Cockatoo to Adopt: Umbrella vs. Lesser Sulpher?

Question

I have a chance to adopt either an Umbrella Cockatoo or a Lesser Sulpher-Crested. I cannot afford or have the time to adopt both. Does anyone have any experience with either? Which is better, in your opinion, and why? Thanks!

I have read that Cockatoo's are very demanding of time and attention and that is why I said that I decided to adopt only one.

I do have bird experience....I have several already....just don't know much about too's. Thanks.

I have bird experience, as I previously stated. I have 2 African Greys, an Eclectus, a Senegal, and a Parrotlet. I like to adopt birds and rehab them.....and I'm pretty good at it, if I do say so myself! I cannot meet both birds as they are both about 2 hours away from me in different directions. The only thing I know about them is that the Umbrella's owner died of cancer....and the Lesser's owner had to give up due to a divorce. Supposedly they are both handleable to some degree, but who knows! Thanks for any advice given to me by people that actually read my question!

Answer 1

I have an umbrella cockatoo named Kilo. Kilo is the third parrot adopted into my family. He is great but does require an enourmous amount of time. From the moment he sees me in the AM, he startes yelling if i dont get to him fast enough. Same thing in the evening when i come home from work. Putting aside all of the needed attention and the screaming, i love him more than anything. Cockatoos are great companions. They are known as velcro birds because they attatch themselves to you and love to cuddel. Kilo loves to lay on my chest and watch TV at night until we fall asleep. Now again to the bad part, Kilo is also an escape artist. He learned how to get out of all the doors in his cage. The food and water doors just latch with a turn handle so that was easy for him, then he learned how to take the breeder door and the front door off by undoing the nut and bolt. Sweet aint he, LOL. So twice when i have come home form work i found him once in my living room and once on my kitchen table. Needless to say, my china cabinet corners were gone, two bamboo kitchen chairs were dead, dvds and wooden rack were finished and my fake flowers on my table were gone. Now Kilo has the jail type cage with 8 brinks locks on it. So cockatoos can be a great joy but becareful because they are sneaky and will try to outsmart you.

Answer 2

Cockatoos are not a good first-time bird, so it'd be best if you've got some bird experience. Ask yourself if you're willing to care for a bird who acts like a 2-3 year old child and you can give some amount of quality time to every day. They never "grow up" from this stage and live 80 years. They're very intelligent and consequently need sufficient mental stimulation by playing with them, toys, another bird, etc.

In return they can be very affectionate. I have a Goffin's cockatoo that is as playful and tame as any kitten I every had. A friend has a Moluccan that's much bigger but almost as tame and is a lot like the Umbrella. Never known anyone with a sulfur-crested so as to give an impression.

Answer 3

If you don't have time for both, do you have time for one? Cockatoos need constant human companionship or else they become very depressed and potentially aggressive.

That being said, I've owned both types of cockatoo, and it really depends on what qualities you are looking for. Umbrellas talk better, but are more demanding in terms of time and attention. Sulphers are intelligent but less vocal, on the other hand, they don't scream as loudly when they are upset as an Umbrella. Umbrellas are larger and require more cage space. PLEASE do some additional research, all cockatoos require very large cages, constant human interaction, high quality diets consisting of both bird food and fresh human food, plenty of toys for amusement, etc. The reason so many cockatoos are available for adoption is that nobody realizes just how much effort it takes to keep one happy and healthy.

Good luck, and make sure whichever you pick, or whether you decide to pick neither, you are doing it in the best interest of the birds.

Answer 4

Oh congratulations, it's wonderful that you are adopting a Cockatoo!
Man you have guts!
I would take a look at the history of both: Background, skill level, previous history of any training, behavioral issues with either.
Bear in mind these birds were relinquished for a reason. Find out why.
I would also review the overall health of both birds. I don't know if you are going through an adoption organization, but if you are, they will most likely have some semblance of a health history on them. Take this into consideration.
I truely don't think you are going to choose the bird. If you hang back, and spend time with each of them, you are probably most likely going to find that one bird or the other is going to choose you.
Be very observant both of the bird and yourself:

Which one has a better "fit" with you?
Which one seems to be more comfortable around you?
Does one tend to"sparkle" or perk up more when you show up?
Do you have a rapport or make a stronger "connection" with one as opposed to the other?
Does one have more of a willingness to be trained?
You mentioned you have other birds. Is one more willing to fit into a family that includes other birds, or are you going to have problems with one or the other being a part of a flock?

In situations like this, it isn't so much the species of the bird, but the way she fits into your life. Every bird is different; they have their own personality, abilities, strengths and weaknesses. The trick is to find which of these particular features work into your home life, and your current flock. You have to think of the other birds as well.
So don't think of them as "This one is an Umbrella and this one is a Lesser Sulpher Crested."
Think: "This one listens to what I have to say. This one gets excited when I show up. I've made a connection with her and I'll always be wondering how she is doing if she goes home with another person."
Listen to your heart. And be sure and listen to them. They'll let you know!

Best of luck in your decision, and look into Positive Reinforcment Training. It will do nothing but improve your life and those of your flock.

Answer 5

My personal preference is the Lesser Sulfur because they are smaller and less demanding. I think Alyssa gave you a good analysis on each bird's characteristics.

I would suggest that you not only look at the species but also their previous living conditions and the reasons for them being rehomed. Is there a personality trait that one of them has that you don't think you can live with? If possible, meet each bird and spend considerable time with him or her. Often the bird will choose the companion rather than the companion choosing the bird. See which one you relate to best.

Good luck!