Umbrella Cockatoo If properly cared for, the cockatoo can live up to seventy years. The lure of the cockatoo is partially based on their incredible need for physical attention. They require hugging, petting and must be played with daily by their owners. The attention that you are able to give now must be able to be given years from now. Sometimes cockatoos can become attached to just one member of the family. A great deal of socialization and stimulation is necessary for the cockatoo to stay a happy, healthy member of your family. They can be mischievous one minute and sedate the next. The cockatoo is a very affectionate bird and in addition are not noisy unless something unusual stimulates them to respond with a screech.

Feeding: A cockatoo should eat a staple diet of fresh pellet formula or a fortified parrot seed diet. Pelleted diets are recommended because each pellet contains balanced nutrition. Besides a variety of pellet or a seed mix diet, offer chopped dark green and yellow vegetables and a variety of fresh fruits in addition to a protein source like mature legumes, hard cooked chopped egg, and grated cheese. Avoid the following foods: Iceberg lettuce, and cabbage, (these can cause severe diarrhea); caffeine (contained in chocolate and soda); avocado and parsley, (these can be poisonous). Raisins and bananas should be given in moderation (these can cause constipation). Remove fresh fruits and vegetables within 2 hours of offering to prevent spoilage. If the bird gets too much liquid from the fresh fruits and vegetables, the droppings could become runny and discolored. Stop the fresh fruits and vegetables for a day to see if this is the reason. Birds require fresh water each day. Wash and rinse their water cup out thoroughly prior to adding fresh water to reduce bacteria growth. Powdered vitamins (only necessary if on a seed diet) can be lightly sprinkled on the fresh food, but putting it in the water can encourage bacterial growth.

Housing: When choosing a cage for your parrot, remember width is more beneficial to the bird than height. Parrots must be able to stretch their wings and still have room for a variety of toys without hitting them, therefore, the larger the cage the better. Ideally, the cage for an Amazon Parrot should measure a minimum of 32" length by 36" high and 32" wide. Perches are an essential part of the cages and should be chosen to suit the feet of the bird. A variety of perch sizes, shapes, and diameters will help exercise the bird's feet and toes. Place perches strategically to prevent droppings from contaminating water and food dishes and to prevent the tail from hanging in dishes or on the floor. A variety of toys, such as bells and wooden blocks in the parrot cage will assist you in entertaining your bird. Be sure that when choosing toys that they are intended for a large parrot and not for something small such as cockatiels or parakeets. Always have a cuttlebone or mineral block available to supply calcium and prevent beak overgrowth. To aid the bird in keeping itself clean, we recommend lightly misting with warm tepid warm a weekly basis (in a draft free place). Place your parrot's cage below eye-level in a bright area free from drafts and direct sunlight.