Bird Carer

Cockatoos are very beautiful and sociable exotic birds that establish very close bonds with humans

If you are a bird lover and you like to have pets, surely it has crossed your mind to get a cockatoo as a pet. And it is that it is a very beautiful bird that also has the ability to create very close bonds with humans, just like lovebirds, parakeets or canaries. But before running out to adopt a cockatoo you should know that they are exotic animals that, as such, require a series of special care. In addition, cockatoos are very long-lived and some species of cockatoos can live up to 70 years (such as the alba cockatoo or the galerita cockatoo), so it is very important to be completely sure and know all their characteristics before deciding to adopt a cockatoo as a pet.

Origin of cockatoos

Cockatiels (Cacatuidae) are a family of psittaciform birds, popularly known as cockatoos. The cockatoo is a bird native mainly to Australasia, extending from the Philippines and Indonesia to Australia and New Guinea.

Physical characteristics of cockatoos

Cockatoos are medium/large sized birds and can be up to 60 cm long, although the nymphs, which are also cockatoos, are usually much smaller. Cockatoos are easily recognizable by their head crest, which they often display when excited or perching. In addition, cockatoos have a strong, curved beak that they often use to climb branches. Another curious characteristic of cockatoos is their zygodactyl feet, with two toes forward and two others directed backwards. Cockatoos have long wings with which they can reach speeds in flight of up to 70 km/h. They differ from parrots in many aspects, but the main one is their color since cockatoos usually have more muted colors on their bodies, such as black, white or gray.

Cockatoo behavior

Cockatoos are diurnal birds with a reputation for being very noisy, as they emit high-pitched, shrill sounds that they use to communicate with each other, recognize each other, or as a warning. Cockatoos are very social birds and live in flocks of up to thousands of individuals to help each other find food. But the most curious thing is that cockatoos are monogamous, like other species of birds, so they form very strong pair bonds that usually last for many years. When they breed, cockatoos can lay up to five eggs and the incubation period usually lasts between 20 and 28 days.

What do cockatoos eat?

Cockatoos feed on nuts and seeds such as rice, hemp, flax or corn. Fresh vegetables (chard, lettuce, carrot, sweet potato, pumpkin) and fruit, especially peaches, bananas and apples, should not be missing from the diet of the cockatoos. In addition, it is advisable to also offer them special feed and avoid eating eggplant, milk, potatoes, sweets and caffeine. Bird antibiotics

Cockatoo care

Like almost all animals, having a pet cockatoo requires time and patience. The most important thing in the care of cockatoos and all birds is to respect their flight hours and to remain out of their cage for at least three hours a day. This, accompanied by games and exercises, will foster the bond with its owner. We will recognize that our cockatoo has begun to trust us when it approaches when called. The perfect cockatoo cage is rectangular, taller than it is wide, made of stainless steel and roomy enough for it to move, play and feel safe. The bars of the cockatoo’s cage should not be more than two centimeters apart, to prevent it from sticking its head between them and getting stuck. https://birdcarer.com/