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Umbrella Cockatoo

White Cockatoo

Family: CacatuidaeCacatua albaPhoto © 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!

These birds are extremely friendly and love to be handled. Like most cockatoos Umbrella Cockatoos make very loving pets that need lots of attention. They can learn to talk, as can most cockatoos and are easy to teach all kinds of tricks. Buy a cockatoo only if you can spend a lot of time with it.

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.

Lastest Comments on Umbrella Cockatoo View all 67 comments on Umbrella Cockatoo Add Your Comment

sharon Rock - 2012-02-24 Want to sell three of umbrella cockatoo. Any interested person? Please email via sharon_rock@live.com. thanks Leslie - 2012-02-27 I am very interested in a baby or young umbrella cockatoo. Are they still available and what is the price for one? Do you know their sex? I currently have a 3 yr old female blue and gold macaw. CRAIG - 2012-04-15 The age of a cockatoo is not really a concern. There average life span is more than 60 years. I have a nine year old that laid three eggs this year. By the way, I live in an apt. . . . . . . . No complaints. Sophia is love by everyone around me. Craig Reply

denise king - 2012-04-08 Today, I added a 5 year old umbrella male named Angel to my family. Although I have had birds before, this is my first cockatoo. Therefore, I am eager for any and all advice and/or recommendations you may have to offer. He appears to be healthy, but his cage is sorely lacking any toys for his amusement and his nails are in desperate need of clipping. I understand that he will need lots of time and attention, and as a disabled veteran, I have lots of time to spend with him. I really look forward to hearing from you guys on this one. Charlie Roche - 2012-04-08 Well, it is a good thing you have the time because a cockatoo is going to take it, love it and give you lots of love in return. Cockatoos eat wood- they eat wood. I mean they really eat wood. So don't leave your fella too close to a window or a cabinet. I am not exaggerating here and I think it is sorta funny but just wanted to warn you. Cokatoos love toys and the more the better. You can buy them but you can also save quite a bit of money by making them. Get a 2 x 4 (untreated pine) and cut it into pieces and drill a hole through the middle of the pieces. Put a dog collar chain through the hole and you can even color the wood with food coloring - Don't put anything in the cage your little one can get himself tangled up in. These toys that people make and sell from rope are dangerous for a cockatoo. They love to play and can get tangled. I say use a dog collar chain as it is heavy (get the heavy one) and big ring at the bottom so the wood pieces you drill won't fall off. Cokatoos are very smart and can learn to undo most locks and certainly undo any screw bolts you use to hang a toy with. Purchase small u-bolts or small padlocks to hang the toys. Nails - you should get a concrete perch for your cockatoo and place it at the highest point in the cage for him to sit on when he sleeps. They sleep at the highest point and that way his nails will be filed automatically and he can also groom his beak. Make sure that the perch doesn't overlap with another in the cage so when he poops, it doesn't get another perch full of poop. Do not use doll rods for perches - it hurts or cripples their feet. You can use cholla wood or sanded manzanita - manzanita woks best cuz it is hard and they can't eat it - at least it takes them awhile. They love play - fetch, balls, popsicle type sticks and will love chewing up paper into really small pieces. Toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls are fun. They love music and can keep a great beat. You sing and they will dance. You enjoy and give Angle a hug for me.. Reply

kathy - 2012-03-31 Hi, I just got my umbrella cockatoo. His name is Marley. He is 3 yrs old. He is so sweet but some times, I think he knows about time ever day at 6 at night time he will screech so lound. I found out what to do about that you go to another room untill the bird stops and when he stops that is when you give him a treat for doing good. It is working. We play ball and I made him some home made toys. He just loves the toys. Reply

Jessica - 2012-02-02 My boy Fred is about 4 years old and is a mama's bird...I bought him toys and play things and he doesn't play at all he either will just dance on/in his cage of is with me, in my lap, on my shoulder. He seems happy because he is always dancing and playing with my hair but I worry because he never wants to play. He is extremely terrified of anyone but me and I wonder if maybe that is why. I'm not sure...any words of wisdom out there? Wanda Robinson - 2012-03-07 Put a tv and boxes and paper when you are not in the room and just watch him. He may start playing. Reply

Wanda Robinson - 2012-02-14 Are girls better than boys? Are they about the same. I have agirl about 7months old. I do not work. I stay home all day. I let her out about 6pm with me till about 9pm. She is very happy. Her cage is large 4x5x6 she is happy all day but very happy at 6pm. Do I need to change her day some but it is working good now. Charlie Roche - 2012-02-14 You know what they say 'if it isn't broken don't fis it'. Hey sounds like you and your little girl are doing great. She has taught you well and will continue to do so for many years to come. I would say that in some species of birds - girls and boys are different and possibly one can be easier or less demanding than the other. I just don't believe this to be true with Umbrellas. One is just not 'better' than the other. They are both wonderful. Wanda Robinson - 2012-02-17 THANK YOU SHE IS WONDERFUL. I LOVE HER SO MUCH. Reply

lisa maddock - 2012-02-06 I HAVE A COCKATOO AND MY MAN BOUGHT THE BIRD FOR ME FOR MY CHRITMAS. IT LOOKED NOT GOOD BUT I AM BRING IT BACK TO GOOD HEALTH AND HER NAME IS HOOKAT AND I LOVE HER AND WIN SHE GET ALL BETTER I CAN PUT HER ON MY FACEBOOK Reply

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