COCKATOOS

Umbrella cockatoos are the most prone to problems such as feather picking. They also are very hard to wean. In their opinion, even if they are 100 years old, they are not too old to still be handfed.

Though cockatoos can learn to talk, their talking is normally not as clear as in the Amazons or greys. I have also found that they make take longer to talk than other parrots. My cockatoo mumbled for years before she was able to say things clearly. Certain species of cockatoos, especially the Moluccans can be prize winning screamers.

Because of their psychological needs only the really experienced owner should consider them as pets.

These birds are extremely intelligent and can figure out how to escape from any cage. I suggest you use a padlock versus a combination lock. These birds are so intelligent that they will figure out how to get that combination lock open. They have also been known to dismantle their cages when not kept in a cage that was proper for cockatoos.

For the most part, cockatoos raised in a family situation will love everyone in the family. These birds will also love anyone who will spend time cuddling with them. There are exceptions of course.

Questions to ask yourself when considering a cockatoo:

1) Are you willing to spend time every day not matter what happens to give 100% undivided attention to your cockatoo. 2) Cockatoos are loud and noisy. Are you and your family willing to put up with this. 3) They are curious and mischievous, and if not watched will destroy your walls, furniture, wires, and their favorite, remote controls. Will this get you upset? 4) Are you willing to keep dusting because of the amount of feather dust they produce. 5) They love to throw their food. Are you will to keep cleaning? 6) Are you able to meet their emotional needs? They get their feelings hurt easily. 7) Can you afford the toys, cage, stands, etc. Buying them cheaper things or things not meant for a cockatoo will cause problems. 8) Can you watch them whenever they are out of their cages just like you would watch a 2 year old in a fine China shop? 9) Are you ready to deal with hormonal behavior at certain times of the year? 10) What about your family? Certain species of cockatoos can become jealous of other family member. 11) They are a long lived species, they could live 50+ years. Do you have a plan to provide for them once you are gone? 12) Are you willing to be consistent and no matter what continue to have a good sense of humor.

There are 18 species of cockatoos, and various subspecies.

CACATUA

	Umbrella cockatoos are considered to be love sponges. They love to cuddle and don't think twenty-four hours a day of cuddling is too much. They tend to develop psychological problems such as screaming, biting, and feather plucking. They are emotional and sensitive, and very loving. Not known for their talking ability, they can be prize-winning screamers. They can be demanding if their needs are not met. However, if they are taught to play on their own as well as having rules established early (nurturing dominance) they will make wonderful pets with fewer problems. They are the most popular of the cockatoos. They are around 18 inches in length and weigh around 435-675 grams.
Tritons and greater sulphur-crested cockatoos are natural born entertainers. They love to show off. These birds are sometimes referred to as the "Baretta" birds, from gaining popularity on that TV show. They are strong-willed with big personalities, and are not the bird for the novice. They can be noisy, but they are highly intelligent. These are the birds that are most likely to be seen in shows. They learn quickly and are easily trainable. They are around 20 inches in length and weigh around 700-1000 grams.
	Moluccan cockatoos are one of the largest of the Cactua. Moluccans are extremely affectionate, emotional, and overly sensitive. They are more nervous than the other cockatoos. Their feelings are easily hurt, and this can lead to problem behaviors. They are also the most demanding of the cockatoos. They tend to throw their food more than most cockatoos, and are very loud. However, some individuals who are not just content with screaming, will learn to talk and whistle. They can deliver vicious bites, sometimes going right to the bones. Luckily, if early rules and guidelines are established when the baby is brought home these birds can be wonderful pets. They will cuddle with anyone who is willing to do so. When startled the Moluccan may sway its body back and forth and hiss. They will even stamp their feet. They are around 21 inches in length and weigh around 700-1045 grams.
Goffin cockatoos are the smallest of the cockatoos, but there is nothing small about their personality. They are probably the most curious of all the cockatoos. They are such great escape artists that they would make Houdini jealous of this ability. They love to play and are quite comical to watch. Slower to develop, they may be late in talking but can be good talkers. They are not as cuddly as other cockatoos, being more independent, and not as demanding. They can also be noisy.
	Lesser Sulphur Crested are the smallest of the sulphur-crested cockatoos. Though they are noisy they don't require as much space as some other cockatoos. However they are very active and unless they are out of the cage most of the time you will need to get a larger cage. Their talking ability is only fair. Like most cockatoos they are also escape artists. They are around 13-15.5 inches in length and weigh around 325-400 grams.
Bare-eyed or Little Corellas are very underrated as pets. They may look funny, but they make up for it in personality. To sum them up in one word: goofy. They love to explore and their antics keep their owners laughing. They are also very strong fliers and even with wings clipped they still may be able to fly. They are around 13.5-15 inches in length and weigh around 435-580 grams.
	Slender Billed are often overlooked because of their strange appearance. They may look strange, but they are wonderful pets. they are not nearly as demanding as some of the other species of cockatoos. They make wonderful family pets and are very friendly. They are similar in behavior to the Bare-eyes. They are around 14-15 inches in length.
	Ducorps look a cross between an umbrella and a goffin. Their crests are smaller than the crest in an umbrella but bigger than the crest in a goffin. They are a little bigger than a goffin but smaller than an umbrella. They are white like the umbrella, however. They enjoy cuddling but can be more independent. Sometimes shy around strangers, they are active and outgoing around family. They may mature slower than other species of cockatoos and may need to be hand-fed longer.
	Major Mitchell's are beautiful birds with a crest that has different colors. They are sometimes called Leadbeader's or Pink Cockatoos. In Australia they are very popular not only as pets but as aviary birds. In the United States they are rare. The Major Mitchell's is one of the rarest cockatoos in Australia because their territory is being destroyed. A very knowledgeable owner is needed to own one since they could be difficult. They tend to be more nervous around strangers and unfamiliar surroundings. They do well in a home with older children.
Red-vented or Philippine Cockatoos are very endangered in the wild. There may be less than 1000 of them left. In the last 10 years more than 90% of their habitat has been destroyed. In the 1950's they were once a common sight. In 1992 a conservation program was started to protect them. Through education and awareness programs that are not only taught in schools but to adults in the villages as well, the population is starting to increase. As pets they are very curious and they love showing off. They are around 12 inches in length and weigh around 300-350 grams. They take longer to mature and do not start breeding until they are around 6-8 years.

Eolophus

Galah or Rose-breasted cockatoo are sweet, gentle with a calm personality. They love to interact with people and love to show off. They are very acrobatic and mischievous. They are mainly ground feeders and unlike other cockatoos are not very good at eating with their feet. Their talking ability is only fair.

 Probosciger

Palm Cockatoos are one of the black cockatoos. The Palm has the largest beak of all Psittacines.  Their beaks are even bigger than the beak of a hyacinth macaw. The structure of their mouths is also different from other cockatoos. In the palm, the glottis is deep-seated. Some people describe their looks as a punk-rocker. Despite their fierce looks they are very docile and shy. Unlike other cockatoos they do not like showing off or being the center of attention. They also tend to sleep in early in the morning vs. getting up with the sun. They also play more like a macaw than a cockatoo. There are 3 subspecies, one is Probosciger aterrimus goliath which is the largest at 28 inches and 850-1300 grams. Probosciger aterrimus aterrimus is around 22-23 inches in length and weigh around 500-850 grams. Probosciger atterimus stenlophus is around 24 inches in length and weigh around 550-950 grams.

 Calyptorhynchus

Red-tailed Black Cockatoos are endangered in the wild due to the destruction of their habitat.

Black Cockatoo or Yellow-tailed Cockatoo are also rare in aviculture and are almost never seen in the United States.

White-tailed and White-tailed Black cockatoos are almost never seen in the United States.

Glossy Cockatoo's spend 88% of their time foraging. They are endangered and very rarely seen in the United States.

Callochephalon

Gang-gangs are truly sexually dimorphic. The males have red heads and the females have grey heads. Their favorite food is the Hawthorn berry. Rarely seen outside of Australia.
.

Interesting facts: 1) The Major Mitchell's' cockatoo was discovered by Sir Thomas Mitchell in 1831. In 1834 a naturalist by the name of Leadbeater first brought then to the London Zoo. This is how they got the name of Major Mitchell's or Leadbeater. 2) Other names for the Major Mitchell's are Wee Juggler, Cocklerina, Chockalott and Desert Cockatoos. 3) The palm cockatoo is one of the very few parrots that use tools. During courtship the males and females will take a hold of sticks and beat them against hollow logs, like some kind of drum solo. 4) The beak of a palm cockatoo is so strong they can even bite through a chain link fence. 5) The color of a palm cockatoo's tongue is 2 toned, red and black. 6) Another trait of the palm is that they stump their feet. They start as young as a few weeks old. 7) All cockatoos are powder birds.