Animal-World > Pet Birds > Cockatoos > Rose-breasted Cockatoo

Rose-breasted Cockatoo

Roseate Cockatoo Family: Cacatuidae

• Puzzles
• Postcards

"Sugar" Cacatua roseicapilla Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The Rose-breasted Cockatoos are not always easy to get but are well worth the effort to obtain. Like most Cockatoos this one is a real friendly bird that needs a lot of love and attention. The feathers are very soft like down which makes them fun to pet. Unlike other Cockatoos these should not be fed a diet of oily seeds, like sunflower seeds.

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

Scientific name:Elopholus roseicapilla

Distribution:
   The Rose-breasted Cockatoo is found in most parts of Australia and is considered a major pest species in many areas of that country.

Description:
   Rose-breasted Cockatoos are a smaller cockatoo with rose colored feathers on the breast and the underside of the wings. They can learn to talk, as can most cockatoos and 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 roomy cage 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 oil in their diet (which comes from 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:
   Galahs are one of the more petite Cockatoos being about 25-30 cm (10-12 inches) in length.

Social Behaviors:
   In the 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 iris of the females' eyes will develop a lighter color while 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 rarely available and are expensive.

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

Add your comment here!
Click to see All the comments!
Latest Comments
I have a Rose-Breasted also. I find that he ain't too friendly towards other people, except a 2 yr old that he absolutely loves and is only allowed to mess with him under strict supervision. But we are working on his friendliness, if that's a word. I love him more then life itsself. I honestly wish that he was in the wild instead of in a cage. But I will not release him as he'd never survive. Chewy's Mom 2009-01-21
My cousins from Australia have a flock of rose breasted cockatoos in their garden. They seem to have made themselves quite comfortable and frequently sit just outside the house! We (my two brothers, mum and dad) are getting an umbrella cockatoo in September and I just can't wait! Kurt van Wyk 2008-03-31
I have a Rose-breasted Cockatoo named Jaimie and a Camelot Macaw named Sir Lancelot. A very sweet bird that is very happy to sit on my arm all day and coo to me. I purchased her as a baby from a breeder about 6 years ago. I had some doubts, but now I understand that I would never have lived if I hadn't gotten Sir Lancelot ad Jaimie. A bird Lover 2006-03-29
Well i bought my 12 week old galah for $120. it had been hand raised alongside 15 other galahs. I have only had Dags for 2 weeks but he has already become the most lovable creature in the world. he gets a bit testy once he has eaten all of the sunflower seeds out of his parrot mix or when I'm busy typing on the computer, and he comes over and demands that my fingers give him a neck scratch. At night when i go to bed he is so quiet and goes to bed. during the day when i talk to him he responds with some sort of upbeat chirp. Justin 2005-12-20
I live in Houston, TX so I couldn't have been more surprised to find a rosie on my door step. I've had pets of all kinds in my life but aside from nursing a sick or injured wild bird, I've never even considered a pet bird. The bird showed up 05/05, I started calling him Larry (the only bird name I could think of). I diligently looked for his owner but no one claimed him. It's been 7 months now and I don't think I'd give him up if I had to. I'm kinda learning as I go about care etc and he does require alot of attention but he's a good friend. The best pets are the ones that pick you. dave hall 2005-12-18
Some of the coolest comments:
We have a rose breasted cockatoo for over 3 years. She is very caring and loves to be around people and other animals. She is over 3 and a half years old. We talk her out whenever we can (most times) with a harness. This type of parrot is the best we have ever seen!!! She will be with us always and she is a great alarm system when any one or other animal is around the home! These bird are not biters but will peck sometimes for play! SLISS FAMILY 2004-05-25
We have a rose breasted cockatoo for over 3 years. She is very caring and loves to be around people and other animals. She is over 3 and a half years old. We take her out whenever we can (most times) with a harness. This type of parrot is the best we have ever seen!!! She will be with us always and she is a great alarm system when any one or other animal is around the home! These bird are not biters but will peck sometimes for play! SLISS FAMILY 2004-05-25

Back to Cockatoos