Umbrella COCKATOO NANA CUDDLING (i.e. NESTING) UNDER Blanket

[Raaaawrlol]

Does that mouth movement mean anything? Mine does it all the time, would like to know why.

[wasp9]

@Raaaawrlol It's like purring with cats. It means they're happy.

[cheyleew]

you know i wish my parakeets would bond with me like yours humans and parakeets and parrots or any animal can share a special bond that no one will break :D i love your umbrella cockatoo nana

[AJMontyBird]

I recently adopted a fourteen year old Lesser Sulphur 'Too. They really are the most amazing animals, aren't they? :)

Nana is a real sweetie. I wish Monty liked blankets! Judging by his reaction to towels, he had some not not-so-great experiences in his earlier life.

[floatingseabee]

Awww she is just so happy :) So sweet

[samispock]

Sad to know that these beautiful, and sweet creatures are treated so horribly, but this one's lucky to have loving owners!

[meriprem]

My 20 year's experience with birds has taught me that when birds make that mouth action and sound, it means they are feeling loved, safe and secure. I've seen all kinds of birds, wild and tame, large and small, do the same thing. As for your sweet and beautiful Nana, I swear she is smiling! And no wonder - you seem to be an ideal birdie "Mom". Best wishes to both of you.

[wildlifeguardian]

@meriprem: Thank you so much...sniff...

[m0sas]

my lil baby victoria does this too! shell literally come to me in the morning and dive under the covers and wiggle around until i wake up. Its almost as if shed rather live in there lol. Love it!

[SilverFurWolf]

That mouth thing she is doing? What does that mean, because my sun conure will do that sometimes, I always assumed it was him practicing talking, but I dont really know.

[wildlifeguardian]

@SilverFurWolf: No, it's not practicing to talk, but I don't know what exactly it means either -- maybe a comforting thing to convey that she's happy?

[FunnyPudding]

@wildlifeguardian I've been told it means their happy. my cockatiel does the same when she's ready to sleep or when she's really warm and happy.

[jaqulinxmariexDCM]

@SilverFurWolf it could mean it wants you to pet it ( i say it because idk if yours is a girl / boy) or it needs attention, the meaning can difffer:)

[lilcity15]

oh your bird is so cute:3

[cheyleew]

@sbrucks7 i think you should just let her im sure she just wants to play not bite you i think she dosent know that it hurts let her know of that ok hope i could help :D

[1BustedMyth]

100/10 for cute!

[sbrucks7]

hi do you ever get randomly bit by your cockatoo, i have one and i pick her up (she is willing to get picked up) and then all the sudden she lunges for my chest.

please respond Im so confused about mine that i just dont know anymore. when were on the couch she will play and put her head next to my leg like that for a pet, then all the sudden lunge and my arm. do you have to same problem? i just want to know if they are all like that or if it is something else

thanks

[wildlifeguardian]

@sbrucks7: Not quite sure what to make of this behavior. Nana does not do that. She has only nipped at me twice in the 6 yrs she's been with us and that was because I startled her. All birds do use biting as a form of communication (in addition to defending themselves against a perceived threat whether real or not). Some parrots can become random biters -- maybe put her back in her cage when she bites? Did you adopt her, i.e. there could be some issues from her previous home?

[sbrucks7]

@wildlifeguardian yes she was was just adopted last week. she's great with my husband but just tolerates me...she lets me pet her (when she wants only) i still love her but i dont pick her up anymore or sit next to her, i am pretty cautious now. i still hang out with her a lot and give her lots of pets. but i dont dare do anything else... :(

[wildlifeguardian]

@sbrucks7: Ah, that makes things a lot clearer: seems she has chosen your husband as her mate and is nipping at you to get you out of the way because you are an 'intruder' into that relationship (could be that she was closer to the male in her previous home as well and is repeating the pattern). We're lucky that 2 of our 3 parrots are pretty even-keeled with BOTH of us. Wild-caught Moluccan Molly (after 12+ yrs with us) is STILL afraid of my better half -- I am the ONLY human she trusts.

[wildlifeguardian]

@sbrucks7: Something to try: make sure BOTH of you feed her, change her paper, clean her cage etc. You could also move the cage into a different room when your husband isn't around and interact with her there -- that way YOU would be her 'only' friend in an unfamiliar environment. Don't give up -- you are all still getting used to each other!

[2Ryled]

@sbrucks7 :give her lots ot healthy treats talk nice & quiet to her/pet her, so she learns to trust you. Have her on a perch in the room when u watch tv if ur husb isnt there. Perhaps if u cant pet her get her to step up/down on a stick so you can put her on a perch so she gets used to being next to u.

[2Ryled]

@sbrucks7: if my birds misbehave they are told no, and put in their cage immed to think about it. Since they love to be w/their people; they soon understand that doing that will get me less time out and I wont get played with. I had an afric grey who was not handled. I worked w/him every day for over a yr, getting bitten every day for over a yr. He became a big lov sponge in the end. He didnt like birdie time outs when he knew it was mommy & me time. Keep him only 5 mins or so then back out..

[ifingerboardbrr33]

What we did with our cockatoo was got it a soft dog house like thing and she just sits in there alll day lol :)

[wildlifeguardian]

@ifingerboardbrr33: Cool idea, but sounds like nesting behavior, too. ~smile~

[pocketbikes0wn]

billiejinman my cockatoo does it all the time but she doesnt shut up and she gives me headache along with my parents

[wildlifeguardian]

@pocketbikes0wn: That's why the rescues are overflowing with cockatoos... :<(

[Inochan91]

I've always wanted a cockatoo, But EVERYONE keeps saying a 13 year old cant handle a cockatoo, I belive i can.. But after reading and learning and seeing their behavior just makes me stressed. Ohhh i wwwannnttt onnee soooooooooo BAD.

But then yea... Im thinking of getting a cockatiel then a cock atoo :)

[mandi18181818]

@Inochan91 im 24 and i have had mine since i was 10!!!! she is only bonded with me and will attack my husband and son so she comes out early in the morning, late at night, and nap time....my 5 year old starts school soon and my husband works all day so I cant wait to let her roam with me all day. She gives me so much love and laughs....although my family cant hold her they still talk to her and give her treats and such. I love her to death but they are TONS of work like a 2yo for sure.

[TechnoMortal]

She may be loud, but she is cute.

[korictixor]

I take it 2 birds less demanding than one because they keep each other company. Is this true? People really need to be educated about this.

[uyoo7]

Aww, your Cockatoo is a cutie! =) God bless her. My mom got a cockatoo name Kiki, he is good, when he wants to be. =P lol

[kreollicious]

aww so cute ... im inlove lol with your birdie ;)

[wildlifeguardian]

@billiejinman: YUP! You know they want to be with you 24/7...like they would be with their mates in the wild...

[billiejinman]

y do they suddenly start screeming i dnt get it my cockatoo duz it too nd it duznt shutup unles i go there

[wildlifeguardian]

@billiejinman: That's the 'idea:' scream and the human comes running -- Cockatoo mission accomplished... :>)

[xllELiiT3llx]

Aww,that's so cute!!

[OperationTubeYou]

Oh also seit ihr Deutsche :) Warum redet ihr englisch mit ihr? Und P.S SOOOO SÜß

[wildlifeguardian]

@OperationTubeYou: Die einzige Deutsche in unserem Haus bin ich und ich lebe seit 1972 in Chicago...alle anderen Hausgenossen sind englisch sprechende Wesen... :>) Hoffe Deutschland spielt morgen gut gegen Australien! :>)

[OperationTubeYou]

@wildlifeguardian Ohh, das erklärt alles (: UND WIR GEWINNEN HEUTE :D:D

[wildlifeguardian]

@OperationTubeYou: Und GEWONNEN haben "wir" aber!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :>) Was ein Spiel!!! :>) Hoffentlich machen sie so weiter! :>)

[OperationTubeYou]

@OperationTubeYou 4:0!!!!! Das war ja echt der hammer von unseren Jungs :D:D Was heißt das eigentlich wenn sie so mit dem Mund macht? Oder wenn sie ihn einfach offen lässt? (:

[loverofmythology]

omg sooooooo cute!! wut a sweetie!

[Orlycockatiel]

Oh my god, that is so cute!

[FoolNews]

süß

[Thanu340]

habt ihr dne kakadu immernoch? mein kakadu macht das gleicheso schnaltzen mit den schnabel

[wildlifeguardian]

Ja, wir haben sie noch! Sie hat sich nun endlich mit dem Moluccan Kakadu Frauchen befreundet und die beiden sitzen gerne zusammen. :>)

[Thanu340]

@wildlifeguardian oke schön ^^ mein "rocko" (kakadu name) sieht genauso aus

[HappyBuddha100]

ohhhh, sooo cuteee, i want one!

[augrad]

Makes me miss my boy Angel so much. He would cuddle between blankets or sheets and grind them in his beak.  Can't even count the number of sheets and blankets he ruined that way, but it was so soothing for him.

[zabet04240]

Aw such cute eyes. :)

[nyachankawaii]

I love this video! and I love cockoatoos! ~^.^~

[wildlifeguardian]

Thanks....except that that feather dust is EVERYWHERE ALL the time-- in the vents, in the air, on the floors...have you ever put a flashlight FLAT on your floor right after you vacuumed only to see all the little white specks that remain? I should have never done that -- the floors looked nice and clean before I had that 'dumb' idea...and I have a Rainbow Vacuum that sucks up EVERYTHING...sigh...

[aikoubaby]

my cockatoo does that too :) sooo adorable! but what does it mean when they tap their beaks like that? usually when they're being cuddled.

[wilzon121]

I have a Umbrella cockatoo also

but mine yells and screams when someone comes home and throughout the day

his names romeo and thats all he yells everyday

[bobalim111]

I want to jump in with her, absolutely gorgeous! ^^

[EUNICE350]

aah i also have one it is 10 weeks old hou old is jours

[wildlifeguardian]

We have NO clue as to Nana's age -- I'm estimating maybe around 10 or so now...

[TheAnimadey]

lol I had a cockatoo do this on my lap, and she totally went limp and it scared the hell out of me cause I thought she was dead...

SO cute.

[lisaalexis27]

So sweet...My Triton does the same thing with me at night when we watch TV together...so adorable..

[dalsch]

So SWEET- My Sasha does the same thing every night. We call it 'Cuddle Time'. Enjoy her.

[rottsrock999]

thank god I'm getting a boy! from my grandpa, he is a gulfin and his name is popcorn! he's giving me this bird to me for free and the cage! he's giving it away because it doesn't interact well with his other bird ruffin.

[wildlifeguardian]

Take good care of your new feathered friend! :>)

[rottsrock999]

thanks nana is soo cute I love cockatoos because they are really soft.

[wildlifeguardian]

Yeah...and they got LOTS of feather dust...smile...

[rottsrock999]

@wildlifeguardian we got him in august. his name is popcorn. obviously i posted that comment before I did my research because I put gulfin not goffin lolz. he doesn't like me much because he has never been aound kids before and has been through three other owners.but he'll swing upside down on my moms hand.

[ShezaBayDoc]

verticalsmurf, while I agree with you, not everyone who purchases a baby is unaware of the care they take. Vast majority, but not everyone. I take in unwanted birds too, and I know where you are coming from.

[featherlover59]

So Cute!! Nana looks as if she is sucking a thumb as you pet her because her mouth keeps moving!

[shadowkolo]

so cute i wanna pet it so badly

[FellowTraveller]

SO sweet! ew ahve an umbrella cockatoo also, only 15 months . i can't WAIT until the hormones kick in ! [NOT!!!] hahaha FT

[xnarbx]

lol my bird does that she is a umbrella cockatoo she loves under the covers she will get as deep as she can in the covers and hiss lol its very funny! and she says hellooooo in a cute voice!

[ViralKauai]

Nana is cockatoo perfection. I love her.

I also have an umbrella: a cuddly and adorable female (Nancy). can you please tell me when the hormones kick it? Nancy is six. I keep hearing about the hormoney years, and am wondering when it will happen.

could you please let me know?

thank you

[wildlifeguardian]

It starts whenever they become sexually mature enough to mate...of course, some have stronger reproductive urges than others...you will know it when you see it...hopefully Nancy will remain sweet and cuddly! :>)

[CDK0818]

wow! its soooo adorable!

[Barfrainbows]

Such a gorgeous baby.

So cute.

I miss Pete, my father's bird.

He liked to cuddle too.

[nextjet]

Omg how do you do it? are you retired? have family that takes turns?

[artisanrox]

i wonder this too....they seem to be so much like babies......even having one I wouldn't know how to handle it and a job at the same time!

[wildlifeguardian]

We are both pre-maturely 'retired' due to ill health, so we are home to care for our demanding flock 24/7...no other family around...sure wish there was sometimes! You never get a day off with these guys...EVER!

[nextjet]

How are your toos doing? is Nana calmer or still hormonal?I commend you for the care you give these creatures.Post some more videos :)

[wildlifeguardian]

She is still terribly hormonal. As soon as I leave the room, she starts straining which causes her uterus to protrude. We've tried everything we can think of to discourage this-- without success. :<( That's the only reason I let her nest under the blanket -- it's better than straining the uterus and risking prolapse.

Parrots' reproductive urges are so strong that it creates all kinds of problems and you can't neuter them...hormone shots don't really work either...sigh... :<(

[Djinnlover]

do cockatoos make good pets?

[wildlifeguardian]

The short answer is: NO, Parrots (especially Cockatoos), do NOT make good PETS! :<(

They are very loud and messy and can live up to 80+ years...

Read more in the description and check out some of my other videos --

also look at some of the videos under my Favorites.

[dttype]

Unless you are extremely used large hookbills, I would not consider a cockatoo. I have had birds all my life, but at 8 yrs old my umbrella cockatoo took a hunk out of my lip and sent me to the emergency room. And i completely trusted him. They have not been domesticated as long as other animals and so, genetically, they are unpredictable. I do not think any pet is worth risking the bites these babies can cause. And this bird here isn't cuddling as much as nesting/looking for a mate.

[wildlifeguardian]

EXCELLENT COMMENT! THANK YOU!

And you are right, Nana is not cuddling but nesting -- being imprinted on humans, she thinks I am her mate and should be at her side 24/7. It's a big problem... :<(

I hope your lip has healed! I think all parrot owners bear the scars (literally) of living with these essentially wild and, yes, unpredictable, creatures. I deeply love our rescued flock, but they are not "pets!"

[chiyome21]

When Nana is scratching her beaks together, is that for comfort? My cockatiel would do that when she was starting to fall asleep. Is this a usual thing?

[wildlifeguardian]

Yes, both our cockatoos do the 'beak-grinding thing' when they are ready to go to sleep....maybe it's a parrot's version of a yawn? Molly especially does a heavy-duty version of it after she settles down, tucks one foot in and fluffs up a bit to go to sleep. So...it seems perfectly normal behavior! :>)

[OnePickieChickie]

darling! when i let avis go under the covers, he tries to make a nest! he chewed 4 holes in my work jeans! lol!

[wildlifeguardian]

Now, how many birdies are you owned by??? Poor Frostie seems to have lots of competition! ~smile~

[traveldakini]

how sweet! your baby is so cute. my amazon will sleep on the pillow next to me at night!

[RonDeKiller]

My U2 does exactly the same thing, even enjoying peek-a-boo. I guess this type of behavior is common.

[atomatoface]

what a cutie! she is soooooo sweet! miss you guys...

[rooty44]

I keep coming back to this video, Nana is so like our little sparkle. I wish I could watch more on how your doing with Nana

[devincoffin]

Awh :) I love to snuggle with mine like that. Some time's he'll sneak off his perch and sleep with me through the night.

[wildlifeguardian]

Thank you Celticnightharp!

I could not have said it any better myself!

[celticnightharp]

Nana is adorable, but to everyone who instantly thinks, "wow, I want one," should be forewarned. Many cockatoos end up in rescues are bounced from home to home because people don't know what they are getting into. They need a LOT of patience, and constant training. They are like having a 2 yr old child for 70 years. However, the joy they bring is worth the work to anyone who has the time and mind to care for these guys....

[celticnightharp]

I'm currently purchasing a 6 yr old u2 who's previous owners gave him back to the Pet Center after their "daughter had an allergy," to his powder. We bring him home in September after we get back from vacation (as it is too stressful on him to bring him before we go). We go daily to the Pet Center to visit with him, bond, and train him. I'm already correcting some of his "bad habbits" like perch defending. Again, he'll be a lot of work, but worth it.

[wildlifeguardian]

Bless you for giving this U2 a wonderful new home! May he bring you lots of joy! It's nice to know that there are people out there who KNOW what they are doing and what they are getting into! Best of Luck! :>)

[verticalsmurf]

Yep, I wish there were more people like you, taking in unwanted parrots instead of taking in babies, then finding out they take more of an effort than expected.

[wildlifeguardian]

Nana HAS chosen her mate...ME! When humans raise birds (and other animals), they imprint on HUMANS. Nana is NOT interested in other cockatoos because she does not know that THEY are her kind. We had a Chattering Lory and a Pionus who both picked one of us humans as their mates -- they would have KILLED any feathered 'mate.' That's one of the reasons I am so opposed to breeding these animals -- we take away their identity and confuse them to their own detriment! :<(

[FatJan]

Maybe she was screaming for her blankie! My lovebird chirps loudly until she gets to cuddle in my shirt.

[shecass]

How gorgeous is that. We have a parakete (?) right now. And have had other big birds in the past. We will be getting an Umbrella Cockatoo in the next couple of weeks. A man that has worked with my husband for a few years has some friends that are looking for a good home for their's they just don't have time for it anymore. Any advice this will be the biggest bird that we've had in a while. Experience with birds. Can't wait. Beautiful bird that you have.

[wildlifeguardian]

Bless you for taking in this bird! I'm sure you'll do just fine! Try to find out as much as you can from the previous owners about her likes/dislikes, hang-ups, shower preferences etc. and then give him/her plenty of time to adjust to her new flock, i.e. you. Lots of luck! :>)

P.S.: Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions!

[nutxlago]

She is really beautiful! That big big eye staring at you. I hope she will be right soon. How sweet!

[bukemdano24]

I am confused. I thought having your toos in blankets and rubbing their backs makes them hormonal. The beak clicking, sexual tension is what I read?

[wildlifeguardian]

Don't be confused! YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT! Unfortunately, Nana is already insanely hormonal without anybody stroking her back. Sometimes, she calms down a bit when I let her hide under the blanket. She has me totally stumped: all I have to do is enter the room and she gets ready to "mate." For that reason she doesn't get as much snuggling as this video suggests! I love her to pieces and HOPE she will outgrow this unhealthy pining as she gets older...

[wildlifeguardian]

P.S.: We have made SOME progress: Nana started laying eggs a couple of years ago and that's awfully hard on a parrot's body. It was purely hormonal because she had NO clue as to what to do with them. Actually, she looked quite puzzled when she inspected those oval white 'things' in her cage...then she totally ignored them. Fortunately, she has not laid any more eggs for a year now!

[mint2bdunn2]

Isn't amazing how much they love to cuddle. I can't get enough of my Buzz when it comes to cuddling. He just seems to melt when I caress him or play with his feathers.

[toomuch108]

Very sweet, and she is beautiful. Well done to you for asking people to adopt the rescue birds, and giving the info.

[shadoweon]

my uncle had an umbrella cockatoo named grace(we sometimes called him graceie) that I was very close to he die about a year ago now he used to cuddle with me too I miss him so much it makes mme cry to think about him >:

[XVideoGamerX]

don`t worry i never had a vacation in a long time and i need a friend that i can always be with. I will adopt 1 or maybe 2 i have to see that i can take care of 1 first.

[XVideoGamerX]

lol she`s licking the comforter. I`m getting a umbrella cockatoo when i get the money, i know they are loud and are alot of money but i don`t care about that.

[mafrek]

you should adopt itll cost less and you can help out a bird in need.

[wildlifeguardian]

Please remember: "Parrots are A LOT of work. They need constant care and attention." IT'S LIKE HAVING A 2-3 YEAR OLD FOR THE NEXT 30 to50-some YEARS...SO DON'T PLAN ON ANY VACATIONS EITHER!!! "If you are set on owning one, please adopt a 'used' parrot that needs a home. Too many are being bred and the overpopulation problem and resulting abuse is reaching the same proportion as that of unwanted cats and dogs. Check out one of the many parrot rescues and ADOPT..." (Quoted from Amy4Birds)

[ansugib]

oh gorjus. Must agree on the screaming issue...my greys only do it occasionally when they are playing but my Amazon likes to compete with the hoover n he can make a right racket lol. They are worth it so much tho....come n see my videos of my 3 boys. x

[wonderwall5]

what a cutie, she looks soooooooooooo sweet. hard to believe she's such a screamer!

[wildlifeguardian]

Yes, she IS a sweet cutie! :>) But ALL Parrots scream to one degree or another and that's what lands sooo many of them in rescues, ESPECIALLY the "sweet and cuddly" COCKATOOS. They were just never meant to be pets...

[Amy4Birds]

Sweetness.