Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo (Pink Cockatoo)

Major Mitchell’s cockatoos happen to be one of the most beautiful of all cockatoos. Resembling its cousin rose-breasted cockatoos in appearance and coloration, these birds are highly expensive, being suitable for aviaries and parks.

Major Mitchells Cockatoo

Scientific Classification
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Psittaciformes
Superfamily	Cacatuoidea
Family	Cacatuidae
Subfamily	Cacatuinae
Tribe	Cacatuini
Genus	Lophochroa
Scientific Name	Lophochroa leadbeateri

Quick Information
Other Names	Pink cockatoo, Leadbeater’s cockatoo, Inca cockatoo
Size	14-16 inches (35-40 cm)
Wingspan	Around 32 inches (81cm)
Weight	300-450 gm
Color	Salmon and yellow crest, pink head, neck, and underparts, white upper parts and flight feathers, orange pink underwings, pink under the tail. Horn colored beak and gray bill. Males have black eyes while females have brown eyes.
Distribution	Australia
Subspecies	Cacatua leadbeateri leadbeateri Cacatua leadbeateri molis
Habitat	Semi-arid and arid areas like eucalyptus Forests, grasslands, and savannahs
Sound	Loud call
Clutch	2-3 eggs
Incubation period	24-26 days
Fledging	10-12 weeks
Lifespan	40-75 years
Diet	Fruits, seeds, grass and larvae
IUCN Conservation Status	Least Concern

As pets

Let’s get a fact straight that these cockatoos are not easy to adopt since they are prone to be aggressive, especially the males. Moreover, their loud screaming can put you in some trouble with your neighbors, but if you have decided to have these beauties by your side, just check on the following facts and get started.

Major Mitchell Cockatoo

Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos

Housing

Arrange a cage as large as possible with a sturdy lock. It will help the cockatoos in stretching their wings and continuing their physical activities without any hindrance. They also need to be in an outdoor cage daily for relishing the fresh air.

Place a wooden nest box sizing 18 x18 x24 inches inside the cage.

Temperature

Like any other cockatoo, this one also has an incredible power of enduring a wide range of temperatures. Still, do not make it stay in direct sunlight for too long.

Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo Baby

Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo Pictures

Behavior

Major Mitchell’s cockatoos, with their tantrums, like to stay alone most of the time and make a quick connection with their owners. They are possessive of their master and don’t like if their owner talks to other family members. They need to socialize with all your family members to form a bond. If they don’t get the adequate attention, they become hostile and nippy. With proper handling, your hand raised cockatoo will understand your mood as well.

Also, chewing is their favorite tendency, so they enjoy chewable toys mostly.

Feeding

Fresh fruits and vegetables, besides formulated diet along with occasional treats with nuts and seeds, should be provided.

Vitamin supplements are required if you don’t provide your bird a formulated diet. Highly fatty foods should not be given.

Major Mitchell Cockatoo Birds

Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo Flying

Care

Your time and care are what will keep your bird in good condition, both mentally and physically. Do not let your pet get bored ever, as this may lead to its destructive behavior. Try to interact with it as much as possible. Although not the best imitator or talker, it will reciprocate your actions in the best way possible.

Regular bathing is essential along with a clipping of the primary flight feathers.

Health problems

There are several diseases that may affect your pet, and these are listed below, consultation with a vet in any of such following cases is advisable.

Proventricular dilation disease
Psittacine beak and feather disease
Self-mutilation
Feather-picking
Sarcocystis
Bacterial and fungal infections

Price

A Major Mitchell’s cockatoo is quite rare in the United States, hence, in order to get one, you must be ready to splurge anywhere between $3,000-$10,000.

Interesting facts

This bird is named after the explorer Sir Thomas Livingstone Mitchell, who efficiently described the beauty of these cockatoos.
The world’s oldest cockatoo (according to Guinness World Records), Cookie, who died at 83, happened to be a Major Mitchell’s cockatoo.