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Goffin's Cockatoo

Family: Cacatuidae

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Cacatua goffiniPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

     The Goffin's Cockatoo are known to be clowns, and are extremely playful!

   To learn more about Cockatoos and their needs visit:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Cockatoo

Scientific name:Cacatua goffini

Distribution:      Goffins are native to the Tenimber islands of Indonesia.

Description:      Goffin's Cockatoos are a smaller cockatoo that is white with pink highlights in front of the eyes and on the breast. They are one of the better talkers among the cockatoos. They are easy to teach all kinds of tricks. Cockatoos in general are a very loving type of bird that needs a lot of attention from their owners. Buy a cockatoo only if you can spend a lot of time with it.

Care and feeding:     A cage of at least 20" x 20" is required unless the bird is to be let out for extended periods. Many birds can spend most of their time on a play pen or parrot perch. They eat a variety of seeds, nuts, fruits, and commercial pellets, as well as the same nutritional foods humans eat. The Rose-breasted Cockatoo should be fed a less oily diet (sunflower seeds and other oily seeds) than other cockatoos since they can develop fatty tumors known as lipomas.

     See About Cockatoos: Housing and About Cockatoos: Care and Feeding for more information.

Size - Weight:      The Goffin's are the smallest of the cockatoos. Mature birds are about 22.5 cm (9 inches) in length.

Social Behaviors:      Wild Cockatoos are friendly and peaceful. They live together in flocks of 20 or more birds.

Breeding/Reproduction:      See About Cockatoos: Breeding for Cockatoo breeding information.

Sexual differences:      Hard to tell with young birds. As they get older the females' eyes will develop a lighter brown color, the males' eyes will remain black.

Potential Problems:      Cockatoos can be quite loud screechers. The behaviour can be reduced by giving attention and proper surroundings. Also, since they are prone to chewing, if they are not given enough attention they will chew their own feathers.

Availability:      These birds are readily available and are inexpensive for a cockatoo.

Activities: Loves to climb and play and chew. Provide lots of toys.

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I first bought a goffin cockatoo for my father in law. He had a African gray that died and the same time he had his disabling stroke. Clyde was in a bird store and the workers said he was a loud bird and had a problem with pulling his feathers out. Even with that I still paid 1200.00 for him. He rode home on the steering wheel and we stopped at a chicken place to order some chicken before bring him to Papas. He had a large vocabulary! Called out my on by name told people to shut up, and shut the door. Then the not so favorite words that pops taught him. When my father in law was approved to go into a VA home we took Clyde back. He adored me and would sit on my shoulder and say Pits which meant I had to rub under his wings. He would bite any one else in the house. But, I was attached to him and I was happy he was a good bird. We where transferred to Washington state from San Diego. I brought all the pets in my car and Clyde loved going for rides. I was worried about the weather change. We stopped by my Step Father in-law for a few days in San Francisco on the way up. He had free fly in the house. I clip the wings so he can not fly far. Then we headed up north to our new home. The first night we got here Clyde slept with everyone on the living room floor. The first day he was throwing up, I thought it was from the change and not having his cage yet. We got his cage in and he seemed happy, but not Clyde's usual self. I pet him frequently. But the move hurt my back and I had to go to the emergency room. While I was there we received a call that Clyde was sitting on the bottom of his large cage not responding very well. Of coarse I went into a frantic. I wanted my IV out and to get out to get to him. I instructed my son to get him to a vet asap. In the mean time I fought with the doctor who where telling me I might have cancer. Yes I was scared but I knew I was going to die right then, Jesus I went in for a back ache! So I demanded they remove the IV. I would come back after I have seen my pet get the help he needed. We went crazy trying to find our son and beloved Clyde. When we reach there I was told we where too late, he had passed. I was crushed! it has been a year and it still bring me to tears. I cried so hard. I had him cremated and kept his bracelet. My husband knew it was heart wrenching for me and we look for another little guy. We found a goffin breeder about an hour from our home and went to look at a 1 month bird and 2 month old. I wanted both of them, unfortunately we could only afford one. My husband wanted the older one. I was pulled between the two so I agreed. He still needed to be feed with a syringe but was a little large and thought it was better for the kids. Valentine is his name, Vally for short. He is the most personal little guy you would every meet. He loves to leap on my head at night, and yes I let him sleep in bed with us for several months. Until I left my lap top open and he tore all my keys off. So now he sleeps in his cage and when my husband has duty he sleeps with me. He loves to be right by me and will go under my hand like a dog or a cat and want to be petted. He cleans my teeth, sits on my head (I am short) and I give this little 8oz wonder as much attention a I possible can. He loves oatmeal with cinnamon and nutmeg a little butter and milk and I top it with whatever fresh nuts I have. I make him what ever we are eating minus the salt and pepper or other harsh seasonings. He sits on my shih zu and chases the cat. He forgets he is small and can be crushed with one innocent love bite from another animal, so I keep him within reach when he is out and about. Our cat Sabby and he play. Sabby lays on his cage and then plays between the bars. He talks, but not in front of me, when he can't see me. He has a beautiful voice and talks very clear. When I come down in the morning he sqeeks out HI HI HI. All happy the morning has started and he is getting his fresh water and food for the start of the day. I change his food and water morning, noon, and night. And make it a point to spend at least an hour a day with him, if not more. Birds are a beautiful pet and you can raise them to be very cuddly and loving, enjoy! MsBabyBlake 2010-01-08
I have two Goffin Cockatoo's. Floyd is 11yrs. old and Louise is 6. I got them both as babies and have loved them every minute of their lives. They are so sweet. Louise talks better than Floyd and actually puts sentences together. When my husband leaves the room she will ask me "what's daddy doing?" If Floyd screams she tells him to "stop it, that's bad!" They have a big cage in our kitchen, a cage in the livingroom and a sleep cage in their very own bedroom. They sleep about 12 to 14 hrs. a day and are the sweetest "kids" ever!I take them both into the living room together for an hour every day. I recline in the recliner and they watch my soap with me. They cuddle one on each side of my neck and make smooching noises in my ear.... they NEVER try to leave. If my husband or one of my cats trys to come in they both put their crests up and make warning noises. It's hilarious. They are both potty trained and never have accidents. They poo on command before exiting their cage. They are entertaining and love to show off to our friends. I do hope they live for the 40 years we were told they would. I can't imagine life without them. We have a motorhome and take them camping with us all summer long. They have a big cage in there as well. They love to watch TV, especially Sesame Street.When we go away we just leave the TV on for them and they also have each other for company. They are truly the best thing that's ever happened to me. Peggy Frankenfield 2009-12-10
Hi everyone! I have a Goffins that is supposed to be around 3 years old. Her name is Peaches. My husband and I had separated for awhile and I bought her to take up the extra time. I was told she didn't say anything other than her name every now and then. I was comfortable with her being quiet since I have a 3 year old, but one night my entire family was down and she started saying, "Peach Peach Peach!" and dancing and whistling and wanting her scratches! (It really sounds more like reach reach reach!) When my husband and I got back together, she would let him touch her but would never talk in front of him. He told me he couldn't believe that I had paid so much for a bird that didn't do anything! About ten minutes later, when he was good and asleep, she let out an ear piercing scream and started talking! She clicked her tongue and said 'Greg' which is his name. I have only had her for 3 months, but she will let me kiss her and she kisses too. She loves to play with my hair and nails. She won't get on my hand unless she has been on the floor, and I am wary of her being on my shoulder because the day I bought her, she got on my shoulder before we left and bit a hole in the top of my ear! It hurt, but either way, I love my Peachy bird! We are getting a cockatiel for my son for Christmas because it would hurt him less to be bitten by a smaller bird Stephanie McDonald 2009-11-25
I've had Rocky since 1988 and at that time we guessed him to be around 4 years old. He was a rough one indeed - I got him dirt cheap at a swap meet. I couldn't stand to see him couped up in a small cage and hauled around in the back of a van. I had always been around birds - parakeets, cockatiels, and conures, so I knew Rocky would fit right in. After a few years he settled down and like all Goffins loves to be petted and be 'on me' whenever he can. He's out whenever I'm home (including overnight). He's posessive of me to extent he'll chase off cats, dogs, anything that comes on "his" sofa. Once, when the power went out overnight and it started to freeze I brought him to bed with me to keep him warm. There he slept - no problem. He's never bitten anyone but I'd be (am) leary of young children who don't respect the power of his beak and jaw. If you have enough love to go around a Goffin is agreat companion that doesn't take up the whole darn house. Scott Stenberg 2009-08-25
I just got the opportunity to acquire a goffin from a late friend. I already have a Congo African Grey and love her very much. Will they get along? Mary 2009-06-29
Some of the coolest comments:
Hi all you Goffins lovers. I have a 4 year old male Goffins. I got him at a bird show when he was quite young and he was parrot raised so he wasn't real people orientated. People just kept holding him and cuddling and you could see he was scared, but when I finally decided to hold him he went right under my hair and started to play with it and give me kisses. That was it, I bought him and home we went. It took a few weeks for him to get used to me putting my hands in his cage to get him. I literally had to pry him out and then just cuddle and talk to him. Now a few years later he loves me to death, he talks to me, dances, and sings. If I am sitting on the couch he climbs down from his playstand and climbs up the couch to visit and play. He is so funny. I love all my birds but he holds a special place in my heart. So if you decide a Goffins is for you then you will not be disappointed in him but as people have said they are escape artists and they will chew up anything. So be prepared, and as big a cage as you can get is the best. Mine is in a macaw cage. He is very active, so this way he has lots of room to jump around. Terra, Kermie (Eclectus). Geromino (Goffins). and Miso ( African Grey), all from chicago. Terra Baker 2008-12-01
I just recently got a cockatoo, the blue eyed kind. She is now 9months old. I also have a quaker, indian ring neck and two love birds. Angel my cockatoo is the sweetest bird, she had learned within days of having her how to say mommy, I love you, give kisses, and I am working on teaching her more words. She has a stand and a large cage. She is held by me, and my two 8 year old daughters. I do put her on her stand and her cage so she is not being held all day. I have learned that is bad for her and can harm her. In don't want her used to being held all day then putting her up and having her hurt herself out of depression. Angel has never bitten anyone in my family, she is so loving ans sweet, she has the funniest personality, she loves to dance and show off her feathers. She loves to go outside with me, I just got her a harness for extra protection. I just recently had to take her to the vet ER, she broke a major blood feather, so please on the young ones watch their blood feathers. they are still babies, clumsly and can die fast if their blood feather is broken. if you do not have the Styptic powder you can use flour until you can get your cockatoo to a vet. The best thing is to have the blood feather pulled, because there is a good chance they will continue to hurt it. I am so glad Angel picked me when I went to the pet store, I can't imagine my life without her and I find the cockatoo is one of the most beautiful, smart, outgoing and silliest birds out there. Just please make sure you have time for them before you buy them, they are cuddle bugs and do need extra love and attention. I am disabled and believe me the love you get in return is worth the extra time and effort, you have just found a best friend for life. Thanks, Libba Libba 2006-09-30

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