Cockatoo

Snow-white plumage, a lemon-yellow hood, red cheeks, and the cheeky look: this is the classic image of a cockatoo. Whoever sees a cockatoo is immediately under its spell. They are of course. not always white with yellow hoods, cactus can also be grey, pink, or orange. But they have a really distinctive appearance. The somewhat smaller parrot species skillfully draws attention to itself.

The animals are clever, challenge their owners, and know how to please. You can teach a cockatoo to do tricks quickly because it is clever. Precisely because they are so smart, these animals need special attention and if you don’t give them that attention, their behavior becomes unnatural and they get sick.

A cockatoo needs a lot of space, attention, the right food, and above all a conspecific to be happy. If you do all this correctly, you will have a lot of fun with the animal and be inspired by its great ability to learn.

Acquisition and Maintenance

If you want to buy a cockatoo, or two, you should definitely seek advice from a good breeder. The breeders know their animals, know what they need, and are also available as competent contacts after the purchase. Once you have finally decided, you need good equipment for your new feathered friends in your own home.

Cockatoos need an aviary that is about 10 square meters or larger, where the animals have plenty of space. It should be heated or at least have a heated area. This aviary is set up in different areas. Feeding places and lots of toys for the cockatoos are also important. The aviary should not be made of wood, because the cockatoos like to hack with their beak. The aviary is best made of metal so that it cannot be destroyed and the cockatoo does not injure himself either.

Requirement for Posture

In order to be able to offer the cockatoo a life as close to nature as possible, you have to keep it with at least one other cockatoo. Cockatoos are not solitary animals and humans are not an equal substitute. Cockatoos can also be kept with other species. A popular companion, for example, is the budgerigar. But even if the animals are friends, they need enough space that they can avoid each other if necessary.

As in the wild, even when kept indoors, the cockatoo must be able to fly, climb, and play freely. The aviary must be able to offer him all this or a possibility in which he can move freely outside the aviary. As mentioned, the cockatoo likes to play and uses its beak to do so. So you should keep an eye on him when he’s outside the aviary because he can do some damage and even hurt himself if he hits power cables, for example. The costs for the equipment and the animals themselves should not be underestimated, you have to reckon with around 3,000 euros or more if you buy two animals and an aviary with an inventory.

Gender Differences

Determining the sex of the cockatoo at first glances, like most parrot species, is very difficult. Some can be distinguished between males and females by the eyes or the color of the eyes. But not always.

Feed & Nutrition

Cockatoos are very active animals, they are out all day, they play and they do tricks. If they don’t get enough exercise, they tend to get a little overweight.

You should therefore be careful not to feed them too much fat. Nuts or oilseeds such as sunflower seeds should therefore be fed in small amounts. Cockatoos like seeds, grains, fruits, and vegetables. They will thank their owners for their varied food. Cockatoos like berries and roots.