Life expectancy of a cockatoo with a person and in the wild

Nature has endowed the Cockatoo parrot with amazing intelligence and unique qualities. He easily copes with various intellectual tasks. He is quick to learn and is extremely curious and active. The bird is happy to make contact, can dance, whistle melodies, chat, show various tricks and will happily begin to help its beloved owner with household chores.

The exotic bird constantly surprises with its natural abilities, which seem to be inexhaustible. Contact with a funny bird leaves an unforgettable impression for a long time. When a real miracle appears in the house, the life of the residents will change dramatically. No one will be bored. Future breeders often have a question about how long a Cockatoo parrot lives. In this article we will begin to study this issue.

How long does a cockatoo live?

Today, more than 20 species of Cockatoos are known and their range occupies numerous territories. Birds prefer to live in large flocks or groups. Body size up to 70 cm. Body weight about 950 g. The main diet of birds is seeds, fruits, roots, nuts and larvae. They prefer to settle on the high crowns of tropical trees in dense forests in Australia, neighboring islands and continents.

The life of a Cockatoo depends on human and natural factors. Species have not only external differences, but also different life expectancies, namely:

• The Inca cockatoo is elegant, its plumage color is pink and white. The crest is pale pink, the middle is rich red. It is considered the most beautiful parrot among its fellows. Life expectancy in nature is 40-80 years;
• The Black Cockatoo is a fairly large bird. The color is black and slate with a greenish tint. This species is considered the most ancient among the family. Lives up to 90 years;
• Moluccan Cockatoo - the upper feathers are white with a pale pink tint, the lower feathers are red and orange. The species is in danger of extinction. Lives 40-80 years;
• Mourning Cockatoo is black with red stripes across its tail. Small crest, tail length is half the size of the body. Requires a lot of attention from the owner. In nature they live up to 45 years;
• Greater Sulphur-crested Cockatoo - white plumage with yellow tints. They can often be seen in the circus performing all sorts of tricks. Live up to 50 years;
• Spectacled Cockatoo - the color of the plumage is white, the underwings, undertail, cheeks, neck and ears have a yellowish coating. Around the eyes there is skin without feathers with bluish circles resembling glasses. Lives in the natural environment for 50-60 years;
• Pink Cockatoo - its appearance is not similar to other species of the family and is divided into subspecies. The back, wings and tail are gray, the chest and neck are pink, the upper part of the head is soft pink. Capable of living up to 50 years.

Description of the species

Cockatoos are large birds, they can reach sizes from thirty to sixty centimeters, and gain weight from 300 to 1200 g. The birds have a long beak, curved down, and it looks massive against the background of the head.

Birds can use it to bite through the cage bars if they are made of wood or soft wire. Under natural conditions, they easily break down the hard shells of nuts and seeds. The tongue helps extract grains from fruits. At the tip it is covered with a black cornea and has a hollow, which the individual uses as a spoon.

Description of the cockatoo parrot

Not only the beak is a distinctive feature of this species, there is another striking feature - the crest on the head. It consists of elongated feathers located on the crown and back of the head.

The crest differs from the main color of the individual and can consist of white, black, pink and yellow feathers. There are no green feathers on the head; this is also a specific feature of the species.

Females and males are similar in color, but they differ in size and weight.

Cockatoos don't fly very well, but they climb trees and move on the ground perfectly.

Factors influencing life expectancy in the wild

The lifespan of a Cockatoo depends on factors; on average, according to statistics, it is 30-50 years. Danger and threat can lurk at every turn.

Natural factors

In nature there is a real struggle for survival. Birds die due to diseases. They become the prey of a predatory beast. Die due to injuries received. When there is a drought or the food runs out, flocks go in search of a new place to live; some cannot tolerate a long flight.

Human factors

When going in search of food, parrots often fly into agricultural fields and plantations, thereby causing significant damage. People are taking measures to eliminate pests. They add toxic substances, spray the plants, catch them with traps, and shoot them with guns. And some tribes eat parrot meat for food. Birds are captured for sale and smuggled to other countries. If transported incorrectly, Cockatoos die.

Cycle of life

Like every animal, a parrot of this species has its own life cycle. It is divided into nesting (reproduction) and post-nesting periods, and this does not depend on the place of residence.

Life stage during reproduction:

• Showing - that is, the bird develops a certain behavior that helps attract males or females. This can be expressed in strong activity, frequent singing, and the like.
• Nest building. If the bird is free, then after finding a companion for the mating period, the cockatoo begins to equip its nest for hatching eggs. That is, it shapes it so that there is enough space for everyone, and insulates the home using all available methods.
• Incubation. During this period, the eggs hatch and are warmed by their warmth.
• Feeding chicks. After the chicks hatch, both male and female spend most of their time hunting to feed their young.

Next comes the post-nesting period, which includes molting of feathers, as well as migration. The last point for this feathered animal is not taken into account, but molting is present.

Even if she grows at home, the nesting period cannot be avoided. Therefore, there are three ways out of the situation: mating two parrots, suppressing the reproductive instinct with the help of veterinarians, or ignoring it.

How many years does a cockatoo live at home?

The bird can live up to 70 years if comfortable conditions are created. A careless attitude towards a parrot is not acceptable. The human factor greatly influences how long Cockatoos live at home. When getting a parrot you need to take it seriously. Create the necessary conditions for maintenance and care. Provide constant attention, love and communication, the absence of which leads to deterioration of health.

Nutrition

Due attention must be paid to the pet's diet. Nutrition should be balanced and varied. The main part consists of grain mixtures, but add fruits, vegetables and herbs to the menu. So that the body can be saturated with vitamins and minerals for good functioning. The food is of exceptional quality and fresh. Follow all the rules; this determines how long the Cockatoo will live at home.

Freedom for parrots

The lifespan will be quite long in a comfortable and cozy environment. The parrot is large in size, so a large cage or aviary is what it needs. Nothing should interfere with its movement so that it can easily open its wings and stretch out. The bird is energetic, active and mobile; to maintain excellent physical condition it is necessary to fly constantly. It is recommended to let him out of the cage every day for a long time.

Poor attitude of the owner

The cockatoo is a rather demanding bird; it needs to be given a lot of attention, good care and proper maintenance. Needs love, affection, care and communication. In the absence of these components, life expectancy is instantly reduced, which leads to death. Human care is a factor that determines how many years a Cockatoo lives.

Causes of death

The causes of an animal's illness are mostly due to the carelessness of the owner. Diseases that in some cases lead to death. A change in the parrot's behavior should serve as a signal to contact a veterinarian. Do not hesitate under any circumstances, timely measures will save your pet from death.

• lack of proper attention - the bird begins to get bored, while experiencing enormous stress;
• diseases for which measures are not taken in a timely manner, which leads to neglect and death;
• electric shock;
• injuries subsequently received when hitting home furnishings or window glass;
• flying out of the window into the street, which will doom you to death;
• damage caused by pets;
• diseases transmitted at the genetic level.

Do not leave your pet unattended, protect it from all kinds of dangers and it will live a long and happy life next to you.

Causes of premature death

The owner must know not only the rules of care, but also the possible causes of premature death.

Yellow-crested cockatoo - All about the parrot species | Parrot species - yellow-crested cockatoo

1. Tight cage. The home should be spacious; if it is cramped, the pet’s muscles will atrophy over time and he will get sick.
2. Drafts. Do not place the house between open windows; it is best to place it in a well-ventilated room, but without drafts.
3. Direct sunlight. Do not place the cage on a window, under the burning rays of the sun, as this can cause the pet to overheat and die. Do not forget that in nature there is day and night, do not disturb the natural course of things. If necessary, cover your home with a cloth so that light does not interfere with your rest.
4. Cage in the kitchen. It's very hot and humid here. Such conditions are disastrous, especially since the noise from kitchen appliances will irritate and harm the talker.
5. Bad air. Musty air, cigarette smoke, steam and other strong aromas have a detrimental effect on the health of birds. The room should be regularly and well ventilated.
6. Poor care. Poor nutrition and poor water shorten the life of a bird.

For these reasons, various diseases can occur that lead to death.

How to buy a healthy cockatoo

The Cockatoo parrot is an expensive exotic bird.

Important! Before you buy, study in detail the physiological characteristics, character, habits, rules of maintenance, nutrition and care.

If you are ready to fulfill all your needs, then you should go to nurseries or breeders to find a good friend. The birds are all ringed. You must be provided with the necessary documents for the bird. They will contain information:

• Date of Birth;
• Place of Birth;
• floor;
• health certificate and others.

It is better to choose a young individual. Chicks adapt faster and are easier to train. Externally, the chick should be healthy and active. Do not buy from dubious sellers, such birds are often imported illegally. The chances that the bird is healthy are small. Even stress received during transportation easily develops into depression, and such people will not live long. Such cockatoos may not be tamed.

Necessary items and devices

Photo: https://pixabay.com/photos/sulfur-crested-cockatoo-1116179/

Cell selection

When purchasing a cockatoo, you initially need to understand that this is a rather large bird, and it will need a lot of space. Therefore, the pet’s home should be spacious. If the parrot can freely climb around the cage and spread its wings when desired, this will help it remain not only healthy, but also cheerful. And the bird’s good mood will certainly make its owner happy.

The optimal cage size for keeping a large parrot is 1.7 m × 1 m × 1 m. Medium parrots can be kept in a cage measuring 0.7 m × 0.5 m × 0.5 m.

The bars of a parrot's house should be made of solid metal and strong enough so that the pet does not easily bite through them.

Preference should be given to a cage with a retractable bottom; this little detail will greatly facilitate the process of caring for the bird.

If you plan to keep not one bird, but two or more, then you will have to build an aviary.

Home improvement

Necessary items that need to be purchased along with the cage are perches, a water bowl and a feeder.

Preference should be given to perches made from more durable wood species. They should be placed so that the pet sitting on the perch does not rest against the cage with either its head or tail.

The diameter of the perch is also of great importance. For large parrots, the diameter of this object should not be less than 5 cm. For medium parrots, a stick with a diameter of 2.5 cm is enough.

That is, the toes gripping the poles should not close.

Particular attention should be paid to the lock that locks the cage. In no case should the cockatoo parrot open it easily and, at any desire, be free.

Water, drinking bowl, feeder

The drinking bowl and feeder must be made of durable material, otherwise the parrot will break them very quickly.

Photo: https://pixabay.com/photos/sulfur-crested-cockatoo-parrot-3923181/

If everything is clear with food, the bird is quite gluttonous and requires it in sufficient quantities, then with water it is not so clear. If your pet hasn’t drunk all the water in a day, what should you do? Should I leave it or pour it fresh? The answer is simple: the water must be changed every day without fail, and the drinking bowl will also have to be washed every day.

Before giving water to a cockatoo, it must be left for at least a day to allow substances hazardous to health to evaporate.

You should also not give preference to boiled water; there is nothing healthy in it.

Lighting

An important issue is the placement of the cage. It has been proven that birds simply need the sun's rays vitally; they increase the body's resistance to disease and enhance metabolic processes in the blood.

You need to place your pet in the brightest room, preferably with a southern orientation, where the temperature will be from 18 to 20 degrees.

In the summer, parrots should spend quite a long time in the sun. And to prevent them from overheating, one side of the cage needs to be shaded.

In winter, if there is a lack of sunlight, it is recommended to use special lamps for additional illumination.

Ideal air humidity is 75-90 percent.

The cockatoo parrot is very sensitive to odors. The smoking owner will have to go out onto the landing so as not to injure the pet with an unpleasant odor. And the kitchen is not the best place to place a cage.

It is imperative to ventilate the apartment daily; parrots benefit from fresh air.

Toys

If you decide to make your cockatoo happy and buy him toys, you need to choose them based on the following requirements:

• durability of items intended for games;
• plastic or other material from which the toy is made must not contain harmful substances or impurities;
• toys should smell nice.

You should give preference to things that will help your bird develop. For example, while playing with pyramids, the cockatoo parrot will learn to reason, it will begin to catch balls and throw them again, and it will try to untie knots. When playing with rattles and bells, the bird will definitely begin to repeat the sounds that these things make.

If you teach through play, be sure to praise your pet for any success and treat him with a treat.

Health and illness

Any living creature can get sick, and parrots are no exception. Most often, diseases occur due to improper care. The most common are the following: intestinal and lung diseases, parasites, feather pulling.

It is unlikely that you will be able to determine on your own what the bird is sick with. Therefore, you should not delay a visit to the veterinarian if your pet exhibits the following symptoms:

• loss of appetite;
• sneezing and discharge from the nostrils;
• sharp screams;
• change in color and appearance of excrement.

If you do not treat your parrot, it may die.

A bird can also die from boredom during a long separation from its owner.

Pros and cons of keeping birds

Pros of keeping a cockatoo:

• no odor;
• birds do not require walking;
• Cockatoos very rarely get sick;
• live long;
• a bird can be taught not only to speak, but also to answer questions, give a paw, and respond to a name.

Cons of cockatoos:

• excessive attachment to the owner;
• if offended, a parrot can bite, and hard;
• when traveling around the house, curious pets can cause serious damage to a person’s habitat;
• they will definitely peck indoor plants: leaves, stems, flowers. And they will even scoop out the soil from the pot, along with the roots, of course;
• Cockatoos are quite noisy; if they decide that they are not receiving enough attention, they will definitely begin to demand it, and very loudly;
• a jealous bird can harm a small child;
• The cage will have to be cleaned daily.

The cockatoo parrot is an early bird. Sunrise is a wake-up call for him.

Covering the cage with a dark cloth to sleep longer is unlikely to work. In this case, the owner will be awakened not by joyful chirping, but by a protesting cry.

Lifestyle

They inhabit forests, forest boundaries, clearings with small groups of trees, mango thickets, wetlands, coconut plantations, coastal zones, up to an altitude of 1000 m above sea level. They live in pairs, small and large flocks (from 20 individuals). They prefer tall trees. They spend the night in groups of up to 16 birds. Cautious, in case of danger they quickly fly away. They are most active early in the morning and late in the afternoon. They feed on seeds, fruits (including green coconuts), berries, nuts, insects and their larvae. It can hold food with one paw and break off pieces of it with its beak. When it rains, they swim hanging upside down and spreading their wings.

Reproduction

In their natural habitat, having reached the age of five or six, Moluccan parrots begin to look for a partner. The pairs that are created are quite strong; the parents hatch and raise the chicks together.

They prefer to build nests at a considerable height in hollow dead trees, covering the bottom of the hollow with pieces of bark and dust.

The female lays two eggs, each 48 hours apart. The eggs hatch for 30 days. The hatched naked and blind chicks weigh only 14-20 grams. After about 3.5 months, they are fully feathered and become almost indistinguishable from adults. Usually parents feed their offspring for another month.