when raised. The underside of the wings and tail is also frequently tinged with yellow. They have black beaks and dark-grey feet.

Care and feeding:
   A roomy cage is required (minimum 2 ft. x 2 ft. x 3 ft. high) unless the bird is to be let out for extended periods. Many birds can spend most of their time on a play pen or parrot perch. They eat a variety of seeds, nuts, fruits, and commercial pellets, as well as the same nutritional foods humans eat.

   See About Cockatoos: Housing and About Cockatoos: Care and Feeding for more information.

Distribution:
   Is found in Obi, Halmahera, Ternate and Tidore in the central and nothern Moluccas, Indonesia.

Size - Weight:
   Mature birds are about cm (12 inches) in length. They are among the largest cockatoos.

Social Behaviors:
   In the wild, Cockatoos are friendly and peaceful. They are generally seen in small groups among the treetops.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   The hen will usually lay two eggs which will hatch in about 30 days. Both parents will brood and the young will wean in about 3 months.

   See About Cockatoos: Breeding for more breeding information.

Sexual differences:
   Hard to tell with young birds. As they get older the iris of the females' eyes will develop a reddish color, the males' eyes will remain black. This is not always completely accurate so other means are necessary if you need to know "for sure" what sex a particular bird is.

Potential Problems:
   Cockatoos can be quite loud screechers. The behaviour can be reduced by giving attention and proper surroundings. Also, since they are prone to chewing, if they are not given enough attention they will chew their own feathers.

Availability: These birds are available from time to time.

Activities: Loves to climb and play and chew. Provide lots of toys.

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Latest Comments
Hello your coockatoos a very nice. I have one but she was a feather plucker so she is half bald, but has grown back a lot of her fethers over time. I really think they are wounderful animals that make good freinds and they are really nice and friendly until you get bit, but I still think they're sweet animals. Brooke. Brooke 2008-11-18
I have an Umbrella Cockatoo. Her name is Sydney. She is 9 years old. She can speak very well. She knows how to say "I love you", "Hello", "Good Morning", "Good Night", "How are you", "Whats up", and she can say my name. She also sings very well. She knows how to sing the chorous of a few Taylor Swift songs. She can also mimic the telephone, the cat, the dog, and a crying baby. She chews up her toys like there is no tomorrow. She is a very sweet girl. Anonymous 2008-08-01
We have an umbrella cockatoo named zero, he had plucked several feathers while he was at his previous owners for 8 years. We give him much attention and rub his head & body often, which he loves. His previous owners had taught him some foul language, so we ignore it when he speaks it. He does not, however, hear foul language from us. He can say: Zero, Hello, I love you, clucks like a chicken and crows like a rooster, and calls BUCK often. Also says nite nite zero. He will eat out of my cereal bowl with me. He doesn't play with toys much, but if some money should be around on a table, he will sling it to the floor. He is so sweet. We really enjoy him. Theresa & Buck Theresa 2008-05-27
We have an umbrella cockatoo called rocky. He is five years old and when we got him he was bald on his belly because his last owner didn't spend time with him. We have had him since august and slowly his feathers are growing back. He has a fantastic character and says lots of words like; love you, kiss kiss, hello, you a good boy, and hello sexy. He says rocky dance and starts dancing. He loves opera music and starts singing that. He laughs at you and he barks as well. We also have a budgie and a crimson winged parrekeet. The best thing about cockatoos is that they are so affectionate and love attention. catherine 2008-04-01
We have a cockatoo, her name is Obie. Obie has a very strong vocabulary, she sings happy birthday, to obie go nighty nite. She has a habit of screaming and wont stop. We love her but need to know how to stop her screaming. I make her toys and she destroys them, how else can we keep her happy. Thanks Betty 2008-02-26
Some of the coolest comments:
After all our kids moved out, we purchased our Aussie (umbrella cockatoo) when he was only 9 weeks old. Neither of us owned a large bird before (just small birds). HE IS THE BEST! He is 1 yrs old now. He doesn't say clear words yet but sure tries to say "good boy" and "Hi". We were amazed when we were able to potty train him in only a week. YEA. His wings are clipped but he walks all over the house as if he's the boss. When we get up and get ready for work, we bring Aussie out to keep us company and let him play while we get ready for work. Then when we have to leave we tell him we have to go to work and put him in his cage with the tv on and say "by-bye". He is in his cage during the day while we are at work which is a 72x36x48 loaded with toys, light/ceiling fan on, and a tv that is on while we are away (of course, cartoon network so he doesn't pick up anything bad). When we get home, we bring him out, he goes "potty", we applaud his good behavior and then he does whatever. He has a play gym in the living room that he can go on whenever he wants and a toy box loaded with all kinds of toys. He loves his balls he plays with that are soft rubber and some with little balls inside that he removes within seconds. He gets play time until 1 hour before bedtime and then we allow him to sit on our laps and get his nightly backrub/neckrub. He loves to be rubbed while he hides his head in a blanket or even our shirt. When he gets loud or out of control, we cover him with a blanket. If that doesn't work, then we have a "time-out" cage (36x36x48-his starter cage)in another separate room with a door. If he is naughty (perhaps bites), he gets "time-out". Usually only 10-15 min depending on the issue then we get him out and continue on as if nothing happened. He is a perfect angel when he comes out. He always tries to come to the one that put him in time out as if to say he's sorry---way awesome. He goes to bed at the same time every night-around 9pm. He is an awesome addition. Time out really works as it is in a different room from his normal cage and there is no toys and we leave the room dark. When he does good, we literally clap our hands and say "Aussie, good boy" and continue to reinforce that he is being a good boy. He knows commands such as: no, eat, potty, come, standup, stepdown, nite-nite and yes he can shake. We are looking forward to him talking, hopefully soon. He eats Zupreem fruits and veggies (pellet foods). He likes broccoli, carrots, king crab legs, shrimp, lobster and some fish. He also loves scrabbled egg beaters with me for breakfast. He eats raisens, soup crackers, animal cookies, peanuts and dry cereal. He likes to "chew" so we be sure to have things he can chew on everywhere so he won't chew on what he shouldn't. Oh yea, he loves to shower with us--this is a funny experience. He is quite at night and even when we sleep in on a weekend, he doesn't make a sound until we open his door and say "good morning". These are awesome pets if you have space, time, compassion and lots of luv to give. John Shelley Show 2008-08-22
PLEASE READ ADS WITH CAUTION - AS THIS PERSON NOTES, THEY ARE NOT NECESSARILY RELATED TO YOUR PET: "In your "Care and feeding" paragraph you have a word 'Nutrition' that is highlighted to click on. When you just run your cursor over it, a balloon pops up that gives you a lot of food choices. This leads people to think that these are the foods that they can give their cockatoo. This is NOT THE FOOD THAT YOU GIVE TO YOUR COCKATOO!!! Because one of the electives in the balloon says CHOCOLATE, which is TOXIC to cockatoos and other birds as well. The reason I am mentioning this, is that a friend of mine just got a 'too', and got into your site at my house and saw the nutrition thing. She says to me "Wow! How fun! You can give them Chocolate treats!!!" Then when I told her No this is not true, that it is toxic, she said "No it isn't! It says right here that these are the foods that you can give them" I would advise you to change this, as it is very misleading, and may harm some Sweet "Toos" out there. And I know you wouldn't like this, as your site is very special and informative, and I know you care about animals. Thank you for your time." Shirah Gantman 2007-01-06
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this got me an A on my project thanks to anyone who helps with this site --------------- 2005-12-06

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