additional knowledge for your parrot

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Toxic Plants

Amaryllis
Anemone
Angel's Trumpet
Arrowhead
Avocado
Azaleas
Bird of Paradise
Cactus
Caladium
Calla Lily
Castor Bean
Chinese Evergreen
Crocus
Daffodil
Daphne
Delphinium
Devil's Ivy
Dieffenbachia
Elderberry
Elephant's Ear
Eucalyptus
Foxglove
Heliotrope
Holly
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Iris
Ivy
Jack-in-the-pulpit
Jerusalem Cherry
Jasmine
Jimson Weed
Lantana
Larkspur
Laurel
Lily-of-the-valley
Lobelia
Lupine
Marijuana
Mayapple
Mistletoe
Moonseed
Morning Glory
Narcissus
Nightshade
Oleander
Peace Lily
Periwinkle
Philodendron
Poinsettia
Poison Hemlock
Poison Ivy
Poison Oak
Poppy
Pokeweed    Privet
Red Maple
Rhododendron
Rosary Pea
Tobacco
Tomato(except fruit)
Water Hemlock
Waxberry
Wisteria
Yew

source: http://www.busybird.com/cockatooinfo3.html

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HAZARDS

Many things in your home will look interesting, new and exciting to your cockatoo. It is best to know which can be hazardous and deadly to avoid a bad situation.

Your cockatoo will enjoy time out of its cage, especially spending time with you. Do not let your cockatoo out unless you can supervise it. Turn off all fans when your cockatoo is out of its cage even if its wings are clipped. Always make sure all doors and windows are shut and will not be opened until the cockatoo is back in the cage. Your cockatoo will fly out without any reason or if it is startled. But once they realize they can keep flying they will. Check your local lost and found section in the paper, bet there are a few ads for lost birds! Even if you keep the cockatoo's wings clipped, if one flight feather has grown in it can still fly.

Watch out for open containers of water.

Avoid using air freshners, aerosol sprays, candles, cleaners, perfumes, potpourri, and other fumes near parrotlets as these can be toxic. Even new carpet and non-stick cookware can let off fumes that can kill cockatoos in minutes. Put cockatoos in their cages when you are cooking. They could fly into a pan of boiling water or other hot items and really hurt themselves with a nasty burn.

Birds rarely get mites. Do not use the mite protectors as they have been proven to be carcinogenic. By keeping the cage and surrounding area clean you should not be susceptible to insects.

Never feed a cockatoo food from your month or give them kisses. Human saliva contains a bacterium that is harmful to cockatoos.

Never hit a cockatoo. Once you use your hands in a bad way to a cockatoo they may never forget. You could also hurt them as they are so delicate. Tapping them on the beak is also a no, no. If your cockatoo is screaming do not throw anything at their cage. It will not get them to stop, it could make things worse. Learn to control the screaming and not to stress the cockatoo out even more.

Watch out for electrical cords. Cockatoos will find them and chew on them. Do not let cockatoos chew on paint or treated wood. Houseplants are another favorite thing to chew. Make sure they are not toxic or important to you. Once they start nibbling they can wreck a plant in minutes!

Avoid placing their cage in a drafty area. Fresh air is great but make sure the weather is right. A cold draft can be a bad thing and cause your cockatoo to get sick. Cockatoos enjoy sunlight. Do not put the whole cage in the direct sun though, the cockatoo could become overheated. Always supply them with fresh, clean water.

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PLACEMENT OF THE CAGE

Before you purchase the cage and cockatoo you should find a perfect place for the cage. A cockatoo likes to know its surroundings so avoid moving it a lot. The cage should be placed by a window. This way the cockatoo can see the world and the natural rhythm of the day. Cockatoos should get a chance to get some sun but they must always be able to retreat to a shady part of the cage. Cockatoos can get overheated quickly and need a place to sit and cool off. Cockatoos need to feel like part of a flock. So do not place the bird in its own room where it will feel isolated. Put the cage in a high traffic area of your home where the cockatoo can be part of all the daily activites.

THE BIRD CAGE

It is best to purchase the cage and supplies before the cockatoo. This way it can all be washed, set-up and ready for the new arrival. Cockatoos are large birds so the bigger the cage the better! The cage should not be smaller than 3' x 3' x 3'. The larger the cockatoo, the larger the cage! Also, get a cage with a grate on the bottom to prevent them from consuming their droppings. Make sure a lot of perches and toys can be easily placed and removed for cleaning.

PERCHES

You should give your cockatoo natural, untreated perches. The irregularities provide a kind of massage for the feet and they enjoy nibbling on the bark and wood. Make sure the perch width is the correct size for your cockatoo. A couple different types of perches is best. Cotton rope perches are soft for their feet. They are great to rest on. Calcium perches provide minerals, which are important to the cockatoo's health. There are new perches that help with wearing the nails down so you don't have to trim them as often. They are great, just make sure the cockatoo has other perches in the cage as well. Some are made from cement or sand products and can dry the cockatoo's feet out. Put the softest perch up in a high place. Cockatoos tend to sleep and sit there the longest. They like to sit high up in order to have a good view of their surroundings. Place the perches around the cage so that the cockatoo can move around easily. Allow enough room for the cockatoo to stretch out its wings and flap them without touching anything else. Also, position the perches so it will be easy for you to get in and out of the cage when cleaning or replacing food and water.

DISHES AND FEEDING

It is important to give cockatoos fresh, clean water everyday. You may not see them drink water a lot but they need to have it available to them at all times. You should consider using bottled water for their drinking water. You will need a dish for both seeds and water. Another for fresh foods but that can only be left in the cage for as long as the food is still fresh. Wash the dishes with hot water and a little apple cidar vinegar often. Check the seed daily. It may look like the seeds are still fresh when they are actually eaten through. Dishes can be made from a number of things. It is important that they are easy to clean and that your cockatoo won't be able to destroy them. Also, the dishes need to be the correct size.

FOODS

Pellets contain the complete amounts of nutrients for a cockatoo but alone they are boring as they require no work. A mixture of seeds and pellets work best.

Offer your cockatoos fresh fruits and vegetables. Learn which ones they can have and give them some daily. Make sure they only receive unsprayed plants. Remember to take any fresh foods away when they are not so fresh. They can make the cockatoo sick. It may take your cockatoo a few times before it will eat any new fruits or vegetables. Give them a chance to learn what they like too. A cockatoo eating only seed will end up unhealthy or overweight.

Offer some of the following vegetables daily: asparagus, broccoli, brussel sprouts, carrots, celery, corn on the cob, green beans, kale, peppers, romaine lettuce or spinach leaves(in moderation). Iceberg lettuce has little nutritional value. Make sure everything is thoroughly washed. When eating greens cockatoos may get diarrhea. Make sure they have a mixture of seed and pellets available so they do not over do it with the vegetables as too many can act as a laxative.

Fresh fruits you should also offer are apple, apricots, banana, cantaloupe, cherries, grapes, honeydew melon, kiwi, mango, papaya, peaches, pears, pineapple, plums and watermelon. The seeds from apples, apricots, cherries, peaches, pears and plums are toxic, do not offer them to the bird. Make sure everything is thoroughly washed. Cockatoos also benefit from well-cooked scrambled eggs, especially during breeding season.

Never give cockatoos the following: avocado, chocolate, coffee, lima bean sprouts, milk, soda, sugar or tea. They all may be toxic to your bird. Offer your cockatoo a cuttlebone. It provides calcium, which helps the cockatoo develop strong bones.

resource: http://www.busybird.com/cockatooinfo2.html

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TEN THINGS TO REMEMBER ON PROPER COCKATOO CARE

1. Learn as much as you can about cockatoos BEFORE you rescue or purchase one. They can be demanding so it is best to know what to expect. Cockatoos are often surrendered to bird sanctuaries and rescues because people do not know a lot about this type of bird. Cockatoos are needy and manipulative. If they are not trained they can develop behavioral problems.
2. If you aren't going to be able to spend a lot of time with your cockatoo it is best not to get one. If they do not get the attention they crave they could begin to pluck their feathers or scream. Cockatoos are flock birds, they live in huge flocks in the wild. They feel security by being with their flock. It would be really hard on them to live a solitary existence and then eventually hard on you when they begin to show their unhappiness.
3. Cockatoos can be destructive and love to chew. Your cockatoo must learn how to amuse itself without you. That way it knows it doesn't need you to have fun. Toys are a must but won't stop cockatoos from chewing your antique table! Supervision is necessary anytime your cockatoo is out of its cage.
4. Training is very important. Behavior problems are common but can be controled with proper daily training. Set rules and be consistent. Even if your cockatoo is being cute and cuddly you must enforce the rules. Cockatoos are known for munipulating their owners and that is how the problems begin.
5. Cockatoos are loud birds. A few times a day they have the need to scream and carry on for about 10-20 minutes. So if you cannot take the loud noises or live where that noise will end up getting you in trouble a cockatoo is not the bird for you. Cockatoos are almost the noisiest parrots of all. Putting a sheet over their cage or putting them in another room and closing the door are not solutions. A cockatoo should be able to let loose, it is in their nature. You can train your cockatoo to make noise at certain times. When your cockatoo starts making noise during the time period you want then encourage it. Find some fast music that your cockatoo likes and turn it up loud and get your bird going. Play the song over a few times then put on some slower music and turn it down. Talk softly to your cockatoo and tell it that it is time to settled down. Give them a treat or some fresh fruits or vegetables. Exercise them for about 20 minutes a day. When your cockatoo gets enough exercise then it doesn't have excess energy and is easier to live with. Teach your cockatoo how to play basketball with a bird-size nerf ball and hoop. Or toss a stuffed toy and teach your cockatoo to fetch.
6. A busy bird is a happy bird. Provide lots of toys and things to chew. Rearranging the inside of the cage and rotating toys keeps cockatoos alert. The same perch arrangement and toys can lead to boredom. New things are appreciated.
7. Offer a variety of foods. Seeds, pellets, millet all are a great start. Learn all the different fruits and vegetables your cockatoo can have. Then offer them to your bird and watch it enjoy its favorite ones. Do not offer your cockatoo a lot of foods with a lot of sugars or carbohydrates. They will make your cockatoo more vocal and hyperactive.
8. Different types of perches should be offered in your cockatoo's cage. Natural wood perches are great to chew while calcium perches supply much needed minerals.
9. Clean your cockatoo's cage regularly. This prevents disease. Don't use regular house cleaning products around your cockatoo. Hot water and apple cider vinegar work great. Change the paper everyday. Wipe down the cage and dry it once a week. Then once a month take everything out, scrub and wash it all very well then dry it. This is a great time to arrange the perches and food dishes differently. Add some new toys and both you and your cockatoo are happy.
10. Be patient with your cockatoo. It may need time to get used to new things and new people. Observe your cockatoo. You will then become accustomed to their behavior patterns and see their personality develop. Cockatoos can become lovable, tame and trusting companions. It may take time and work but the end result is a great and rewarding one!

resource: http://www.busybird.com/cockatooinfo1.html

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BATHING

Cockatoos love showers. Most enjoy showering with their owner. Others enjoy having you spray them with a mister. Either way, the shower perch must be a good one and be able to hold a cockatoo. If there was a suction cup shower perch and you put your cockatoo on it and it fell off the wall the cockatoo may never enjoy showers again! It may be nervous that the shower perch might fall everytime. Cockatoos are known for enjoying a mist shower because it is like rain that would fall on them in the wild. Give your cockatoo a shower in the morning so it has the whole day to dry out. Giving your cockatoo a shower once or twice a week is good and it will help control the powder down they produce. Pure water works best to keep its plumage in peak condition. This helps in repelling chills or drafts that can result in sickness.

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OWNERSHIP

Owing a cockatoo will be rewarding. It is much different from having a cat or a dog. Cockatoos require a lot of attention, training and care. If you decide to bring a cockatoo into your life it will be a long commitment. They can live 60+ years. Cockatoos are great companions and will love to cuddle with you. You can teach them tricks and even dance with them. Once you have a bond with your cockatoo it is a very rewarding relationship.

Cockatoos are are happiest living in flocks. If you would like two it is best to get two males or two females so they do not breed. Breeding cockatoos should be left to the professionals as they require much behavioral training at six weeks of age when hand-rearing has begun.

Older cockatoos are great birds also. Most are grateful for the chance they are given. They can be trained but may require longer training sessions, 20 minutes a day. It may take awhile for them to get used to their new owners, new surroundings, new rules and new routines. They may even be depressed for awhile because they miss their old life and owners. Cockatoos bond with their owners very deeply in some cases and need time to heal. Allowing the cockatoo to get used to the new stuff slowly will be much appreciated and eventually you will be rewarded with a loving and trusting companion of your own!

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TOYS

Bird toys play a large part in the well-being of your pet bird. A bird without toys is deprived of the stimulation that it needs to stay psychologically healthy. Toys are not an accessory they are a necessity! Cockatoos love toys! They provide exercise and busy work for them. Cockatoos require many forms of social activity. Bored cockatoos will scream, pluck their feathers and can become depressed. Birds are very active and busy in the wild. So as your pet they depend on you to provide fun activities such as chewing and shredding. Providing such activities for busy beaks is a never ending challenge. Birds enjoy chewing and destroying things plus it keeps their beaks in good condition and also exercises their powerful facial muscles! Cockatoos enjoy colorful and fun toys to chew and shred. Toys with lots of color, chewable parts, knots to untie, and various textured parts work best. Always make sure the parts are all bird safe:

* Cotton rope should be 100% natural, unbleached and not cordage
* Any coloring should be non-toxic
* Metal parts should be stainless steel or nickel plated steel
* Wood should be natural & untreated
* Leather should be vegetable tanned & untreated

Rotating toys is important. Move toys around in the cage to different areas to keep them interested. Adding new toys weekly keeps cockatoos stimulated. If they become bored with a toy they may move on to plucking their own feathers! A variety of shapes and materials should satisfy these inquisitive birds. Destroying a toy gives them something to do and deters them from becoming bored. Offer as many different types of toys as possible and rotate often. BUSYBIRD.COM provides toys that contain lots of different parts to shred and various parts to chew. As toys are being rotated, they should be washed and clean before they are put in the new location. Some cockatoos like when you play with the toy and show them the moveable parts. If you make it look fun they usually follow your lead and play like crazy!