Cockatoo

• ExerciseHigh

  Needs hours of out-of-cage activity and mental challenges every day.

• GroomingRegular feather care

  Regular bathing or misting plus nail and beak checks.

• Living spaceRoomy cage

  Needs a roomy cage and safe space to fly indoors.

• Owner experienceFor experienced owners

  Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• Commitment40–70 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Feather plucking · Obesity · Respiratory issues

The cockatoo is the most emotionally demanding of all pet parrots, and honesty about that is the kindest guide you can give. Intensely affectionate 'velcro birds' with the emotional needs of a toddler, they crave near-constant contact, are naturally very loud (evening screaming is normal), and live 40–70 years. When their enormous social and mental needs go unmet — as they often do in a normal home — they develop severe feather-plucking, self-mutilation and relentless screaming, which is why cockatoos are among the most frequently rehomed parrots. Giving one a good life means hours of interaction daily, a huge cage, endless foraging and destructible toys, and a firm routine that teaches independence rather than round-the-clock cuddling that breeds obsessive attachment. Diet should be pellets and vegetables kept low in fat, since cockatoos gain weight and fatty tumours easily. They are extremely dusty birds, so ventilation is essential, and their lungs are lethally sensitive to non-stick fumes, aerosols and smoke. Watch for feather-destructive behaviour, obesity, fatty liver and the beak-and-feather disease (PBFD) the family is prone to. A cockatoo is a magnificent lifelong commitment for a truly dedicated, experienced keeper — and a poor fit for anyone else.

• How much activity does a Cockatoo need?

  High. Needs hours of out-of-cage activity and mental challenges every day.

• How much feather care does a Cockatoo need?

  Regular feather care. Regular bathing or misting plus nail and beak checks.

• What cage does a Cockatoo need?

  Roomy cage. Needs a roomy cage and safe space to fly indoors.

• Is a Cockatoo a good fit for first-time owners?

  For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• How long do Cockatoo live?

  40–70 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Cockatoo?

  Keep an eye out for Feather plucking, Obesity, Respiratory issues. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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