How To You should care for a moluccan or umbrella cockatoo.
Both moluccan and umbrella cockatoos grow up to 21 inches (51 cm) tall.Although they are playful, loquacious birds, they need a lot of attention as they're more needy than other birds.A big habitat and a healthy diet are required to keep your umbrella cockatoo happy and healthy.Proper grooming and vet care are required.Provide your bird with plenty of stimulation and treat it like a member of the family.
Step 1: The habitat can be placed in a high-traffic area.
It's important for your bird to feel part of the family.The moluccan and umbrella cockatoos will bond with humans just as they would with their friends.The living room is a place where your family spends time.Don't put the cage in the sun.Don't put your bird in the kitchen.Fumes given off by non-stick coating can harm your birds health, and debris from your bird's cage can get on your food.
Step 2: The cage must be at least 4 ft (1.2 m) in length.
The bird needs to be able to spread its wings without touching the cage.You may need a larger cage if you own a large breed of cockatoo.Keep your bird happy by choosing the biggest one you can afford.A bigger cage is needed if your bird spends a lot of time in it.A cage that's too small will make your bird unhappy, which can lead to behavioral issues like self-mutilation.
Step 3: Wood, rope, and soft perches should be provided throughout the cage.
The umbrella cockatoo needs several perches in its cage to be able to rest.If you want your bird to sleep, place a perch at the top of the cage.Natural wooden perches allow your bird to rub its nails on the wood and chew on it.Provide your bird with a swinging rope perch so it can get some exercise.The perches will likely be destroyed by your bird over time.Your bird will enjoy chewing on the perches.
Step 4: Light your bird for 12 hours a day.
As long as it's dark, your umbrella cockatoo will sleep.Over time, this is bad for your bird.Make sure it gets at least 12 hours of light a day.If you need artificial light, you can use a window.Your bird needs 12 hours of darkness to sleep.
Step 5: Feed your pet.
In the wild, cockatoos enjoy eating together.If you or your family are eating nearby, your bird will eat better.If you can, schedule your bird's meal times at the same time as yours.You'll usually feed the bird using food dishes.If the cage is positioned where you can see it eating, you don't need to move it.Your bird can eat a small amount of table scraps, which you can provide either in its food dish or by tossing them to your bird during your meal.
Step 6: 75% of your bird's diet should be specially formulated pellets.
The proper nutrition for your bird can be found in pliches.Pick a brand that is labeled for use with birds.You can put the pellets in a food dish.You can buy a food dish for birds at a local pet store or online.Some of the dishes look similar to a food bowl made for a cat or dog.It is possible to attach a pellet dish to the side of the bird's cage so that it doesn't move around the cage as it eats.If your bird pushes the food bowl into the cage, it will be hard to get it.To find out how much to give your bird, check the label on your food.You should base the amount of food you give your bird on its weight.
Step 7: 20% of it's diet should be fresh vegetables, grains, and fruit.
These foods will provide vital nutrition for your bird, and they're also delicious.You can serve cooked and cooled grains.You can give your bird colorful fruits and veggies.Chop the produce into smaller pieces before feeding it to your bird.Fresh foods should be placed in a separate dish.After about an hour, remove the dish.It is possible for your bird to enjoy eating sliced pineapple, berries, carrots, cucumber, squash and peas.It might like cooked chickpeas, black beans, and macaroni.
Step 8: 5% of your bird's diet should be treated like seeds, nuts, and table scraps.
You can give your bird treats or sprinkle them on his food.It's a great way to bond between you.You could use seeds to reward your bird for good behavior.You could give your bird a shelled walnuts, which can crack.
Step 9: Birds can be harmed if you give them bird foods.
Make sure you don't feed certain foods to your bird.Don't give your bird any of the following.
Step 10: Provide your bird with access to clean water.
Attach the water container to the side of the cage.The water should be replaced throughout the day.Clean the dish daily.The umbrella cockatoos prefer to be sprayed with water, so they don't bathe in their water dish.
Step 11: Use a watering can or shower to bathe your pet.
While your bird sits on a stand or on your arm, pour or spray water over it.It is normal for your bird to spread its wings while it is showering.Don't wash your bird.A bath lasts 5–15 minutes.The water should be kept on a low-pressure setting.The pressure is too high if the bird's feathers are ruffled.It might take a few showers to get used to baths.As your bird gets used to it, start out with a light spray of water.
Step 12: Your pet's nails should be trimmed every 6 months.
Take your bird out of its cage and ask someone to hold it.Next, look for the thin pink vein that runs through the nail.Use a guillotine-style clipper to cut the end of the nail.At your local pet store, you can find nail clippers.It's okay to use one made for dogs and cats if you can't find a pair for birds.If you accidentally cut the bird's nail, you can use a powdered clotting agent to fix it.excessive bleeding will be prevented by this.A powdered clotting agent can be found at a pet store.If you're not comfortable with it, your vet can trim the nails.Your bird will wear its nails through scratching and playing with toys.Your bird's nails might not get as much wear as a wild bird, meaning it needs a trimming.
Step 13: The vet trims your bird's wings twice a year.
Wing trims keep your bird from flying too high.This is not the same as taking your bird's wings out so it can't fly.It will still be able to fly, but not as well.You don't want moluccan and umbrella cockatoos to gain too much altitude or fly too fast because they are large, powerful birds.It's natural for your bird to shed its trimmed feathers and grow new ones twice a year.Make sure you keep an eye on your bird so you can trim it.If you'd like, your vet can show you how to trim your bird's wings.For your bird's first trimming, always visit the vet.
Step 14: Take your bird to the vet.
It's important that your bird gets regular vet care.Clear eyes, a healthy coat of feathers, and no signs of illness are some of the things your vet will inspect your bird for.An avian vet is someone who specializes in birds.An annual beak trimming is a possibility when the vet examines your bird.Birds wear their beaks down by chewing, gnawing, and grinding.Birds kept in captivity may need a yearly trimming.Your vet will do it if this is the case.Don't try to do it yourself.
Step 15: If you notice signs of poor health in your bird, go to the vet.
This includes feather plucking, poor beak or feather health.You should watch for changes in your bird's appearance.It's possible that your bird is in pain if it suddenly becomes more aggressive.Take your bird to the vet if you suspect it is sick.If your bird has this, you'll notice it pulling out its own feathers or picking at itself.Stress, boredom, itching from parasites, and abacterial infections are some of the causes of this condition.This illness occurs when a circoviruses attacks the cells that make up your bird's beak and feathers, causing the beak to be weak and the feathers to grow poorly.Bald spots and trouble eating are some of the things you'll notice.Your bird's feet might become swollen due to unsanitary cage conditions.Poor nutrition and dirty perches may be to blame for this condition.Birds can become obese if you over feed them.An obese bird may not be able to fly as much as it used to.This is a serious condition that can lead to death.These are deposits on your bird's torso.If your bird is not comfortable, you may have them removed by the vet.
Step 16: It's important to keep your umbrella cockatoo happy.
In the wild, a monogamous bond can be formed with your umbrella cockatoo.Your bird will bond with you in captivity.Make sure you have at least a few hours a day to spend with your bird.You can let your bird sit on your arm while you go for a walk or watch tv.You can also play dress up with your bird using doll clothes.
Step 17: If you want your bird to stay stimulated, you should have several sets of toys.
Mental stimulation is needed by the moluccan and umbrella cockatoos.If they get bored, they are likely to start feather-plucked.They can stay entertained with a variety of toys.Natural wood toys are great for your bird to chew on.Your bird will enjoy shredding paper.Puzzle toys are fun to play with.You can place a treat inside a puzzle toy that your bird will use.After a week or two, your bird will stop playing with its toys.You should keep several sets of toys.Your bird will get new toys every couple of weeks.
Step 18: For a few hours each day, let your bird out of its cage.
You should always keep an eye on your bird while it's out of its cage.Bird proof the room before you let your bird out.Turn off ceiling fans if you want to bird proof a room.Make sure the windows and doors are clean.Hide or remove electrical wires.Don't use aerosol sprays.Blow out candles.Don't use essential oils.Clean and cover the paint.Costume jewelry can contain zinc.Pets can be put in a different room.
Step 19: When you're going to be out, leave your radio or television on.
If your bird is left alone, it may get lonely.The cockatoos like company.They will feel more at home if they hear voices on the radio or television.It's not necessary to turn up the volume very high.If you want it to be heard in the room where your parrot's cage is kept, turn it up just loud.
Step 20: At certain times of the day, train your bird to scream.
Allowing your bird to scream can help it work off its energy.Between the hours of 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm is a good time to choose.Turn up loud, high-tempo music to teach your bird to scream.When it's time to calm down, switch to soft music.Once it's calm, reward your bird with treats.Your bird will learn to scream at this time.It is less likely to scream at times if it is happy.