Understanding the Cockatoo: More Than Just a Pet
Cockatoos are often described as intelligent and emotional birds, and many describe life with a cockatoo as living with a perpetual 2-year-old child—capable of temper tantrums as well as complete silliness. This profound emotional capacity makes them incredibly rewarding, yet demanding, companions. At Exotic Parrots Planet, we connect experienced, prepared owners with healthy, hand-raised cockatoos, providing the essential education and lifelong support needed for a successful partnership.
Available Cockatoo Species
We work with reputable breeders to offer select, hand-raised babies from these magnificent species:
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Umbrella Cockatoo: The affectionate, theatrical classic.
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Moluccan Cockatoo: The gentle, salmon-pink giant.
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Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo: The intelligent, energetic Australian icon.
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Rose-Breasted (Galah) Cockatoo: The playful pink-and-grey acrobat.
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Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo: The rare, stunningly beautiful masterpiece.
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Black Palm Cockatoo: The powerful, prehistoric-looking connoisseur (for experts only).
The Cockatoo Reality Check: What You Must Know
Speech & Sound
Cockatoos can be extremely loud, especially when seeking attention and at certain times of the day, such as sunrise and sunset. They can learn to speak a few words and phrases, but their vocal nature is defined by powerful contact calls, not speech.
Health & Common Conditions
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Feather Destructive Behavior: Moluccan and other cockatoos are prone to picking at or pulling out their feathers if not offered sufficient mental stimulation.
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Other Risks: Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD), fatty liver disease, and obesity if fed a diet too high in fat.
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Prevention: A proper diet, regular avian vet checkups, and constant enrichment are non-negotiable.
A Lifelong Commitment
Cockatoos are often given up for adoption due to behavior issues, which makes this a bird that needs to be fully researched and carefully considered. Their lifespan of 40-80 years is a promise for life.
