There are approximately 17 species of these exotic white beauties. They are noted for their intelligence, ability to mimic, flamboyant nature and distinctive white color. Not for every family due to their need for physical attention, mental stimulation and general housing requirements. They have a penchant for being loud and boisterous. These unique, wonderful creatures are perfect for the right family.

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Cockatoos are most widely known for the big crests of feathers that they display on the tops of their heads, but there are plenty of other fun and fascinating Cockatoo facts for bird lovers to focus on. For example, did you know that all Cockatoo species hail from Australia? That's right, every single one of these large parrots have origins "Down Under!"

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Cockatoos, when hand fed as babies and properly tamed, tend to form extremely strong lifelong bonds with their owners. They are also known to be one of the most affectionate parrot species, craving petting from their owners, and preferring to be on or near them at all times. In fact, some Cockatoos can become depressed if they feel like their owners aren't showing them enough attention, and this can lead to side effects such as feather plucking and destructive behavior. For this reason, they are only recommended for those who have a lot of time to devote to handling and socializing with their pets.

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One of the most distinctive features of a Cockatoo's body (aside from their impressive feather crests) are the lower mandibles of their beaks. If you take a close look at a Cockatoo's lower jaw, you'll notice a prominent "u" shaped region missing from the "bottom lip" area of the beak. This scoop-shaped feature allows a Cockatoo to have what is known as a three-way bite, giving their beaks extra power when clamping down on foods, branches, and even the fingers of their human caretakers! Because of this feature, Cockatoos have the capacity to deliver bites that are more painful and damaging than birds of a similar size; something for prospective owners to keep in mind.

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​While all parrots can scream, Cockatoos are notoriously loud. Because of their extremely boisterous voices, they are not recommended for people who live in apartments or in otherwise close proximity to their neighbors. A Cockatoo's contact call can be heard for up to a mile or more away, so it's no wonder why they aren't a good choice for small spaces.