Cockatoos


Galah	Greater Sulfur-Crested

Cockatoos have a reputation as "love sponges" - birds who, in the words of animal behaviourist Chris Davis, would choose to be "surgically grafted" onto their human companion. That's only half the story, though. Infact, cockatoos come in two basic behavioural types, which are classed as "love sponges" and the "hyperactive children".

Cockatoos are subdivided into five genera with a total of seventeen species and are distributed over much of Australia and Indonesia. Some of the more commonly kept species of cockatoos include:-

Greater sulfur-Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)- four subspecies. Length 20 inches.
Lesser Sulfur-Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea) - six subspecies. Length 13 1/2 inches.
Moluccan Cockatoo or Salmon-Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis). Length 22 inches.
Umbrella-Crested Cockatoo or White Cockatoo (Cacatua alba). Length 18 inches.
Goffin's Cockatoo (Cacatua goffini). Length 12 3/4 inches.
Bare-eyed Cockatoo or Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea) - two subspecies. Length 15 inches.
Rose-Breasted Cockatoo or Galah (Eolophus roseicapillus) - three subspecies. Length 14 inches.

Diet:- The diet should be as recommended for Amazons, although many Cockatoos will consume more greenfood (such as stalks of cabbage, caulifower and the stalk and centre from peppers). Much may be wasted, but they do enjoy shredding them. Cockatoos should have nuts. The large species can crack whole Brazils and Walnuts; the smaller species enjoy cracked or halved nuts.

Cockatoos are beautiful, affectionate and intelligent, but they can be too demanding for the average person, they require a great deal of attention and time. These flashy birds are easily spoilt and if denied what they see as their due, they can develop behaviour problems such as screaming and feather-plucking.

Cockatoos rarely meet a toy or cage they couldn't figure out and take apart! Keeping a Cockatoo means never a dull moment in your household but they must have constant occupation for their beaks. People who suffer with allergies (particularly to feathers or feather dust) should steer clear of Cockatoos as pets. Cockatoos are among the dustiest of birds, distributing lots of feather dust and dander.

Not all cockatoos are suitable as pets, the smaller cockatoos can be less demanding.

However, if you feel you could cope with a Cockatoo in your life, before you make that decision please visit http://www.mytoos.com and educate yourself to the truth about keeping Cockatoos as pets.