Cockatoos are charming, incredibly beautiful, and intelligent parrots. With their majestic crests and playful behavior, almost every bird lover has considered getting one. But cockatoos differ from other parrots not only in appearance; caring for cockatoos is quite specific.
Characteristics of the Parrot
Depending on the species, cockatoos can be medium-sized with a body length of 30 cm and large, up to 70 cm, weighing more than 1 kg. Their distinctive feature is the elongated feathers on the crown and forehead, known as a crest. The color of this “crown” often contrasts with the parrot’s main body color. Cockatoo plumage comes in a wide variety of colors and shades: white, yellow, red, pink, and even black. But, oddly enough, you will never find shades of blue or green, colors that are popular in other parrot species.
Another distinctive feature of this type of parrot is their unusual beak. It is massive, long, and very curved. At the same time, the beak is very strong and powerful. A parrot can easily turn wooden cage bars, pieces of furniture, and many other things that come its way into a pile of splinters.
The word “cockatoo” itself, from which the parrot’s name is derived, means “nippers.” Most likely, this refers to the bird’s unusual beak. It’s important to remember this feature when keeping a cockatoo.
Social Behavior of Cockatoos
Cockatoos are not loners. Any subspecies of these parrots lives in a flock. The need to unite in groups is partly explained by the instinct of self-preservation: only by uniting can birds ensure protection from predators and a full diet.
Cockatoos are also very social: they constantly communicate with each other, recognize the calls of their relatives, and constantly converse with each other, grooming each other. Feather cleaning is an important part of a parrot’s hygiene and mental state. The beautiful plumage of a cockatoo in a flock is the result of the care of its relatives.
Cockatoos are monogamous. Upon meeting a “bride,” the male spends his whole life with his companion, often after the death of one of the partners, the other remains alone. The reason for such devotion lies in a strong attachment. Cockatoos find a mate in their group, from “childhood” the birds spend all their time together, and when sexual maturity occurs, the pair forms very quickly. The male and female care for and protect each other. The bird can spend hours cleaning and smoothing the feathers of its chosen one.
Cockatoos spend a lot of time together even after the breeding season, and the pair is finally formed. Parrots care for their offspring almost equally: the male also actively helps the female to feed the chicks.
Diet of Cockatoos
Cockatoos are quite unpretentious in food, but at the same time very sensitive to an irrational diet. Food should be varied and balanced: grain mixture – oats, wheat, various types of millet, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, safflower and hemp seeds, weed seeds, young corn or doused with boiling water, rice, sunflower sprouts, beans (legumes), rosehip fruits, unripe bananas, apples, carrots, oranges, cherries, grapes, pine nuts, peanuts, young branches of trees, shrubs, and grass.
Depending on the season, adjust the amount of nutrients: in winter a little more safflower and sunflower seeds, and in summer more greens and shoots. Do not forget about the mandatory mineral supplements in the form of sepia and mineral stone.
There is a difference in feeding individuals of different ages. For example, young cockatoos usually eat 3-4 times a day, while adults – 1-2 times. Moreover, the first feeding should fall on very early hours. Filtered clean and fresh water should be available at all times.
Features of Keeping Cockatoos
Keeping a cockatoo is similar to keeping other large parrots. It should be a large cage or aviary. Their top can be with a domed top, strong metal rods that the parrot cannot break with its powerful beak and reliable, preferably two, locks. The size of the cage should be at least 12090120 cm, and the aviary 622 m.
In the cage for the parrot, there should be a pull-out bottom so that it can be easily and effortlessly washed and cleaned. In the aviary, you must definitely provide a wooden house where the parrot will sleep.
Cockatoos love to bathe and gladly do it every day. At a sufficient air temperature in the room, put a container with warm water for the bird or spray the parrot with a spray bottle – this will completely replace the bath.
A large cat litter box is perfect as a bath, if the cockatoo does not recognize such a method, offer it a shower, because in nature they willingly bathe in the rain.
When keeping a bird, it is very important to maintain the cleanliness of its dwelling. The drinking container and feeders should be cleaned daily. Perches and toys should be washed and changed as they become dirty and destroyed.
The cage should be washed weekly, the aviary – once a month. The bottom of the cage is cleaned daily, and the bottom of the aviary – twice a week. The optimal temperature for keeping a cockatoo is considered to be 18-20 degrees.
Cockatoos very skillfully use their beak: they can open almost any locks. This must be remembered when choosing a way to close the cage: the lock should only open with a key. A strong cockatoo beak can just as easily gnaw through and split much of what comes its way.
Therefore, when you let it fly around the apartment, do not leave it unattended. It can start gnawing on furniture where there are poisonous varnishes and paints, or climb onto a desk where there are many small parts that it can choke on.