A cockatoo bird is any of the 21 parrot species belonging to the family Cacatuidae, the only family in the superfamily Cacatuoidea. Along with the Psittacoidea and the Strigopoidea, they make up the order Psittaciformes.
They are extremely affectionate, if hand reared, which has caused the undoing of so many pet cockatoos. They can be challenging pets and I would not recommend them for beginners.
Cockatoo bird of Australia
Cockatoos are a family of large, long-lived and very noisy parrots with moveable crests. Australia is home to 14 species with others also found in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, the Solomon Islands and the Philippines.
Love cockatoos as much as we do? Becoming a Conservation Champion by donating monthly is a great way to support our work in protecting the habitats of cockatoos and other Australian wildlife right across the country.
The key to a great Cockatoo as a companion bird is a great beginning. Cockatoo’s are known for becoming phobic and developing behavioral issues such as plucking and/or screaming. A study was done a few years ago by Dr. Brian Speer, DVM and associates that indicated that many of these phobic issues may be caused by the early weaning that is practiced by many breeders.³ In the wild, and also in captivitiy, if left alone, Cockatoo babies stay with their parents until the next breeding season. Thus, a year or slightly less. While the babies are certainly eating on their own a few weeks after fledging, they have also been observed being fed by their parents up until the next clutch is laid.
White
Cockatoo bird of Australia
Four of the Australian species are predominantly white in colour including the very familiar and spectacular Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. These noisy birds feed on berries, seeds, nuts and roots. They’re equally at home in the city and in the bush.
Black
Cockatoo bird of Australia
Six Australian species are predominantly black. This includes the endangered Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo of south-west Western Australia. This migratory species is declining rapidly due to the loss of around 87% of its woodland breeding habitat and as a result is listed as endangered. Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos are also declining due to urban expansion.
The highly decorative plumage of the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo make it a favourite amongst bird watchers. Females’ bodies are covered in black feathers edged in gold while their heads carry yellow spots. Their tails are like the colours of the sunset from yellow, orange to red. Young males emerge from the nest three months after hatching looking like their mothers but as they mature at about three years of age, their pure black adult feathers emerge. Their tail bands are a solid scarlet red.
Both Carnaby’s and Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos can be found in the Great western Woodlands. Find out more about this, the largest temperate woodlands in the world here.
Gang-gang Cockatoo bird of Australia
Known in Canberra as ‘squeaky doors’ because of the sound they make, Gang-gang Cockatoos are quite unique in appearance. Only the male has a bright red face and crest.
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Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo
At home in the harsh deserts of Australia’s interior, these cockatoos make for a spectacular sight in the sandy landscapes of places like Martu Country in the Western Desert. Unlike most other cockatoos, breeding pairs of Pink Cockatoos (as they are also know) are quite territorial and don’t allow other pairs of their kind to breed within their extensive home ranges
Interesting Cocky Facts
- Cockatoos have a preferred “footedness” analogous to human handedness. Unlike humans, most are left-footed.
- In captivity, cockatoos have a lifespan similar to humans.
- The word ‘cockatoo’ has its origins in Malay and means ‘vice’ or ‘grip’ because of their incredibly strong beak.
- Australia’s commonest and most widespread cockatoo is the Galah.