COCKATOO

They do tricks. They talk. They snuggle! Cockatoos are one of the most loving and intelligent pet birds.

Cockatoos are filled with personality and make great pets because of their beauty and ability to mimic speech (copying what is being said). They are very intelligent and can be very good at getting out of their cage. They are sometimes even known as “escape artists.” Cockatoos can be easily trained. Teaching your bird basic commands, “step up” onto your hand and “step down” into their cage will make handling even easier. In the wild, speaking allows Cockatoos to recognize each other, warn of predators, show their mood, and keep the flock together.

Cockatoos require specific bird care in order to stay happy and healthy. You'll notice a white powder coming from their feathers. This feather dust is completely normal, but can make the cage and parts of the room white. These large- to medium-sized parrots want as much attention and playtime with your family as you can give; plan on two hours each day. Cockatoos can get loud at dawn, dusk, or when they want attention. They will get lonely if they are left alone too much, so pay as much attention to your pet Cockatoo as possible. It also helps Cockatoos if they receive attention from many people, so they don't bond too closely with only one person.

Cockatoos like space, so the cage you select should be large enough for your friend to comfortably fly between perches. The bigger the cage, the better. When they're not doing tricks for you, your Cockatoo will enjoy chew toys and other accessories. Your bird will really appreciate it if you rotate toys often.

In nature Cockatoos forage for seeds, fruit, flowers, and insects in pairs or small flocks. Your Cockatoo will appreciate nutritious pet bird food. To simulate natural behavior and nutritional requirements, it is a good idea to have many locations for food, water, and treats. Put multiple cups within the cage to encourage movement, as the bird explores the contents of each dish. Cage-top activity centers have food and treat cups. You can also hang treats from the activity bar atop the cage.

Eleven of the 21 Cockatoo species are native to Australia, while seven species originate on the islands of Indonesia, New Guinea, the Philippines, and the Solomon Islands. They live in woodlands, rain forests, shrub lands, and alpine forests. Their plumage is generally less colorful than that of the other parrots, being mainly white, gray, pink, or black with some color elsewhere. A Cockatoo usually weighs about 1 pound and is about 18 inches long. They live from 60 to 70 years and are perfect for owners aged 16

FEEDING

The best way to feed and hydrate pet birds is to place their bowls directly inside their cage. Bowls can be made from plastic, ceramic, or stainless steel. Although plastic is inexpensive and great for smaller birds like finches and canaries, larger birds will chew and destroy the plastic. Ceramic bowls are much heavier and virtually chew proof. Try the colorful Super Pet “Scatter-less” Ceramic Bird Feeders as an option. They are also much more stable, will last a long time but require frequent cleaning. Stainless steel is the best but also the most expensive. Some bowls are attached by hooks, bolts, or clips while many cages today have built in bowl holders to keep the bowls secure. There should be a minimum of one food bowl and one water bowl for drinking in each cage. It’s always recommended to have additional bowls available so you can use a fresh one while you are cleaning the others. Dishwasher safe bowls are recommended to ensure thorough and safe cleaning.

Bowls should be easily accessible and at a comfortable height for use from perches. Bowls should never be placed directly under perches to avoid getting contaminated with bird droppings. Food and water should be change frequently to ensure a happy bird. Birds are notorious for making a mess with bowls of water. They try to bathe in them, leave bird droppings, and also drop food into them. The net result is the water get dirty, and bacteria can grow quickly for an unhealthy environment. Water bowls should be replenished many times during the day, while food bowls should be replenished daily. Consider using one of our water bottles for a safer and healthier solution. To avoid unhealthy bacteria growth we recommend you change your birds water bottle daily. Try our Super Pet Chew Proof Water Bottles that are available in various sizes. As a bird eats, it may leave the bowl full of left over seed hulls that are often mistaken for full bowl of food. Don’t be fooled, check the food bowl often! It’s very important to maintain clean food and water sources for your pet.

The best diet is a balanced or complete diet that includes grains, fruits and vegetables. Every bird type has a diet that is unique to its species, so there is no perfect diet that works for all birds. Many bird food manufacturers offer food diets that are formulated for each specific bird’s dietary requirements. Diets can be obtained both in extruded form (often the most complete and nutritiously balanced) as well as in a blended seed and grain mix. Consider the Kaytee Exact, Fiesta Max and Forti-Diet Pro Health fortified foods for a well balances diet. Also include a variety of vegetables, greens, and fruits as a supplement. Don’t forget the mineral supplements like cuttle bones and calcium blocks (more commonly used with smaller species). When feeding an extruded diet like Kaytee Exact the use of additional supplements is not recommended, unless prescribed by an Avian Veterinarian. (note: over supplementation can lead to health issues in your pet bird) Some dangerous foods to avoid include: chocolate, avocados, mushrooms, fruit seeds, alcohol and caffeine to name a few.

All good pets deserve a treat from time to time and birds are no different. Be sure to remember that treats are just treats, and should not be replacement for a balanced diet (Treats should not exceed 20% of your birds diet). Bird treats range from stick treats that will keep a bird busy for hour to loose treats that can be hand fed. Or try putting loose treats in a treat holder. Consider Kaytee Healthy Bits, Munchables, and Treat Sticks as nutritious treat options.



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