Cockatoos as Pets: Lifespan, Noise, Care, and Why So Many Are Rehomed
A cockatoo is a large parrot with a crest of feathers it can raise and lower, like a fan. There are 21 or 22 species, and most come from Australia and nearby islands. As pets, cockatoos are smart, loving and very funny. They are also loud, dusty and needy. They can live 25 to 45 years in a home, and some live far longer. That mix is why so many cockatoos are rehomed. Some change homes more than once. This guide covers the common pet species, how long they live, how loud they get, what they eat, and what to ask yourself before you bring one home.
In this article
- What is a cockatoo?
- What are the most common pet cockatoos?
- How long do cockatoos live?
- How loud are cockatoos?
- Why do cockatoos need so much attention?
- What is cockatoo powder down?
- What do cockatoos eat, and how big a cage do they need?
- Why are so many cockatoos rehomed?
- Is a cockatoo the right bird for you?
- Frequently asked questions
What is a cockatoo?
A cockatoo is a type of parrot. All cockatoos belong to one bird family, called Cacatuidae. Most experts count about 21 species, and some count 22, since a few birds are still debated. Australia is home to most of them, says the Australian Faunal Directory. The rest live on nearby islands, from New Guinea to the Philippines.
The crest is the easy tell. A cockatoo lifts it when it is excited or scared, and lays it flat when it is calm. Most cockatoos are white or black. A few are pink or gray, like the galah. They also have big, curved beaks strong enough to crack hard nuts.
Here is a fun fact. The cockatiel is a cockatoo too. It is the smallest member of the family, with orange cheek spots and a much quieter voice.
What are the most common pet cockatoos?
Each species has its own style. Vets at VCA Animal Hospitals say pet cockatoos run from about 12 to 27 inches long and weigh about 10 to 30 ounces. Here is how the best-known types compare.
| Species | Color | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Umbrella cockatoo | All white | Called the "Velcro bird" because it loves to be held. Calmer than many other cockatoos. |
| Moluccan (salmon-crested) cockatoo | Soft salmon pink | Sweet and loving, but very loud. Often bonds with just one or two people. |
| Sulphur-crested cockatoo | White with a yellow crest | Big, bold and full of energy. Needs a lot of training to settle in as a pet. |
| Galah (rose-breasted cockatoo) | Pink chest, gray wings | Common across Australia. Playful and social. |
| Major Mitchell's (pink) cockatoo | Pale pink with a red and yellow crest | One of the prettiest cockatoos, and one of the hardest to train. |
| Cockatiel | Gray or yellow, orange cheeks | The smallest cockatoo. Whistles more than it screams. |
Sources: VCA Animal Hospitals, Britannica, PetMD.
How long do cockatoos live?
Cockatoos live a very long time. VCA says most pet cockatoos live 25 to 45 years, and 70 to 80 years is possible. PetMD says they live 20 to 40 years in the wild and up to 70 years or more in a home.
The record holder was Cookie, a Major Mitchell's cockatoo at Brookfield Zoo near Chicago. Guinness World Records lists him as the oldest parrot ever. He was at least 82 years old when he died in 2016.
Put simply, a cockatoo you bring home at 30 could still need you at 80. Many will outlive their first owner.
| Pet | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|
| Most dogs and cats | About 10 to 15 years |
| Pet cockatoo (VCA) | 25 to 45 years, sometimes 70 to 80 |
| Oldest known cockatoo (Cookie) | At least 82 years |
How loud are cockatoos?
Very loud. PetMD calls noise "the biggest factor in owning a cockatoo." Most cockatoos do not learn many words. But they scream and squawk often, and the sound carries through walls. VCA says cockatoos are not a good fit for anyone who is bothered by noise.
Wild cockatoos call loudly to keep their flock together. A pet cockatoo does the same thing with its human flock. It may scream at sunrise, at sunset, when you leave the room, and when it is bored.
You can lower the noise, but you cannot stop it. PetMD gives three tips:
- Do not yell back. To the bird, that is a reply.
- Do not rush in each time it screams. That teaches it that screaming works.
- Give it plenty of toys, chewing and out-of-cage time, so it has other ways to burn off energy.
If the sound changes and seems odd, see an avian vet to rule out a health problem.
Why do cockatoos need so much attention?
In the wild, cockatoos live in big flocks. PetMD notes some flocks hold up to 100 birds. A pet cockatoo has only you. So it wants to be with you most of the day.
VCA compares owning a cockatoo to having a small child. These birds need many hours out of the cage. Without that, they can get loud and chew up furniture.
The bond can turn into a problem
Cockatoos bond hard. PetMD says some birds start to see their owner as a mate. That can lead to separation anxiety, biting, screaming and feather plucking. Some birds pull out their own feathers down to bare skin.
Behavior often changes at age 5 to 7
Many cockatoos are cuddly as babies. But PetMD says some turn nippy or aggressive once they mature, at about 5 to 7 years old. This is a common time for owners to give up a bird.
How to set healthy limits
Start good habits early. Do not carry a young bird around all day, since you cannot keep that up for 40 years. As your bird matures, pet only its head, not its back or body. Touch on the body can stir up mating behavior.
What is cockatoo powder down?
Cockatoos make a fine white dust called powder down. It coats and protects their feathers. It also drifts through the house and settles on everything.
This dust can bother people with bird allergies or breathing issues. PetMD says it can even bother some other birds, like macaws. VCA does not suggest cockatoos for people with airborne allergies.
Ways to cut down the dust:
- Mist your bird with water every day, or let it join you in the shower.
- Run a HEPA air filter in the room where it lives.
- Change the cage paper daily and vacuum often.
- Wash your hands after you handle your bird.
What do cockatoos eat, and how big a cage do they need?
A seed-only diet is not healthy for a cockatoo. PetMD gives this simple guide:
| Food | Share of the diet |
|---|---|
| Bird pellets made for parrots | About two-thirds |
| Fresh veggies, greens and fruit | About 20% to 25% |
| Seeds | No more than 10% |
Never feed avocado. It is toxic to pet birds. Also skip nonstick pans when your bird lives with you. PetMD warns that heated nonstick coatings give off fumes that can kill a pet bird.
Cockatoos need room, too. PetMD says the cage should be at least 36 inches long, 24 inches wide and 48 inches tall. Pick strong locks, since cockatoos are great at escaping. Add lots of wood, cardboard and leather toys to shred. A cockatoo that cannot chew toys will chew your home instead.
Why are so many cockatoos rehomed?
PetMD puts it plainly. Because of their long lives, behavior problems and loud voices, many cockatoos get rehomed, sometimes several times.
The usual story goes like this. A person buys a cute baby bird. The bird grows up. It gets louder, more demanding and maybe nippy. Life changes too, with a new job, a move, a baby or an owner who gets older. The bird ends up with a relative, a stranger online or a parrot rescue.
That is hard on the bird. Cockatoos bond deeply, so each move can mean stress, screaming or plucking.
The good news is that many cockatoos are waiting for homes right now. PetMD suggests you adopt from a parrot rescue instead of buying. A rescue fee is usually much lower than the $600 to $1,500 a store or breeder may charge. A good rescue can also tell you the bird's history and help you after it comes home. Dog and cat rescues face a similar crunch, which we cover in our post on animal shelter overcrowding and how to help.
Is a cockatoo the right bird for you?
Be honest with yourself before you bring one home. A cockatoo may be a good fit if you can say yes to all of these:
- I can spend several hours a day with my bird, every day.
- My home, my neighbors and my lease can handle loud screaming.
- No one in my home has bird or dust allergies.
- I have a plan for my bird if it outlives me.
- I can afford an avian vet visit at least once a year.
- I am open to adopting from a parrot rescue.
If you checked most of the list but not all, you are not alone. Many people love cockatoos best from a distance: at a zoo, on a birding trip, or by helping at a local parrot rescue. You can still let your bird love show every day.
A soft, relaxed tee for people who love loud, crested, feathered chaos, with or without one at home.
Frequently asked questions
How long do cockatoos live as pets?
Most pet cockatoos live 25 to 45 years, says VCA Animal Hospitals. Some live 70 to 80 years. The oldest known cockatoo, Cookie, lived to at least 82.
Do cockatoos talk?
Some do, but most learn only a few words. Cockatoos are better known for loud calls, whistles and screams than for talking. African grey parrots and Amazon parrots are much stronger talkers.
Is a cockatiel a cockatoo?
Yes. The cockatiel is the smallest member of the cockatoo family. It is much quieter and easier to care for than the big cockatoos, though it still lives 15 years or more.
Where should you not touch a cockatoo?
Once a cockatoo is grown, pet only its head and neck. Avoid its back, under its wings and near its tail. PetMD says touch on the body can trigger mating behavior and lead to problems like screaming and biting.
How much does a cockatoo cost?
PetMD says most cockatoos cost $600 to $1,500 from a store or breeder, and rare types cost more. A parrot rescue usually charges a much lower fee. Plan for a big cage, toys, pellets and yearly vet visits on top of that.
Are cockatoos good pets for beginners?
Usually not. Their noise, dust, long lives and strong need for attention make them a hard first bird. A cockatiel or a budgie is often a better start. If you have your heart set on a cockatoo, talk to a parrot rescue first.
Birds, period.
Tees, crewnecks and more for people who still stop to look up.
Shop the bird collection →
A cozy crewneck for cool fall mornings with binoculars in hand.
