There is no doubt about it. Cockatoos are absolutely the cuddliest of all the pet birds. Most Cockatoos would be happy if you cuddled with them all day every day.
The larger Cockatoos are also the loudest of any pet bird. A Moluccan Cockatoo playing with a toy is one of the funniest things you could see, but having a volume control for the bird would make it much easier on the eardrums.
There are several different types of Cockatoos – some are very common and some are extremely rare. Most are mainly white with yellow or salmon crests, one is grey with a pink breast and some are black. They can range in size from about 12 inches up to 25 inches.
Some of the common Cockatoos are the Moluccan, the Sulphur Crested, the Lesser Sulphur Crested, the Goffin and the Umbrella.
As with all birds, Cockatoos need an appropriately sized cage, with plenty of room for climbing and playing. There should be lots of room for toys for him to play with, as Cockatoos love to play.
Of course, your Cockatoo should be out of his cage as much as possible to spend time with his favourite person. Because they love to chew, Cockatoos must be under supervision while out of the cage if you value the woodwork or the furniture in your home.
Many Cockatoos are escape artists and you must make certain that the door of the cage is securely locked if you are not going to be around. Many Cockatoo owners have returned home to find their bird out of the cage, happily destroying something after thinking that their bird was locked in the cage.
Cockatoos are extremely dusty birds and people with breathing difficulties should definitely think twice before acquiring one of these birds.
Unfortunately Cockatoos are the birds most often given up for adoption. Because they are so cuddly they are often held too much when they are young and cannot accept any less when they become older. Please do not let a bird get used to treatment that he will not receive for his entire life.
If you think you can handle the dust, the noise and the chewing and think that being able to cuddle your bird when you’re home would be great – then you sound like you should have a Cockatoo. Check out local breeders or look around for a bird rescue organization.
There is really nothing better than a Cockatoo cuddle.
