🦜 Birds

Cockatoo

Affectionate, theatrical and extremely needy.

Cockatoos are loving, cuddly and expressive parrots. They demand lots of attention and can scream and pluck when bored or lonely.

Lifespan40–70 years
SizeMedium–Large · 1–2 lb
Care levelExpert
Typical cost$60–120 / month
Great for
Experienced bird keepersHomes with someone around most of the dayAffectionateLoudDemanding
Cockatoo

Photo: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Care guide

Daily care

A large, sturdy cage with destructible toys.

Pellets and vegetables; limit fatty seeds.

Several hours of interaction daily.

Regular baths; powder down benefits from an air purifier.

Health

Common health concerns

Know what to watch for. Early detection makes most of these far easier and cheaper to treat.

  • Feather plucking
  • Psittacine beak and feather disease
  • Fatty tumors
  • Behavioral problems
Veterinary care

Vet visits

Annual avian exams.

Find a vet near me

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This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Costs are rough U.S. estimates for food, supplies and routine care. Always consult a licensed veterinarian about your pet’s needs.