Give them access to a water bath or mist shower at least every other day. Because of this, they need regular bathing to keep the powder from making too big of a mess. Image Credit: pen_ash, Pixabay GroomingĬockatoos are different from other birds in that they don’t produce oils in their feathers but a fine powder instead. They will want to feel safe but also included.Ĭockatoos may enjoy having another, similar size bird as a friend, especially if you will have to leave them alone during the day while at work or school. Try to place your cockatoo’s cage somewhere they can see and participate in the household activity. Cockatoos can be destructive so they will need lots of tough, safe things to chew and shred. Make sure the cage is stocked with plenty of toys and perches to keep your cockatoo entertained. If possible, pick a cage with bars running up and down rather than side to side so the cockatoo can climb them more easily for exercise. For safety, the cage bars should be 1 to 1.5 inches apart and made of strong materials because cockatoos are enthusiastic chewers. Larger cockatoos, such as the umbrella cockatoo, should have a cage at least 3’ W x 4’ D x 4’ H. These temperament traits help to explain why cockatoos are such popular pet birds, despite the challenges they sometimes present.Ī cockatoo needs a cage large enough to comfortably spread and flap their wings, which means their ideal cage size will depend on how big they are. They enjoy spending time with their owners and love to show off and be the center of attention.

Otherwise, they may grow up to be overly attached to their humans and unable to deal with being left alone.Ī well-socialized, well-adjusted cockatoo makes a playful, cuddly, often wildly entertaining pet. Raising a cockatoo correctly is a delicate balance of handling them enough to be tame but giving them enough time on their own to learn to be okay with it. Add in their tendency to express their feelings very loudly and you begin to understand why cockatoos generally aren’t recommended for inexperienced or first-time bird owners. However, they can also be demanding of their owner’s time, are prone to being moody, and can develop behavioral problems if their needs aren’t met to their satisfaction. They are smart, loving, affectionate birds with the right socialization and plenty of attention. Related read: Where Do Cockatoos Come From?Ĭockatoos are known for their unique temperament among the pet bird species.They are highly social, living and foraging for food in flocks of up to 100 at a time. In the wild, cockatoos live mainly in forests of all types, including rainforests. Around 1985, captive-breeding of cockatoos began and today nearly all pet cockatoos are bred rather than wild-caught. In the early 20 th century, wild-caught cockatoos became popular pets among rich Europeans. They were brought to Europe in the mid-1800s, first as specimens and later as pets, by sailors returning from exploring that part of the world. All of the cockatoo species originate from Australia and nearby islands including New Zealand, Indonesia, and the Solomon Islands.

Picture of a cockatoo bird