Cockatoos

Cockatoos

There are as many as 17 species of Cockatoos. Most are white in colour, but others come in grays and pinks, blacks, and in the Palm's case, deep blue. They are primarily found in the Indonesian islands. Cockatoos make wonderful pets because of their sweet nature. Cockatoos love to be cuddled and bond very easily with their human owners. Cockatoos aren't top talkers. Most individuals say a few words, but many do not. A few Cockatoos become very good. Their voices don't have the tone and quality of an African grey's or Amazon's, but they're usually understandable enough.

Cockatoos are not usually picky eaters. Fruits, veggies, and pretty much everything else should be added to the diet daily. Most Cockatoos love sharing mealtimes with their "flock", and certain owners will provide their bird with his own plate! Low-lactose dairy foods like skim milk, yogurt, and most cheeses are usually great. Even meat can be fed, although beef and pork should only be fed in very small amounts; chicken and turkey is better. Most Cockatoos LOVE baths... Spray-baths being the usual preferred method.

Well-raised Cockatoos are adorable; a hog for attention, a socialite , and just a pleasure to have around. On the other hand, badly-raised Cockatoos are a synonym for nightmare!

Cockatoos as Pets

Among all Parrot species, Cockatoos as pets are the most favourite. Cockatoos are the affectionate and softer cousins of the vibrantly colored, magnificent Macaws. Cockatoos are native to Australia and the islands of the southern Pacific. They are extremely beautiful, intelligent, affectionate and acrobatic. No wonder most people choose Cockatoos as pets. They have impressive vocal abilities and are dedicated chewers, which must be considered before deciding on Cockatoos as pets.

Cockatoos as pets are better at learning tricks and are good performers. Cockatoos are natural born escape artists and puzzle solvers. Cockatoos as pets is a time consuming affair. They require the most time, attention and affection. These very social animals must spend time out of their cage and with their owners each day. Their natural curiosity and craving for attention make life wonderful with Cockatoos as pets.

If you have or plan to have Cockatoos as pets, you must remember Cockatoos are prone to neurotic behavior including feather picking and self-mutilation, especially if denied the affection and attention they need so strongly. Cockatoos as pets can be even more delightful if they are well trained.

Cockatoo Behaviour

Cockatoo behavior has baffled scientists and bird lovers forever. Cockatoos are different in some ways from other Parrots. And in some ways Cockatoos are even different from each other. Cockatoo behaviour varies greatly. Some Cockatoos are destructive and others are obedient. Cockatoos love to laugh, sing and dance. Manipulation and contemplation are distinctive traits of Cockatoo behaviour. They can be contemplative one minute and screaming in fun the next. Their moods can change rapidly. Cockatoos get their feelings hurt and get aggressive.

Cockatoo behaviour is quite similar to that of humans. They require much personal attention. Showing aggression when not cuddled or pampered is also characteristic of Cockatoo behaviour. They romp, stomp, swing and flap to a great degree in play. Cockatoos make wonderful pets. However, training is absolutely essential to bring out the best Cockatoo behaviour.

Goffin Cockatoo

A Goffin Cockatoo is a large white bird with a small white crest unlike other Cockatoos. The plumage of the Goffin Cockatoo is a beautiful white and it has soft salmon pink lores. Found on the Tenimber islands of Indonesia, the Goffin Cockatoo is one of the smartest of all the Cockatoos. It has a very gentle disposition but a goffin Cockatoo can be very loud, especially if it desires attention.

The Goffin Cockatoo is a fun-loving parrot who is a born entertainer. He is clever, loving, curious, playful and energetic. It makes a wonderful family pet. The Goffin Cockatoo is a fair talker but some have been known to talk extensively. It is a delight to have a trained Goffin Cockatoo snuggle and cuddle around you.

Their average lifespan is 65 years.

Moluccan Cockatoo

The Moluccan Cockatoo gets its name from the Moluccan islands of Seram, Saparua and Haruku of Indonesia. Non-migratory in nature, the Moluccan Cockatoo lives in lowland forests.

Moluccan Cockatoo is salmon pink in colour and fairly large. The Moluccan Cockatoo is the largest of the "white" Cockatoos. The Moluccan Cockatoo is endemic to Seram and surrounding islands, which are located in the Indonesian archipelago also known as the Moluccas or Spice Islands. It has a very strong, powerful beak and a very loud voice. A Moluccan Cockatoo is generally not suitable as pets. However, if it can be well trained, it becomes a very cuddly pet.

The Moluccan Cockatoo is a very intelligent and sensitive bird. As a pet, it needs regular interaction with its human flocks, and it needs mental stimulation. A Moluccan Cockatoo needs a good varied diet of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and pellets.

If you live in an apartment, don't think of keeping a Moluccan Cockatoo as a pet. It is too noisy to be kept in an apartment. My Moluccan Cockatoo was a baby when I moved into a sprawling house.

If you are the right person to adopt a Moluccan Cockatoo, you may well find that you've made a friend for life. It can mimic human speech. It's unusual in that the Moluccan Cockatoo is one of the few "lap birds" and acts more like a dog than a bird sometimes. An untrained Moluccan is better off in the wild.

Umbrella Cockatoo

White or White-Crested Cockatoo is better known as Umbrella Cockatoo. It is all white with pale yellow under the wings and tail. It has a broad, white crest which is normally flat against the head and unfolds when raised. This action has earned the title "Umbrella". The Umbrella Cockatoo is native to Indonesia, in the Moluccan Islands of Batjan, Halmahera, Obi, Ternate and Tidor.

All of us know how good a pet the Umbrella Cockatoo can be. It loves cuddling and it forms strong bonds with its owners. A warning bell for all Umbrella Cockatoo lovers! It is very intelligent, curious and, if allowed, will learn to manipulate you. It is not a prolific talker unlike amazons and greys. Umbrella Cockatoo is intelligent, social, good natured, active, acrobatic and very affectionate. It needs a family as much as you and I do. It also needs to be out of its cage for a time each day, to get attention, exercise and a change of environment. Howeover, it should be well trained for that.

Their average life expectancy is between 60 to 65 years.

Rose Breasted Cockatoo

The Rose Breasted Cockatoo is native to Australia where it is known as the "Galah". With its Rose-pink chest, underparts, neck and face contrasting against its gray wings and tail, the Rose-Breasted Cockatoo is definitely a striking bird. The Rose Breasted Cockatoo is known to destroy crops and is considered to be a pest in many regions. It is prone to fatty tumors and therefore needs to be on a well-balanced diet that is not too high in fat. The Rose Breasted Cockatoo eats vegetables and grains.

A captive bred Rose Breasted Cockatoo makes a more affectionate and healthier pet than the wild-caught ones. It will however often become a little unpredictable when mature, and should never be allowed to spend time on a shoulder.

The Rose Breasted Cockatoo is extremely playful and intelligent, which, like most Cockatoos, needs constant stimulation with toys to play with, and objects to chew, to keep it from getting bored.

Both sexes can become good talkers, with the males being somewhat better. The Rose Breasted Cockatoo is relatively quiet and has an engaging, spritely personality and a good ability to mimic human speech. However, an untrained Rose Breasted Cockatoo is an utter disaster in the house. It can get very noisy and rob you of sanity.

Palm Cockatoo

The Palm Cockatoo is distinguished by its size, huge beak, solid black feathers, large open crest, bare red cheeks (reported to turn blue in color when excited), and red and black tongue.

The Palm Cockatoo is a native of Australia. It is found on the tip of Cape York Peninsula in Queensland. Its home is the Australian tropical forest, eucalyptus and savannah woodlands. They are also found in New Guinea, the Aru Islands, and Indonesia.

Palms are not known to form large flocks, preferring to stay in pairs or very small groups. Noisy birds of the forest, Palm Cockatoos are excellent mimics of other animals as well as sounds of nature.