The Cockatoo

Basic Information

Cockatoos are large parrots that are native to Australia and the islands of the South Pacific. There are a few different species of Cockatoos that range in size from about 11 inches to 30 inches tall. They are very long lived, living 60-90 years in captivity. They have a bald patch on top of their heads covered with a crest that they can raise and lower. The crest's position is often an indication to the bird's mood. Cockatoos are powder-down birds, producing a dust from their feathers that can be quite heavy sometimes.


Intense Needs

Most Cockatoos are very intelligent, can be affectionate, and can have a lot of energy. They are generally quite vocal and loud. Due to their intelligence, Cockatoos are known for being able to escape from their cages, undo locks, and work through intricate puzzles. They love to chew and can destroy toys and other household objects very quickly. Their beaks are powerful and when aggressive, they can do serious physical damage to their caretakers. As with many species of parrots, Cockatoos often mate for life and bond very strongly to their caretakers as mates. This can be problematic because these birds expect a lot of physical and emotional attention from their mates, and these needs are often difficult to meet in captivity. Of all parrot species, I believe that Cockatoos require the most time and attention to meet their intense social and intellectual needs. I personally do not recommend a Cockatoo for most households. Problems often arise after some time has passed and the new caretaker no longer spends as much time cuddling and paying attention to their new bird. Cockatoos need lots of attention and when guardians fail to meet those social needs, the birds often develop serious behavioral problems such as excessive screaming, feather mutilation disorders and even body mutilation. I've only seen body mutilation problems in Cockatoos, not in any other parrot species.

Talking

Some Cocktoos can learn to speak, but in general Cockatoos are not known for their speaking abilities. If they do learn to talk, their speach may not be very clear and might be somewhat garbled. Of course, some Cockatoos have been known to speak very clearly but in general they are not known to be good talkers.

Sexual Maturity

Most Cockatoos can become somewhat unpredictable when they reach sexual maturity. Care needs to be taken to avoid biting attacks, such as not allowing the Cockatoo on your shoulder or near your face. A Cockatoo bite is said to be worse than any other parrot's as their lower beak has 2 points, resulting in a 3-point bite if delivered.

Noise

Cockatoos are very loud birds. They are not suited to apartments or homes where anyone is sensitive to noise. They are also not known to be obedient. They can be manipulative and have an unpredictable temper and disposition as they mature. They are often very destructive, as they tend to chew anything in sight.

In the Wild

Many species of Cockatoos are endangered or even nearly extinct in the wild due to trapping and other environmental factors.