Cockatoos

General:
Cockatoos are sweet, loving, and charming. Affection and snuggles is the
highlight of their day. They are very social parrots and require a large
amount of daily attention. Their plumage consist mainly of a single color,
with the exception of a few species. Cockatoo's are known for their
"erectile" crests, the crest feathers on the top of the head that move
upright. They can become good talkers but are popular for their
affectionate disposition.

Cockatoos have adopted the nickname "the powder puff or down" bird
because of the large amount of feather dander they produce. This is a
healthy sign that the birds feathers are in working order. Anyone that has
ever handled a cockatoo will know that they feel silky soft and the dander
will leave a white powdery coat on the hand or clothes. Those with severe
allergies will want to reconsider this type of parrot for their home.


Environment:
Cockatoo parrots originate from areas of Australia and Indonesia. There
are 18 species of cockatoo parrots and several subspecies. In the wild
they live together in flocks. They are considered pest in their natural land
because of the crop damage they impose on farmers. For the rest of us,
we absolutely adore them!


Diet:  
A cockatoo's diet consist of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, a good quality
large hookbill seed mix, and commercial parrot pellets. Cockatoo parrots
will usually be very eager to eat fresh corn on the cob, low sodium pasta
and rice, and foods high in vitamin A such as cooked sweet potatoes.
Each cockatoo is an individual and will have a preference of favorite fruits
and vegetables. Check out  the fresh foods you should be feeding your
parrot on our fresh food list.
Breeding:
The cockatoo breeding season begins in winter through spring. Maturity
age is between three to eight years old. The female cockatoo will lay
between 2 to 3 eggs. The incubation period is between 25 to 30 days
depending on the species. Babies can be pulled from the nest for
handfeeding at 2 to 3 weeks of age. They will become completely
feathered between 60 and 100 days. The weaning process will take place
by four to five months of age. When young are being handfed by human
caretakers, the weaning process should not be rushed and may take up to
6 months to complete.


Captivity:
When cared for properly, cockatoos can thrive very well in captivity.
Handfed babies make endearing companions. Their loving and
affectionate nature makes them a passionate joy to be around. This also
means that they are "needy" most of the time and can develop serious
emotional and physical problems if they are neglected. Many cockatoos
are victims of poor nutrition and neglect, causing this "child like" parrot to
self-mutilate and feather pluck.

A cockatoo should be housed in a cage at least 30 x 30 x 39, depending
on the species. The cage should be placed near the family area where
daily interaction occurs. We highly recommend purchasing an acrylic cage
or your bird to be housed in.

Most of the cockatoo species are extremely loud, this is their natural
calling, and must be accepted by anyone making the decision to purchase
a cockatoo. A parrot must be allowed to be a parrot in our homes.

Those that are considering purchasing a cockatoo should research this
beautiful species throughly. Families that are gone all day should
reconsider purchasing or adopting a cockatoo. It is likely to be a
disappointing experience to the owner and devastating to the cockatoo
due to long hours of being home alone.

As with children, there is a give and take in developing a healthy bond and
relationship with cockatoo parrots. Recommended for those experienced
with parrots or those without small children or extremely busy schedules.