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SPECIES
DESCRIPTION |
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 | | Photo By Donna Whiteside |
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The cockatoo is defined as a parrot with a true moveable crest, and there is more than one genus, each with lots of species.
Genus: Cacatua
Species: C. moluccensis (Moluccan, or salmon crest); C. goffini (Goffin's); C. alba (umbrella); C. galerita galerita (greater sulphur crest); C. sulphurea sulphurea (lesser sulphur crest)
Subspecies: C. galerita triton (triton); C. pastinator sanguinea (bare eye)
Genus: Elophus
Species: E. roseicapillus (gallah, or rose breast)
Native Continent: Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea and Indonesia
Probable Life span: 30 to 45 years (small); 60 to 80 years (large)
Personality: Cockatoos enjoy a lot of human interaction. When their need for attention is met they are charming and affectionate birds, if not there can be problems. They are inquisitive, intelligent, highly vocal and active.
Housing: A cage that is 24-inches deep by 36-inches wide for smaller cockatoos (such as Goffins'); 30-inches deep by 40-inches wide for larger cockatoos. The recommended height for both is 4 feet.
Behavior issues: They may be extremely loud when calling. If proper boundaries are not set this behavior can get out of control. Neglected cockatoos, or those receiving diminished attention from their owners, can be extremely aggressive. Many cockatoos become unpredictable during sexual maturity.
Medical issues: Susceptible to psittacine beak & feather disease (PBFD), a viral condition that attacks the immune system. Symptoms include clubbed, deformed, cracked or broken feathers and/or beaks that grow quickly, develop fault lines and either break or rot. Have a vet test for PBFD presence prior to purchasing a cockatoo. Because some are prone to fatty tumors, do not overfeed them seeds or other high-fat foods.
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