Umbrella Cockatoo — breed guide

At a glance

Group

large parrot

Size

Small

Weight

0.45–0.65 kg (1–1 lb)

Life span

40–60 years

Coat

Snow-white with a dramatic fold-out crest

Living with a Umbrella Cockatoo

• High energy — needs real exercise every day, not a stroll.
• Regular grooming — brushing a few times a week.
• Moderate shedding.
• Quick to learn.
• Very vocal.
• Better in a home without young children.
• Not always easy with other dogs — introduce carefully.
• Only with secure housing and no unsupervised contact with a cat.
• Not well suited to a flat — space, exercise need or voice works against it.
• Better with previous experience behind you.
• Average heat tolerance.
• Feels the cold.

Temperament

Demanding · Theatrical · Velcro

Health to watch

• Feather plucking
• Psittacine beak and feather disease

Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.

Did you know

Cockatoo screams carry for kilometres — they are jungle contact calls, not misbehaviour.

Questions people ask

Is a Umbrella Cockatoo good with kids?

Usually not the first pick for a home with small children. Older, calmer households suit this breed better.

Can a Umbrella Cockatoo live in a house with a cat?

Only with care. Secure housing, separate space and no unsupervised contact — a cat's hunting instinct is not something training removes.

How much exercise does a Umbrella Cockatoo need?

An hour or more of proper exercise every day.

Can a Umbrella Cockatoo handle hot weather?

About average — use normal hot-day sense.