Thinking about purchasing a Cockatoo?

Question

I’m thinking about one day owning and caring for a Goffin Cockatoo I am absolutely smitten with these cockatoos. However this would most likely be my first pet bird ever. Some internet sites say that they are noisy little monsters and destructive a good proportion of the time. I would love! love to eventually have one of these gorgeous birds that could well live up to 40-60 years and over. Now that’s over I have a couple of questions.

I was wondering how EXACTLEY, no sugar coating, demanding these lovely creatures are and if it’s the right sort of bird for a first timer, from a scale from 1-10.

Also how big should a cage be for a bird that most of the time that will be kept in its cage with plenty of toys to chew on and things to do so it won’t self mutilate/ feather pluck and kind of cage brand would be recommended. (I know lengthwise is more important than height wise)

What’s the best brand of food to feed these beauties?

Generally how expensive is the whole package? (Buying the birdie, the cage, the toys.)
How often do you have to clean their cage?
And should you leave their food/water bowl in the cage, only taking them out to give them fresh food and water?
Thanks so much for taking the time to read and hopefully answer my questions from one bird lover to another. Thanks again.

Answer 1

Goffins are my favorite too! My first cockatoo was a Goffins. They DO chew chew chew all the time, but I just give my cockatoos old phone books, water bottles, and other things to rip to shreds. It keeps them away from my furniture. Goffins are NOT very noisy. They love to talk, so if "noisy" means talking a lot, then I guess they're noisy. They really don't scream much. Mine screams for about 15 minutes in the morning and half an hour before bedtime. I would rate them as probably a 6 because they DO need attention (they'll tell you if you're not giving them enough) but are very easy to train and are the best large birds for first-time owners.
My cage for my goffins is probably over-the-top, but she LOVES it and (she's a little escape artist) she hasn't tried to escape since she's gotten the big cage, so I would go as big as you can if it's going to stay inside most of the time. This is the link to the cage I have for mine: http://www.qualitydiscountcages.com/proddetail.asp?prod=A17&cat=16

This cage is very easy to clean and is very beautiful (and sturdy). My bird cost me $800, the cage was around $350, food is about $20 a month, but TOYS TOYS TOYS they don't last more than a week EVER! I always make my own toys to keep the cost down. I clean her cage every few days and you should leave both food and water in there 24/7.
For more info and articles on birds (and toy advice, cage advice, etc) go to http://www.cockatootrainer.com/
The food I feed to mine is "Kaytee Fiesta" for the large parrots (not the macaw food, just large hookbills)
Let me know if you have other questions, I am always happy to help and I know lots of tricks and things to keep the costs down. Good luck finding a bird!

edit: Two other quick things; I would recommend getting a cockatoo that's about 4 years old because then you don't have to go through the needy "baby" stage or the aggressive "puberty" stage.
The second thing, I'm aware that one person is going around to all of my questions and giving me bad ratings to try to ruin my credibility because I caught them copying info from my website and using it as their own ideas. Yahoo is investigating, so the message to that person is: knock it off, I don't care about ratings, people still know that I give good bird advice. I just don't think you should be allowed to treat people like that.

Answer 2

ANY cockatoo is demanding. They are lovable of course....but they don't clal them velcro birds for nothing. They require hours and hours of attention and are prone to plucking and screaming. These birds are not birds who an be kept in the cage most of the time. They need a very veyr roomy cage I don't know the size but a macaw cage size, witht eh right bar spacing is about right. On a scale 1-10 they are about a -1. If you want something bigger than a tile try a ring neck, parrolett, cockatiel, or perhaps even a small conure, like a green cheek. Too's are not jsut something you can just jump into. i would recommend volunteering at a bird rescue(some do have volunteers) and Hear the birds, and get used to handling them. Also read on their dander or powder that can really really awaken allergies. Once you hear a too screaming you WILL think twice. The bird will cost probably 800-1000 or more depending and the cage will cost at least 500-1000 and then since big bird toys are are around 15-25 a pop you're tlaking 200-300 in toys and dishes and perches. Then a playstand, and a good diet your tlaking a couple thousand just in the beignning. Then you ahve to buy more toys to rotate weekly and then replacing them all the time. Also buying a good diet, and avian vet visits can be costly. My advice: don't get one. Get a small parrot or tiel and see how you like being a bird owner. See if a small amount of noise doesn't bug you. See if you can hadnle cleaning the cage and sweeping everyday. Also don't forget cleaning their dropping all over the place. After awhile once you have some experience adn do some mroe homework and work some larger parrots see if you still want one. Then maybe you could consider it.

Answer 3

Goffins are not that demanding. Cockatoos become monsters only if their owners MAKE them monsters. What is most important is that you put your new baby on a schedule when you get it home. DONT spoil it... go right to the normal schedule! Get it used to being in the cage when your home and DONT baby it! I'd rate difficulty of care for this bird a 6. I'd recommend a cage size 32x23 wrought iron cage. Bigger the better! Sounds big but once you get your toys and special perches in... you'll feel like you need more space! I would not feed any cockatoo seed from a Petco, Petsmart or any chain store like that. Find a specialty shop and purchase seed that moves quickly and is always fresh. Certain brands specialty stores carry are 100% human grade. This is what you want your bird to eat! Table food is another thing... you get to cook for your new bird too! Goffins are the most popular cockatoos for first timers... the average total cost would be : Goffin 1100+ 3223 Cage (kings) 350$, toys 150$ (dont make toys, or buy used ones .. obvoius reasons) other accessories 50-100$ if you have any questions contact me!

Answer 4

Ok no sugar coating here........

As a first pet owner a cockatoo is not an ideal bird. They're highly needy, noisy, most go through dreadfull stages at puburty or being very aggressive. If you aren't prepared for all of this you may end up neglecting it or re homing it. As a first pet owner & wanting a cockatoo I recommend you thoroughly read through this site: www.mytoos.com

A scale of 1 to 10 on the needyness? Compared to other parrots I'd give it a 9 1/2. On a scale of 1 - 10 for a first bird, -10. They are capable of living much longer than 60 years, most can outlive their owners if cared for properly.

Distructive? Absolutely. Cockatoos LOVE to chew & shred so as long as you have PLEANTY of chew things they should stay away from furniture. Making chew toys is much cheaper than buying them.

Noisy too, yep. But the most noise can also depend on whether they think they're being neglected or not. They're a noisy bird by nature, the LOVE noise, get them near a running vacuum & it's like music to their ears LOL

As a general rule for the cage. Length & height equally are better. The size of the cage: the cockatoo should be able to stretch & excersise it's wings wihtout hitting the sides or any toys. As many toys as you put in their, it isn't a replacement for their need to be with you. Toys won't prevent plucking. Only your attention can do this.

Food: fresh veggies of all kinds, a little seed & cockatoo pellets. Harrisons are always recommended pellet brand for all birds. Everything in moderation & you should have a healthy cockatoo.

The expense of the whole package varies to where you live. Some countries they're extremely expensive while here in Australia they're very cheep & one of the most common pets to have.

Cleaninf the cage should be done daily. Avoid having water & food below any perch that the cockatoo sits on, otherwise you'll have pooy food & water that needs cleaning every couple of hours.

A great idea for a cockatoo is to make or buy a playgym for it. Make it hard wood so it'll last longer than a day!! & safe wood. This will keep it occupied & happy. Cockatoos are natural climbers & it'll love to climb a gym & chew on it.

Food & water should be available to them at all times.

Answer 5

1. Cockatoos are never a good first bird, no matter how much you love them. They are noisy, they chew, during their 'puberty' phase they get very ornery and bitey with people.

2. A cockatoo cage should stand at least 4-5 feet high and just as wide. They need plenty of room to climb around. They should have perches at several different heights, and at the front, back, and sides of the cage. A tree stand is also a good thing to have so they can play outside their cage as much as possible.

3. Everyone has their own opinion of which packaged food to use, although Zupreem is one of the current fad foods. With cockatoos, the more important thing is FRESH foods- veggies, fruits, meats, pastas, nuts, etc. Most of a cockatoos diet should come from fresh food sources, not bird diets.

4. Cockatoos need a variety of toys: wood, plastic, paper, rope, etc. You can make your own from cheap baby toys sometimes, it helps save money since the good toys are very expensive.

My family had a cockatoo when I was younger, and a friend of mine owns one now, and while they are fun birds to have around, they require the same amount of attention as a newborn child. As in, constant. They need people around all the time, or they get depressed. They need fresh foods. Their cage should be cleaned daily; their water changed twice per day. If you have to run out for a few minutes, a TV or radio should be handy in the room with them to help distract them.

It's a big decision, and you'll also have to consider who might take the bird if anything happens to you. Better yet, consider adopting a bird who's already been left without a home. There are plenty of them around.

Answer 6

First off, cockatoos are not good first time birds. They demand ALOT of attention and if they don't get it, they become screamers, pluckers or worse...self mutilators. If you're thinking a bird will be spending most of its time in a cage, then a cockatoo of any sort is not a good choice. They need alot of out of cage time.
Goffins are fun, silly, cuddly lil creatures that are smart and require tons of stimulating attention and play time. Imagine having a 2 year old child for basically the rest of your life!
Basically, on a scale of 1 to 10 for a 1st time bird owner. I'd have to say 0 for being a first time bird. Here's a link to some cockatoo information. There's also an area on Goffins. http://animal-world.com/encyclo/birds/cockatoos/CockatoosProfile.htm
Please, do LOTS of research. Join a bird forum and get advice from cockatoo owners. Learn as much as you possibly can prior to getting any bird.
Also, here's a link with info about several bird species and their typical behaviours http://www.avesint.com/choosing.html
Good luck and happy learning! :-)

Answer 7

I do not own a cockatoo, but I have great respect for them.
On a scale of 1-10, 10 being a good bird for first timers, I would say a cockatoo is a NEGATIVE 5!!!

PLEASE do not get a cockatoo!

get a cockatiel, they are wonderful pets and much easier for a first time bird owner

Below I have included a link to the BEST site for people thinking of getting a cockatoo.... READ THE WHOLE THING! Especially if you love animals/birds... you do not want to make the same mistake many people have made.

Answer 8

Of all the cockatoos you might have chosen, the Goffin is the best. If you get a handfed baby, you can train it as you want.
Give it lots of love and handling and also let it play quietly with the toys you bought for it. This way it will maybe - not call for you incessantly. I had one I rescued that was a doll for 3 weeks - the honeymoon. Even when he got real he was okay. Their job on the planet is to chew so I gave him things to chew - baby toys mostly including wooden blocks.

The whole package, Bird - $800, Amazon size cage $1000, (mine lived in a Kings Cage and loved it), toys - $100 or at yard sales - $10. Give them lots of chopped veggies/fruits, and either pellets or seeds. You will find toys in all places. Branches from your unsprayed trees will be a wonderful treat. Edible flowers are good too.

It is great you are doing your homework now and not screaming for help after buying one. Find a breeder in your area and get a handraised, hand fed, weaned baby. Subscribe to BirdTalk magazine. Read the old ones in the Library. You will have a wonderful companion for decades to come. Remember her/him in your will.

Answer 9

Starting out with a Cockatoo is a tall order, but it can be done. You must be willing to give a lot of time to your bird, as you have chosen a very dependent species. But I love Cockatoos. I have two Umbrellas and wouldn't take anything for them! But they are loud, and they can be destructive. They throw their food out of the cage and when they poop, they REALLY poop!! But, they cuddle, kiss and coo in your ears, and they look at you with the sweetest look. It's all worth it!!
Go to your local bird shop and spend time with the Cockatoos. Our shop has a bonding room where you can take a bird and spend time with it to get to know it. Maybe yours has something like that too. It's a big decision considering how long these birds live. And it is not fair to the bird to re-home it. Be sure, and then enjoy!!

Answer 10

http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww55eiii.htm

Here's a nice site to give you some info. I don't own a cockatoo, but I have an African Grey and cockatiels. I've met a lot of toos. Owners do say they are very needy--they don't like to be alone too long. They are big time chewers--anything wood they can get their beaks on is history! And yes, they are known as screamers. You can't get mad at them when they do this, it is natural behavior. Do lots lots lots of research, go meet some breeders and their birds, help at a bird rescue. Really get an idea if a Too is the right bird for you! If so, you'll have a friend for life. :)