Feathered Family Inc.

Thats why! But before you fall in love....

There's a lot to know about Cockatoos. Some are commonly referred to as "Velcro Birds". Some species seem to have more birds named Houdini than anyone else. Cockatoos are a lot of work! Umbrella and Moluccan Cockatoos are large demanding birds who can destroy a doorjamb in five minutes flat if not offered other choices. Goffins, Crested 'Toos, and others like them are talented escape artists who's companion people sometimes have to resort to padlocks to keep them in their cages! I've even heard stories of 'Toos who have picked the locks on their cages. Whatever kind of Cockatoo you choose they are all hard work and time consuming, but in the end it can be worth every bit of it!

Cockatoos come in an amazing variety, from small and white to huge and black. Each different 'Too has different needs and desires, and each person who lives with a 'Too faces different challenges. Unfortunately, cockatoos are known self destructive birds. Without exacting care they can do anything from scream wildly to self mutilate. Nothing is more heartbreaking than a beautiful bird who has destroyed the feathers and skin of its own body because someone did not take the time to learn how to properly care for the parrot. Cockatoos also have a highly developed sexual drive, they are one of the only birds known to be sexual for reasons other than procreation. A 'Too who is sexually frustrated can do anything from destroy a home to attacking an otherwise loved human companion. A 'Too who bonds sexually with its human can attack anyone else who dares to go near him or her, and an attack by a Cockatoo can be devastating. There are many things to consider before sharing your home with one of these parrots, but if you are ready to do everything in your power to care for and please a bird then you just might be one of the few who can live happily with a Cockatoo!

Once you find yourself with a cockatoo, things will change, from season to season and year to year. Cockatoos, like all living creatures grow and change as they age. What may be a snuggly baby at two years old may indeed be a biting bully at five, and those who wish to share their lives with cockatoos need to be prepared to face these changes and deal with them in the appropriate manner. Cockatoos do not take well to being rehomed multiple times, and often a bird who plucks or self mutilates does so because of emotional issues directly related to being rehomed. If you decide to share your life with a cockatoo be aware that it needs to be a lifetime commitment, not some flight of fancy that will only last a few days or years. Things in your life will change, and you need to be willing and ready to adjust your life to continue to care for the bird you have committed to caring for. This is no easy task, and it is why so many Cockatoos end up in rescue. Loving your bird is not enough, and we sincerely hope that anyone who purchases, adopts, or even is given a cockatoo takes the above information into consideration before ever bringing that bird into their home and life.