Breeding Standards for the Umbrella Cockatoo

Keeping birds as pets dates to ancient civilizations and continues today. When Christopher Columbus returned from his voyage to the New World, he brought Amazon parrots to Europe. It was not long before other parrots and cockatoos were discovered by European explorers who introduced the smart and colorful birds to society. Umbrella cockatoos come from Indonesia and, while their wild status is threatened due to illegal trapping, breeders are successful in producing young birds for the right owner.

  1. Standard Features

    • The umbrella cockatoo is solid white with brown eyes and a bluish ring around the outside of the eye. Females have a reddish-brown ring around the eyes. Bright yellow feathers underneath the wings and tails, visible when in flight, are a standard to this species and should be present on the bird. The distinguishing feature is a semicircular crest that rises from the back of the head when the bird is surprised or aroused. The crest is normally recumbent but when raised, is striking in appearance. The cockatoo has dark grey feet and a large black beak.

    Characteristics

    • Umbrella cockatoos are 18 inches long and can live up to 80 years in captivity. They are loud, with calls that can be heard up to three miles away. Cockatoos are very sociable and like to cuddle with their owners, a characteristic not normally present in parrots. They can speak but do not have the word capacity of some parrot species. Cockatoos' acrobatic nature gives them the ability to learn and perform a number of tricks.

    Breeding Pairs

    • In the wild umbrella cockatoos nest in the hollows of large trees and produce white eggs with two in each clutch. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs until they hatch, or approximately 28 days. Fledgling occurs in 11 to 14 weeks.

      In captivity, breeders should keep pairs in aviaries and provide a tree or tall stump with a nesting box approximately 12 inches by 31 inches with a 4 inch opening. The aviary should be spacious and allow for flight, 18 by 6 by 6 feet with strong wire or bars. Cockatoos have strong beaks and will chew through thin wire.

      Pet cockatoos are not easy to breed, however the website Animal World recommends that breeders keep young birds together and allow them to naturally form pairs as they grow up.

    Diet

    • As with all pet birds, umbrella cockatoos should be fed as close to their natural diet as possible. Fruits, berries, nuts and insects are eaten in the wild. Insects may be difficult to provide so offering seed mixes of safflower, sunflower and oats with millet spray and vegetables is encouraged by breeders.