Bird Breed Info:
Introducing the Umbrella Cockatoo

Umbrella Cockatoos are stunningly attractive white cockatoos native to islands in Indonesia. They have very dark brown or black eyes and gain their name from the plume on the top of their head which they will raise, not unlike an umbrella, if startled. Their plumage is nearly totally white, with just a slight hint of yellow on the underside of their wings. This can be seen only when they are in flight. At around 19 to 24 inches in length, they are quite a good sized bird and those with a slightly wider head and larger beak will probably be males.

As the keeping of parrots and cockatoos increased in popularity, so did the capture and sale of the Umbrella Cockatoo. They do make quite good pets as they are very intelligent and entertaining birds. Also their white plumage makes them extremely attractive and exotic looking. Unfortunately the demand for the birds outgrew the reasonable supply possibilities and not only did they become increasingly expensive, their survival in their indigenous habitat was becoming compromised.

Such was the extent of their capture that they made an appearance on the endangered species list and all capture and trading of the birds became illegal. The problem was at its most severe in the early 1990s and it was in 1994 that they were the most heavily protected. Since then the numbers of Umbrella Cockatoos breeding and living in their native habitat has increased and it is no longer deemed necessary to include them on the CITES 1 endangered species list. They are, however, still listed as a vulnerable species and appear on the Appendix 11 listing. This means that although their numbers are increasing, it is still illegal to trade in, or import and export, birds that have been captured from the wild. The only trade possible is that of birds which have been bred in captivity.

As I have mentioned, Umbrella Cockatoos make good pets for someone who is willing to spend a lot of time entertaining, as well as being entertained by, their bird. Although they are not the best parrot or cockatoo when it comes to mimicking human language, they are certainly able to cover a small vocabulary and are quite happy to show this off to you. Although they are often loving and affectionate pets, they have been known to be noisy and aggressive, particularly the males. They do need a lot of handling and care to keep them happy and are probably a species best left to an experienced carer and handler rather than a first-time keeper.

As with all pets, a good deal of research needs to be done regarding their care. Their diet is all important. Umbrella Cockatoos should be fed food that is specifically produced by specialists for cockatoos along with some fruit and vegetables (but not avocado). Once they are established on a basic diet such as this, you can consider adding to it to supplement their nutritional intake and to offer them a variety.

It is impossible to give all the advice necessary regarding the keeping of an Umbrella Cockatoo in any one article. Much research will need to be done if you decide that you wish to share your home and time with one of the wonderful birds. Do not make the decision lightly. They are beautiful creatures but tend to look best in their natural habitat.

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about umbrella cockatoos, please visit Cockatoo Rescue for current articles and discussions.

by Wendy Pan - 08/28/08

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