Cockatoo

Cockatoo Health

Cockatoos have health needs just like a cat or a dog. It is recommended to have your bird seen by a veterinarian for a check-up at least once per year.

Cockatoo Feather Powder

Cockatoos produce a white powdery coating on their feathers, called powder down, to protect their feathers. This coating is dusty and can be a respiratory irritant to both people allergic to birds and to some other particularly sensitive species of birds, such as macaws.

Keep your cockatoo’s cage—and your home—clean. General precautions, such as handwashing after handling your cockatoo, changing the cage paper daily, and using a vacuum with a high-efficiency filter, may help keep the mess at bay. You can also give your cockatoo a daily shower or mist them with water to help keep down feather dust.

Cockatoo Medical Conditions

Cockatoos often develop certain medical conditions including:

• Reproductive disorders (i.e. egg binding)
• Liver disease
• Obesity

It’s important to observe your bird closely and monitor for any changes in behavior or appearance. If you spot any abnormalities, contact your veterinarian.

These birds have a penchant for chewing (and swallowing) non-food items, particularly wires, furniture, and paint. Cockatoos should be closely supervised whenever they are outside of their cages.

Avoid using nonstick cookware with a nonstick coating such as Teflon™. Nonstick coatings have a polymer called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). When heated, PTFE releases colorless, odorless fumes that can kill pet birds if inhaled.

Cockatoo pet parents can promote exercise with play—such as climbing on tree stands out of the cage—to help prevent obesity.

Cockatoo Behavior

Each cockatoo has their own personality, and while some can be affectionate, even “cuddle-able,” especially as babies, others can be very aggressive and prone to biting once they become sexually mature after about 5–7 years of age. In general, however, cockatoos are known for their ability to bond with their people. And while this trait may be wonderful in a pet, it often leads to the development of separation anxiety in these birds.

Vocalization

The biggest factor in owning a cockatoo, perhaps, is the noise. While most cockatoos won’t mimic many words spoken by their pet parents, they still squawk very, very loudly. This is not only damaging to hearing, but incredibly stressful to the pet parent and neighbors. Think twice about a cockatoo if you are in a living situation that’s not conducive to this level of noise.

Excessive loudness or screaming may be mitigated if a pet parent sets proper boundaries with the bird as a baby. Providing the bird with outlets to expend excess energy, as well as adequate mental stimulation, also helps.