PETS 2015 - COCKATOO

ulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua Galerita) The native country of this beautiful bird is Australia, where it lives in flocks of about hundred birds. It is characterised by a splendid yellow crest. Its basic colour is white, only below wings and on the back the feather is of intensive yellow colour. It feeds on seeds, fruit, and vegetables and as a titbit an insect or its larva will do. A pair which mates remains together for the whole life and the life span of the bird is about seventy years. In its country of origin it is considered vermin. Australia forbid the export of autochthonous kinds of animals, and thus also of cockatoo. The species bred throughout the world are greatly legally exported birds or their offspring. From all kinds of cockatoo, and there are about twenty kinds, the sulphur-crested cockatoo is the most widespread pet. At purchasing it is essential that the bird is possibly very young i.e. not older than 4 months since that age is best for learning and getting used to new proprietor (friend). Already from the first day the bird should be thought what it is allowed and what it is not allowed to do. This is achieved with prizes when the bird does something good and no prize when it does a mischief. The prize is most often a titbit. Cockatoo is very curious, playful and sometimes very loud, which can sometimes cause problems with neighbours if you live in an apartment house, so you should consider it before procuring the bird. Cockatoo easily get used to human company, but it should not be allowed to develop relationship to only one person, but all members of a family should take part in its training so that later there are no problems. Like all parrots the cockatoo loves to repeat sounds it hears so with a little effort it can be thought to “talk” i.e. imitate human speech. There are birds which can learn more words than cockatoo, but cockatoo is by its nature very cheerful, so don't be surprised if it starts to dance charmingly turning its head from left to right or up and down in the rhythm of music when it hears a melody. If you decide to make it your pet first inquire about it and if possible find a breeder who will help you with its training.

Boris Cebović Small Animal Breeder