by Wynn Eisman

Created on: February 12, 2009

If you are thinking of purchasing a cockatoo as a pet, it is important to do your homework. These intelligent birds make excellent companions, but an ill-informed or lazy owner will end up with a pet that nobody could love. And with a life-span of eighty, to one hundred and twenty years, keeping a cockatoo is such a long term commitment that you may be leaving this pet to your children, along with Grandmas china.

Dr. Rob Marshall, an avian veterinarian whose work can be seen on www.avianweb.com recognises over forty species of Cockatoos in their native countries of Australia,
Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. He then divides them into two basic groups: black or white.

The Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo is probably the most recognised of the entire family. As it's the most available cockatoo and is probably the bird you have in mind to buy, it is also the focus of this article.

The Sulphur-Crested, like all cockatoos, is a large bird; up to 60cm in length and weighing in at a chunky 800gm. They have a large, hooked beak which is strong enough to snap branches and dig dry soil. Their bright-yellow comb is raised upright in alarm and half-mast for interest. Relaxed, it lays down over the back of their head. They have a spray of matching colour under the wings and tail. The rest of the bird is white. Cockatoos have a loud screech which may disturb your neighbours.

A bird this large can be intimidating and needs obedience training for your sake. Luckily, these birds are very intelligent and their curiosity lends endless opportunities for you to keep them, and yourself, entertained. This entertainment is vital for their health and happiness and will be discussed more fully later.

Providing a home that contains all the comforts and safety a cockatoo requires is your first concern. If this is to be a companion animal, you will probably want your bird to live in a cage, for the most part, inside your home. This raises two issues: the comfort of the bird, and the way you fit a large cage into your house. A square or rectangular cage of around two feet wide and deep, and around three feet high is ideal. Powder-coated metal cages are a reasonable option, but a stainless cage will last much longer. Whatever the material, the bars should be around half an inch apart. Don't be tempted to buy a timber cage for your cockatoo as it will chew its way out in moments. A caged cockatoo should be let out for at least three hours each day.

Seed and water containers are best if made from stainless

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>