Cockatoos live in Australia, New Guinea and the islands nearby. They are tropical birds, specialised for their environment but they also do quite well in captivity and are often kept as sociable pets.
The cockatoos include some of the largest members of the parrot family. The palm cockatoo of New Guinea may reach over 80 cm in length. Cockatoos are different from parrots in that they have an erectile crest on the top of their heads. The crest is raise during courtship but also when the bird is frightened or alarmed, or if it has been flying and is just about to land.
Cockatoos eat nuts of trees such as the oil palm and have a strong and tough beak to break open the tough nuts. In some species of cockatoo, such as the palm cockatoo, the bill of the bird is as large as the rest of its head, such is its need for a nut breaking tool.
The cockatoos include some of the largest members of the parrot family. The palm cockatoo of New Guinea may reach over 80 cm in length. Cockatoos are different from parrots in that they have an erectile crest on the top of their heads. The crest is raise during courtship but also when the bird is frightened or alarmed, or if it has been flying and is just about to land.
Cockatoos eat nuts of trees such as the oil palm and have a strong and tough beak to break open the tough nuts. In some species of cockatoo, such as the palm cockatoo, the bill of the bird is as large as the rest of its head, such is its need for a nut breaking tool.
