New to a Too.

[Tia]

I acquired my first Too here recently. My parents have always had exotic birds. Congos, Amazons, and Macaws. My divorcing neighbors, let's call them Jack and Jill. Gave me Tia and her cage. Jack hated Tia for her screaming displays. Jack still has a beautiful blue and gold Macaw. Jill wanted a bird to be her own. So Jack got her Tia. Jill lost interest soon afterwards. When I first Got Tia, She hadn't gotten any attention in so long that she's acting like being in estrus/hormonal. She's a really sweet bird. I feed her well. Fresh fruits and veggies, she loves the cranberries. The apple slices she usually slings on her cage bottom, along with half of the raw carrots, she does eat half of them though. I give half of a pecan each day divided into a few small treats. I have Known this bird for the past two years, she's the greatest sweetheart ever (besides the screaming episodes).

She is around 3 to 4yrs old now. Jack said that he would give me all her documentation soon. I need to know when she's had a vet visit last. The only annoying thing she does is go into a screaming fit when I'm on the phone with a customer. If I'm in and out all day, I'll Let her out for a short while maybe twice a day. She is fully fledged, never been clipped.

Oh by the way, I'm not a youngster. I'm 55yrs young.

Greg.

[Mare]

Hi, Greg! Welcome aboard :). I have a 15yr. old male Umbella cockatoo that I brought into our home when he was around 8yrs. How big is her cage? These birds NEED room around them or they will go bonkers. It takes time for them to adjust and not only them but you, too :)

If you can handle the noise when it happens and learn WHY she is screaming, you will be on a path to happiness. These are super special beings but you have to open yourself up to accept them into your life.

I know,,I'm sounding rather off the wall/cosmic..sorry about that :). I had the MOST difficult time with Amigo when I first brought him home, he's as important to me now as my own children..this is a good thing.

[Tia]

When I'm In and out from work. I let Tia get some free time some, out of cage. When I have a day off she doesn't scream, but for 5/10min in the morning and again in the late afternoon.

[Tia]

Her cage is a 32x40. and not sure how tall. Its way taller than I am and I'm just shy of 6ft.

[Mare]

My situation with Amigo is quite a bit different, he flys free during the day, which helps his psyche/spirit immensely but I'm guessing U2s all have a similar mindset. Morning and evening calls are quite normal.

[Mare]

Her cage is a 32x40. and not sure how tall. Its way taller than I am and I'm just shy of 6ft.


That's a climbing cage for a U2, does she have many perches and rope perches to get around in it? I love the rope perches for this reason, they can be attached to be a jungle gym in a tall cage.

[Tia]

She has two full crossway in the cage perches. her top perch is near 1-1/4in. and she likes to roost on it. Her lower perch is foodbowl level and she never uses that one. She ignores that perch totally. for the past two years before I got her she's been roosting on a concrete type perch that was about 2in by by 1ft. She now has the most wonderful perches I can possibly provide for her. Pecan limbs, misted with a mild bleach/water mix and allowed to dry out thoroughly. She is still a young girl. And I Have a full service welding shop. I feel sure that she will have a very nice outdoor enclosure by maybe late spring next year.

[spiritbird]

Welcome to out forum. Sounds to me like you are on the right track. Mare will help you if you have any questions. Please try to get a photo for us.

[spiritbird]

Here is some reading for you [Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]

[Tia]

3314

[spiritbird]

Adorable bird. Thanks for showing us your cutie!

[Mare]

Oh my goodness!..she's beautiful! :). It sounds to me like you are doing a great job with her. I'm not familiar with females but the males hit full maturity between 6-8yrs. old and there can be a huge change in attitude around that time. If you are prepared for that event..your life can be golden! :). Thanks for the photos, keep them coming because we are a bunch of photo hungry folks around here, I say that in a loving way not a zombie kind of way!

[tropics1989]

Id like to comment but I've not had much experience with cockatoos. I've had very little not enough to go off of. Good luck. It'll all go well. You'll have ups and downs. Don't give up. There are some awesome cockatoo owners on here as you can tell that will help you through :)