How to Introduce a Cockatoo to a Breeding Cage

Cockatoos are attractive parrots from Australia. These intelligent birds mate for life and it takes time for a potential pair to accept each other initially. Cockatoos possess powerful beaks and can seriously injure or kill each other if not introduced carefully. Successful breeders exercise patience during the introduction period and initially allow the two cockatoos to get to know each other from the safety of their own cages.

Things You'll Need

  • Access to veterinarian (optional)
  • Two small, movable cages
  • Quiet room
  • Breeding cage
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take your cockatoos to a veterinarian to determine their sex, as most cockatoo species can not be sexed visibly. The veterinarian will either perform a scope or will remove a blood feather and sex each bird by examining its DNA.

    • 2

      Place each bird in a small movable cage and place the two cages near to each other in a quiet room.

    • 3

      Leave the birds in their separate cages for up to a week, so they can slowly become accustomed to each other. Offer fresh food and water daily and observe the behavior of the birds, but try not to disturb the two cockatoos beyond theses activities.

    • 4

      Move the cages closer together after a few days, but do not place them directly next to each other at this stage.

    • 5

      Observe the birds closely and look out for signs, such as head bobbing, that indicate the cockatoos are interested in each other.

    • 6

      Move the cages together until they touch once the birds seem relaxed in each others' company. Remain in the room at this stage in case you need to quickly intervene and separate the cages again. Cockatoos are highly individual birds and it is difficult to determine the amount of time your specific pair will require to accept each other.

    • 7

      Wait to see if the birds have accepted each other. One or both of the birds will attempt to groom the other and their general behavior will be relaxed and friendly if they have accepted each other.

    • 8

      Place both cockatoos into their breeding cage.

    • 9

      Remain in the vicinity of the breeding cage in case you need to remove one of the cockatoos because of its aggressive behavior.