sexual maturity of Umbrella Cockatoo?

[Char]

I was told the Umbrella Cockatoo I rescued was just 2 yrs old. I read online that they become sexually mature between 3-7 yrs old. Because I was told she was only 2 I have been doing a lot of petting and cuddling with her to help her feel loved and wanted. Her previous owners were petting and cuddling her.

 

She is dispaying what I am sure in sexual behavior. Trying to mate with her toys, panting ect. Is 2 yrs old a little young for this? I am beginning to think they were wrong about her age.

 

I thought Cockatoos needed at lot to affection but I don't want to stimulate her sexually and cause her to be frustrated. Would it be always I would need to avoid cuddling or just certain time of the year?

 

I have never had a sexually mature bird before and this is new territory for me.<br><br>Post edited by: Char, at: 2009/06/15 20:20

[judygram]

This is new to me too Char but I think it might be in cycles and not a continuous thing you would have to avoid petting and touching certain areas but we do have some members here who would know for sure and maybe one of them will answer your question.

 

I tend to think your U2 is older than 2 years especially if she is displaying humping behavior and panting.

[SchroedersJen]

2 is a bit young, but in fairness, no 2 birds are exactly alike. My sister and I hit sexual maturity at different ages, birds do too. Some are late bloomers and some are early bloomers. Toos do best on a schedule. They should be played with and snuggled with consistantly, at similar times during the day. They also need to learn how to entertain themselves or they can get frantic when you arent there to play, so they should be left in their cage and alone at similar times during the day as well. Having a schedule is great for these birds because it helps them learn that their present statte is not permanant. They will learn that its ok to be alone because they wont be alone forever. They will learn to enjoy their snuggles but that they need to be able to entertain themself as well because the snuggles wont last forever. It will cut down on the amount of surprise and irritation they have when it is time for them to go in their cage because they will expect it and come to regard it as another part of their normal day. Bird talk had a great article about happy toos a few months back, there was a Major mitchells too on the cover. I suggest you try to locate a copy and read it. I will keep an eye out for you as well.

[Char]

Thanks Jen for the advice. I rescued this U2 from a bad situation and I am trying to find the right home for her. Her previous owner worked all day and so do I. I do provide consistency for her and my Grey also.

 

The thing about cockatoos is that they do not do as well when they are in a cage all day. They need more time out than other birds. I know this because on the weekend when I am home most of the time she is a perfect angel. Monday evenings are HELL. I gradually gets better each day until the weekends when it is perfect. I really think that if I was home all day she would be no different than any other bird. On the weekends she does not demand or get constant attention. She is happy on her large playstand.

 

I think it is a cage thing. They just hate cages.

 

I am trying to find her a home with someone that does not work full time as that is what I really think she needs.

[Tycos_mom]

So Char how are things going other than her hormonal issues. Aren't they just the sweetest birds you've ever seen in your whole life. When I had Mr. Magoo for a while I fell head over heels in love with him. I would have loved to have kept him just because he was sososo sweet and gentle with me. If I didn't have my daughter athome still or other birds he would still be here and thats for sure. He would attack my daughter every chance he could and I'm sure he would have killed my other birds if given 1/2 a chance. He was so loveing and cuddly and could absolutly do no wrong when it came to being with me. talk about jeckle and hyde that was definatly how I would describe Mr. Magoo. Is your Cockatoo like that also.

[rbpittman]

I have had Sterling (M U2 9yr old) since July 4th and have been spending a lot (quite a lot) of time reading about 'toos on mytoos.com. Their forums are full of information on sexual behaviors and maturity along with other behavioral issues that are common to these birds. I assume that you already know about this site since you have given me wonderful advice about Dixie (AG) in the past.

 

What I have read is that the spring is the usual time when the 'toos exhibit most of their hormal activity, and that the lengthen daylight of summer adds to it. Sterling likes to be petted under his wings and along his back, and this is a no no since it can cause him to exhibit sexual behaviors.

 

Our U2 experience so far has been great and the information from the mytoos site has been wonderful in making this transition into a good experience for my entire family. Now if I can get Sterling to liking my husband we would all be happy....lol.

 

pictures of Sterling: http://s684.photobucket.com/albums/vv201/rbpittman/

 

--

Robin, Paul, Dixie, Sterling, Geoge & Gracie