Cockatoos are social and interactive parrots. Once you tame a cockatoo and make it habitual of frequent interactions, he cannot tolerate not being given attention for long. Let’s talk about how much attention cockatoos need and how much should be given.
Cockatoos are attention seekers; they want attention all day long. They want their caretaker to talk to them and play with them. Sometimes they even crave cuddles and rubs. But too much attention is bad for cockatoos.
How to know your cockatoos needs attention?
Cockatoos act differently when they need attention. The body language of your cockatoo can help understand that he wants your attention.
The very first thing cockatoos do is make joyful sounds to grab your attention. They look straight in your eyes, raise their crest and pull it back frequently; it shows their excitement.
If they are not responded, they understand that they need to be more vocal so they scream. This scream is different from the screams they make when they feel insecure. By this time, most cockatoos succeed in grabbing attention but if not, they approach you.
They walk towards you, on climb on you and wait to be noticed. They look adorable when they do this and by this time I usually lose my strength to avoid cuddles. Anyways, if they are still not given cuddles, they start biting you or whatever thing you are holding or interacting with.
Some people see this as violent behavior but this is actually a cockatoos extreme effort to get your attention. Please do not push your cockatoo to this level, he can permanently develop this habbit.
This is when the cockatoos are not being given attention but if they are given immediately given attention, they love it. Cockatoos puff their feathers especially around their neck and head, slightly tilt their head to give you a spot on their head to be softly scratched.
If they are scratched, they make low joyful sounds which represent relaxation and contentment.
How much attention should be given to cockatoos?
Even though you’d never neglect your cockatoo, if, for any reason, you suddenly stopped giving your cockatoo as much time as you used to give, he will fall into depression. So too much attention is bad for cockatoos.
I recommend spending at least 30-60 minutes with your cockatoo, especially in the morning. Don’t make your cockatoo used to eating only from your hand or getting cuddles all day. Such cockatoos stop eating and get sick if they are ignored for a long.
They start getting very aggressive with time, chewing and tearing apart everything around them. Or, they fall in deep depression and show self-destructive behavior. They start plucking their feathers which is risky for their health.
If this sounds familiar and you often have to stay away from your cockatoo because of work or any other reasons, I recommend getting another cockatoo of opposite gender to keep your cockatoo company. This is the best company he can get. Or atleast get him some toys to play with.
Final Thoughts
Give your cockatoos all the love and care you can but make sure you are not the not part of his life and he can stay happy even without you.
