Cockatoos are crazy little things that develop their own personalities over time. Most are hyper, curious, outgoing, and affectionate. They love inspecting things, biting things (to see if they're edible) and singing at the top of their lungs. And although each and every bird has their own way of being themselves, all cockatoos share a few common traits.
Socializing: Cockatoos are very vocal birds, and if you're not fond of loud noises or constant chatter- you may want to look for a different pet. But if you sing in the shower and enjoy constant background noise- a cockatoo is your best friend. There's never a dull moment in a cockatoo household. Cockatoos are loud! They whistle, squawk, chirp, bark, and imitate about any sound they hear- which yes, that means they can talk! Not all cockatoos will learn to talk, each one has their own preferred way of making sound. Some love to whistle, some love to yell as loud as they can, some like to sing pretty little songs, and some just want to talk like their favorite human parent.
Perching: Cockatoos have feet that are made for gripping tree limbs. So they sit on perches almost 90% of the time. It's what's most comfortable for them and it fits the natural curvature of their feet. Fill your cockatoos cage with an array of perches. It's their favorite place to sit (aside from your shoulder of course).
Pruning: Cockatoos clean themselves. And although they enjoy bathing in water- they also need to prune themselves. Pruning is what cockatoos do to 'oil' their feathers. Basically they take their beak and meticulously slide it down each and every feather. By doing this they help their feathers stay healthy, clean, and strong.
Eating: Cockatoos love to eat, and need a variety of foods to keep them healthy. In the wild they forage for food. And you can inspire this natural scavenging behavior by giving your cockatoo treats in different parts of their cage. Keep a main food bowl in a place they can always access it easily. But add bits of millet spray, a fresh apple slice, or some greens to different parts of the cage. It's an exciting way to keep them entertained and healthy.
Drinking: Cockatoos need lots of fresh water. Do not use a water bottle to feed your bird. Rather use a nice large dish that your cockatoo can access easily. They'll drink often throughout the day and will need the water changed regularly.
Bathing: If there is one activity that almost all cockatoos love- it's bathing. They'll play in a shallow bathtub, splash in their water dish, and sit with their wings outstretched in the shower. And they should have the opportunity to bathe about once a week.There are a variety of ways to let your cockatoo get clean. But it's not just about bathing- it's about having fun. Let your cockatoo splash around, make a mess, and most of all get squeaky clean.
Flying: All birds fly and cockatoos are no different. All people have different preferences on whether or not a bird's wings should be clipped. And honestly it's up to you whether or not you give your bird the chance to fly. But we do think that birds wings should be left unclipped. They should always be well-supervised when outside of the cage and kept in area where they absolutely cannot escape. But flying is a healthy, natural behavior that lets your bird get proper exercise and wing movement- that promotes good blood flow and a healthy mindset.
Climbing: Aside from flying and walking, cockatoos get around by climbing. They'll grip those little feet onto things and use their beak to help pull them up. They'll climb on the side of cage bars, on play gyms, and on furniture. Just like flying this exercise helps promote a good circulatory system. You can inspire this behavior by getting your cockatoo a birdie play gym that they can play on while outside of the cage.
Chewing: Chewing is a vital part of a cockatoo's health. They need to chew things to keep their beak from overgrowing. So supplying a variety of toys for your cockatoo to chew is really important. Everything from coconut shells to sisal rope to wooden chew toys (that you can find at almost any pet store) are ideal for a cockatoos strong beak. Always have a variety of at least two to three chew toys in your cockatoos cage to keep them entertained and maintain their beak's length.
Playing: Cockatoos are extremely curious and playful. They love inspecting things and checking everything out. Above anything else cockatoos need mental stimulation. In other words- they need play. A cockatoos cage should be filled with a huge array of toys- from ladders to swings to chew toys to mirrors to anything that your feathered child finds interesting. They need to be entertained constantly. While in the cage, toys help keep them active and curious. But they should be allowed to explore outside of the cage for at least three to four hours a day. The longer the time outside of the cage the better. And the more toys they have the happier they'll be!
Cuddling: Cockatoos are one of the cuddliest pets you could ask for. With a little bit of patience- once they've earned your trust- they'll be begging for attention all day long. They'll love sitting on your shoulder and 'pruning' your hair. They'll love cuddling on your lap, being scratched on the back of their head and simply being next to you. And they deserve to be loved. So make sure and give your cute little squawker as much attention as you can!
