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Discover the 8 Most Surprising and Entertaining Cockatoo Fun Facts You Never Knew

illustration of cockatoos
Get ready to be amazed as you embark on a fascinating journey discovering the quirky, intriguing, and downright captivating world of cockatoos!

1. Cockatoo Olympics

Who needs Netflix when you've got cockatoos running their own bird-brained Olympics, complete with toy acrobatics and wing-a-ling gymnastics: these feathered Einsteins are not only capable of manipulating objects and solving problems, but some cockatoos have been observed inventing their own games, such as bouncing tiny playthings on their wings like champs!
Source => parrotforums.com

2. Bad Hair Day Birds

When you thought bad hair days only affected humans, meet the cockatoo: a feathered fashionista that raises its vibrant head crest not just as a communication tool with fellow cockatoos and predator deterrents, but also to greet owners, show off, jump, dance, or even react to being startled.
Source => cockatoo-info.com

3. Feathered Fabios

Cockatoos: the feathery Fabios of the avian world, boasting grand plumage and dedicated hearts that'll have them sticking around longer than your last Netflix binge session! In all seriousness: some species of these affectionate and playful birds have a lifespan of up to 70 years when in captivity, making them loving long-term companions for those willing to wholeheartedly commit to their care.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Forrest Gump Fliers

Cockatoos: the Forrest Gumps of the bird world, running marathons but in the age department! Seriously though: some species of these perpetually perky parrots can live up to 120 years in captivity, becoming lifelong companions for their human counterparts and much sought-after as pet buddies.
Source => beautyofbirds.com

Mary Poppins' Plumage

5. Mary Poppins' Plumage

Cockatoos, the avian world's personal weatherproofers, summon their inner Mary Poppins and pull some waterproofing magic out of their feathery pockets: these talented birds produce a keratin powder from specialized feathers that waterproofs their plumage! Beware, though, as this sneeze-inducing dust could stir up allergies and respiratory issues in humans, but never fear—some regular bathing, cage cleansing, and air purification will keep everyone breathing easy.
Source => avianenrichment.com

6. True Love's Preening

Cockatoos must be firm believers in the old adage "birds of a feather flock together" – not just for socializing, but for finding true love, because nothing says "I love you" like synchronized preening and acrobatic flying displays: Research indicates that cockatoos prefer mates with similar personalities, leading to greater reproductive success and stronger social bonds, while mismatched pairs experience stress, delays in egg-laying, and potential counseling sessions in the bird world.
Source => theconversation.com

7. Feather-replacement Saga

Talk about a wardrobe malfunction—just wait for the never-ending feather-replacement saga: One species of cockatoo takes up to a whopping two years to completely replace all their flight feathers during their molting process.
Source => a-z-animals.com

8. Punk Rock Parrots

Cockatoos: the punk rockers of the bird world, flaunting fabulous crests and eye-catching attire – all while having a cheeky, mischievous streak: These vibrant characters boast a colorful array of head crests and plumage in shades of black, gray, white, yellow, pink, and red, while species like the palm cockatoo sport a red patch of bare skin around their eyes, and others, such as the Goffin's and umbrella cockatoos, are known for their playful antics.
Source => thesprucepets.com

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