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I have a U2 and need some advice. Short history on him: he's a wild caught 30+ male and not tame. He used to be a breeder and killed his mate, then a pet for short period and now he's been a pet here for close to 10 years. He is still terrified of people and I've worked with him a lot, but does fine when nobody pays attention (eye contact) to him. He's well behaved when out and pretty quiet. He is comfortable around dogs, but does not like other birds in his territory.
I've been thinking about adopting another Too and would like to know what to expect. I've paired up other birds, small and large, and there was no major problems. What are the chances he might get along with another Too (kept in separate cages, supervised time out together, not for breeding)? I lean towards adopting a female, but would another male work? I would appreciate some advice, maybe from an experienced breeder with multiple Toos. Thanks.

[quote="green"]he's a wild caught 30+ male and not tame. He used to be a breeder and killed his mate, then a pet for short period and now he's been a pet here for close to 10 years. He is still terrified of people and I've worked with him a lot, but does fine when nobody pays attention (eye contact) to him. He's well behaved when out and pretty quiet. He is comfortable around dogs, but does not like other birds in his territory.
I've been thinking about adopting another Too and would like to know what to expect. I've paired up other birds, small and large, and there was no major problems. What are the chances he might get along with another Too (kept in separate cages, supervised time out together, not for breeding)? I lean towards adopting a female, but would another male work? [/quote]

The sad part of the larger wild-caught /previously breeder birds is that there will be a large number of bachelor males that will be left alone with no future. I don't think that Umbrella males are social with each other, and the presence of a female will initiate breeding and aggressive behaviors.

So what are his options? He is kept well and has what he needs to be happy except for some cuddling or preening and I believe that's a major part of a bird's life since they are flock animals. Even if it's not the love of his life, how do two Toos interact with each other? Is there a chance they are peaceful during non breeding season? I wouldn't mind breeding behavior and all the cons involved with it, but I don't think I could trust him unsupervised over a long period of time with another Too.
The other option I had in mind is rehoming, but so far I haven't found the perfect place yet.

Hi there!

Your U2 sounds like one of my guys, Niles. He came to me with sketchy history at best but I was told he was from a breeding aviary and due to his behaviors and some vocalizations he's likely wild caught. I also suspect he most likely killed his mate/s if he had any. I am able to handle him (on days he chooses) . for reasons only he knows he stepped up for me the second day of his arrival but he's not stepped up for anyone else and if anyone is in the room and depending on who is in the room he might sound an alarm call and cling to the back of his cage if they get within 10' or so. It took Niles and I several months for him to be comfortable moving away from his cage and finally leaving the room. We took it a step at a time and only as long as he was comfortable.

Niles lives with 8 other Cockatoos, 4 are male U2's, 2 U2 hens and 2 M2 hens. I have always believed he would kill the males if given the chance. He does ok with one M2 hen (not the other...and I only know by his reaction through his cage bars) but even so has bit her beak once leaving a temporary hole in it. It happened in the blink of an eye while she sat on my lap and what it showed me was that any thoughts I might have had thinking I was quick enough to separate them (constant supervision) if there might be trouble ....I would never be quick enough! Also he is smitten with one..only one of the U2 girls but he's so excitable (knowing his history with other 'toos) that I don't dare let them interact....and also after her arrival he honked for several days and was pretty riled up....it took time an patience for him to calm down. The M2 I mentioned above he was also very excited to know and due to that we worked on his excitement by introducing her while he was in his cage. They interacted through the cage bars for almost a year........mostly him preening her head.

I have always kept Niles separated from any direct interaction with the other 'toos (other than what I mentioned above)...by his own cage, a playgym he wouldn't jump off of, hoop from ceiling, a cage that I know he can't escape from etc. Even though he doesn't have direct interaction (preening, touching) with the other birds he IS part of the flock here. When everyone goes outside they all contact call as they move in and out. If one gets a toy they all watch as the rest of the toys come out. If they aren't playing iwth their own toy they are watching another and how they might play with theirs. I hand out treats they all watch and eagerly wait their turn...and if I treat only one...ha! that's not gonna work, they all know and they all want. I give the guys young coconuts with some husk on them sometimes. No one knew what to do with them except Niles. His eyes lit up and he pulled the husk off and punctured the top in no time and started enjoying the coconut meat and water inside as the other 'toos watched ....and then tried opening up their own coconuts. Niles never talked but now says a few words....learned from the others such as Hello. They DO interact. They ARE a flock and I believe Niles is happier overall by being here even though from a human perspective he'd be much easier as an only bird. I wish he could go out in the flights with other birds but instead he goes out in a flight by himself next to a flight with other birds. I have found that the older everyone gets the less I can flock some days....flock dynamics, mood, personalities are constantly changing.

In my opinion and experience 'toos do enjoy the company of other 'toos but interaction doesn't have to be touchy feely. Oh...and my other male 'toos....don't touch. If you watch wild birds some time I think you'll see each one has its own space....whether it's crows lined up on a fence, starlings foraging in the grass and that's how it is with my guys.

Also personalities are all different and you can't know who will click better or not with each other. Some Australian 'toos spend time in large flocks but the Indonesian 'toos appear to stay in small groups....perhaps family groups. anywhere from 2 to may 20.

Shauna