Places on the planet where he lives cockatoo, not so much. Habitat is limited to Australia, New Guinea, the Eastern part of the Malay archipelago, Islands of the Bismarck, Solomon, Palawan (Philippines), Sulawesi, and Lombok (Indonesia).
A few species have been artificially introduced to New Zealand, Palau, Seram and Kei (Eastern most island of the Moluccan archipelago), as well as in Singapore and Puerto Rico. The compact living area, where there is a cockatoo a Goffin – the island Tanimbar in the Arafura sea (the edge of the Indian ocean).
Most of these charismatic creatures prefer shaded forests, certainly near the natural pools because I love swimming. It can be a half of the mangrove forests, eucalyptus groves, a tropical rain forest with an abundance of streams, rivers and waterfalls, or mountain woodlands. With the exception of the pink cockatoo and Corella – the inhabitants of the grassy wastelands, and savannas.
What feeds the cockatoos in nature? Fruits, greens, nuts, roots, seeds, grasses, insect larvae. Noisy birds live in large flocks, are polygamous, do not have a permanent couple.
General description of cockatoos
A fairly large parrot, 30 cm (Corella) to 70 cm (black cockatoo) size from 300 grams to 1.5 kg in weight. The name Malay “kakatuwa” translates as “broadbeak” or “Nipper”, according to another version, a play on words meaning something like “povtorus”. Body powerful, often monochromatic painted, depending on the species, in white, light gray, pink, yellowish, brownish, black color. Massive strong beak, the lower part of which, like the castle, finds the top.
Lush high crest, which is “Nipper”, showing emotions or attracting attention, the picture opens in the manner of a fan. The tail is small with straight or slightly rounded edge. Strong legs provided with curved gripping claws. Externally, males and females are difficult to distinguish, females are usually slightly smaller and have lighter (red, reddish) the iris of the eye, whereas in males it is black or dark brown.
Very moving, active being, able to learn various tricks (fetch, striking with his beak, flips on poles and in the ring) and accurately mimic human speech.
How many years of living cockatoos in nature? Life expectancy is comparable to human in favourable conditions crested talkers live to 80 years or more.
Habitat and seasonal movements of the cockatoos
Kakadu adapts well to different climatic conditions. This can be seen, if you follow the places of its habitat. Parrot found in Australia, New Guinea, the Philippine Islands and Indonesia.
Species typical of Australia, their place of settlement choose the open countryside. Trees serve only as temporary shelters during the breeding season and a night’s rest.
Other varieties of exotic birds prefer fresh or gregarious living in the crown of a tree.
For Indonesian cockatoos is characterised by the occurrence in areas with tropical and subtropical climates. Birds live in the woods or on the edges of marshland.
Certain types, which is characterized by a nomadic life, do not leave your geographical area. For parrots of Australia seasonal movements observed only in mourning white-tailed cockatoo. It starts breeding in the warmer parts of the continent, and after his graduation he moved to the cooler pine forest.
A bit odd and inexplicable are the habits of the slender-billed cockatoo, the multiplication which starts there, where the above view, however, the subsequent localization occurs in the area, with not less than a hot climate.
Species diversity
Photos show the variety of forms and colors within genera. Black – a large dark bird with a huge crest and red cheeks looks ominous, and the behavior is wild and independent. Funeral cockatoo is not too popular among lovers of tropical birds from behind a discreet grey plumage and implicitly defined Pappus, therefore, the most popular in the home contents are:
Canadabuy a large white parrot with a crest– the most sociable and talkative, restless troublemaker and a trickster. Words remembers a little, but plays them cleanly and willingly. Considered the most trainees.
Shlemonosnye mottled gray-white handsome man with a bright red head. Not too talkative, but very nice.
White-tailed (mourning)white-Tailed (mourning) – aristocratic establishment with inimitable artistry. The snow-white plumage and long crest give it a respectable appearance.
Zheltorechensky – large (up to 1 kg) white topper with lemon tuft is also among the standouts for training and imitation of sounds.
Pink (gala)Gala or pink – gentle, medium-sized (35 cm), beautiful bird with light grey “tuxedo”. Breast, belly and cheeks crimson.
Inchicago Inca – extraordinarily spectacular white parrot with a pastel pink head, neck, chest and abdomen and stunning colors tufted, reminiscent of the headdress of the ancient Indians. Unfortunately, outside of Australia the export of birds is prohibited.
Aluksnensky – pale pink with orange ruffle, medium size (800 g). Almost never speaks, but looks very elegant.
Keralakerala the layout (300g) and affordable. The plumage is variegated-gray waves and stains, white or yellowish. Indispensable attribute – a lemon-yellow head and orange “rosy” cheeks. Does not speak, but very affectionate to the owner. Deals piercing whistle.
Content features a cockatoo at home
The decision to get a large parrot in artificial conditions, require the owner of responsibility and considerable material costs. The ideal option would be a warm greenhouse in a private house with familiar feathered fauna and an artificial pond for bathing. If such a luxury is not available, we need to remember that the enclosure where dwells your home a cockatoo, the size must be at least 4х2х2 m, with steel rods with a thickness of 3 mm (with thinner wire it is easy to cut).
Set away from drafts and direct sunlight. The bolt should be lock, otherwise intelligent bird will quickly learn to open it. You need to place inside the house 70х80х80 cm, planting poles at different heights, a few bird feeders of metal or high impact plastic, the drinker, the pool.
Cockatoos need to recreate the maximum natural conditions for life
Where you live cockatoos in nature – among the thousands of trees and shrubs- they feel at ease and comfortable, so you need to try to recreate this atmosphere at home. Poles can be made from stumps of orchard trees (Apple, cherry, plum), as long as the wood was quite solid. The more the cage, toys, swing, “gryzunov” and crushers, the more the merrier tenant.
Download the unwanted attention of a parrot should not be, because a spoiled bird, not having received the usual share of communication, may, experiencing, tweeze yourself on breast and belly feathers. But every day you need to give the pet at least one hour.
What to feed cockatoos
Cockatoo eats the same things and his relatives – grain mix of oats, millet, buckwheat, corn. With nuts and sunflower seeds need to be careful – excess fat in the limited mobility of your bird do not need.
Buy can fruit (Apple, banana, orange, kiwi, pineapple), vegetables (carrots, turnips, zucchini, celery, cucumber, boiled potatoes), berries (strawberries, raspberries, mountain ash, hawthorn, cherry without stones), cereals and greens (dandelion, plantain).
Don’t forget to please pet snacks
Young birds need protein food (low-fat cottage cheese, egg, hard cheese). During molting, it is useful to feed sprouted grains, rich In vitamins b and E. minerals and trace elements are usually sold with special briquettes in pet stores. Coarse feed, as a source of fiber, you also need fresh branches of Apple, willow, birch, Rowan, viburnum, currant, hawthorn.
It is impossible to give the branches of poplar, oak, cherry, pear. Avoid herbs – dill, parsley, cilantro, buttery and easy hanging fruits – avocado, papaya, mango, and “human” treats – sugar, chocolate, alcohol.
Percentage of components of the diet:
(fall-spring)
grain mix – 50%
sprouted grain – 25%
fruits and vegetables – 25%
(spring-fall)
grain mix – 35%
sprouted grains – 40%
fruits and vegetables – 25%
Clean fresh water in the troughs – the guarantee of health of your talker. Sometimes it can add a little honey, fruit juice or rose hip syrup. You have to understand that, no matter how much we try, living environment, we recreate the fail, so you’ll have to accept the fact that at home cockatoos live for about 30 years, which is not so little.
The cost of exotic birds
Kakadu is not cheap. More costly to its content
How much is a cockatoo in Russia and where you can buy these funny birds? Exotic plants now are common in their offer via the Internet, private breeders, pet shops, catteries. Buying Chicks in the nursery or from a certified breeder gives certain guarantees of health, legal presence in the country, matching gender and age.
Such individuals have the veterinary chip international standard or a ring on the paw. The budget option – Corella – will cost 3000-4000 rubles., the price of white cockatoo starts from 60 000 rubles., and jeltuhay from 90 000 rubles, and the Price is more rare and large birds reaches 500, 000.
