What it’s like living with a…
Moluccan CockatooToxic Trait: Stage 5 clinger! Will become jealous and loud when you try to leave them, look at another bird, or generally do anything that isn’t focused on them!
Best Quality: Very sensitive and affectionate, also gorgeous and SO soft!
Size: Extra Large and in charge!
Vocalizations: Mostly screams and whistles (ear piercing!), 120-135+ decibels, often cited as one of the loudest birds in the world. Ironically enough, one of the few phrases they learn to say is “I’m a good boy”, usually when they are, in fact, NOT being a good boy.
Lifespan: 65-80 years
Dust or Dander: Dusty!!
Umbrella CockatooToxic Trait: MUST be the life of the party! Absolutely cannot tolerate anyone being the center of attention and taking the spotlight off them, but only a Stage 4 clinger.
Best Quality: They really ARE the life of the party! So playful and full of spunk, they’re always ready for fun and dancing.
Size: Extra Large
Vocalizations: Umbrellas can learn to say a somewhat limited amount of words and they usually come out sounding like baby talk, but after a while you come to know what they mean. Also capable of some volume, but not as bad as the Moluccans
Lifespan: 40-80 years
Dust or Dander: Dust
Lesser Sulfur Crested CockatooToxic Trait: Pick about one person or gender they like and bite everyone else. Oh and you almost CANNOT change their minds about this.
Best Quality: Very sweet and loyal. If you are lucky enough to be that person that they love, it’s limitless and amazing. Not as clingy as some of the other ‘toos.
Size: Large
Vocalizations: These aren’t typically the greatest talkers. They may have a phrase or word they know and will repeat it ad nauseam, but not a broad vocabulary. They also have what I like to call a “dinosaur scream”. If you’ve heard it, you know.
Lifespan: 40-60 years
Dust or Dander: Dust
Goffin's CockatooToxic Trait: Twitchy little creature. Seriously, they move so fast and randomly it’s a little terrifying. They also don’t seem to have an issue nipping a little to make sure you know you were out of line.
Best Quality: Insanely intelligent, almost too smart sometimes. They figure out how to escape from their cage and then also release everyone else from theirs.
Size: Medium
Vocalizations: They are some of the clearer speaking of the cockatoos and most can learn a handful of phrases and of course use them in context. All sorts of things from as simple as “Hi!” to “whatcha doin?”.
Lifespan: 40-60 years
Dust or Dander: Dust
Bare Eyed CockatooToxic Trait: Looking exhausted no matter how rested they are. That and raiding cabinets when out of their cage.
Best Quality: Don’t get me wrong, NO cockatoos are quiet, but as far as cockatoos go, they’re on the less screamy side. They also tend to self-entertain a little better than many other ‘toos.
Size: Medium
Vocalizations: These guys don’t seem to make a whole lot of noise all around, whether talking or calling out. Mostly clicks and chicken sounds…at least that’s what I get out of ours.
Lifespan: 40-60 years
Dust or Dander: Dust
Red Lored AmazonToxic Trait: Biting, nipping, chomping, a little screaming, and more biting. It appears to be their primary means of communication. Also, once bonded, they want to be on you all the time, but you aren’t allowed to pet them.
Best Quality:
Size: Medium
Vocalizations: Amazons in general are known for being good talkers, but they’ll only learn if you talk to them or they hear things from a TV or radio. They CAN scream quite loud, but usually like really aggressively made sound.
Lifespan: 40-60 years
Dust or Dander: Dander
Up Next:Green Wing Macaw
Catalina Macaw
Blue & Gold Macaw
Sun Conure
Eastern Rosella
Parakeet
Senegal