Goffin Cockatoo
Cacatua goffini

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

Goffin’s Cockatoos often have the peculiar habit of putting things on their backs, or tossing them over their heads. They will hop straight up and down and love to dance. Acrobatic tricks often become second nature to them.

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

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Aves
  • Order: Psittaciformes
  • Family: Cacatuidae
  • Genus: Cacatua
  • Species: goffini

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.


Featured Image Credit: Murilo Mazzo, Shutterstock