All about cockatoo

Kakadu parrots are considered one of the most reasonable and extraordinary members of their family. They are incredibly intelligent, active and charming, which is why they often become a beloved and valuable member of the family. In this article we will talk about cockatoo parrots: their characteristics, lifestyle and the most famous species.

A cockatoo is a bird that belongs to the family of parrots. It differs from other members of its family with a pronounced intellect, active and extraordinary character, as well as an incredible length of life - up to 100 years.

The most striking difference from other species is the presence of a tuft or crown. (elongated feathers on the head of an individual). Raised feathers can simultaneously indicate fear, surprise, anger and joy, depending on the situation. In addition to its "crown", cockatoo have other distinctive features.

In addition to the bright and amazing coloring, Cockatoo are known for their massive, strong and curled down beak. If other species have a beak of a purely decorative nature or is used for eating, then the cockatoo has a universal helper for cracking nuts, fruits, bones. Not to mention the fact that they are actively using their beak for movement in trees and shrubs, as well as in protection from predators.

The length of the body of an individual cockatoo individual, depending on the species, can vary from 35 to 85 cm, the average weight of individuals varies from 280 grams to 1.1 kg. Species differ in coloring, habitat and diet. Despite external and behavioral differences, all cockatoo are deeply social birds, which often become favorites in the family and best friends.

To date, there are about 25 species of cockatoo. Some of them are not easy to meet even in captivity, and therefore the most common breeds will be given below. In total, the cockatoo family includes 21 full species and 5 genera.

The cockatoo of this type is characterized by the following features: the head and crest are white, the outer part of the wings is also white. The feathers themselves are narrow and long, the lower part of the plumage is usually yellowish or lemon colored. The rim near the eyes is bare, feathers are not covered. The difference between the male and female is in the color of the iris of the eyes: if the male has the iris usually brown or dark brown, then the female has bright reddish shades in the iris. Paws of the yellow-crested parrot are gray, leathery, often gray or black. The beak is also dark, rather short, but massive, the upper part of the beak is bent down.

There are two varieties of yellow-crested parrot: small and large. They differ from each other in length of the body and wings, as well as in the color of the plumage in the tuft.

This variety is considered most popular among those bred at home. Differs sociability, long life, activity, rapid development of new conditions of detention. However, the bird requires more attention to their personal space.Due to the large size of large specimens (up to 55 centimeters in body length), it is necessary to provide this cockatoo breed with a cage with dimensions of at least 100 by 100 cm and a height of at least 170 cm.

Under natural conditions, the bird lives in Australia and Tasmania, moves in flocks of up to 30 individuals, the main part of its food is fruits, seeds, insects. She has no particular preferences for her, and therefore feels great at home. Good about training. To feed an adult is twice a day - early in the morning and in the evening. Refers to the form of parrots, which can be taught to talk.

Also a fairly common type, which can often be found at home. You can learn by snow-white plumage and a tuft, which, when raised, forms a characteristic crown. The outer part of some wings may be yellowish or slightly reddish. The rim of the eyes is blue or gray. The difference between the female and the male is in the color of the iris: in the female, it is brown with red shades, in males it is black, dark brown. The paws are massive, strong, the color is gray or black, as is the color of the beak (also massive, the upper part is bent down).

This species is not the smallest: the body length of mature individuals can be up to 50 centimeters, the wings are as large as 35 cm, and the tail can be up to 18-20 cm. In addition, the species has a rather large weight, up to 600 grams.

The species is mostly distributed on the islands of the Molucca archipelago; it is found in forests, swamps, mangroves, and often forms nests at a height of half a mile above sea level. The diet is similar to the diet of yellow-crested species: insects, fruits, seeds of fruits and plants. Moves in flocks of up to 60 individuals, and in pairs.

At home, the variety is considered extremely sociable, constantly in need of communication and attention. Loves to play, fly, in one word - naughty. Unlike other species, it has a rather quiet voice. By character calm, playful, trusting and intelligent.

It is considered one of the largest in size among all species of cockatoo. The length of the body only in an adult individual can reach 60 centimeters, while the mass of most individuals often reaches 1.2 kg. A distinctive feature of this type of cockatoo is white or slightly pink plumage, as well as the bright red color of the inside of the crest. Based on the description it is easy to understand that the bird needs an extremely voluminous cage (up to 2 meters in height) and a huge personal space.

The general description of the species is similar to the description of the white-crested and yellow-crested cockatoo: long thin feathers, a long crest up to 15 cm long (but in this case not a thin, but a wide type), the beak is large, strong, black or gray. Paws are large, massive, gray or dark gray. The iris of the eye is dark (male) or burgundy (female) color, the rim around the eyes without feathers, smooth.

In the natural environment can live up to 90 years, prefers to move in packs of up to 20 individuals and more. In the diet prefers more insects and seeds. In captivity, it is not particularly picky about food, but it is worth excluding food harmful to parrots (which will be discussed later) and seeds / grains of the Pink family from the diet. These cockatoo are big and curious, and instead of breaking up apricot seed or cherry with their beak, they can simply swallow it.

At home, it is distinguished by activity, friendliness and love for the owner, but also by aggression with poor care and unfair attitude towards oneself. The species is prone to depressive disorders, so leaving one such parrot is not worth it.

It is the largest representative of its family - the length of the body can reach 85 cm (maximum weight - 1000 g). It differs from the rest of the cockatoo with a deep dark color (with a green or reddish tint), a long and curved down beak, as well as red or pink wrinkled cheeks that darken under stress, fear or aggression. Other features: feathers rather short and thin, large tail and massive, long tuft with pointed tips, eyes of black and brown color. Males differ from females by the presence of red reflux on the breast and smaller sizes.

The bird's homeland is Indonesia, the northern regions of Australia, and New Guinea. Unlike other species, it prefers to travel more either alone or together. Thanks to its strong claws, it perfectly climbs trees, lives and loves to nest at a height, far from the ground. Prefers to eat all the same fruits, seeds and insects during periods of lack of food. Under natural conditions, can live to 90 years.

When kept at home, it can deliver a lot of problems and inconveniences.

• Due to the large wingspan and the overall large size, it needs not a cage, but a real aviary with a minimum height of 2 meters or more.
• Despite its attractive and exotic appearance, it rarely finds a common language with the owner, often without mood. In a state of aggression can pinch and bite the owner.
• It is extremely jealous and vindictive - does not tolerate other pets in the house or even more children. It is not advisable to leave him without a cage in the room with the children - he is able to cripple them while the owner is gone.
• Colorful voice is no different, with irritation and fear makes harsh and unpleasant sounds. At the same time he speaks poorly and almost does not give in to training, in his whole life he can learn no more than 10 words.

One of the most miniature known cockatoo species. It differs from other birds in the family in extremely small sizes - up to 35 cm, weight is also small - up to 370 grams in the most adult males. The wings are not oblong, rounded, up to 30 cm in length, the tail is also small - up to 12-15 cm. It is almost impossible to distinguish the female from the male up to 3 years, then the iris becomes much brighter in the females and becomes yellowish or even orange. darkens down to dark brown more).

Plumage color and motley, characterized by bright pink, green and red tones. The head is either completely white or light with a pinkish color, the abdomen and body is pink or dark pink in color, the back is grayish, the wings are usually gray or bluish in color, the tail is pale green or pale blue. On the head there is a small crest up to 5-7 cm in length, gray beak, as well as claws. It feeds mainly on plants, insects, fruits (papaya, mango, capers).

Pros:

• despite their nondescript appearance, they live long enough - up to 50-55 years in natural conditions;
• calm and friendly by nature, they quickly get used to new conditions of detention, become attached to the owner;
• unlike a black or white-to-damp parrot, it has a quiet and pleasant voice;
• does not need large cages and aviaries, quickly gets used to new food, does not hesitate to eat fruits and vegetables.

Minuses:

• they speak rather badly, although they will try with all their might to repeat certain phrases after you, but in their entire life no more than 40 separate words can be memorized;
• extremely social, without regular communication with the owner can literally wither;
• in their homeland is considered a real pest - forming flocks of up to 1000 individuals, the species is able to devastate entire fields.

The rarest and most expensive kind of cockatoo among the whole family. It can be recognized by the black plumage covered with golden specks and the red tail. Parrots of this breed are considered long-livers among all cockatoo and can live up to 100 years in captivity. Its unusual name is due to the English naturalist Joseph Banks, who lived in the XVIII century. The actual habitat of the mourning cockatoo is northern Australia. At the moment, the view has almost disappeared from the face of the Earth, and therefore is under the vigilant protection of the Australian government.

Red-tailed beauties have a large total body length (up to 65 cm) and a long tail (up to 28-30 cm). The weight of an individual adult hover around 750 grams. The difference between males and females is quite clear: males (completely black) have red plumage in the tail section, females have numerous golden and silver spots and specks all over their body, and tail is decorated with dark orange plumage. Moreover, in males, as a rule, the beak is much darker than in females.

The diet consists of plants, various nuts and seeds, as well as fruits and insects.

The breed is rarely found in captivity outside of Australia; therefore, it is difficult to assess their intellectual and personal qualities and personality traits while living at home. Zoologists claim that they are friendly, trusting, but freedom-loving birds that rarely linger in one place for a long time, preferring to migrate from place to place.

The variety is considered to be one of the most beautiful among the entire family of parrots. It differs from other species in light pink, sometimes peach plumage and a characteristic motley tuft. The breed is found exclusively in Western Australia, where it lives in mangrove and eucalyptus forests. The species is also resistant to dryness of the external climate, however, it tries to locate nests near the water.

It does not differ in large length or weight - up to 40 cm body length and weight up to 450 grams. The cheeks, head and breast up to the extremities are pale pink, the wings are white with a characteristic orange color on the inside. The tail is white, the tuft is long and thin - up to 12-15 cm, contains three shades at once - red, orange and white. Klyuvik miniature, white, upper bridge of reddish-pink color.

Cockatoo is among those poultry that require not only very careful care, but also a healthy, balanced and most importantly, varied diet. In their natural habitat, these birds feed on insects, larvae, fresh fruit. Such nutrition includes everything necessary for the full functioning of the body. That is why at home the food should to be not only satisfying, but also contain a large amount of trace elements and vitamins.

The main rule in drafting a cockatoo ration is to find the ideal middle in which the parrot would not experience prolonged hunger, but would not be overfed. Changing the diet with the gradual addition of new products and feed is also one of the important conditions for the proper nutrition of this bird.

The daily feeding of the young cockatoo is divided into 3 or 4 stages with the gradual addition of a small amount of food. For adults, 2-3 servings per day will be sufficient. The basis of the nutrition of these birds are grain mixtures, seeds, nuts, corn, almonds. At the same time, the feed should be as fresh as possible, the cockatoo will be squeamish towards already stagnant food and will rather remain hungry than try spoiled food.

Due to its unique ability to adapt to the environment, the cockatoo has a positive attitude towards the consumption of many fruits and vegetables. From vegetables they love beets, eggplants, cucumbers, carrots, green beans. Parrots cannot do without fruit at all, preferring not only the flesh, but also the bones, which contain many nutrients for their development. The most favorite fruits are pears, apples, pineapples, pomegranates. They also perfectly assimilate many berries: cherries and cherries, raspberries, gooseberries, blueberries, strawberries.

Before serving, the fruit should be cut into slices so that the parrot can safely take them into the paw. Do not leave fruit or other food in the cage for a long time - remove them immediately so that they do not start to deteriorate and the bird does not poison them. Young cockatoo can for a long time not to eat anything except sunflower seeds. In this case, try to gradually add more fruit to the diet and reduce the simultaneous flow of seeds.

Of course, there are products that should not be given to parrots even in the smallest quantities.

• Immediately it is necessary to eliminate from the diet all the sweets, as well as products with a high content of sugar. Especially it concerns sweets and products with chocolate. The fact is that sugar contains substances harmful to parrots that affect their digestion.
• Try not to give a cockatoo fatty, fried, salty or pickled food under any circumstances. All these products can be very loved by your bird, but in any case they will negatively affect its body.
• Refuse to add milk to the diet, it contains lactose harmful to parrots, which they cannot physiologically process. Because of this, the birds may experience intestinal disorders, diarrhea.
• For individuals of a large type, it is not recommended to give fruits with large kernels - in order to avoid swallowing the whole bones of the parrot.
• Forget about movies about pirates and in no case give your crested friend alcohol as food or drink. Even a minimal dose of alcohol can have a fatal effect on the organs of poultry.
• Of all the common fruits and vegetables, cockatoo is strictly forbidden to give avocados. This fruit contains a huge percentage of fat that will not be able to process the body of this bird. It is also not recommended to give parsley, cabbage and coffee.

Before adding new fruits, vegetables, grains and other products to the diet contact an experienced zoologist or veterinarian in advance. It will help you not only eliminate harmful substances from the diet, but also make a detailed bird ration for the near future.

One of the most important moments in breeding cockatoo are conditions of detention. It is on the comfort and how the bird will be looked after, depending on its mood and health. At the very beginning it is worth thinking about buying a cage if you want to breed a cockatoo at home. The cage is a necessity for the cockatoo - the parrots should have their own place, where they would always have food and drink, entertainment.

Most species of cockatoo are large birds with a huge wing span, which is why the approximate characteristics of the cage should be at least 120x90x120 cm. This should be a moderately spacious indoor area with good oxygen circulation. To make the cage easier to wash and clean from excrement and food, buy a variant with a retractable bottom.

If you plan to breed a cockatoo and expect to grow several individuals outside the home, then you should take care of buying a large aviary with dimensions of at least 4.5x2x2 meters. In the aviary should be built several separate houses for each parrot. Just as in the situation with the cage, fill the enclosure with a certain number of toys, poles and resting places. In the cage / aviary there must be a small hard thing that a parrot could nibble.

As to the material from which the cell should be, first of all consider metal cells. During the period of activity and boredom, the cockatoo can simply damage the polymer or wooden structures. The feeders, the latch or the lock must also be made of strong and durable material, the lock must be strong and complex, otherwise such a clever bird, like a cockatoo, can simply crack it. Give up solid glass cells like aquariums - the cockatoo constantly needs fresh air, moreover, such aquariums are much more difficult to clean.

The cage should be placed in a well-lit place. with an approximate temperature of 18-20 degrees Celsius. The desired level of humidity should not be below 70%, should not allow drafts. Some breeders prefer to place the bird near the window on the sunny side, but this is acceptable only in winter, when the bird needs as much light and heat as possible. You should not put the bird near the batteries and in direct sunlight, it can also haunt serious diseases.

If there is no space for a pool or it is constantly clogged - You can spray your bird from an ordinary sprayer once a day, the water should be warm and slightly settled.

One of the unpleasant features of a cockatoo is a very high and loud voice. An irritated, hungry or just bored bird can bring a lot of care to you and your neighbors. That is why it is better to prepare for the parrot a room with tolerable sound insulation.

Avoid frequent contact with animals. If you accustom the cockatoo to constant attention, then when you are not at home, the bird will surely get bored, which will affect its health. This difficulty is more applicable to families with children, where young children up to a certain age are actively interested in the bird and play with it, and then come less and less.

The cockatoo is distinguished by its phenomenal lifespan among its fellows - in rare cases, for some individuals, it reaches 90 or even 95 years. However, when buying any kind of cockatoo you should not count on any specific period of life. This is the case when absolutely everything depends on the owner. The regularity and usefulness of feeding, careful care - only the necessary minimum, which is required of you.

The biggest disadvantage, and at the same time, the greatest advantage of this species is its incredible social affection.In the natural environment before reaching the period of maturity, the parrots move in flocks until they find the only partner with whom they will remain until death.

That is why the cockatoo, as well as in the field of love, is very attached to their masters and tend to miss them during their long absence. If you spend a lot of time at work or on the road - it may happen that your bird is bored. And this can lead to serious depression in her. To everything, including the separation, you can and should accustom the bird.

Start with short deadlines - go to another room for a while and leave the parrot alone, then return (you can bring some goodies). Gradually increase the separation time - the cockatoo should get used to the fact that if you leave, you will definitely come back.

Unfortunately, there are no animals immune to disease and death. Depending on the care, upbringing, living conditions, your bird may fall ill. The following are the most common ailments in this species of bird.

• diseases associated with impaired digestion;
• parasitic infections;
• pulling feathers - under stress, boredom and hunger;
• pneumonia, some infectious diseases.

Common symptoms of the disease:

• poor appetite or lack of it;
• regular and increasing sneezing;
• tearing of the eyes, discharge from the nostrils;
• the sudden appearance of lingering cries;
• he looks tired, breathes deeply, his eyes are foggy, slightly covered.

Most often, the following causes the emergence of diseases and the subsequent death of a bird:

• irregular meals, lack of food and water;
• lack of variety in the diet;
• late treatment of colds;
• inclusion of prohibited foods for cockatoo;
• prolonged absence of a host or social contacts.

The following video features content and care for a cockatoo parrot.