Are you thinking of bringing a new bird into your home? Given that cockatoos are among the most popular species of pet birds, you may be considering getting one. Despite the fact that every bird is unique, the behaviour and maintenance needs of cockatoos have certain characteristics. Learn everything you should know before bringing a cockatoo inside your house.
Overview of the Cockatoo Species
Cockatoo Types
There are numerous varieties of
cockatoos, such as the following: Major Mitchell, Black, Eleanor, Gala,
Moluccas, Black-crested, Major Mitchell, Gang-gang, and umbrella cockatoos.
Size of Cockatoos
How long a cockatoo lives
Cockatoos can live up to 70 years or
longer as pets, and 20–40 years in the wild. For your pet cockatoo to enjoy a
long, healthy life, proper care is required.
What Does a Cockatoo Cost?
Cockatoos range in price from $600
to $1,500 on average, with rarer varieties fetching upwards of $1,000.
Regretfully, many cockatoos are
rehomed, often more than once, because to their lengthy lifespans, behavioural
problems, and loudness. It is advised to adopt a cockatoo that is in need. Look
for a local parrot rescue organisation in your community; they frequently have
a large selection of cockatoos. Adopting a cockatoo from a rescue usually costs
far less than purchasing one from a breeder or pet shop.
Cockatoo Welfare
Like macaws or African grey parrots,
cockatoos are huge hookbill parrots with similar care requirements.
What Feeds Cockatoos?
A diversified food is necessary for
cockatoos, which should include fruits, vegetables, and greens. Approximately
two thirds of a typical diet should consist of nutritionally balanced pellets.
A diet restricted to seeds is not
the ideal for cockatoos because seeds lack almost all essential elements. A
cockatoo's diet shouldn't include seeds more than 10% of the total. Rather,
give priority to cooked grains and legumes, as well as fresh vegetables and
fruits. A cockatoo's diet should consist of no more than 20–25% fruits and
vegetables.
Scuttlebutt, which provide an
additional calcium supplement, assist maintain the strength and health of
cockatoos.
Cages of Cockatoos
The minimum dimensions of a cage for
a pet cockatoo should be 36" L × 24" W x 48" H, with metal bars
placed ¾ inch apart. Strong locks are essential for your cockatoo habitat since
most parrots are skilled escape artists that relish the challenge of escaping
their confines.
There should be a removable metal
grate with habitat paper or paper-based bedding covering it at the bottom of
your cockatoo's cage.
In addition, cockatoos require
exposure to UV radiation, which can be added with a full-spectrum lamp designed
specifically for birds. Place a UV light 12–18 inches away from your bird's
typical perching spot and shine it for 10–12 hours per day.
Cockatoo Toys Brightly coloured wood
and leather that can be torn apart are ideal for providing pet cockatoos with
something to chew on. Cockatoos also like to explore and open boxes to find
food.
Cockatoo Health: Similar to dogs or
cats, cockatoos have medical requirements. It is advised to take your bird for
a checkup with a veterinarian at least once a year.
Powdered Cockatoo Feathers
To protect their feathers, cockatoos
secrete a white, powdery coating known as "powder down." This powdery
covering can irritate the respiratory tract in both persons with bird allergies
and some other highly susceptible bird species, such macaws.
Keep your house and your cockatoo's
cage tidy. Taking standard safety measures, such cleaning your hands after
handling your cockatoo, replacing the cage paper every day and using a
high-efficiency filter hoover, can help prevent messing. To assist reduce
feather dust, you may also give your cockatoo a regular shower or spritz them
with water.
Medical Conditions of Cockatoos
Certain medical issues, including as
reproductive disorders (egg binding), liver illness, and other conditions are
frequently observed in cockatoos.
• A Bubbly Image
It's critical to keep a close eye on
your bird and keep an eye out for any behavioural or physical changes. Get in
touch with your veterinarian if you notice any irregularities.
These birds love to chew on and
swallow non-food things, including paint, furniture, and cables. When cockatoos
are not in their cages, they need to be watched carefully.
Steer clear of nonstick cookware
coated with TeflonTM or another nonstick coating. The polymer used in nonstick
coatings is known as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Pet birds can die if they
breathe in the colourless, odourless fumes that are released when PTFE is
heated.
To help avoid obesity, pet owners of
cockatoos can encourage play that combines activity, including climbing on tree
stands outside of their cage.
Cockatoo Behaviour:
Every cockatoo
has a unique personality. Some are kind and even "cuddle-able,"
especially when they are young, but others can be extremely violent and prone
to biting once they reach sexual maturity, which happens when they are between
five and seven years old. Nonetheless, cockatoos are generally regarded for
their capacity to form strong bonds with their owners. Furthermore, even though
this characteristic would be great in a companion, it frequently causes these
birds to suffer separation anxiety.
Speaking out
Perhaps the
most significant aspect of having a cockatoo is its noise level. Even while the
majority of cockatoos don't replicate many of their pet owners' remarks, they
nonetheless squawk loudly. In addition to being extremely unpleasant for the
pet parent and the neighbours, this is also harmful to hearing. If your living
arrangement does not allow for this kind of loudness, give getting a cockatoo
serious thought.
Setting
clear boundaries with a baby bird might help reduce excessive loudness or
screaming. It also helps to give the bird enough cerebral stimulation and
outlets for surplus energy.
Don't
unintentionally encourage your cockatoo to scream by rewarding it (by shouting
back at it to stop, for example), returning to the room (which encourages bad
behaviour), or disciplining the bird for screams. Since birds are talkative by
nature, they won't comprehend these repercussions.
See an
exotic/avian veterinarian if your cockatoo is making strange noises to be sure
there isn't a medical problem.
Plucking of Feathers
Stories of
cockatoos pulling their feathers—often entirely off, exposing bare skin, and
occasionally even mutilating the skin—are frequently told. Feather picking can
frequently be caused by illnesses, as well as by bad care or socialisation. If
pet parents have any concerns about their bird plucking feathers, they should
speak with their veterinarian.
Anxiety of Separation
Some birds have unusually strong bonds with their pet parents since they are the ones who give them food, care, and social interaction. Overly connected cockatoos may develop territorial aggression, sexual frustration, and separation anxiety—behaviors including feather picking, self-mutilation, biting, and screaming—as a result of viewing their pet parents as potential mates.Perhaps the most significant aspect of having a cockatoo is its noise level.
FAQs on Cockatoos
Can you hear cockatoos talking?
Cockatoos
may talk like other common birds and mimic their pet owners. They squawk a lot
and are usually very noisy.
What distinguishes cockatiels from cockatoos?
The tiniest
member of the cockatoo family is the cockatiel. Cockatiels, in contrast to
their larger cockatoo cousins, have distinctive orange circles on their cheeks.
Is a parrot a cockatoo?
Indeed, one
kind of huge crested parrot is the cockatoo.
Can you keep cockatoos as pets?
Usually
boisterous birds, cockatoos require a lot of mental activity. For parents who
wish to give their bird a lot of attention, they make wonderful pets.