Habitat of the Cockatoo

In The Wild

• The natural habitat of the cockatoo includes the dry savannah, rainforests and the plains. They are found in Australia, Indonesia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The diet of a cockatoo consists of seeds, berries, nuts, insects and fruit. They stay in areas where they can easily find food and water. If there is a shortage of food or water, the birds migrate to areas that are more bountiful. In addition to finding food on a tree, a cockatoo will also build a nest in the hollow of one.

Dangers Facing The Habitat

• There are several threats facing cockatoos and their natural habitat. Forests have been torn down to support the logging industry. Cities and roads have expanded. Deforestation combined with seasonal droughts have resulted in cockatoos migrating to areas with farms and cities. They face further danger in those locations because they feed on crops and are considered to be pests. In addition, this puts them at greater risk for being captured and sold.

Endangered Species

• There are eight species of cockatoo on the endangered species list: the blue-eyed cockatoo, the long-billed black cockatoo, the Philippine cockatoo, the salmon-crested cockatoo, the short-billed black cockatoo, the Tanimbar cockatoo, the white cockatoo and the yellow-crested cockatoo. Along with the destruction of their habitat, cockatoos face danger from the wild bird trade. Some cockatoos die during the shipping process, either due to poor conditions or attacks by other birds. Others do not adapt to life in their new environments as a pets.

Pet Cockatoos

• When keeping a cockatoo as a pet, it is important that the cage is large enough for the bird to be comfortable. The cage should be as wide as three times the wingspan of the cockatoo (30 inches if the wingspan is 10 inches, for example) and placed in a room that is frequently used. The cage should include a food dish, a water dish and at least one perch that should not be located near the dishes. Cockatoos have strong beaks, meaning they can break plastic components. A lock should be placed on the cage.