Cockatoos can make great pets. They will cuddle with you, play with you, care for you, and they will love you. In return, a cockatoo will expect all the same and more!

To begin to understand the mind of a cockatoo, you have to know where these birds come from. Cockatoos thrive in the tropical forests of Australia and the East Indies. Although these birds are now domesticated, their natural instincts are evident.

If you are considering a pet cockatoo, know what you are in for.

It is very hard for a bird to accept a cage life. They need time out of the cage. Cockatoos are the birds that will lay on your lap or shoulder while you watch T.V. They are also the birds that will scream at you if you watch T.V. and leave them in their cage. A cockatoo will quickly fall in love with you, deeply in love. They want to spend every minute with you.

I mentioned that cockatoos scream, right? These are very loud birds, not the bird you want to keep in an apartment complex. A cockatoo wants your attention, and will throw a fit until they get it. The best thing to do when your cockatoo screams is to ignore it, that is the only way they will learn that that is not how they get what they want. Hopefully you enjoy watching T.V. not hearing it, because a cockatoo's scream is ear piercing.

Cockatoos are very intelligent birds. They can be entertained easily, but will also become bored easily. These birds can be very destructive, they love to chew. Chew toys are an excellent way to channel a cockatoo's destructive behavior. Your bird will enjoy having a variety of toys to play with. You should clean and move the toys around the cage on a weekly basis to keep the bird's interest.

In the jungle a bird would receive a constant bath. In captivity, they need a bath at least once a week. Cockatoos have dander, a sort of powder like substance. If you do not bathe your bird this dander will increase, you will notice it on your hands and clothes when you touch the bird and soon you will see it all over the room. To keep this under control you need to bathe the bird. I find that a deep sink or tub works good, but can scare the bird. Online you can find shower stands, to wash your bird in your shower. You should not use any soap to wash your bird, water will work fine. Make sure to get under the first layer of feathers, massage the water under the feathers and on to the skin. Slowly introduce the bird to water, as you want this to be as stress-free as possible for both you and your bird.

Your cockatoo will be a life long companion. They can live up to 100 years! It is really more of a commitment than a pet.

Overall, your cockatoo will be your best friend for life as long as you treat it with respect and loyalty.