How to Trim a Cockatoo's Beak

If you have a pet cockatoo, you know how important it is that your bird has a properly functioning beak. An overgrown beak can make eating difficult for your bird and can compromise your bird's health. For serious beak deformation, you should take your cockatoo to the vet for a professional reshaping. However, there are plenty of things you can do to make sure that your bird's beak remains trimmed on a daily basis.

Things You'll Need

  • Cockatoo reference book
  • Softwood perches
  • Ropes and chains
  • Cuttlebone chews
  • Cockatoo food
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Refer to a book about cockatoos to make sure that you have a good idea of what a healthy cockatoo beak should look like. This way, you will know how much of a trim your bird's beak requires.

    • 2

      Install softwood perches in your parrot's cage. Your cockatoo will grind its beak against the perches while climbing or chewing, which will help to wear down any dead keratin on the beak.

    • 3

      Check to see that your bird has climbing toys, like ropes and chains, and sufficient vertical space to climb. The action of climbing helps to keep your cockatoo's beak trim and even.

    • 4

      Purchase a cuttlebone or mineral block toy upon which your cockatoo can chew. Your cockatoo will use this to grind down any excess growth along the sides and inside of its beak.

    • 5

      Inspect your cockatoo's food. A good parrot food should have a variety of pellets, seeds, nuts and vegetables and fruits in different shapes. Differently shaped foods grind and work different parts of your cockatoo's beak.