Cockatoos

Cockatoos: Educate Yourself. Think FIRST Buy Later

Cockatoo's are one of the most surrendered birds in the US. The reason for this is their diffuculty in handling. These are not easy birds to own. Owning a cockatoo almost always means being bitten by a cockatoo. Cockatoo's are hormonal, very active, and very excitable, making keeping a cockatoo caged as a pet very difficult. Cockatoo's are also very demanding of your attention.

Work a lot of hours? Think twice about having a cockatoo as a pet. They cannot handle being alone long hours.
You will need both an indoor and outdoor aviary.
You will need to be able to buy/make a lot of toys for your bird to destroy.
Have children or want children. Cockatoo's are renown for developing a severe dislike of children and are know to attack them.
Cockatoo's are very sweet and cuddly as babies. Then they reach about 5 years old and begin sexual maturity. You are very unlikely to end up with the same sweet baby bird you purchased.
A cockatoo see's an average of 15 homes in its lifetime. This is beacause they are HARD to handle. Remember to think: WIld Animal First - Pet Second while handling.

Biting:

Here's what Tika's human had to say about this bite:
So it's Sunday morning. Time to clean up the birds indoor aviaries. Everything going as usual... Today we will rearrange some of his hanging toys I was thinking. Started doing that but then wondered..... Where is he anyway??? turned around and WHAM. Nailed me on the right eyebrow..... He runs away laughing his head off then saying "Tika's a good bird, Tika's a good bird" Not funny but the bite was MY fault. IT'S ALWAYS THE HUMANS FAULT.

This is a bite from a cockatoo jumping off of his cage to attack me.

Other Rescouces:

My Too's

http://parrotphotos.us/m2bite.html

Feathered Friends Of Michigan Parrot Rescue