Cockatoos Are Needy

Cockatoos are needy birds. They are more emotionally driven than other birds which makes it super challenging to have them as a “pet.” Yes this video is adorable, but this is my moluccan cockatoo Alfie 5% of the day. The rest of the day he is either screaming louder than a jet engine (literally, they are that loud), chewing toys like a mad man costing me hundreds of dollars a month, doing puzzles and foraging because they need to keep mentally stimulated, and bathing since they’re super dusty it can create lung damage to us humans.

Cockatoos are fun in theory. It is fun to visit them, but when evaluating if you have the time and home life for one is a different story for most.

I believe with most parrots, most bird lovers can own them successfully. But it takes a real special type of person to own a cockatoo successfully and give them the space, care, consistent mental stimulation, and training that they need.

I always advise people that if they don’t think they can provide properly for a cockatoo, but they want one, to volunteer at a rescue near you! That way you’re exposed to them, you learn about them, you get to hangout and enjoy them, but they aren’t your responsibility. Plus, who wouldn’t want to volunteer and help an organization in need