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Cockatoo

An Introduction to Cockatoo as a Pet 2024 Guide

Updated On

Cockatoos are popular birds that can be found in many places around the world.

They are also known as parrotlets, and they make great pets if you want a pet that is entertaining, playful and easy to care for.

Cockatoo birds are naturally gentle, and their feathers have a soft texture, making them ideal for cuddling with their owners.

What are cockatoos?

Cockatoos, also known as cockatiels, are a family of parrots that belong to the Cacatuidae subfamily.

Most species in this genus are native to Australia and New Guinea, although two are found in other parts of Southeast Asia.

These birds have large crests on their heads that give them their name; they also have loud calls that can sound like whistles or shrill screams.

Cockatoos are popular pets because they’re easy to care for and require little space if you want one as part of your household.

If you’re looking for an exotic pet with lots of personality but don’t want anything too noisy at night, this might be the right choice!

Where can they be found?

Cockatoos are found in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, the Philippines and India. They can also be found in Malaysia and Thailand.

Why keep a cockatoo as a pet?

Cockatoos are excellent for pet owners because they’re intelligent, social and playful.

They can be trained to do tricks and will love interacting with you daily. Cockatoos also have a long lifespan—the oldest one in captivity was 16 years old!

Cockatoos are not noisy birds like parrots or macaws; they make little cries that many people find soothing (and sometimes annoying).

Lifespan & size of cockatoo

The lifespan of a cockatoo is 30-40 years, and the average size is 12 inches.

Cockatoos can be kept in cages as large as 4 feet by 4 feet or even more significant if you have enough space to spread out.

They also make great pets for people with plenty of time and money to spend on their birds because they require very little care!

Diet and feeding

Cockatoos are omnivores, which means they’ll eat just about anything. But you should ensure that the food you give them is high quality and nutritious.

  • High-quality seed mix: Your cockatoo will appreciate a healthy diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains. It would help if you fed them some seed mix daily—a good one will contain at least 10% protein (the rest being carbs).
  • Variety: Feed your bird various foods to get all the necessary vitamins to stay healthy! This may include avocado, chocolate and caffeine-free coffee; avoid feeding raw meat items such as chicken breast because these types of treats can cause digestive problems later in life if consumed too frequently over time

Health & common conditions

Cockatoos are susceptible to respiratory infections and can also suffer from fatty liver disease.

Other common conditions include psittacosis (a bacterial disease), chlamydiosis (a viral infection) and diabetes.

Cockatoos that are obese may need special diets designed for them with extra nutrients and vitamins to help regulate their weight.

Popular cockatoo breeds

Cockatoos are famous birds, so you’ll see them everywhere. They’re also very social and can live in large groups.

Many different cockatoo breeds are popular today, including:

Galarita

galarita cockatoo
Galarita Cockatoo

Galarita is a small parrot native to the Philippines. It is a very social bird and needs to be kept in pairs.

They are also very vocal, so you’ll want to keep them away from other pets if possible.

They are intelligent birds that are easy to train and get along well with people and other pets alike.

They tend to be noisy when they’re happy or excited; however, this can be an advantage if you want your cockatoo to talk back at you!

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Citron Crested

Citron Crested cockatoo
Citron Crested Cockatoo

Citron Crested is a medium-sized bird. It has a yellow head and crest, which can be red or orange, depending on the individual.

The rest of their plumage is white with grey wingtips and tail feathers.

Citron Crested are social birds that enjoy being around people, especially young ones.

They make loud noises when they are excited or scared—this may seem like bad news if you live with them, but it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with this behavior.

Citron Cresteds love interacting with their owners; however, some people find them loud and annoying because these birds will talk back constantly when they’re around humans (which isn’t always fun).

Triton

triton cockatoo
Triton Cockatoo

Tritons are one of the most popular cockatoos, and for a good reason. They are very friendly and playful, making them an excellent choice for anyone who wants to spend time with their bird.

Triton birds enjoy people’s company more than other cockatoo species (although they need plenty of exercises).

Like all parrots, they can be noisy when playing with toys or other objects in their cage.

A large cage is recommended if you have a triton because they like to climb up high places!

Eleonora

eleonora cockatoo
Eleonora Cockatoo

Elenora cockatoos are a medium-sized species of cockatoo.

They are native to the Solomon Islands but can also be found in New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago.

The Elenora is one of the most popular pet birds because they’re easy to care for and affectionate with their owners.

However, like any other bird species, they require proper nutrition.

So you should ensure that you feed them properly before introducing them into your household or workplace environment (if it’s your office).

Lesser Sulphur

lesser sulphur cockatoo
Lesser Sulphur Cockatoo

The Lesser Sulphur Cockatoo is a medium-sized parrot with a long tail.

They can be noisy and aggressive, but they also make excellent pets for experienced owners.

This species needs plenty of space, as it will try to escape from its cages if it feels threatened by anything or anyone outside the cage.

They are challenging to train, but it’s easy once they learn what you want them to do!

Umbrella

umbrella cockatoo
Umbrella Cockatoo

Umbrella cockatoos are medium-sized birds that are native to Australia. They have a white body with a dark grey head and brown wings.

They’re playful and intelligent, making them great companions for people who want an active pet but don’t want one that requires much maintenance or attention.

Umbrella cockatoos can be kept in pairs or groups of up to three birds, although it’s best to keep them on their own rather than with other pets (for safety reasons).

The males will fight each other sometimes, so it’s best not to introduce more than one male at once if possible!

Moluccan

moluccan cockatoo
Moluccan Cockatoo

Moluccans are medium-sized parrots, with the males being more significant than the females.

Their crest of long feathers on top of their head is distinctive and may be used to signal dominance or aggression.

Moluccan have long tails and can fly at high altitudes for long periods without tiring.

They also have large feet that help them maintain balance in trees and branches as they travel through forests looking for food (and maybe you).

If you’re looking for an exotic pet that’s fun to watch but not too demanding, consider getting yourself a cockatoo!

Goffin’s

goffin cockatoo
Goffin’s Cockatoo

Goffin’s cockatoo is a medium-sized white cockatoo with a large, pale yellow crest and a dark grey beak.

The Goffin’s cockatoo is one of the most popular pet parrots in the world.

The Goffin’s Cockatoo is also known as White Cockatoo and Yellow-crested Cockatoo.

The name “Goffin” was given by Dr Anton Jean Thijsse, who first described this species in 1826 at Amsterdam Zoo (now known as Aalsmeer).

Dukours

Dukour parrots are medium-sized parrots with a long tail, a medium head and a short beak.

They have a grey head and back, yellow breasts, bellies and thighs. Their wings are long enough to reach their tails when they fly.

Dukour parrots can live up to 30 years in captivity or longer if you adopt them from the wild.

Rose Breasted

rose breasted cockatoo
Rose Breasted Cockatoo

Rose-breasted Cockatoos are medium-sized cockatoos native to Australia. They have a black head, neck and back with pink breasts and bellies.

The male has distinctive red wattles on the throat and top of the head; females have white cheek patches that may form an arc around their eyes as they age (though not always).

The Rose-breasted Cockatoo is about 48 cm (19 in) in length and weighs about 600 g (1.3 lb).

Bare Eyed

bare eyed cockatoo
Bare Eyed Cockatoo

The Bare-Eyed Cockatoo is a medium-sized cockatoo, but it’s the smallest of all white cockatoos.

It was first described in 1815 by Johann Friedrich Blasius and named for its bare yellow eyes.

The species originates from Indonesia and Australia, where they live on island habitats with high humidity levels (hence their name).

This bird has black beak feathers that resemble those of an owl, while its plumage turns greyish brown due to lack of sunlight exposure during winter months when they are not breeding season.

Which cockatoo makes a great pet?

There are many different cockatoos, and they all have their unique characteristics.

The most important thing to know is that a cockatoo will not make a good pet unless it’s the right age and size for the environment you’re looking to keep them in.

A small-sized bird may be fine for someone who lives in an apartment or doesn’t have much bird space.

Still, suppose you’re looking to get larger birds (or even want to participate in breeding).

In that case, there are plenty of options from breeders or rescue organizations across North America.

Summary

The cockatoo is a popular pet among avian enthusiasts. The birds make lovely companions, and they can be taught engaging and entertaining tricks.

Considering adding one to your household, consider the above information before deciding which species would suit your needs best.

Dr. Janet Garcia (DVM, Vet)
Janet is a reptile veterinarian, pet enthusiast, and writer, committed to imparting knowledge, insights, and anecdotes that enable reptile owners to provide optimal care for their scaly companions. Dedicated to providing guidance on husbandry, or the diet of reptiles have on human lives, this blog is the go-to source.

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