Fascinating Facts About Cockatoos

Cockatoos, known for their eye-catching crests, are popular pet birds with energetic personalities. While the fan of feathers atop their heads is most recognized, there are many other interesting facts about cockatoos for bird enthusiasts.

From Down Under

All 21 species of cockatoos originate from Oceania. Specifically, they are native to Australasia, covering Australia, New Zealand, and New Guinea. They are also present in Indonesia and the Solomon Islands.

Velcro Birds

When hand-fed as babies and properly tamed, cockatoos form strong, lifelong bonds with their owners. Known for being one of the most affectionate parrot species, they are sometimes called "velcro" birds.

These birds crave attention from their owners and prefer to be close to them at all times. It's crucial to dedicate ample time to this pet, including at least two hours of handling and socializing daily.

If cockatoos feel neglected, they may become depressed, leading to behaviors like feather plucking and destruction.

The 3-Way Bite

One of the most distinctive features of a cockatoo's body (aside from their impressive crests) are the lower mandibles of their beaks.

If you take a close look at a cockatoo's lower jaw, you'll notice a prominent "U" shaped region missing from the "bottom lip" area. This scoop-shaped feature allows a cockatoo to have what is known as a "three-way" bite. It gives their beaks extra power when clamping down on foods, branches, and even the fingers of their human caretakers.

Due to this feature, cockatoos have the capacity to deliver bites that are more painful and damaging than other birds of a similar size. It's something for prospective owners to keep in mind.

Loud and Vocal

While all parrots can scream, which contribute to their powerful "three-way" bite. Their lower jaw features a prominent "U"-shaped scoop, allowing for enhanced grip on food, branches, and even human fingers.

Because they have extremely boisterous voices, cockatoos are not recommended for people who live in small spaces. Bringing one home to an apartment complex or a townhouse can quickly splinter good relations with your neighbors.

Dimorphic

Unlike many birds, most cockatoos are dimorphic, meaning the males and females are nearly identical. This makes knowing the sex of your feathered friend very difficult.

Some cockatoo species have very subtle differences between the sexes. For instance, males may be slightly larger than females or their plumage may be just a little bolder. You would have to have two cockatoos side by side to notice these differences, however.

For most cockatoos, the eyes hold the secret to the bird's sex. Females generally have light-colored eyes while the irises on males tend to be dark.

The only real way to know your bird's sex, however, is to get a DNA test. If you're very curious about it, you'll need to send a few feathers out to a lab.

The alternative is to simply call your bird whatever you feel he or she is and enjoy your time together. The bird won't know the difference and will love you just the same.

Prone to Obesity

Pet cockatoos have a propensity for weight gain and obesity. To prevent this, it's important to carefully monitor your bird's diet.

Cockatoo owners are typically encouraged to offer their birds only minimal access to seed. Instead, it's best to feed your bird a variety of fresh, bird-safe fruits and vegetables. You can also reserve items such as nuts and ​bread for treats and refrain from including them in a bird's daily meal offerings.

Depending on the body condition of an individual bird, an avian vet might also offer more specific dietary recommendations.

A Naughty Nature

While cockatoos are very loving and devoted pets, they also have a naughty side. They love to chew and will destroy a poorly constructed cage if given the chance.

Quite often, this bad behavior can be kept in check by providing your bird with adequate attention and toys for distraction. It's important not to overindulge the bird so it requires even more from you and can handle some lone time when you're away. Set your boundaries early and you should get along fine.

Rotating a variety of toys for your bird to play with will help out tremendously. This will help him stay engaged and burn off some energy tearing apart appropriate things. Some cockatoos will even develop an attachment to objects or begin to exhibit nesting behavior with their toys.

The Crest

A cockatoo's signature crest reveals a lot about its feelings, though interpreting it can be challenging.

A raised crest can signal various emotions; it may be part of their mating ritual. In captivity, cockatoos might dance with their crest up to attract attention.

The crest also indicates aggression or serves as a warning, but the umbrella cockatoo is an exception, displaying aggression by ruffling feathers or glaring.

At other times, a raised crest can signify a friendly greeting, curiosity, or being startled. Familiarity with your bird helps in understanding these cues.

Limited Vocabulary

While most cockatoos can be taught to speak, they are not among the most proficient parrot talkers. It's important to remember that speaking ability should not be the primary reason for adopting a bird.

A talkative cockatoo might learn around 20 words and simple expressions. With training, they might associate phrases with certain situations. For example, while they won't understand "Good morning," they may learn it's said at sunrise or when their owner wakes.

Cockatoos often babble incoherently, and this chatter is an enjoyable part of having a cockatoo, even if they don't speak actual words.

Black Feathers Are Rare

Most cockatoos are primarily white, but some species have darker plumage, like the black palm cockatoo, known for its rarity and beauty.

Despite being called "black," their feathers are a deep, smokey gray, with bright pinkish-red cheek patches providing striking contrast. These features make them highly sought-after in the pet trade.