Salmon-crested cockatoo with erect head crest
Forests

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.

Size
About 12–22 inches long, depending on the species
Live in
Australia and southeast Asia
Food
Seeds, fruits, nuts and flowers
IUCN Red List Status
Least Concern to Critically Endangered, depending on the species
Salmon-crested cockatoo eating a nut

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!

CMG
COCKATOO MEET & GREET

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.

LEARN MORE

WHERE ARE THEY AT THE ZOO?

See Map
Kangaroo and child

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.