Umbrella Cockatoo

• ExerciseHigh

  Needs hours of out-of-cage activity and mental challenges every day.

• GroomingRegular feather care

  Regular bathing or misting plus nail and beak checks.

• Living spaceRoomy cage

  Needs a roomy cage and safe space to fly indoors.

• Owner experienceFor experienced owners

  Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• Commitment40–60 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Feather plucking · Obesity · Respiratory issues

The Umbrella Cockatoo (Cacatua alba) is a large white cockatoo from the rainforests of Indonesia's North Maluku islands, named for the broad umbrella-like crest it fans when excited. Weighing 400-800 g and living 40-60 years, it is one of the most affectionate — and most demanding — parrots kept as pets. Umbrellas bond with an intensity that is famous and dangerous: hand-fed birds treat their owner as a mate and can develop screaming, plucking and self-mutilation when that need for constant contact is not met. They are intelligent and gentle but require an experienced keeper who can set healthy boundaries and provide hours of interaction and enrichment every single day. Feed a formulated pellet base with generous vegetables, greens and limited fruit and nuts, keeping fat moderate to avoid obesity and fatty tumours. They produce heavy feather dust, so keepers with respiratory sensitivity should be cautious, and an air filter helps. A huge, escape-proof cage, dawn-to-dusk enrichment and realistic expectations about the noise and neediness are essential before taking on this beautiful, heartbreakingly social bird.

• How much activity does a Umbrella Cockatoo need?

  High. Needs hours of out-of-cage activity and mental challenges every day.

• How much feather care does a Umbrella Cockatoo need?

  Regular feather care. Regular bathing or misting plus nail and beak checks.

• What cage does a Umbrella Cockatoo need?

  Roomy cage. Needs a roomy cage and safe space to fly indoors.

• Is a Umbrella Cockatoo a good fit for first-time owners?

  For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• How long do Umbrella Cockatoo live?

  40–60 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Umbrella Cockatoo?

  Keep an eye out for Feather plucking, Obesity, Respiratory issues. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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