PICTURE OF A COCKATOO BIRD CRACK

Many of these pellets are created for specific species of Cockatoos. In captivity they’re often fed pellets designed to meet many of their dietary needs but additional foods are still suggested for at least 40% of their diet. Most species feed in trees but a few, such as the galahs and corellas are ground feeders. Pet cockatoos eat a widely varied diet that includes seeds, vegetables, fruit, insects and flowers. When they feel threatened they will sometimes hiss. They use their voice to communicate danger to other birds, to indicate moods of fear or anger, and to recognize each other. The call of the cockatoo can be harsh and extremely loud. They begin their search for food each morning after the sun has warmed their nest and sometimes travel great distances in their search for food and water. Flocks may be as small as 100 birds when food is plentiful but often grow to thousands in times of drought. BehaviorĬockatoos are social birds and usually live in flocks. This means the outer two toes are backward and the inner two toes face forward. The cockatoo has a zygodactyly type claw. The female has a red or pink iris while the male’s is always dark brown or black.

In a few species the eye color is different. Male and female usually look similar so it’s often hard to know the sex of a pet cockatoo. When sleeping the Cockatoo will usually turn its head around and place it under its plumage. Their molting is a slow process taking anywhere from six months to two years depending on the species. Along with grooming themselves, they will also groom other birds in their flock. They also take oil from their back and spread it on their wings. This is why when cockatoos shake themselves you’ll see a mist of fine powder. When the tips of their feathers disintegrate it produces a fine, white powder which they use to groom themselves.

PICTURE OF A COCKATOO BIRD CRACK

Though this is fine in the wild, in urban areas they sometimes chew on buildings, patio furniture, wires and satellite dishes thus becoming pests to homeowners.Ĭockatoos use their large, agile tongues to crack open seeds. They also chew on wood to sharpen their beaks. They keep their bills sharp by scraping the mandibles together when resting. The cockatoo’s bills are curved and very powerful. A cockatiel is rarely longer than 12 inches and weighs around 3 ounces. The exception is the cockatiel which is a smaller sub-species. They range from 12 to 24 inches in length and weigh up to 2.5 pounds. They do not have the bright plumage of other parrots. On their tail or crest they sometimes have a small area of yellow or red. They are usually white or gray in color though a few species are black. They can raise or flatten this crest and will often raise it when agitated or aroused. AppearanceĬockatoos are known for the feathered crest on their head.

Many cockatoos are now considered an endangered species. When this happens they often move to agricultural areas where they are considered pests by farmers. Many have suffered due to the destruction of their landscape and food sources.

Seven species of cockatoos can be found on the islands of the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and the Solomon Islands. They are part of the order of Psittaciformes or parrots.Įleven species of cockatoos are native only to Australia. This family of birds has approximately 45 different sub-species. White Cockatoos are one of the 23 species of parrots that belong to the bird family Cacatuidae.

Picture of a cockatoo bird