Cockatoos
About
Cockatoos are clever, curious parrots! About 22 cockatoo species call Australia and parts of Asia home. They have bodies with mostly white, black or grey feathers with pops of pink, yellow or orange—especially on their head crest. These feathers stand up tall when a cockatoo is excited! Like other parrots, cockatoos have strong, hooked bills and zygodactyl feet: two toes face forward and two face backward, which is a great adaptation for perching in trees.
Cockatoos usually live in forests, but some find a home in grasslands, mountains—or even urban areas near people! They are intelligent and social. Some cockatoos have been taught to mimic human speech.
Conservation
Cockatoos are popular pets. But some cockatoos are endangered in the wild due to habitat loss and illegal pet trading. Do your research before adopting a cockatoo as a pet and make sure it not one of the species that are endangered in the wild—and that you can care for a busy bird that can live for 60 years or more!
Have a close encounter with one of the Zoo’s cockatoo flock! Go behind the scenes and have a brief interaction with a cockatoo, perched on your arm.
WHERE ARE THEY AT THE ZOO?
Kangaroo Crossing
Discover a bit of Australia right here in Indianapolis! Enjoy a close-up visit with red kangaroos and colorful cockatoos, together in Kangaroo Crossing presented by Citizens Energy Group.
Meet the Cockatoos
Mostly white with orange-yellow feathers on the cheeks and head crest. IUCN Red List status: Critically Endangered because of the international pet trade, habitat loss and persecution
Mostly grey with pink heads and belly. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern
Mostly white with pink head crest and neck. IUCN Red List status: Near Threatened because of habitat loss
Mostly white with a splash of pink between the eyes and bill with a greyish-blue ring around the eyes. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern
Mostly white with orange-red on the face and chest with a greyish-blue ring around the eyes. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern
Mostly white with red- and yellow-streaked head crest and pink chest. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern
Mostly black with red cheek patches. IUCN Red List status: Near Threatened because of habitat loss and the pet trade
Mostly white with a pink ting to its body and head crest. IUCN Red List status: Vulnerable because of the international pet trade
Mostly white with yellow head crest. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern
Mostly white with yellow feathers on the cheeks and head crest. IUCN Red List status: Critically Endangered because of the international pet trade
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