Cockatoo vs Parrot (10 Unknown Differences & Essential Tips)

There are several things that make Cockatoo and Parrot different from each other.

The looks of cockatoos, as well as other parrots, are one of their most noticeable differences. Generally, cockatoos are big in size and have a long life span. The majority of parrots fall within a taxonomic order, although cockatoos can be grouped into families.

Cockatoos are one of the most popular types of parrots among other species of parrots. Cockatoos are intelligent, sophisticated birds that, with the proper socialization, may make terrific pets. Cockatoos are different from other species of parrots in both appearance and behavior. So, what are the differences between Cockatoo vs Parrot?

So, now is an essential question,” which one should you get as your new pet? Cockatoo or other parrots? In this article, I’ll discuss each and every fact about these two birds. So, continue browsing this article and make a perfect decision.

An Overview of Cockatoo Birds

The Cockatoo is a colorful bird with a lovely crest of feathers on its head. They are primarily found in Australia; however, they are kept as pets and also in aviaries all over the world. This bird comes in a variety of hues, including white, black, and pink, as well as close to red.

The majority of cockatoo genera are medium-sized with distinctive crests as well as plumage.

Because of their loving nature, this kind of bird occasionally makes good company for people. It would be a superb companion for the appropriate household thanks to its beauty, intellect, as well as friendly nature.

The majority of cockatoo species favor a diet high in seeds, fruits, as well as insects. They routinely preen to keep themselves tidy. Cockatoos need a lot of care and are excellent at squawking rather than conversing. If they get the proper care, they can be wonderful pets.

5 Facts About Cockatoo

Let’s take a look at some facts about Cockatoos that you should know:

1. Appearance

Cockatoo has an excellent appearance that makes them one of the most attractive birds. These birds come in different colors, including white, black, and pink, as well as close to red.

They have small, round eyes, a large, curved beak, and a detailed head crest. They often have more white, grey, as well as black feathers than other parrots, which are typically less colorful. Overall, Cockatoo is an excellent bird that can attract any bird lover.

2. Size and Weight

You may select the size of bird that best matches your house thanks to the large selection that is offered. While the larger species may grow around 28 inches in length, the smaller species of this bird typically reach 12 inches.

This bird can weigh anywhere from 10 to 30 ounces, depending on size. Based on the species, their crests can be extremely small or enormous and wide in size.

3. Personality

It is commonly known that cockatoos are one of the cleverest birds in the world. They like entertaining by showcasing their knowledge of tricks.

They require a lot of care from their owner since they are highly sociable, energetic, and interested. They make loud, piercing noises that can be heard through the thick foliage of their native habitats in order to interact with one another.

4. Diet

The majority of cockatoo species favor a diet high in fruits, seeds, and insects. Each one of them has a hefty bill and a powerful tongue. These work together to aid them in handling seeds and other foods.

They frequently gather in big flocks of cockatoos to eat together. This frequently happens when they are eating on the ground, maybe as a form of “safety in numbers” defense against predators.

5. Life Span

It has been noted that some cockatoos live for a similar length of time as humans, while others have lived much longer.

With adequate care, the smaller species of this bird can live around 40 years, while the bigger species can live between 80 and 100 years and occasionally much longer.

An Overview of Parrot Birds

A broad group of birds known as parrots have bent beaks and frequently have colorful feathers.

More than 350 bird species are represented in this category, including parakeets, cockatiels, macaws, and cockatoos. Parrot has different hues of colors, as well as the color may vary based on the species.

Parrots are a kind of bird with short tails, huge beaks, and a stocky build. Due to their entertaining nature, intelligence, and propensity for attachment, parrots have been kept as pet birds since dawn.

Parrots have colorful structures, some of which are multicolored, and they don’t often display sexual dimorphism in their visual range.

In terms of avian intelligence, parrots are some of the tops. Some parrot species are favored as pets because they can mimic human speech.

The veterinarian bills are exorbitantly costly, they are noisy, and they’re destructive. With a pointed tongue, these birds consume seeds, buds, certain fruits, as well as insects.

5 Facts About Parrot

Let’s take a look at some facts about parrots that you should know:

1. Appearance

Parrots are a hugely varied group of birds, despite the fact that many species are relatively similar. They are available in a wide range of colors, sizes, and forms.

The distinctive characteristic of all parrots is their broad, curved beak. They all have zygodactyl toes and bent bills. They come in various colors, including orange, green, yellow, red, blue, black, and white.

2. Personality and Behavior

The majority of parrots are gregarious birds that stay in flocks. Many animals only have one partner with whom they live their whole lives. In order to rear their offspring, the mates cooperate.

All of the parrots in the flock squawk and waggle their tail feathers to communicate with each other. Certain parrots are nocturnal, such as the kakapo. They snooze all day and hunt for food at late night.

3. Size and weight

Parrot sizes vary greatly since there are several species in the parrot group. Parrots may be anywhere from 3.5 and 40 inches in length and 2.25 and 56 ounces in weight.

The kakapo, which may weigh up to 9 lbs., is the biggest species of Parrot on the planet. The buff-faced pygmy is the smallest Parrot which is barely 3 inches tall and 0.4 ounces in weight.

4. Diet

The majority of species are herbivores, yet each has a particular diet. Numerous fruits, berries, seeds, nuts, nectar, buds, and pollen are consumed by them.

Some species also consume tiny animals, invertebrates, as well as insects. These birds’ powerful, curved beaks—a foraging trait they all share—are a unifying feature. They crack open difficult seeds and nuts with their beaks.

5. Life Span

There are various species of Parrot that are well-liked as pets. Given the diversity of species, it is challenging to report on average lifespans.

A parrot’s lifespan is significantly influenced by its species, quality of care, and general health. The following are some common pet parrot breeds’ typical lifespans:

• Amazon: 40 to 70 years
• Conure: 15 to 20 years
• Macaw: 35 to 50 years
• Lovebirds: 10 to 15 years
• Cockatiel: 15 to 25 years
• African: 40 to 60 years

Cockatoo vs Parrot: The Key Differences

Although Cockatoos are a type of Parrot, this bird has some differences from other types of parrots. Generally, Cockatoos are consistently larger than other species of Parrot.

Additionally, they live longer than some other varieties of parrots. Let’s take a look at the key differences between Cockatoo and Parrot.

Available species

So, the first and foremost difference between Cockatoo and Parrot is the available species. While parrots include more than 350 species, Cockatoo has only about 17 species.

Amazona, Conure, Macaw, Lovebirds, Cockatiel, and African are some of the notable parrot species. On the other hand, the Black Palm Cockatoo, Citron Cockatoo, Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo, and Moluccan Cockatoo are some of the popular Cockatoo species.

Size and Weight

Another thing that sets Cockatoo and Parrot apart from each other is their size and weight range. Generally, the size and weight range of the Cockatoo is upper than Parrot.

The average size range of parrots is around 5 inches to 20 inches. On the other hand, the average size of Cockatoos ranges from 12 inches to 20 inches. However, some parrots like Green-winged, Harlequin, Hyacinth, and especially Macaws group come in a larger size.

Life Span

Cockatoos and Parrots also have differences in terms of life span. Cockatoos feature a longer life span than most parrots.

Yes! Most Cockatoo has a life span of 25-80. On the other hand, most Parrot has a life span of 15 to 40 years. However, the Macaws species has around 75-80 years of life span.

Original habitation

Last but not least, Parrot and cockatoos have a difference in terms of their habitation.

With the exception of Antarctica, parrots may be found across the world’s tropical and subtropical regions. Cockatoos, on the other hand, are only natively found in Australia as well as the nearby islands.

Cockatoo vs Parrot: Which one is best as a pet

Cockatoos are unlike other parrots in both appearance and behavior. In contrast to the vibrantly colorful plumage of Amazon parrots, their single-hued plumage.

They are often white or black, and their movable crest of feathers. Cockatoos are more frequently introduced into a home as young birds than any other type of Parrot.

They develop attachments to people and eventually become so dedicated and tame that it is hard to separate them. In my opinion, Cockatoos are one of the best options for you if you are looking for a new parrot. However, it is only your personal choice which one you should get.

FAQ

Wrap Up

Although Cockatoos are one of the popular species of parrots, they are different from other species. They are larger, weightier, and have a longer life span than other parrots.

Hopefully, you got the perfect idea about Cockatoos and Parrots. You also learned the differences between Cockatoo and Parrot. Here we discussed all the key differences these them that can help you get the best one in your cage.

Howard L. Darnell

I am a writer and blogger who is passionate about birds. I write to inspire and educate others about the beauty and importance of avian species in our ecosystem. I love to watch birds flying and taking their photographs to capture those memories.