Top Pet Cockatoo Species

11 Top Pet Cockatoo Species – Facts And Specialties

If you are looking forward to adopting a cockatoo, this article would be great for you, to understand the top pet cockatoo species. 

Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands are home to all cockatoo species. They contain feathers in a variety of colors and patterns and are available in sizes between 11 and 26 inches.

If their needs and demands are properly satisfied, cockatoos make excellent companion birds. They are often friendly, loving, amusing, comical, mischievous, and easy to get along with. However, they have numerous and quite difficult criteria.

Different Types Of Cockatoos In The World!

Cockatoos who have been nurtured, socialized, and trained properly make fantastic pets. Cockatoos are renowned for being incredibly loving birds that love to spend as much time with their owners as possible. They enjoy receiving love and attention, and they are usually friendly toward just about anyone who pets them.

How many species of cockatoo are there?

The family Cacatuidae has 21 different kinds of cockatoos. Australia, Australasia, Indonesia, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands are home to a vast number of cockatoo species.

14 of the 21 species of cockatoo (actual characteristics of the trees) birds that are known worldwide are found in Australia. Eight of these are located in South Australia. They are larger and stockier than other parrots, despite the fact that their plumage is typically less colorful.

What is the rarest type of cockatoo?

The red-vented cockatoo, Cacatua haematuropygia, is the rarest species of cockatoo in the world. 

It is native to the Philippines and was originally widely distributed there, but today there are just a few isolated remnant populations left. 

The species has experienced an extraordinarily rapid decline as a result of the degradation of its lowlands forest home and capture for the cage bird trade, with only 560 to 1,150 individuals currently thought to be living in the wild. 

The IUCN presently classifies it as Critically Endangered.

Is cockatoo a good pet?

In truth, a cockatoo’s suitability as a pet primarily relies on its owner. This breed is quite needy of attention, and if they don’t get it, their naughty side will definitely come out. 

They are not the kind of bird that can be kept in a cage, fed, and loved with a minimum of effort. They need much more care and consideration than that. 

If you are considering a cockatoo pet, here are some basics you need to be aware of-

A Cockatoo’s nutritious diet should include a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Along with cooked grains like barley, oats, brown rice, pasta made from vegetables, and sweet potatoes. 

At least a few times per week, pellets and a little seed should be added. Please be advised that excessive feeding of citrus fruits (particularly oranges) or meals high in vitamin C to your birds can result in “Iron Overload Disease,” as vitamin C affects the rate of iron absorbed from diets and supplements.

Exercise is important for cockatoos, so provide them with lots of opportunities. The ideal time spent outside the cage every day is 3 to 4 hours. If not possible, at least 1 hour is highly needed.

A larger cage is preferred for your pet. Large cockatoos like umbrellas and Moluccan must have a cage that is at least 40″ wide by 30″ deep. A cage that is 36″ wide by 24″ deep will work for smaller cockatoos like the Goffin’s and Ducorps, but bigger is always preferable. 

A 40″ wide x 36″ deep cage is advised for cockatoos of all sizes. They enjoy the room, and there is plenty of area for toys and perches as a result.

For entertainment, they may need chewing, shredding, or complex toys made of wood, rope, or raffia. Many Cockatoos prefer it when you leave the TV or radio on while you’re away since they love music. 

11 types of cockatoo species:

Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo

Different types of cockatoos
  • Found in Southwestern Australia
  • They weigh around 1 to 1.8 pounds
  • Their height ranges from 21 to 23 inches. 
  • Its ears are covered in a white patch and have the same darkish feathers. The brief spike of plumes atop their heads serves to distinguish this species.

Slender-Billed Cockatoo

                                                                                Slender-Billed Cockatoo
  • In their native Australia, these birds have become popular, and now they are beginning to gain support and attention from admirers around the world.
  • Slender-Billed Cockatoos have almost the same fundamental requirements as other parrots for them to survive in captivity.
  • They are drawn to their owner’s touch and proximity since regular engagement will keep them cognitively and emotionally balanced.

Black Palm Cockatoo

                                                                               Black Palm Cockatoo
  • The black palm cockatoo is not only a huge bird but also a forceful one, necessitating the knowledge of a knowledgeable parrot owner.
  • Black palm cockatoos that are hand-fed can grow to be attractive and friendly pets, 
  • They need the rigorous training that an expert owner of large parrots can provide.
  • However, owing to their nature, first-timers may become discouraged while trying to care for them.

Black-headed Cockatoo

                                                                            Black-headed Cockatoo
  • This one is for huge bird enthusiasts. Sulphur Crested Cockatoos are huge, clever parrots that demand a lot of activity as well as loads of play areas.
  • Sulphur Crested Cockatoo owners need to give them enough mental and physical exercise,  or they may start acting out in negative ways like aggressive chewing and plumage plucking.
  • Owners of Sulphur Crested Cockatoos must be committed to giving them a lot of toys and adequate engagement in order to curb their habits.

Moluccan Cockatoo

Moluccan Cockatoo
  • The Moluccan Cockatoos are devoted pets that form close bonds with their owners.
  • They are ideal for anyone looking for a clingy and affectionate feathered buddy since they never want to lose their owner’s side and thrive on interaction.
  • If you were to get this bird for yourself, like with practically every other species on our list, be sure you were prepared to give up enough time for socializing and interactions.

Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo

Major Mitchell's Cockatoo
  • You can choose Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo, one of the most sought-after varieties of cockatoos
  •  an attractive and intelligent bird.
  • Although you might be tempted to buy one of these birds right away, Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos demand a different environment and care than other species, and make sure you can provide them the same before adopting. 

Citron Cockatoo

Citron Cockatoo
  • The citron cockatoo is less chatty than the majority of other cockatoo species, but it has a much larger personality than it appears 
  • Enjoys playing with its owners as well as interacting with them.
  • A Citron Cockatoo is a loving and inquisitive breed that never wants to leave its owner’s side.
  • The citron cockatoo wants the same thing from you that most other parrots do, which is to interact with their owner frequently in order to stay healthy and active.

Ducorps Corella

Ducorps Corella
  • One such tiny cockatoo species is Ducorps’s corella. They go by the name Solomon Island Cockatoo as well. 
  • Their white body feathers have a reddish undertone.
  • Similar to the blue-eyed cockatoo, they have a blue ring surrounding their eyes. 
  • The corella of the Ducorps has a modest head crest and a short, bent beak.

Gang-Gang Cockatoo

Gang-Gang Cockatoo
  • In the hills of Southeast Australia, the gang-gang cockatoo, also known as the red-headed cockatoo, enjoys spending the summer. They go to lower elevations throughout the winter. 
  • While the female’s head resembles the remainder of her body, the males are most notable for having vivid redheads. 
  • Both males and females have short tails and dark grey feathers. One of only two cockatoo species with vivid redheads is the gang-gang male.

Little Corella

Little Corella
  • Little corellas have a white body and tail that are accented with soft pink and orange feathers.
  •  They have a broader blue ring around their eyes than some of the other cockatoos that have the same trait.
  • The top of the skulls of the males is covered in a towering crest. 
  • The population of the small corella is truly thought to be growing in the wild, in contrast to many other cockatoo species.

Red-vented Cockatoo

Red-vented Cockatoo
  • The white body of the red-vented cockatoo features red and yellow under-tail patterns. 
  • A light blue ring surrounds their eyes. Unfortunately, it’s thought that these little cockatoos are dangerously endangered. 
  • There are only 600 to 1,100 of these animals left in the wild. Forest degradation and trapping, numbers dropped by more than 80% in just 40 years.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a cockatoo makes an excellent companion bird provided you are committed and willing to put in the extra effort. But if you’re unwilling to go the extra mile, stick to a species that is less needy and demanding. Hope the top pet cockatoo species given above was quite helpful for you.

Cockatoos are quite similar to humans in their general behavior, and therefore, they do require proper care, love, and attention in an emotional sense too. Therefore, before adopting the pet, make sure you understand the animal quite well and then go forward. 

Also Read:- 11 Types Of Red Parrots: What Make Them Different?

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