The Goffin Cockatoo, also known as the ‘blushing cockatoo’ and Tanimbar corella, is a friendly species of bird. They are active, playful, and intelligent – with the ability to be trained very quickly.
However, surprisingly, these miniature birds get full-blown tantrum attacks if they don’t get attention or lack activities to keep them busy.
Yes, these adorable birds do have such weird characteristics. This might confuse you whether you should keep these birds as pets or not. If you are one of those who is scratching their head, then worry not. We are here to help.
In this comprehensive guide, we have covered different aspects of the bird, including their behavior, feed, personality, and how to take care of them. All this will allow you to enjoy the precious company of GoffinCockatoo for years to come.
Goffin’s are native to the Tanimbar Islands of Indonesia. Their habitat includes the tropical forests of Larat, Yamdena, and Maluku province and are also commonly found in New Guinea Island.
2. Physical Appearance of Goffin Cockatoo
Often confused with the bare-eye Cockatoo, the Goffin is the smallest of all Cockatoos. It is all-white in color with touches of light salmon on either side of the beak. There is also a pale-yellow coloring under its wings, creating a beautiful view when the bird fans out its feathers.
Their feet and beaks are pale grey in color with a bone-colored bill, and light blue rings around the eyes. The male and female are similar in appearance, with the only significant difference being in the eyes. The male has black, while the female has brown eyes.
3. The beautiful personality of Goffin Cockatoo
As we mentioned above, Goffin Cockatoo is a friendly species of birds. They like people and bond very well with their human owners.
They are also playful and enjoy stimulating toys and activities.
But the feature of a Goffin Cockatoo that makes it stand out from other birds is their intelligence. The Goffin Cockatoo is bright – extraordinarily bright and learns new things without much training.
In fact, an Oxford University study showed the bird to be capable of opening a complex series of locks. In the study, ten novice Goffin’s were offered a puzzle box with a nut behind a transparent door. The door was secured with five interlocking devices that were equipped with a pin, screw, bolt, nuts, a latch, and a rotating wheel.
One of the Goffin’s managed to figure out the locks in under two hours without any assistance from humans, while others unlocked the systemwith little intervention or by observing the other cockatoos.
4. Speech Capability of Goffin Cockatoo
The Goffin Cockatoos are the quietest of the lot. Of course, this does not mean they don’t talk at all. They can be taught a few phrases and words with a little coaxing.
And they really stress their vocal cords when they are deprived of attention or run out of activities.
They are also musically inclined. Just turn up the music, and they would entertain themselves (and you) with a nonstop dance session.
5. Feeding the Goffin Cockatoo
The food for cockatoos should be nutritious, filled with a variety of seeds and vegetables. Occasionally you can feed them with fruits, nuts, cooked rice, beans, and table food, including cheese, corn, cereal, pasta, and meat.
Vets also recommend making pellets a major part of the Goffin’s diet. This is because the parrots are prone to weight gain in captivity, and owners should monitor their fat-consumption to avoid any problems.
6. Health issues
Generally, Goffin Cockatoos maintain optimal health if provided with proper diet, exercise, play, and attention. However, if you fail to provide the bird with the essential care, they may resort to destructive behaviors like feather plucking or skin picking.
Other common issues in Goffin’s include a virus called the psittacine beak and feather disease, as well as fatty liver disease. Obesity is also a problem for Goffin Cockatoos. Consequently, a well-maintained diet and exercise are necessary for the well-being of the bird.
7. Exercise and play
Goffin Cockatoos are active birds and enjoy playing around. However, they should not be kept in cages for 24 hours. Instead, take them out for supervised exercise for at least 3 -4 hours every day.
The exercise can be carried out by using play stands and pet gyms that are made specifically for birds. You can also invest in interactive toys and puzzles to stimulate the Cockatoo’s mind and body.
To enhance their foraging skills and independence, hide a few treats and toys for the bird to seek. You can also give them chew toys to keep their bill in good shape.
But make sure to remain consistent with your exercise time. This would help the bird remain tame and well-adjusted in your home.
8. Care for the Goffin
Care for the Goffin Cockatoos is easy as long as you provide an adequate amount of time to your pet. However, experts also recommend setting a balance between giving too much attention and not enough!
By managing the bird’s expectations, you can ensure that the pet is well socialized but can also handle some time alone while you are away for work and other chores. Due to their size, Goffin’s are also well suited for people who don’t have ample space to house pets. The bird can adjust pretty well in a small cage; around 5 feet tall is sufficient for the Goffin Cockatoo.
However, make sure to buy a sturdy cage as Goffin’s enjoying chewing on objects when bored.
Conclusion
This was all about the beautiful looking Goffin Cockatoo. If you can provide the necessary time and attention, the Goffin’s make a lovely pet. They are full of energy and enthusiasm and will keep you entertained for hours.
However, when adopting a Goffin pet, make sure not to get one from a rescue shelter. These birds are often neglected in their shelter and might be challenging to handle – especially if this is your first experience with a Goffin Cockatoo.
What was your favorite aspect of the bird? Do let me know in the comments.
Bilal is a content strategist who aims to help brands use the power of words to market their products and services. He got interested in birds after hearing the daily chirping on his early morning walks. Since then he has been writing on birds.
Bilal is a content strategist who aims to help brands use the power of words to market their products and services. He got interested in birds after hearing the daily chirping on his early morning walks. Since then he has been writing on birds.
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