Buyer question
Is a Cockatoo parrot good for beginners?
Usually not: our Animal Library rates the Cockatoo parrot 1 out of 5 for beginners (often rehomed; plan well).
Source: the Cockatoo parrot page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Cockatoo parrot in the Animal Library
The detail
Cockatoos are crested parrots from Australia, Indonesia and nearby islands, bonded to their people to an intense degree. That devotion is the draw and the difficulty: many need more attention than a working household can give, and they tell you loudly.
- Best fit
- Home most of the day
What to weigh
Cockatoos are among the most frequently rehomed parrots because their need for contact is so high. Screaming, feather plucking and self-harm can follow neglect. They also shed a lot of powder down, which bothers some people's allergies.