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Continued from Cockatoo: Information about The Cacatuidae Family of Birds
Like parrots, Cockatoos are popular pets, although
they are noisier and they tend to be less tame than parrots. One of the
most popular pet birds in the cockatoo family (Cacatuidae) is
the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita).
A Cockatoo needs, like all other kinds of parrot,
much care and attention. It is best to have at least one partner bird the
same kind to keep the birds from becoming lonely and to ensure a good attitude
from the cockatoo. If no ideal living conditions are made possible for
the birds, psychological problems can quickly occur with the animals.
These problems can particularly express themselves in continuous shouting
and the cockatoo plucking at its own feathers.
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Picture of a Pet Cockatoo in a Garden Yard
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If one should decide nevertheless for such a pet
animal, one must be conscious of certain problems. Due to the special feather
structure most cockatoos produce large quantities of dust, which establishes
itself in the entire area that the bird may go. In addition most cockatoos
have a pronounced gnawing need, to which furniture can become a victim.
The voice of these parrots is likewise very loud, and particularly in dawn
times they are very active. If kept in a cage, it should be as large as posible, and sufficient free flight should be provided daily. Alternatively a roomy outdoor cage may be used as their main home, with frost-protection
and a heatable interior.
It is also important to be well-informed before
the purchase about the actual origin of the birds. If you have even
the slightest suspicion that a bird has been caught from the wild, you
should turn away immediately. Not only is it a cruel practice but
it's probably illegal too. Fortunately this type of occurrence is becoming
less common nowadays.
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Birds which have been hand-reared but have had
no contact with other cockatoos will frequently socialize badly, which
can lead to certain deficits, resulting in the Cockatoo becoming unable
to produce offspring. In addition the birds are inclined to commit themself
very closely to a certain reference person, whose absence easily can lead
to problems. The obvious best choice are young birds, which had, from the
beginning of their lives, contact with humans, but grew up with friends
of their own kind. This will create a problem-free tame bird who is will
be sufficiently socialized with a partner of the same kind. In turn
this will provide the basis for pleasant behavious and a fair attitude.
Due to the fact that they have a very long lifespan,
with an average of 40 years or even much longer (82 years in the case of
Cocky who lived in London Zoo) cockatoos as pets should be considered as
lifetime companions. Far moreso than with dogs, it's certainly true
that a cockatoo is for life, not just for Christmas.
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