How to Raise a Cockatoo

The cockatoo shares certain characteristics with its parrot cousins, like a curved beak and 2 forward and backward toes. But, as many cockatoo owners can tell you, that's where the similarity ends. Cuddly cockatoos demand more attention than other parrots. Read the tips below for information on how to raise these large, crested members of the parrot family.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Cover your ears. Cockatoos love to squawk, and will let out a piercing yell at least twice a day. For this reason, apartment dwellers should avoid choosing a cockatoo as a pet. It's also recommended that at least one person stay at home with the cockatoo at any given time, so it's not a good choice for single folks, either.
2. Play with your cockatoo. They're friendly, social birds and will sing, squawk and flutter around in their cage to get you to pay attention to them. Happy and willful, they don't respond well to discipline. Cockatoos work best with spontaneous types.
3. Live in one house for a long time. Cockatoos like stability, and constant shuttling between homes and owners disturbs them.
4. Keep your cockatoo away from unsupervised small children. Cockatoos have sharp beaks and claws. They love to play but will become agitated if children tease them or treat them roughly.
5. Buy your cockatoo plenty of toys to keep them occupied. Unlike many other birds, cockatoos need large, elaborate toys and a large cage. They love to take toys apart, so be aware of this when buying toys for them. Many websites, like all4birds.com, sell toys specifically for cockatoos.
6. Feed your cockatoo cooked vegetables like green or brown beans, corn, carrots and rice. They also eat fruit, except for avocado, which is toxic to birds. Even cheese and bits of hardboiled eggs can be added to their diet.
7. Train your cockatoo to perform tricks. They can be taught to dance, play tug-of-war, climb ladders, even roller skate. Start coaching your cockatoo as a baby by getting him to perch on your hand.

Tips & Warnings

• Give your cockatoo a shower once a week with a hand-held shower sprayer.
• Clean droppings from cages twice a day.
• The cockatoo's skin emits a white, talcum-like powder. It may irritate folks with allergies.