Cockatoos Aren’t For Everyone: Here’s Why

Website design By BotEap.com1. Birds also need physical stimulation.

Website design By BotEap.comSome people buy birds because, in their eyes, they are easier to care for than a cat or dog. The dog needs to get out and get plenty of exercise, the cat needs its space, and the birds just sit in a cage, right?

Website design By BotEap.comWrong! Birds normally fly, that’s how they live in nature. And the cockatoo, even if it is a small bird, will need a lot of exercise. That means he needs a spacious cage and some time out of the cage every day. That means you’ll have to be a little patient while he’s pacing around the room, and please keep the windows and doors closed while he’s busy doing that. The bird has to be supervised at all times while enjoying its exercise, because it could fall behind the furniture and hurt itself.

Website design By BotEap.com2. Your ‘tiel also has emotional needs.

Website design By BotEap.comCockatoos are social birds, they live among a flock and tend not to do well alone. If you’re planning to get a bird, keep in mind the fact that cockatoos have the emotional intelligence of a 2-year-old human, that means they’re needy!

Website design By BotEap.comYou will need to spend at least two hours every day with your pet. That does not mean that you will have to be with him for two hours, but you should at least be very close to him during that time, he will try to interact with you and communicate his needs to you. You can listen to music, read aloud to him or just talk to him. The bird will like to perch on you and watch you do your chores or just relax.

Website design By BotEap.comIf you are a busy person, who comes home late from work, eats on the run while watching the latest on Netflix and then goes to bed, then you will have a really depressed cockatoo, with behavior problems and eventually health problems.

Website design By BotEap.com3. They tend to live a long time.

Website design By BotEap.comIf cared for properly, cockatoos can reach up to 14 years. That’s a long time. Keep in mind that the cockatoo will really bond with you and have trouble adjusting to a new environment and a new human. If you can’t commit to caring for a bird for at least 7-10 years, just don’t buy it. Buy a cute little mouse.

Website design By BotEap.com4. They have behavior problems.

Website design By BotEap.comCockatoos like to sing and vocalize, they will try to communicate with outside birds and, like any other bird, they will be especially noisy in the morning and at night. But I already had my Chico for 4 years and my neighbors did not suspect that he had a bird in my house.

Website design By BotEap.comBut if they aren’t stimulated enough or don’t have a routine, you may find yourself with a screeching bird. The bored cockatoo, not getting the attention it needs, will try to get it by making a lot of noise. And if you don’t react appropriately, this behavior will escalate and be really hard to unlearn.

Website design By BotEap.comSo if you like peace and quiet, get a cat. If you don’t have the patience or time to stimulate your bird, get a fish. It’s better for everyone.

Website design By BotEap.com5. They need a specialized veterinarian.

Website design By BotEap.comTaking care of cockatiels is an easy job, but you will need to keep a close eye on their appetite, their water intake and make sure they have a variety of foods in their diet. Cockatoos are birds of prey, so they will try to hide the fact that they are sick until they can no longer. You will need to become an expert on your bird’s behavior by closely watching their patterns and also their droppings as they can tell a lot about the health of your birds.

Website design By BotEap.comIf you do get sick, you’ll need to find a doctor who has some experience treating exotic pets, while most vets specialize in treating dogs and cats.

Website design By BotEap.com6. They are fragile birds.

Website design By BotEap.comWhen it comes to the environment, cockatoos are really sensitive. enjoy a routine – turn lights on/off at specific times, enjoy consistency, and don’t much like change. Actually, they are afraid For this. So they need someone who can maintain order and consistency over long periods of time.

Website design By BotEap.comAlso, they are fragile birds, they sometimes have night frights and will need your immediate attention, otherwise they could get hurt.

Website design By BotEap.comThey are not very suitable for small children. They are beautiful, sometimes majestic and very friendly, a perfect target for children, but they must be handled with care, so they are better suited to older children. So keep that in mind when buying one.

Website design By BotEap.comIf you can handle all of the above, you should know that cockatoos make great companions, they are friendly, quirky and sometimes empathetic, very nice to watch and can entertain you and your guests with beautiful songs and vocalizations. If cared for properly, your bird will become your best friend.

Website design By BotEap.comBest of luck!