As far as pet parrots are concerned, cockatoos are among the most sought after. The term “cockatoo” itself refers to any of the 21 species of parrots in the family Cacatuidae. The most popular member of this family is also the smallest – the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus). The most animated and lively cockatoos though are probably the sulphur crested cockatoos (Cacatua galerita).
Sulphur crested cockatoos are large cockatoos and form very close bonds with their caretakers, whom they consider as members of their flock. Their high requirements for mental stimulation and bonding can make them very demanding as pets. This trait also makes it relatively easy to see if a cockatoo is comfortable with your presence and enjoying your companionship.
In this article, we’ll explore the most telltale signs of a sulphur crested cockatoo liking you. Much of these tips also transfer to other cockatoo species, however, the nuances of each species and the individual idiosyncratic traits of each pet may also differ slightly.
The 5 Signs That Your Cockatoo Likes You
1. An Expressive Crest
All species of parrots classified as cockatoos possess a crest on top of their heads. Their crest is a very interesting part of their anatomy and plays a very important role in their body language. A cockatoo that is excited and happy to see you will almost certainly fan their crest out with glee. Though their body language also involves other cues to look for, paying close attention to their crest is a great starting point to determine if your parrot is content with your presence.
2. Vocalizations
Sulphur crested cockatoos are very expressive in terms of the sounds they make. Sound plays a very important role in a parrot’s life, as they stay in flocks and rely on sound to communicate with each other. If your cockatoo enjoys your company, they’ll likely begin squawking and calling to you as soon as they sense your presence in their vicinity (for example, when they hear you open a specific door in the house).
Because sound plays such an important role in the way a cockatoo communicates with you, it’s important to keep in mind that raising your voice or trying to train your parrot with verbal commands, such as a loud “no!” is not an effective training method because it will have precisely the opposite effect than what you’d hope for. It’s also not possible to win a screaming match with a cockatoo (or any other parrot for that matter) as they’ll perceive your louder voice as a positive cue and reply in kind by easily screaming even louder than you.
3. Allopreening (Social Grooming)
Cockatoos who are comfortable with your presence will definitely try to solicit cuddles from you. At times though, you may notice your cockatoo reaching out to seemingly ‘bite’ you, only to then engage in soft nibbles with their beaks. They may also poke their tongue out and gently touch you with it.
This form of social grooming is known as allopreening. Preening plays an important role in a parrot’s life and they often preen the “difficult to access” areas on each other via allopreening, such as their faces.
4. Allofeeding
Allofeeding is similar to allopreening. It refers to the action of a bird attempting to feed another member of their flock (in this case you). When cockatoos engage in allofeeding, they often bob their heads in a rapid motion with their mouth open. This can appear strange to the untrained eye (or the new cockatoo owner). However, it is perceived as a sign of a bird who thinks they have a strong bond with you.
5. Dancing
Cockatoos are among the most expressive parrots when it comes to body language and musicality. If your cockatoo enjoys your presence, they’re likely going to dance with excitement whenever they see, play, or interact with you – especially if you play a sound they enjoy.
Conclusion
Cockatoos are very expressive parrots, which might be a reason as to why they’re so popular as pet parrots. Though it does take some time to ascertain your pet’s personality, there are some very obvious signs that your parrot is comfortable with your presence, which we’ve covered in this article.
- Related Read: 15 Natural Treats Your Cockatoo Will LOVE
Featured Image Credit: AVRORACOON, Shutterstock
