No matter how much you know about parrots, if you were to see a parrot in person, you more than likely would be blown away by their overly charismatic and caring personality.
Considering these are traits that are so heavily sought-after with pets, a parrot is a perfect pet in that regard.
Still, there are over 350 parrot species in the world, meaning it can seem confusing on what a parrot is.
With this in mind, is a Cockatoo a parrot?
To answer this question…yes, a cockatoo is a parrot for countless reasons and is one of the most lively and affectionate parrots a person can adopt. Their typical white bodies with a giant mohawk-style crest are a sight to see in person. However, this isn’t the only description for Cockatoos since there are over 21 different Cockatoo species that we know of.
As you can imagine, with a species as diverse as Cockatoos, there is a lot of information attached to the matter.
Not even just with what makes a Cockatoo a parrot, but also how their personalities and physical traits are.
There is a lot to unpack when discussing any parrot species, which can be a fun area to highlight for anyone that’s interested in adopting a parrot.
Thus, if you’re considering adopting a Cockatoo, look no further.
We’ll discuss what makes a Cockatoo a parrot, what the difference is between a Cockatoo and a Cockatiel, if Cockatoos are friendly, if they’re a good pet, and much more.
By the end of it, you’ll have a solid list of information regarding Cockatoos for you to take a close examination at.
Without further ado, let’s take a look!
What makes a Cockatoo a parrot?
With a subject as broad as parrots, it can seem confusing where to begin with why a Cockatoo is a parrot.
Although this might intimidate you, don’t let it since it’s reasonably straightforward to understand what makes a parrot a parrot.
Fortunately enough, there are plenty of broad points related to parrots that help us know if a specific bird is a parrot.
For instance, every parrot has a curved beak with four toes on each foot.
Of their four toes, two of their toes point forward while the other two point backward.
Diet-wise, parrots tend to eat insects, flowers, nuts, fruit, buds, and nuts.
If you’re confused about what you should feed your Cockatoo, don’t since there are plenty of guides online that’ll allow you to decide.
As a whole, parrots can only live in warm climates, which is why they’re most commonly found in Australia, Central America, and South America.
There are also plenty of parrots that can be found in other parts of the world. Cockatoos themselves are from Australasia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
If you plan on adopting a Cockatoo, there are a lot of points to be mindful with the two most being their diet and keeping their room warm.
Obviously, you don’t need to transition their room into a sauna, but be aware of how warm it is where they’re hanging out.
As for their diet, always check online and with their vet about what you should feed them since parrots are allergic to so many different kinds of food.
What’s the difference between a Cockatoo and a Cockatiel?
People tend to confuse Cockatoos and Cockatiels for various reasons, most likely due to their similar names.
Cockatiels are also a member of their own branch of a cockatoo, meaning that all Cockatiels are Cockatoos, but not all Cockatoos are Cockatiels.
It can seem confusing, but basically, just realize Cockatiels are a specific species of Cockatoos.
Cockatiels tend to be much smaller than the average Cockatoo.
Cockatiels are usually 13 to 14 inches in length, while Cockatoos can grow up to 26 inches.
As a result, larger cockatoos require bigger cages and more playtime to keep themselves happy, making Cockatiels much more popular in the parrot adopting world.
Are Cockatoos friendly parrots?
Despite their intimidating physical characteristics, Cockatoos are much friendlier than most people realize.
In fact, Cockatoos are so of the most lively and affectionate parrots you can set-out and adopt.
Expect to spend a great deal of time with your Cockatoo otherwise, they may become depressed and display odd behaviors.
It’s never ideal to neglect your parrot, so always do everything you can to ensure your Cockatoo is as good as they can be.
Get them plenty of toys, a large cage, feed them well, and you’ll have an excellent parrot on your side.
As for the topic at hand, yes, Cockatoos are very friendly as long as you treat them well.
Is a Cockatoo a good pet?
Like you can imagine, a Cockatoo is an excellent pet for several reasons.
They love spending time with others, making them a great choice for larger families.
That way, if you’re busy with work, someone else can come along and spend a great deal of time with your Cockatoo.
However, like any other parrot species, there are plenty of points you should be mindful of.
First, Cockatoos tend to be exceptionally large so make sure you have a big enough cage for them.
Seeing as parrots spend so much time in cages, you’ll want to get them a good one. Also, get them plenty of toys, spend time with them, and ensure their diet is going well.
How big is a Cockatoo compared to other parrots?
With a species as broad as Cockatoos, there are a lot of sizes associated with them, most of which tend to be on the larger size.
The average Cockatoo is typically 12 to 18 inches in length with a weight of 1 to 1.5 pounds.
As you can imagine, always do what you can to ensure your Cockatoo has enough room.
How much does a Cockatoo cost compared to other parrots?
The last point to highlight with a Cockatoo being a parrot is how much it costs to adopt a Cockatoo.
If you’re interested in doing so, Cockatoos are typically $500 to $1200 depending on their age, health, traits, and breeder.
There are also more costly Cockatoos such as Umbrella Cockatoos that can be $1000 to $3000.