Petzlover
Cockatoos are quickly emerging as the preferred hookbill pet amongst fanciers. They are known to be smart, cuddly, playful and good talkers. These birds are also beautiful, most being white with powdery pinkish or yellowish hues. All cockatoos have a crest of some sort on top of their heads which becomes erect when startled or excited. While many people view cockatoos as the perfect parrot, few realize until they have one that these birds can be difficult to own. With their intelligence and affectionate nature come a certain neediness. 'Toos become settled into a routine quickly and are often not excepting of change. Boredom, stress and loneliness are common afflictions to these pretty birds. Often, screaming, moping or feather picking are a result. With cockatoos, it is important to set ground rules early and to establish that you may not be around the house all day. A baby cockatoo that is overly coddled or spoiled at a young age may have trouble adjusting to the "real world" when its beloved owner has to go to work or go off on a trip. It is important that these birds be socialized early, or a fear of new placed or new people may result. However, a properly raised cockatoo is a true joy. If started off right, cockatoos can be outgoing and amazingly intelligent (some say they rival African Greys for brains). If considering a cockatoo as a pet, be sure to do extensive research on their behavior. Talk to other 'too owners to see what has worked for them. If started off right, the cockatoo may be your perfect pet!
