How to Identify a Cockatoo

The cockatoo is a species of parakeet. There are a number of different types of cockatoo, although there are several particular physical characteristics that they all share. The cockatoo is a popular choice for people keeping parrots as pets, although it generally does not like children. The cockatoo is an extremely intelligent bird, although it is not the best talker. The capturing and trading of wild cockatoos is illegal.

Instructions

    • 1

      Examine the bird's beak to check that it is curved. This is a characteristic that all species of parakeet share.

    • 2

      Look at the bird's feet. The cockatoo always has four toes on each foot.

    • 3

      Determine if the bird is a cockatoo by looking for a crest. This is made up of feathers and is located on the top of the head. A cockatoo will raise its crest to show excitement or aggression.

    • 4

      Note the bird's coloration to determine what type of cockatoo the bird is. The citron-crested, goffin, greater sulphur-crested, lessor sulphur-crested, moluccan and umbrella cockatoos are all white in coloration. The citron-crested and sulphur cockatoos have a yellow coloration in the crest feathers and on the underside of the tail, whereas the mollucan cockatoo has a red coloration in its crest feathers. The rose-breasted cockatoo is grey in coloration with a pink/red breast.