Pink cockatoo. White cockatoo parrot. Lifestyle and habitat of the white cockatoo Pink parrots

Cockatoo is a charming, incredibly beautiful and intelligent parrot. Looking at his majestic tuft and funny behavior, almost every lover flashed the thought of acquiring it. Cockatoos differ from other parrots not only in appearance, but also in the specifics of care.

Many owners of these beauties, faced with difficulties in care and upbringing, return the pet back to the breeders or sell it to other hands. We will try to introduce you to this difficult species of parrots as closely as possible so that the purchase decision does not become a mistake.

The parrot has a number of distinctive character traits that you need to know before you decide to purchase it.

Description of the species of cockatoo parrots

Depending on the species, cockatoos are medium in size with a body length of 30 cm and large - up to 70 cm, a parrot can weigh more than 1 kg.

Photo: Peter Lavender

Their most distinctive feature is the elongated feathers on the crown and forehead, the so-called crest. The color of the "crown" in most cases contrasts with the main color of the parrot. In the coloring of cockatoo feathers there are a wide variety of colors and shades: white, yellow, red, pink and even black. But, oddly enough, you will never see the shades of blue and green that are popular with other types of parrots.

Another distinctive feature of this species of parrots is their unusual beak. It is massive, long and very curved. The mandible in the widest part is wider than the mandible, and therefore the edges of the mandible are found on a narrower mandible, forming a kind of bucket.

This beak structure is found only in cockatoos. At the same time, the beak is very strong and powerful. The parrot will easily turn wooden bars of the cage, pieces of furniture and much more that gets in his way into a pile of chips.

The word "kakatua" means "nippers". Most likely, it is the unusual beak of the bird that is meant. This feature must be remembered when keeping a cockatoo.

Photo: Josh More

The tip of the fleshy tongue is covered with a dark, almost black cornea. There is a kind of hollow on the tongue, which the parrot uses very skillfully, like a spoon. The rings around the eyes are naked and feathered. Cockatoos are pretty good flyers, but climb trees much better. They also move very quickly and skillfully on the ground.

Cockatoo in the wild

In nature, the cockatoo is found in New Guinea, Australia, the Philippine Islands and Indonesia. This parrot is able to adapt to many types of environment, as evidenced by the territory of their distribution.

Photo: Geek2Nurse

Australian cockatoo species prefer to settle in open areas in large flocks. This subspecies uses trees only for lodging and nesting, and birds devote the rest of the time to the endless savannahs of Australia.

Other species tend to hide in treetops and live in small flocks or pairs. As for the Indonesian cockatoos, these birds live in the tropical and subtropical forests of the country or on their edges in wetlands.

Photo: runmonty

Absolutely all species of cockatoos prefer hollows in tree trunks or crevices in rocks for nesting. Birds choose an already prepared hollow and adjust its size to a more suitable one with the help of their beak, and the bottom is covered with tree bark.

Despite the fact that the number of parrots in groups is quite large, during the breeding season, the nests of these birds are dispersed over very large distances (up to 500 ha). The pair becomes extremely aggressive and will not allow other cockatoos to interfere in their territory during this time.

In the wild, cockatoo parrots feed successfully, both hiding in the crowns of trees and on the ground. They prey on insects, larvae, fruits, berries, fruits (melons, wild figs), capers, flowers, tree shoots and leaves, grass seeds, roots and nuts (almonds, pecans). Some species willingly eat grains of cultivated plants (oats, wheat, corn), tree seeds (acacia, cones, eucalyptus).

Since the main source of food for Australian cockatoo species is on the ground, in a flock, some birds are very careful about safety, while the rest feast on nuts and seeds.

Despite the fact that each species of cockatoo is individual, and each bird has different habits and character, they all have common features.

Kakadu are not alone. Any subspecies of these parrots lives in a flock. The need to unite in groups is to some extent explained by survival (the instinct of self-preservation): only by uniting, birds can provide themselves with protection from predators and good nutrition.

Also, cockatoos are very social: they constantly communicate with each other, distinguish between the cries of their relatives, constantly talk to each other, look after each other. Feather cleaning is an important part of the hygiene and mental state of the parrot. The beautiful plumage of a cockatoo in a flock is the result of the care of its relatives.

Photo: Robyn Jay

Cockatoo parrots are monogamous. Having met the "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 close attachment.

Cockatoos find a mate in their group, "from childhood" the birds spend all the time together, and when puberty sets in, the pair is formed very quickly.

Male and female take care and protect each other. A bird can spend hours cleaning and smoothing feathers to its chosen one.

Cockatoos spend a lot of time together and after the breeding season, the pair is finally formed. Parrots almost equally care for their offspring: the male also actively helps the female to feed the chicks.

Tellingly, against the backdrop of this idyllic picture, the cockatoo's ability to monogamy surprised scientists. Ornithologists, after conducting a series of DNA tests, found out that not all chicks in the brood are from a permanent partner of the female.

The female incubates the eggs for 20-30 days, depending on the type of cockatoo. Chicks are born naked and blind, but after a week their eyes open and "stumps" of future plumage appear. Cockatoo chicks are very dependent on their parents and at first they are completely helpless.

In the wild, chicks leave their native nest after 12 weeks, but parents continue to protect their offspring until they reach puberty. Having flown out of the nest, a young bird gets acquainted with the surrounding world and its rules on the example of its relatives.

Photo: Chobist

It happens that later the cockatoo joins the neighboring flock, but more often the parrot prefers to stay in the company of relatives and among well-known places.

Depending on the species, cockatoos reach sexual maturity at 3-5 years. In captivity, cockatoos can live up to 90 years, but this does not apply to wild parrots of this species. Predators, natural disasters and natural disasters significantly shorten the life of birds living in their native places.

Since cockatoos are long-lived, when buying a bird, you need to understand that if the bird lives 70-90 years, you will most likely not be its only owner.

cockatoo species

Cockatoo parrots from the order Psittaciformes - Parrot-shaped, which belong to the Cacatuidae family - Kakadu. In turn, the Cacatuidae family is divided into three subfamilies: Calyptophynchinae (6 species of cockatoo), Cacatuinae (14 species) and Nymphicinae (1 species: cockatiel).

Thus, there are 21 species of cockatoos in total. The most famous:

Yellow-crested cockatoo

Photo: Michael Korcuska

Habitat: northeast Australia, southeast New Guinea, Kangaroo Islands and Tasmania. They love to swim in the rain, inhabit forests and areas close to water bodies. They live in flocks of up to 80 birds. The main color of the plumage is white, the lower part of the flight and tail feathers with a yellow tint. The crest is yellow, sharp, narrow. The ring around the eyes is white-blue, the iris is black in males, red-brown in females. Body length 40-60 cm, male weight 930 g, female 980 g.

This species is popular among cockatoo lovers, as it copes well with various tricks, can be trained and successfully imitates human speech;

Moluccan cockatoo

Photo: Giorgio Quattrone

Habitat: Forests and swamps of the Ambon and Seram Islands in the Moluccas archipelago in Indonesia. They prefer to stay in pairs or small flocks of up to 20 birds. Large parrot: body length 50-55 cm, weight up to 900 grams. The main plumage is pale pink, the underwings are tinged with orange, the undertail is orange-yellow. The crest is tricolor: the outer feather is white, the inner one is bright red-orange, about 18-20 cm long. Around the eyes there is a white ring of skin (without feathers) with a bluish tint.

You can distinguish the sex of the Moluccan cockatoo by the color of the iris: in males it is black, and in females it is brown and the size of the bird, compared to females, males are larger, and the size of the head and beak in females is much smaller.

In 1960, this type of cockatoo was listed in the International Red Book.

pink cockatoo (other name: "Galah" (clown, fool))

Photo: David Cook

Habitat: open areas of Australia, grasslands and savannahs. There can be about 20 or 800 individuals in flocks. An average parrot, body length 35-37 cm, can live in captivity for more than 50 years. The main plumage is smoky gray, and the cheeks, neck and belly are red meat. The upper part of the tuft is light, sometimes white, the inner part is red-pink. The iris of the males is dark brown, while the females are light orange.

Pink cockatoos have a more balanced character, are peaceful with all family members, and quite easily get used to life in captivity;

white-crested cockatoo

Photo: Jason Ernst

Habitat: Indonesia, Moluccas. A species of parrot that most often lives in a pair or in a flock of up to 80 individuals. They like to live in forests, light forests, near rivers. Despite the fact that these cockatoos are medium (body length is from 40-47 cm, and weight is up to 600 g), these are one of the most spectacular parrots. The plumage of the white-crested is snow-white, of an incredibly pure color, the tuft looks more like a huge magnificent crown.

In males, the iris is dark brown, while in females it is red-brown. White-crested cockatoos are incredibly artistic and some of them can remember a dozen words;

Major Mitchell's cockatoo (Inca cockatoo)

Photo: Ashraf Saleh

Habitat: almost all regions of Australia - the central part, southwest, near water bodies. Very nice looking cockatoo. Depending on the habitat, the main color of parrots ranges from pale pink to deep pink. Major Mitchell's cockatoo is a light-colored beaked cockatoo.

The front feathers of the tuft are white, the inner ones are bright red in the middle, closer to the lower part, with yellow spots, the upper part of the tuft is white. The iris around the eyes of the male is traditionally dark brown, while that of the female is red-brown. The weight of the parrot reaches 440 g, while the weight of the female is 20-30 g more than the weight of the male. The body length of the Inca cockatoo is 37-40 cm.

This type of cockatoo parrot is practically not found in captivity. The ban on trapping and selling these birds is strictly controlled by the Australian authorities. Permission to keep an Inca cockatoo in Australia can be obtained after passing exams and obtaining a license to keep a bird at home;

Goffin cockatoo (Tanimbar cockatoo)

Photo: Lee

Habitat: Indonesia, Tanimbar Islands. A snow-white bird, light yellow feathers near the ears, pink bridle near the beak, pale yellow tail and lower part of the wings. The beak is white-grey. The size of the parrot is only 32 cm, and the weight is about 300 g. Sexual dimorphism is expressed in the colors of the iris, as in the above species. Goffin's cockatoo is an endangered species due to the uncontrolled trade in these birds and the destruction of their habitat.

Feeding in captivity

Cockatoos are quite unpretentious in food, but at the same time they are very sensitive to irrational nutrition. The feed should be varied and balanced: grain mixture: oats, wheat, different varieties of millet, pumpkin, sunflower, safflower and hemp seeds, weed seeds, young corn or scalded with boiling water, rice, sunflower sprouts, beans (legumes), rose hips, unripe bananas, apples, carrots, oranges, cherries, grapes, pine nuts, peanuts, young twigs of trees, shrubs and grass.

Depending on the time of year, adjust the amount of nutrients: in winter a little more safflower and sunflowers, and in summer more greens and shoots. Do not forget about the obligatory mineral additives in the form of sepia and mineral stone.

Photo: KAI0831

There is a difference in the feeding of individuals of different ages. So, for example, young cockatoos usually eat 3-4 times a day, and adults - 1-2 times. In this case, the first feeding should be in the early morning. Filtered clean and fresh water should be available at all times.

It should have a retractable bottom so that it can be washed and cleaned easily and without difficulty. In the aviary, it is imperative to provide a wooden house where the parrot will sleep.

Kakadu loves to swim and enjoys doing it every day. With sufficient air temperature in the room, put a container of warm water for the bird or spray the parrot from a spray bottle - this will completely replace the bath.

A large cat litter box is perfect as a bathing suit, if the cockatoo does not recognize this method, offer him a shower, because in nature they willingly bathe in the rain.

Photo: Ersu

The cage must be washed every week, the aviary - once a month. The bottom of the cage is cleaned daily, and the bottom of the aviary twice a week. The optimum temperature for keeping a cockatoo is considered to be 18-20 degrees.

Cockatoos use their beak very skillfully: they are able to open almost any lock. This must be remembered when choosing a method for closing the cage: the lock must be opened only with a key. A strong beak of a cockatoo is also able to gnaw and split a lot that it comes across.

Therefore, when you let him fly around the apartment, do not leave him unattended. He may begin to gnaw on furniture where poisonous varnishes and paints are present, or climb onto a desk, where there are many small details that he can choke on.

Cockatoo - companion bird

It has long been known that this type of parrot is very attached to people - the birds are ready to follow on the heels of their master and it is extremely important for them to constantly be in the spotlight. Like any pet, a cockatoo parrot needs to be raised and given enough time.

His ability to talk is not high, but he will still master about a dozen words and a few phrases. At the same time, the cockatoo can reproduce and copy the most unusual and bizarre sounds, perform almost circus tricks - somersaults, bows, flips, etc.

This bird becomes very close to the person who takes care of it and takes care of it. This is something to keep in mind when you decide to go on vacation and leave your feathered house.

Photo: Andy Tyler

There were cases when a parrot refused food and games out of anguish, plucked out its feathers, which led to death.

The bird should not feel lonely, bored and sick. If you are initially not sure that you can devote a lot of time to your pet - get a cockatoo in a pair, and at a "green" age. This will give you a chance for close friendship between the birds and compensate the bird for the lack of your attention.

Having bought a cockatoo parrot, like any other large parrot, you get an “eternal” child in your family. He always needs to be educated, trained, trained, played, fed and monitored so that his pranks do not go beyond the permissible rules in your family.

cockatoo sting

No wonder this type of parrot is called wire cutters. Cockatoo bites are very painful and fraught with serious injury to humans.

For all his affection, the cockatoo is very touchy and, as a result, vindictive. In retaliation, he can bite, tear out a piece of skin, and even break the phalanges of his fingers with his powerful beak. Therefore, you should not tease or offend the cockatoo in vain - the response can “upset” you very much.

If the family has or is planning a child, you should not start a cockatoo. The relationship of these birds with young children is difficult, especially since it is more difficult to keep track of two unintelligent ones and the risk of injury to a child is very high.

Please note that the risk of being bitten by a cockatoo is more likely when the bird looks directly at the offender, approaches him with his feathers flattened and his beak open. If the parrot fluffed its feathers to appear huge - the cockatoo wants to scare you and drive you away, the likelihood that it will attack you is very small.

Photo: Jim, the Photographer

The bird does not always bite because of resentment or aggression, perhaps the parrot perceives your actions as a threat to him or he categorically does not like what you offer him. In any case, the bird needs to be taught that biting is not and is unacceptable.

Upbringing

The reasons for abandoning a parrot can be found in the numerous reviews of cockatoo owners on the Internet. The most popular explanations: the bird screams unbearably all day, is aggressive, bites, breaks everything, does not make contact, one of the family members has an allergy.

Young cockatoos under the age of 3 years scream quite rarely, but you should not flatter yourself that it was you who came across a parrot that was not loud by nature. Sooner or later the bird will scream and that's okay.

In nature, these birds scream very loudly and, of course, this feature is preserved in captivity. By shouting they express both discontent and joy. Therefore, if you dream of a quiet and calm bird that will delight your eyes and delight your ears, then the cockatoo is not for you.

The cry of a cockatoo becomes a problem if the bird screams constantly and this cry becomes more and more like a tantrum.

In addition to the fact that you may come across a parrot with a complex character, to a greater extent, your calmness and friendly relations with the bird depend more on how you raise an emotional "dancer".

Your attention to the parrot should not be unlimited, the bird needs to learn self-sufficiency, so that in the future it does not depend completely on your presence. Approach the parrot when you want, not when the bird calls. Otherwise, you risk becoming a hostage to your own pet, which will scream hysterically until you approach or as soon as it is left alone.

Photo: Josh More

Do not let yourself be commanded, be sure to teach the parrot the word “no”, otherwise you will get an indomitable fighter of everything that is in the room.

To demand something from a bird, you must definitely give it an alternative: the parrot must be constantly puzzled by puzzle toys, strong chews, not lacking in your affection and have constant access to fruits and nuts.

In the wild, parrots are constantly busy with something, and this is mainly the extraction of food or water, as well as daily flights over long distances. In captivity, the bird does not need to look for food, and there is no way to fly freely.

Treat your friend with understanding and help him take his time with something interesting and exciting, in a cage, a parrot, if possible, should only sleep.

Photo: memily

Of course, it is very difficult not to spoil a handsome feathered man when he goes to his arms and allows you to stroke him, but control yourself and do not forget that excessive affection for a cockatoo can do no less harm than completely ignoring the bird.

Cockatoos live in Australia, Indonesia, New Guinea and the Philippine Islands. cockatoo parrot belongs to the cockatoo family, an order of parrot-like birds, which is very popular among bird lovers, thanks to its outstanding artistic talent and exceptional spectacular appearance.

cockatoo parrot medium-sized, whose body length is from 30 to 70 cm, the weight of the bird reaches 1 kg or more. The life expectancy of cockatoo parrots is very impressive, it is known that the centenarians of this species lived up to 70-80 years. A characteristic feature of these parrots is the crest, which differs from the general plumage. The tail, on the contrary, is not particularly remarkable, short, straight and has a rounded shape. The cockatoo's beak is very powerful. It is quite massive, strong, has a curved shape. The mandible is usually wider than the mandible. It seems that the latter is covered by the former, like a ladle. The word Kakadu (Cacatua) is translated as "nippers". This is fully justified, since with the help of a beak, parrots are able to bite even fairly solid objects! This includes soft wire, and nut shells, and wooden sticks.

In nature, there are 21 species of cockatoo. But despite the large number of species, only a few types of cockatoo are well known to people. As you know, the cockatoo parrot lives in Australia, but the laws of this country prohibit the export of animals outside of its borders, except for those that were born in captivity.

The most famous cockatoo species:

. Molluk Cockatoo- body length 50-55 cm; weight 800-900 g. The color of the plumage is pale pink. Undertail orange-yellow. Underwings are orange-pink. The size of the crest is not more than 20 cm. The outer feathers are white, the inner ones are red-orange. Paws are dark grey. The beak is black-grey. Periorbital ring without feathers, white with a bluish tint. Male and female are colored the same. The iris of the male is black, the female is brown.
The Moluccan cockatoo is a parrot with a pleasant personality. This is a very talented parrot, strongly attached to a person. His ability to imitate human speech is very limited. He can only pronounce single words, usually no more than 10-15 and phrases. Good at imitating animal voices. Life expectancy is 50-80 years.

. Yellow-crested Cockatoo- body length depending on subspecies from 40 to 60 cm, wings 29.5-39 cm; male weight - 810-930 g, female - 850-980 g. White plumage with a yellowish tint on the underside of the tail and flight feathers. The crest is narrow, sharp, yellow in color from long feathers. There is a whitish or blue ring around the eyes. Paws are dark grey. The male has a black iris, the female has a red-brown iris.
Of cockatoos, imitators of human speech are more common, especially among yellow-crested ones. They attract with their extremely obedience, are very capable of various tricks, they can often be seen in circus performances. Life expectancy up to 50-70 years.

. pink cockatoo- also called cockatoo Gala. The name "Galah", translated from the local dialect means "clown", "fool". Peace-loving birds, quickly get used to the person and to the home content. Their ability to reproduce speech is limited. Life expectancy in captivity is over 50 years. At home, a calm bird, equally loyal to all family members.
The plumage is smoky gray, the neck, cheeks and belly are red-fleshy. The tuft is white above, red-pink inside. The length of the parrot is 35-37 cm. In females, the iris is light orange, in males it is dark brown. In nature, they feed on grass seeds, grains (especially wheat and oats), sunflowers, geraniums, capers, fruits and berries, nuts, roots, sprouts, herbaceous plants, flowers, buds, insects and their larvae.

. White-crested Cockatoo- the plumage is snow-white-white, a huge crest in the form of a crown. Very effective. The length of the parrot is 40-47 cm. The wing is 25-31 cm, the tail is about 20 cm; weight up to 600 g. A distinctive feature of males and females is the color of the iris. In females, it is light red-brown in color, while in males it is dark brown. Paws and beak are black-gray.
Among them there are individuals capable of reproducing colloquial speech, and less capable, but they all have an artistic gift. Life expectancy is 50-70 years.

. Cockatoo Inca or Major Mitchell's Cockatoo is one of the most beautiful and graceful cockatoos. The plumage of the Inca cockatoo is from pale pink to rich pink, depending on the habitat. The length of the parrot is 38-40 cm, the weight of the male is 300-430 g, the female is 375-440 g. The length of the tuft feathers reaches 18 cm. The front feathers of the tuft are white, the inner bright red with yellow areas in their lower part, and their upper ends are white. The coloration of males and females is the same. The iris of the male is dark brown, almost black, the female is red-brown. Body length 35-40 cm.
Currently, these parrots in the home are very rare. Catching and selling this parrot is prohibited. In Australia itself, they are kept only with the permission of the authorities (passing exams and obtaining a license to keep an Inca cockatoo at home). Life expectancy is 50 to 80 years.

. white cockatoo the most popular and leaves favorable reviews because of his artistic data. The bird is well trained and very mobile. Often the bird is taught to dance and perform acrobatic numbers. A cockatoo can be easily trained to speak a dozen or two words. They can whistle simple motives, imitate the sound of objects. A cockatoo remembers fewer words and is more noisy than a parrot. gray.

When the content cockatoo in a cage, it is worth remembering that this is a rather large bird and it needs a place to stretch its wings. If the cage is small, the parrot can damage its wings, it will be closed and angry. Dissatisfaction will be expressed by very loud cries, which you may not like. The parrot shows characteristic discontent when it starts on its own. pluck feathers , to solve this problem, a small bezel (special collar) is put on the parrot's neck and the feathers are sprayed with a special hot spray that will not harm the bird. Therefore, immediately when purchasing a bird, take care of a good spacious aviary or cage.

We should not forget about toys and perches which play an important role in the cell. Toys and perches should be made of wood (wood is great for grinding down a cockatoo's powerful beak and claws) or plastic (plastic should be durable and free of unnecessary chemicals). Also, the parrot should arrange walks outside the cage. 20-30 minutes a day is enough for the bird to stretch its wings and familiarize itself with the room.

In captivity, the cockatoo will try to eat everything that is offered to it, so be careful not to give excess food to the bird, as it can get sick and this will lead to a sedentary and motionless lifestyle, in the worst case, death.

Of the vegetables, corn is the cockatoo's favorite delicacy. In nature, cockatoos cause great damage to farmers by flying into corn fields, for which they were mercilessly exterminated. Cockatoos also prefer carrots, cucumbers, eggplant and celery. Dandelion roots, green beans and pea pods, red beets will go well.

Fruits for cockatoos have a huge role in nutrition, as they contain a huge amount of various vitamins. Of the berries, the cockatoo prefers: strawberries, raspberries, pomegranates, pears, rose hips. Not all parrots immediately eat fruit, they need to be taught.

If you decide to get yourself a parrot cockatoo reviews which is usually positive, you can be sure that you will get yourself a great friend, actor, circus performer and a lot of great mood! Photo cockatoo you can always look at our website, in the section

There are up to two dozen subspecies. The most popular colors are white and grey, although there are others. A characteristic feature is the crest on the head. Cockatoos are large parrots, their height can reach 60 cm, weight more than 1 kg. They live for a long time, up to 40-100 years. The cockatoo is native to Australia and the Indonesian islands. Under natural conditions, they keep in large flocks of several hundred individuals, feeding together by plucking leaves and bark in search of seeds. Some species also feed on lizards and snakes.

A flock of cockatoos can be heard from afar due to the strong sounds they make. If the flock collects food on the ground, a few individuals remain on the trees as a watchman. In case of danger, they raise a loud cry to warn others.

Cockatoos feed on seeds, vegetables and fruits, insect larvae, flowers and herbs. I advise you to buy ready-made food in pet stores. From fruits and vegetables, you can give carrots, apples, pears, bananas, plums, cherries, peaches, nuts (almonds, peanuts). Foreign sources do not recommend giving avocados to parrots, as if this fruit is toxic to parrots. Also, it is advisable to give your friend the necessary amount of animal protein: eggs, cheese. Give artificial vitamins only during molting and feeding chicks. Provide the parrot with enough clean water, it must be changed daily. At the bottom of the cage or enclosure there should be a layer of sand or Kakadu - social and social parrots, they are distinguished by high intelligence. This is both a big plus and a minus if you want to keep them in cages. If it is not possible to often release a cockatoo to fly, then it is better not to buy. When this type of parrot is dissatisfied with something, has stress, it can pluck feathers on itself and scream loudly. This can become a big problem. To overcome it, birds put on special collars around their necks that do not allow themselves to be plucked, spray feathers with a burning spray, etc. Under natural conditions, cockatoos breed offspring in hollow trees. The female lays mainly 2-3 eggs, and incubates alternately with the male for 30 days. Little parrots hatch naked and blind. Overgrown with feathers up to three months. In artificial conditions, it is difficult to breed this type of parrot; this is for experienced bird owners who have the necessary conditions. As with most parrots, it is desirable that they choose a pair for themselves. It is necessary to hang an artificial nest in the aviary. It is in the aviary, because it is problematic to breed the offspring of such large parrots in a cage. The cockatoo has a very strong beak and the bars in the cage must have the necessary strength. Since this is a rather large parrot, the cage must be spacious, the bird must have enough space to spread its wings. It is better, of course, to keep such a bird in aviaries: indoor or outdoor. The aviary should be large enough - 4m * 1.5m * 2m. It is good when the bars in the cage are placed horizontally and not vertically. So it is easier for the parrot to climb by helping itself with its beak. It is desirable that the perches in the cage be made of wood and not plastic. When perches or toys are made from natural materials, it helps to grind down the parrot's claws and beak. The cage cannot be placed: in the kitchen and in the bathroom, throughout, in rooms where people are rarely. You do not need to put the cage in the middle of the room, it is desirable that the cage stands against the wall, so the parrot is calmer. Cockatoos in natural conditions like to swim in the water, so provide access to it in the house. You can try spraying the bird with a spray bottle. Kakadu is not for beginners. Since this is a particularly intelligent species of parrots, they require an appropriate attitude towards themselves. They have a strong beak with which they can punish offenders, such as a cat or a dog. Keep this in mind when you have small children. Such large birds can deliver strong blows or bites. It is desirable to buy young parrots and those born in captivity. Otherwise, there may be problems with the adaptation of the bird. Since the lifespan of a cockatoo is comparable to a human, consider whether you can provide it with the necessary free space, attention and entertainment. They may seem to scream loudly for no reason, the neighbors may not like it.

They are becoming quite common and popular pets. There are many different parrots that differ in size, appearance and price. Today we will consider detailed information about keeping a cockatoo parrot at home.

Appearance, character and abilities

Kakadu refers to medium sized parrots, its body length can be from 30 to 75 cm, and the bird weighs about 1 kg.

They are long-lived: life expectancy can reach 90 years in captivity, which allows the bird to become a companion for a person for life.

The feature that distinguishes the cockatoo from other parrots concerns its appearance, namely the presence of a crest on its head, which can rise during times of alarm or excitement. Despite the fact that most parrots are valued for their beautiful and long tail, in cockatoo it is not beautiful, but has a short length and roundness to the bottom. The strong and massive beak of the cockatoo is used to crack open large seeds in order to feed themselves in the wild. But quite often it can become a defense tool for a bird, and the bird bites strongly and painfully.

Important! It is worth noting that the red-tailed black cockatoo, especially the male, bites very rarely, unlike other species, so inexperienced owners often choose it for home keeping.

The character of the cockatoo is quite docile, and if you train it and devote enough time to it, then the presence of this bird in your home will bring only positive emotions and pleasure from communicating with a smart pet.

Cockatoos are quite noisy and loud parrots, they can scream quite often simply because they like it. Interestingly, smaller birds are considered relatively quiet, and the larger they are, the louder they scream.

Varieties

In the wild, there are 21 species of cockatoos, but those that can be kept at home are considered more famous. Therefore, let's take a closer look at what these types of cockatoo parrots look like:

Did you know? The remains of the cockatoo, which were found by scientists in Australia, are currently considered the most ancient, they date from the Miocene period, which was on Earth about 24-16 million years ago.

How to choose the right one and how much does a parrot cost

In order to choose healthy cockatoo, who will become a good friend and live in your home for a long time, you need to take into account some rules:

The plumage of a healthy bird is smooth and adheres all over the body, regardless of the age of the bird. The beak does not have cracks or any growths. Inspect the bird's nostrils carefully, they should be clean and open, with no signs of discharge. The eyes of a healthy individual are shiny, wide open.
The bird should be quite well-fed, the sternum should be rounded, and the muscles should be elastic and elastic.
The paws of a healthy bird are even, do not have protruding shields and tumors.
Examine the plumage: there should be no bald patches on the body of the bird, and if they are, then the skin should not be inflamed, without swelling.
Birds are often sold with their wings slightly clipped to limit their ability to fly. Carefully inspect this place, and if you can see ulcers, sores or tumors on it, you should not buy such a bird.
It is recommended to pay attention to the litter, it should be of the same shape and correctly formed, the color is normal from dark green to greenish-brown with white impurities.
Breathing in a healthy bird is slow and even.

Consider how much a talking cockatoo parrot costs. The cost of a cockatoo on the market starts from $600 and depends on the type of bird purchased.

A very important nuance is the conditions suitable for keeping a cockatoo at home.

It must be borne in mind that the place where the cage will be placed must be well lit, since parrots really need sunlight. It affects the enhancement of metabolic processes in the blood, an increase in the amount of hemoglobin, calcium and phosphorus, and improves immunity.

Important! In summer, the birds should be in direct sunlight for quite a long time, but so that they do not overheat, it is recommended to shade one corner of the cage.

The optimum temperature for keeping cockatoo is about 20 ° C. Humidity should be increased, about 75%, for those birds that live in open areas in their natural environment. Species that live in the humid tropics should be kept in a room with about 90% humidity.
The air in the room where the parrot is kept should be as clean as possible; you should not place the cage with the bird in the kitchen, where the air is constantly saturated with food aromas and if you smoke there. Ventilate the room more often so that fresh air enters - in such conditions the condition of the bird will be excellent.

How to choose a home for a feathered friend

Given that the cockatoo is a rather large bird, it needs a lot of space so that it can climb, move and sometimes spread its wings. So that the desires of the bird are not infringed, provide it with a large free space - this will not only affect the good health of the pet, but also maintain a good mood.

Dimensions and shape

In order to contain large species of parrots, which include cockatoos, you should buy an all-metal cage. If you plan to keep one or more individuals in one cage, then a four-sided cage with a top that can be opened, or a domed one, is suitable for this.

The size of the dwelling is also very important, so the cage should be bought depending on the type of parrot. If the individual belongs to a smaller species, then it will be enough cells with dimensions 70×50×50 cm. Large individuals require more space, so the cage must be at least 170 × 100 × 100 cm.

Arrangement of the cell

1 or even 2 perches should be placed in the cage. Perches in cages should be made of beech, maple, oak or apple, birch, linden, aspen and rowan cages are not suitable. The size of the perch also depends on the type of parrot: for medium ones, a diameter of up to 2.5 cm is suitable, and for large ones, it is necessary to provide a perch of at least 5 cm in diameter.

The paw rest should be tapered. A correctly chosen stand is when the toes of the bird's paws do not fully close, clasping it. The footrest must be firmly fixed, and its location should also be taken into account so that while the bird is on it, it does not touch the lattice with its head or tail. It is necessary to place a bar with calcium in the cage so that the parrot grinds its beak on it.

Place a lock on the cage door, as the cockatoo can open it with its beak and fly away to explore the apartment. To feed a pet, it is necessary to install a drinking bowl and a feeder in the cage.

How to care for a cockatoo

Caring for a parrot is, first of all, caring for his home. For this it is necessary clean cage daily from excrement and food debris. It is also recommended to wash the dishes from which the bird eats and drinks water well, it is recommended to do this at least once every 2 days, and if possible, every day. After the dishes are washed, they must be wiped dry so as not to provoke the formation of mucus and the reproduction of microbes.

Important! In order for the cockatoo to feel normal, he needs daily ultraviolet irradiation. This issue is especially acute in winter and autumn, when the bird feels a lack of natural sunlight, so it is recommended to provide it with additional exposure to an ultraviolet lamp. The amount of time the parrot spends in such conditions should be discussed with the veterinarian.

Feeding ration

Like any other pet, a cockatoo needs regular feeding and quality nutrition, so let's learn more about cockatoos at home.

What can

It should be mentioned right away that the parrot loves to eat, and in this case it is better to overfeed it than to underfeed it. If the bird feels a lack of food and the monotony of the diet, this can cause aggression, lead to self-plucking of feathers and premature death of the pet.
It must be borne in mind that the food that will be used to feed the parrot must be checked for freshness and quality. Foods that spoil quickly should be given out a little at a time several times a day.

The main food of the cockatoo involves the use grain mixtures, which consist of different varieties of millet, buckwheat, hemp seeds, nuts and seeds. You can add vegetables and fruits to your diet. It is also recommended to feed the parrot egg shell to saturate the body with the necessary elements.

In order to pamper your pet a little, you can treat him with strawberries, raspberries, pears, apples, rosehips, raisins and bananas.

Happy birds eat and vegetables, for this, enrich the diet with carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, red beets, legumes. Adding some dandelion root, celery, and fennel to your diet is also helpful.

In the wild, parrots love to look for insects and their larvae to make up for the lack of protein food and protein. In order for the parrot to get everything he needs at home, offer him chicken meat, cottage cheese, yogurt or hard cheese.
It is worth mentioning that cockatoos are very cunning birds and picky about some components of grain mixtures, so it is quite difficult to accustom them to eat everything that you offer. This trickster can choose the most delicious food and leave the rest waiting for new treats, so for the next feeding, exclude from food what he eats right away, and leave unloved, but healthy grains. Thus, over time, he will get used to eating everything that you offer.

What is not allowed

In order for the cockatoo to be always healthy, it is necessary to adhere to some prohibitions regarding pet food. Under pet food ban chocolate, caffeinated products, sugar, milk, parsley and avocados are covered.

Education, training and games

Before you start educating or training a parrot, you need to remember that parrots always behave naturally, that is, in the same way as in the wild, so in this case it will not work to achieve complete obedience, and it is absolutely impossible to do this. This is due to the fact that the bird will be depressed, stop responding to others, and may begin to pluck its feathers. Cockatoo training takes place throughout life, so what an adult will be depends on the owner, the way the bird is raised and trained.

Did you know? Translated from Latin, "cockatoo" means "nippers", which characterizes the animal as the owner of a powerful strong beak.

To educate a parrot, you must learn how to correctly express your emotions during any action of the bird, so that it understands whether its behavior is correct at the moment. To do this, you must reinforce the correct execution of the request with a treat and verbal encouragement. A delicacy for a cockatoo will serve as nuts or seeds.

Wrong behavior of the bird should lead you to express verbal indignation using the word “no”. You can also express your dissatisfaction with the behavior of the cockatoo by defiantly leaving the room or turning away.

Parrot training is best done in game form. To do this, it is recommended to choose the right toys that will allow the cockatoo to learn to disassemble (pyramids or puzzles are suitable for this), sort out, untie knots, or toss rings or balls. You can learn to make sounds with the help of a bell or a rattle, the parrot will gladly try to repeat these sounds. When a bird does something right, don't forget to praise it with your favorite treat.
It is worth mentioning that it is necessary to use toys only from safe materials - wooden, made of coconut or sisal fiber, as well as hard plastic that does not contain caustic chemical components.

Predisposition to disease

The bird often gets sick due to poor care or improper maintenance. You will not be able to determine the type of disease on your own, so when any symptoms appear that cause suspicion, you should contact your veterinarian. At this time, the parrot may sneeze, lose its appetite, its palpebral fissure will narrow, discharge from the nostrils will appear, it will pull out its feathers, scream sharply, the excrement will change color and appearance.

Life span and reproduction in captivity

Consider how many cockatoos live at home. The life expectancy of an animal directly depends on the type of cockatoo, as well as the conditions of its maintenance. A bird can live 40 to 90 years old.
Breeding a cockatoo at home is possible, but the process is rather complicated and troublesome. To do this, you need to constantly monitor the birds and be on the lookout, since during their mating period they are quite aggressive.

Important! Cockatoos will not mate in a cage, for this they need a large aviary. Only in such conditions will the birds feel comfortable.

Thus, there are many types of cockatoos that can be kept at home, and their care is quite simple. The main thing is to follow the basic recommendations that are described in this article, and your pet will be healthy and live a long life.

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Cockatoo (black, large yellow-crested, Inca, red, etc.) can surely be called the most intelligent, charismatic and sociable parrots of all species. To find mutual understanding with a bird, you need to stock up on a lot of knowledge and make a lot of effort. Prostozoo will help you create conditions for your pet that will help you to reveal his bright personality to the maximum.

There are 21 species of cockatoo in the world (including cockatiel), but few of them are known

general public, even fewer parrots are suitable for keeping at home.

The natural habitat of birds is limited to the borders of Australia, New Guinea and the islands of Indonesia. Many species of cockatoo are not just rare, but are on the verge of extinction and are listed in the International Red Book. In Australia, there is a law that prohibits the export of cockatoos outside the country (permission can only be obtained for the export of birds that have been bred in captivity).

helmeted cockatoo A source: http://hq-oboi.ru/

Cockatoos breed well in captivity, so feathered lovers can easily get this outstanding bird.

A source: http://andrei-stoliar.ru

The most popular species for home keeping are: large white-crested, nosy, Gala, Goffin's cockatoo (this species is the “smallest”, its representatives reach a length of no more than 30 cm), yellow-crested cockatoo (most often has a white color and a sharp bright yellow crest) , Malukka and Inka (these birds were armed with extravagant white and pink plumage and a yellow crest with a red stripe).

Cockatoo Inca A source: http://zoo-kuban.ru

The length of the cockatoo reaches from 30 to 70 cm, and the black (palm) can challenge the title of the largest parrot in the world, which belongs to the hyacinth macaw, if you do not take into account the long tail of the macaw.

black cockatoo A source: http://zooforum.ru/

In the world of cockatoo parrots, noble centenarians live up to 70 years.

Cockatoos differ from other parrots in their tufts on their heads (which can “dissolve” like a fan, showing their emotional state), massive beaks strongly bent to the bottom (they easily bite a stick or metal wire) and plumage in a special color scheme.

Yellow-crested cockatoo A source: http://mamaboom.com.ua

Representatives of the cockatoo family are one of the few families of parrots that do not have a single green feather in their plumage. Basically, their plumage is white or black, with yellow, pink, brown or red "streaks".

Maluku cockatoo A source: http://orangeinform.ru/

The cockatoo bird is distinguished by intelligence and ingenuity

In addition to their bright and exotic appearance, cockatoos stand out for a number of features that have allowed them to become excellent pets. Birds have intelligence, and therefore are well trained (they can learn several dozen words, phrases and parody sounds). Cockatoos have good artistic abilities, they are very musical: they love to listen to music, sing along with their favorite performers and dance. And most importantly - they are affectionate, and are happy to interact with a person.

A source: http://umka-vet.com.ua

Cockatoos are flocking birds. In nature, they form flocks from a pair to several hundred individuals. In captivity, if the cockatoo does not have a soul mate, then all its attention “switches” to the person caring for it. If you give the bird a lot of attention, it will quickly become tame. Kakadu hard to endure separation from his loved ones, very bored, there are cases when they fell ill and died from longing. If the cockatoo lacks attention, he demands it with a piercing and loud cry, because of this I consider birds noisy and restless. But if your cockatoo has enough communication, then he will behave modestly and quietly.

Cockatoos are very inquisitive and contact birds, they need communication, and if for some reason you are not able to pay enough attention to the parrot, then in order for the bird not to become a victim of the loneliness syndrome, it just needs to get a pair.

A source: http://keshapopka.ucoz.ru

It is better to think about creating a pair in advance: at the same time get two young birds of different sexes and keep them together. In this case, the cockatoos will be able to create a strong pair. For a parrot who has lost his soul mate, it is difficult to find a partner.

It is better to acquire a "foster", a young cockatoo. You can make friends with an already adult bird that has changed a single owner and house, with due care and attention, it can become a full-fledged member of the family, however, this will take more time than in the case of a young parrot. Cockatoos are able to build relationships at different levels. Therefore, they will perfectly be able to interact with all members of your family.

Big Bird - Big Responsibility

The ability of cockatoos to communicate and interact is due to their intelligence, which was formed over millions of years (not so long ago, fossilized remains of cockatoos were found in Australia, which date back to the early Miocene, which is 24-16 million years ago) and ensured the survival of the species. Cockatoos are capable of experiencing deep emotions: fear, compassion and affection.