Cockatoos are beautiful, intelligent, funny, affectionate, and incredibly entertaining birds. They can also be challenging pets that require a tremendous amount of attention, patience, and commitment.
At Monkey See Monkey Do Ranch, we know firsthand just how much personality a cockatoo can have. Our cockatoo, Preston, has become one of the stars of the ranch thanks to his intelligence, personality, and ability to keep everyone around him entertained.
If you are thinking about getting a cockatoo, here are 15 important things you should know before bringing one home.
1. Cockatoos Are Extremely Intelligent
Cockatoos are among the most intelligent companion birds. They can learn sounds, words, routines, tricks, and behaviors by watching the people around them.
Their intelligence is one of the reasons they can be so entertaining. It is also one reason they need stimulation. A bored cockatoo can quickly become destructive or develop unwanted behaviors.
2. They Need Lots of Attention
Cockatoos are highly social animals. They generally do not do well when they are ignored for long periods of time.
They often want to be part of whatever their people are doing. Whether you’re talking, cooking, watching television, or simply walking around the house, a cockatoo may want to be involved.
This social nature is one of the things that makes them so lovable—but it is also a major responsibility.
3. Cockatoos Can Be Very Loud
If you are looking for a quiet pet, a cockatoo may not be the right choice.
Cockatoos can make extremely loud calls and screams. Vocalizing is normal bird behavior, and even a well-loved and well-trained cockatoo can have noisy moments.
Before getting one, consider whether your home and neighbors can handle the noise.
4. They Can Live for Many Years
Owning a cockatoo is a long-term commitment.
Depending on the species and individual bird, cockatoos can potentially live for several decades. That means getting one should never be an impulse decision.
A cockatoo may be part of your life for many years, so you need to think about who will care for the bird if your living situation changes.
5. Cockatoos Need Mental Stimulation
A cockatoo’s brain needs something to do.
Toys, training, puzzles, safe objects to explore, and interaction can help keep a cockatoo mentally stimulated.
Simply putting a bird in a cage with food and water isn’t enough. Cockatoos need opportunities to explore, learn, and interact with their environment.
6. They Love to Play
One of the funniest things about cockatoos is how playful they can be.
A cockatoo may toss toys around, dance, climb, investigate objects, or invent games that make absolutely no sense to everyone else.
Preston is a perfect example of how entertaining a cockatoo’s personality can be.
7. Cockatoos Can Become Very Attached to Their People
Cockatoos can form strong bonds with their caregivers.
That relationship can be incredibly rewarding, but it also means they can become demanding of attention. Some birds may want to be near their favorite person constantly.
Building healthy boundaries while providing plenty of attention is important.
8. They Can Learn Tricks
Cockatoos are capable of learning a variety of behaviors through positive reinforcement and consistent training.
Depending on the individual bird, training can include stepping up, waving, turning around, targeting objects, retrieving items, or performing entertaining behaviors.
Training isn’t just about showing off. It can also provide valuable mental stimulation.
9. Every Cockatoo Has Its Own Personality
One of the biggest mistakes people can make is assuming every cockatoo will behave the same way.
Some are outgoing and affectionate. Others are cautious. Some love attention while others prefer to interact on their own terms.
Preston has his own unique personality, which is one of the reasons people who meet him remember him.
10. They Can Be Messy
Cockatoos aren’t the cleanest pets.
Bird food can end up outside the cage, feathers and dust can accumulate, and toys can create a constant mess.
Anyone considering a cockatoo should be prepared to clean regularly.
11. A Healthy Diet Is Important
Cockatoos need a balanced diet appropriate for their species.
A diet may include quality formulated bird food along with appropriate fruits, vegetables, and other foods recommended by an avian veterinarian.
Fresh water should always be available, and owners should learn which foods are unsafe for birds.
12. They Need Proper Veterinary Care
Finding an experienced avian veterinarian is an important part of responsible cockatoo ownership.
Birds can sometimes hide signs of illness, so regular veterinary care and paying close attention to changes in eating, behavior, activity, droppings, or appearance are important.
If something seems unusual, a qualified avian veterinarian should be consulted.
13. Their Environment Matters
Cockatoos need an appropriate, secure environment with enough room to move, climb, play, and stretch their wings.
Their cage should be safe and appropriately sized, with suitable perches and enrichment.
They also need supervised time outside their cage in a bird-safe environment.
14. Cockatoos Are Not Low-Maintenance Pets
This may be the most important thing to understand.
Cockatoos are beautiful and fascinating animals, but they aren’t easy pets.
They require time, attention, cleaning, enrichment, training, proper nutrition, veterinary care, and a long-term commitment.
Before getting one, honestly evaluate how much time you can devote to the bird every day.
15. Living With a Cockatoo Can Be Incredibly Rewarding
Despite the challenges, sharing your life with a cockatoo can be an amazing experience.
They can be funny, affectionate, curious, intelligent, and full of personality. They can become a genuine part of the family.
For us at Monkey See Monkey Do Ranch, Preston has shown us just how much character one bird can have.
He isn’t simply a beautiful bird sitting in a cage. He is curious, opinionated, entertaining, and always seems to find a way to become the center of attention.
Is a Cockatoo Right for You?
Before purchasing or adopting a cockatoo, take the time to learn about the specific species you are considering. Think about the bird’s potential lifespan, noise level, social needs, diet, veterinary care, housing requirements, and the amount of daily interaction it will need.
Cockatoos can be incredible companions, but they deserve owners who understand the responsibility that comes with caring for such intelligent and social animals.
And if you ever visit Monkey See Monkey Do Ranch, you may get to see exactly why these birds can be so special.
Just ask Preston. He’ll probably make sure you notice him.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for advice from a qualified avian veterinarian or other animal-care professional.
