Cockatoo
Species
These birds want your attention 24/7
and can cuddle with you for hours. They don't understand that you have a life
and you'll most likely never get them to understand that. If you don't meet
your bird's needs, he will most likely scream non-stop, pluck out his feathers,
and become very aggressive. Feather plucking is a very serious condition--birds
that begin to feather pluck can also start self mutilating.
These behavioral problems can come
about from lack of interaction, wrong foods, bad placement, improper cages and
many other factors. This is why they are the most common parrots found at bird
rescues. So keep in mind that these birds require a very high time and care
commitment.
You will also find that 'Toos are very
loud. They love to scream and Moluccans can scream up to 135 decibels. Some
will scream for attention and some will scream for no reason at all. They like
to perform and show off, which can include screaming early in the morning as
well as in the evening.
They can also be aggressive for no
apparent reason. Because of this, you should never let your 'Too on your
shoulder or dominant aggressive behavior may begin.
They are very smart, curious, and
mischevious. They are expert escape artists and can open almost any cage door.
You need to put locks on your bird's cage doors, but keep in mind that many can
learn to pick a padlock or open a combination lock. They also love to chew and
will destroy your home if left unattended.
While purchasing a cage, keep in mind
that they not only need large cages, but also very well built cages. It's not
difficult for a 'Too to learn how to take apart a poorly built cage.
They also differ by subspecies when it
comes to behavior. For example, Goffin's are a bit more independent than the
other subspecies, so they make better pets for the average bird owner. So, make
sure you research the individual subspecies for more information.
If you are able to spend at least two full
hours a day with your bird (out of his cage), not leave the house for 6 or more
hours everyday, cook for your bird and provide him with a variety of healthy
foods, handle the loud screaming, afford the large cage and huge amount of
toys, and deal with the adjustment stage that can include aggression, then
rescuing a 'Too might be a great idea. Make sure you research as much as possible because you don't want to add to the
already out-of-hand rescue problem.
Because so many of these birds are left
to rescues, I highly encourage you to visit your local parrot rescue, see what
I'm talking about, and consider rescuing one of these poor magestic creatures
instead of buying one in a store. If you can handle all this, then this really
might be the right bird for you.
Fast Facts
|
|
Name
|
Cockatoo (Cacatua),
or 'Too
|
Origin
|
Australia, Indonesia, New Guinea, the
Philippines, and the Solomon Islands
|
Size
|
12-24 in.,
depending on subspecies
|
Color Differences
|
They are normally either black or white with
different colored and types of crests. Except for the Rose-Breasted which are
a soft pink and gray color.
|
Average Cost
|
$800-4,000+
|
Lifespan
|
up to 60 years or more
|
Noise
|
Very
loud--They love to scream and if they are not getting the attention they
want, they can scream for hours.
|
Living Arrangements
|
Because they are very loud (Moluccans can scream
up to 135 decibels!), they are best suited for living in a house.
|
Qualities
|
Cuddly,
loving, needy, can become neurotic, prone to behavior problems, love to chew
and destroy things, love to scream, demanding, sensitive, can become
aggressive, mischevious, curious, escape artists, love being on the floor (so
be careful!), some can become one-person birds, love to snuggle, prone to
jealousy (of other birds and children).
|
Abilities
|
Good--They can learn to talk, but most only learn
a few words or phrases. You can train them, but they would most likely prefer
to just cuddle with you.
|
Interaction/Time Requirements
|
Very
high--They love their owners and want attention 24/7. You need to be prepared
to spend at least 2 hours a day with your bird to give him the time and
attention he needs.
|
Diet
|
Small-sized need a large parrot diet and large-sized need an x-large
parrot diet.
|
Supplies Needed
|
Small-sized
need supplies
for large parrots and
large-sized need supplies
for x-large parrots.
|
