cockatoos

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Cockatoos

By Len LaRiccia

Founder of Bird Crazy

The Cockatoo, known as the Sulfur Crested, is one of the most lovable birds you can buy. There are two different categories within this group, however, in the U.S. pet trade, we make three. The first one is known as the "Greaters." They include the Galeritas and the Tritons. They are the largest of the group. Then there are the "Mediums." They include Elenoras and the Fitzroyis. The smallest of the group, called the "Lessors," include the Timors and the Citrons. There are only slight differences, aside from their size. You need a trained eye to spot most of them.

Cockatoos are generally the most gentle of all the birds. They are one of the best family pets - in the bird world - you can have. They are known to have the best and most stable temperament of all the birds. Basically, they are like the yellow Lab to the bird world. They are also like having another child. They will sleep with you, cuddle and talk with you. They are great with kids, and a bird that you can do most anything with. They love attention. Their mental capacity is equivalent to that of a five-year-old. This not only means that they are capable of learning like a child, they also need discipline, just like a small child. They are the most trainable birds, but just like a kid, the Cockatoo can be emotional, cry and throw temper tantrums. Often, they only do what they want to do. Some of the Lessors, like the Citron, can even be a little high-strung or nervous.

If there are no limits set in the beginning, both you and your bird will be very miserable. This could be for a very long time too -- because the cockatoo can live up to 80 years in captivity.

A hand -fed baby Cockatoo will generally sell for anywhere between $1,000 and $1,500. They are one of the hardest birds to wean, and it generally takes about four months or more. They tend to be very clingy and dependent at this age. Some baby Cockatoos will cry like a small child. To make them more independent, they again need discipline during these times. Sometimes though, nothing will work and it requires some self-control to walk away and let them cry it out. Usually, after reaching one year of age, their voices change and their cries become very raspy and not so loud. Generally, they subside completely.

When you own a Cockatoo, it is very important to give them a full life. Like any child, you need to entertain them, play with them and keep them from getting bored. A Cockatoo will chew on anything and you need to keep them safe and protected. It is recommended to get a fairly thick barred cage for them. They are known for being escape artists and they really enjoy picking locks and figuring out how to open the cage latches.

A Cockatoo’s vocabulary is not as extensive as an African Grey, but is not unusual for them to speak up to 60 words. Because of their mental capacity, they tend to speak one word at a time, like that of a child learning to say "Mama." It’s the repetition of the words that will make them learn faster. It is also a good idea to let them socialize with other people. This will be good for the bird’s independence as well as making them comfortable with many people.

The diet of a Cockatoo is paramount to his or her good health. Cockatoos can develop Fatty Liver Disease. It’s not recommended to feed them many nuts and seeds that are high in fat. It is recommended to give them fruits and vegetables, along with calcium supplements or toys with calcium in them. Cockatoos have a tendency to watch what you eat, as do most birds. They eat by sight recognition, as do most birds. If you don’t eat fruits and vegetables, why should they? Remember, you are dealing with a five-year-old child. They want to do what you do.

When buying any bird, it is always best to take them to a veterinarian for a culture test. Cockatoos are known for carrying Polyoma and PBFD (Psitticine Beak and Feather Disease. It is a slow, fatal disease that will make a bird lose all of its feathers. Then, its beak will rot from the inside out and eventually fall off. A bird can live years with the disease and it is possible for you to buy a Cockatoo and not even know it has the disorder for several years. That is why it is always recommended to get a culture and viral test on any bird (although it is not always 100% accurate). It is also very necessary to have their wings and nails clipped regularly. They need to bathe regularly, like any other bird, because they create a powdery substance on their feathers. Some people are allergic to this powder, so they may need to bathe twice as often. It is also necessary to have them tested if they do not produce this powder. They could have PBFD.

During breeding or mating season, a Cockatoo can become very possessive of his or her home. A male can sometimes become so aggressive towards the female in captivity, he can kill his mate. The female is very submissive, and it is not uncommon for a male to kill her during breeding season, even if they have been together for 15 years. Generally speaking, though, a male and a female will mate for life, and the mother lays anywhere from two to four eggs each year. Both parents will usually take care of the babies together. They often take turns or work in shifts. Most birds will have a set schedule. The mother will take care of them during the day, and the father at night, or vice versa.

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