Description

The Umbrella Cockatoo is a stunning, all-white bird with a large, expressive, umbrella-shaped crest. They are famous for their incredibly affectionate and demanding “velcro” personality; they crave constant physical attention and emotional interaction, often behaving like feathered toddlers. They are highly intelligent, playful, and prone to dramatic displays. While they can be immensely charming, their most challenging trait is their tendency toward extremely loud, ear-piercing screaming—a natural flock-calling behaviour—that is difficult to curb and makes them unsuitable for many residential settings. They are also known for excessive dust (powder down), which can be a concern for people with allergies.

Tamability and Maintenance: Umbrella Cockatoos are highly tamable and bond fiercely. They are an extremely high maintenance pet due to their intense need for socialization. They require 3-5 hours of out-of-cage time and direct human interaction daily. Failure to meet these demands will almost certainly lead to severe psychological issues, such as chronic screaming, aggression, or self-mutilating feather plucking. They require a large, strong cage and heavy-duty chew toys to keep their active beaks busy. Their long lifespan of 50-80 years demands a lifelong commitment.

Diet: A healthy diet for an Umbrella Cockatoo must be low in fat to prevent common health issues like fatty liver disease. The basis should be a high-quality pellet formula, supplemented daily with a large portion of fresh, chopped vegetables (especially orange and yellow produce for Vitamin A) and a small amount of fruit. Nuts and seeds should only be used as occasional treats or for training purposes.