Hello my name
is Blizzard!
(formerly Blossom)
Cacatua moluccensis
I am a 30 year old presumed male Umbrella Cockatoo who entered into The Friends of the Aviary's foster program in January of 2026. U2's like me are a tricky bird to care for and often not recommended for first time bird owners.
Unfortunately my primary caregiver unexpectedly passed away and my dad wanted to make sure I had someone who could dedicate all their love to me. He moved out of the province and although loved me dearly knew it wouldn't be the best place for me anymore.
Volunteers dropped me off at my foster to adopt family and it was love at first sight for them and me!
Likes
Going through the laundry, exploring outside, and being with my people!
Dislikes
If I'm not the centre of your attention!
Fav Foods
My favourite treats are nutriberries!
What I Can Say
Check back to see what I've shared
Friends
I am used to being a one bird household.
About Me and Other Umbrella Cockatoos
Also known as the White Cockatoo, these parrots are native to the tropical forest islands of Indonesia. In captivity, with proper care, cockatoos like me can live about 60 years. In 1993 it was estimated that there were 43,000-183,000 of us in the wild, but that number has not been updated since then.
Umbrella Cockatoo's are famous for their impressive crest. A crest is the group of feathers on this bird's head which they can control and gives us insight into how they feel. Considering other body language, a raised crest can indicate excitement or aggression, so it's important to weigh all sorts of factors. These can include how the bird feels about the person they are interacting with, how they feel about any objects that are nearby or have arrived, if they are anticipating something to happen based on an established schedule, any changing sounds or visuals in their environment (tv on) and much more! Blizzard is a handsome man with a big personality. So far in care he is learning how much fun toys are to play with, loves playing by throwing toys off his cage, and enjoys dancing too! His favourite genre of music is Reggae!
Cockatoo's are popular companion birds thanks to the film and television industry (shows like Baretta made people interested in owning a pet bird). However, unfortunately many people do not realize the amount of time, specialized care, and enrichment these birds need to remain happy and healthy companions.
Umbrella Cockatoos are classified as Endangered according to the IUCN Red List. They are found in Indonesia, specifically the Northern and Central Moluccas islands. They typically live in open fields or swampy areas, but can also be found in open woodlands and forest. The biggest threat to this cockatoo like many exotic birds is illegal trapping. Habitat loss and hunting are also factors in this species’ decreasing population.
What I'm up to Now
I've been ADOPTED!
I made an instant connection with every member of my foster family! They signed up for FOTA's foster to adopt program. Everyone was so excited with all the quick progress I made and the strong bonds I've formed. I could not be happier that my family has officially adopted me :D
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