Posts tagged captive cockatoos

The Magnificent Cockatoos – Pros and Cons for Potential New Owners – Part 2

Dec 24th

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Striking in appearance, playful and affectionate when socialized, hardy and possessed of complex, interesting personalities, Cockatoos have much to recommend them as pets (please see Part I of this article for more information). Today, however, I feel it is important that we also consider some of the difficulties that may face the Cockatoo owner (or person owned by a Cockatoo!).

Need for Contact

A high degree of sociability renders Cockatoos as wonderful companions but in need of a great deal of human contact. Even more so than many other parrots, Cockatoos left alone for long periods nearly always begin to scream or to pluck their feathers.

A typical working schedule does not allow for enough interaction time…two birds should always be kept in such situations (on the positive side, Cockatoos often get along well with other parrots, including lovebirds and other small species).

Housing Considerations

Cockatoos are extremely active and need a very large cage or outdoor aviary.

The degeneration of powder-down feathers forms a fine, powdery “dust” that Cockatoos use in grooming and waterproofing their flight feathers. This material spreads like windblown ash, and invariably winds up on furniture, clothes and floors. Air filters and spraying the bird with water daily (Cockatoos like this!) will help, but powder down will remain a fact of life for the Cockatoo owner.

Potentially Troublesome Characteristics

Even by parrot standards, most Cockatoos have very loud voices.

Cockatoos are inveterate wood chewers, and can demolish furniture and perches that would stand up to the largest macaw (or, it seems, axe!). Interestingly (or annoyingly!) they are quite systematic in their “projects”…once a potential target has caught its eye, your Cockatoo, no matter how well trained, will usually find a way to get at it.

Speaking

While most species can learn to repeat a few words, Cockatoos are not the most gifted mimics (they do excel in learning tricks, however).

The Magnificent Cockatoos – Pros and Cons for Potential New Owners – Part 1

Dec 15th

Posted by findiviglio in Bird Behavior

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Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Cockatoos are among the most highly-desired of all parrots – even attracting folks who never considered bird ownership before laying eyes on one. But these entertaining and intelligent beauties come with good and not-so-good surprises, even for those who have kept other large parrots. Today I’d like to present their finer points, next week the “less fine”.

Pros

Whether white, black or infused with color, Cockatoos are incredibly striking in appearance and possessed of strong, interesting personalities.

Cockatoos take well to people, and are far easier to “get to know” than are many other parrots. Socialized individuals are very playful, and love being handled – many folks consider them more like cats or dogs than birds in this regard. Inquisitive and athletic, Cockatoos sometimes learn an astounding array of tricks.

Even the largest species are rather docile and far less likely to bite than are most other parrots (nesting birds are an exception).

In contrast to many captive birds, well-maintained breeding pairs of Cockatoos almost always raise their young successfully.

Cockatoos are hardy in general, and even those species native to warm regions will, if acclimated properly, fare well at quite low temperatures. With a properly constructed shelter and protection from drafts, year-round outdoor housing is often possible, even in temperate climates.