More on Cockatoos

(1) HOW DO THEY MATE?

(2) WHERE ARE THEIR NESTS? ON THE GROUND OR IN TREES?

In the hollow of trees.

(3) WHAT DO THEY REQUIRE FOR THEIR NESTS? CAN WE PROVIDE IT?

The nest is a bed of wood chips in a hollow in a tree. So they need a log and non-toxic nesting materials. See (5) for more details.

(4) DO THEY HAVE A HABIT OF DIGGING IN THE GROUND AND WHY?

• In captivity, it may be nesting behaviour and some dig for this. In the wild, they rarely do so as it puts them at risk of predators (http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/the-hills/sulphur-crested-cockatoos-dig-metre-long-den-at-muirfield-golf-course-in-north-rocks/story-fngr8i1f-1227068061409)
• Just observe if it nesting behaviour and and do not interfere as they can be extremely aggressive if they perceive you as a threat to the nest
• Sulphur-crested cockatoos also engage in ground-level foraging to feed on fruit, seeds, below-ground parts of plants (roots)
• They are often viewed as pests for their habit of digging up newly-sown seed and raiding ripening crops. They damage haystacks and attack bagged grain (http://www.iaate.org/companion-parrots/51-content/resource-center/201-sulphur-crested-cockatoo-fact-sheet.html)
• As a result, their feeding habits can be quite destructive and they can pull up grass roots in manicured lawns or strip leaves off trees
• In the wild, wild cockatoos spend a great deal of time on the ground, digging holes and eating grass roots and seeds (http://www.longgrasssystems.com.au/cockatoorehab.html). Wild cockatoos haveevolved a behavioural adaptation to protect against this: whenever there is a flock on the ground, there is at least one high up in a tree (usually a dead tree), keeping guard
• In captivity, white cockatoos require special foraging opportunities throughout the day to avoid behavioural problems. They require foods that exercise their strong beaks and require time to destruct. For example, seeds of Acacia trees and any kinds of beans and seeds that have to be extracted from their pods (http://birdhealth.com.au/petbirds/care/care_Cockatoos.html)

Sulphur crested cockatoos dig metre long den at Muirfield Golf Course in North Rocks

A PAIR of sulphur crested cockatoos has been hard at work at Muirfield Golf Course.

The burrowing birds caught the attention of Castle Hill’s John Hill who emailed the Hills Shire Times after he came across their strange 1m tunnel.

“Initially they were digging around the base of trees but then they became more ambitious and today have created a small underground den nearly 1m long and with a large earth mound outside from their excavation,” he said.

“Occasionally you can see both birds huddled together at the extremity of their burrow.”

In order to get to the bottom of this curious cockie behaviour, the paper contacted Hills bird expert John Grima from Kellyville Pets.

He said the cockatoos were most likely escaped pets digging the holes for “entertainment”.

“I’ve had a sulphur crested cockatoo called George for 30 years and that’s one thing he loves do, to get into the ground and dig, but it would be abnormal to see a wild bird do that,” he said.

“It wouldn’t be a wild behaviour because it exposes them to predators. It might be an instinctive nesting behaviour, but not in that location.”

Putting a box of shavings or bark in the cage for a pet cockatoo to dig was a good remedy to prevent boredom, he said.

SOURCE: http://m.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/the-hills/sulphur-crested-cockatoos-dig-metre-long-den-at-muirfield-golf-course-in-north-rocks/story-fngr8i1f-1227068061409

(5) CAN WE PROVIDE MATERIALS FOR THEM TO MAKE NESTS? OR CAN WE MAKE NESTS FOR THEM AND HOW?

SIMPLE:
Double entrance nest boxes are often used to reduce the chance of the male trapping the female in the box. Large wooden boxes approximately 18 inches x 18 inches x 24 inches can be used.

Metal barrels, plastic pickle barrels and garbage cans can be used. However the act of chewing a wooden nest box may stimulate reproductive behavior.

IN-DEPTH (Source: http://www.birdcare.com.au/sulphur_crested_cockatoo.htm):

Dimensions below are typical and can vary widely, influenced by the owner's and birds' preferences (which can be affected by the size and how the bird was hatched and reared).

If space allows, offer a choice of sizes and types, and placed in various locations within the aviary, to allow the birds to make their own choice.

Once a pair has chosen a specific nest-box/log and been successful in mating, offer that one to them each breeding season. Try and keep that one for their exclusive use.  The other non-preferred ones can generally be removed.

If the "spare" boxes are to be removed and moved to another aviary, ensure it is cleaned first so there is minimal contamination of mites, parasites and pathogens.

• A solid log is the preferred nest for large cockatoos.
• Log / Nest-box:

• Length / depth of the whole log: approx. 40 inches
• Log internal diameter: approx. 12 - 14 inches
• Nest-box internal dimensions: approx. 12 - 14 inches square
• Diameter of entrance hole: approx. 4 inches. Many species like the entrance hole to be just big enough to squeeze through. However during a double-entry door prevents male cockatoo from trapping female inside
• Inspection hole (square or round): approx. 4 - 6 inches
• A removable top / lid can be a useful access point for inspections and for cleaning.
• Location and height: high in the covered part of the aviary but not too close to the roof to be affected by heat from the roof in the summer months.
• Angle of log or nest box: log or nest box can be vertical or on an angle of up to 45 degrees.
• Nesting log / nest-box material: decomposed non-toxic sawdust, wood shavings or other suitable non-toxic materials

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (COURTSHIP BEHAVIOUR):

• The male ruffles his feathers, spreads his tail feathers, extends his wings, and erects his crest. He then bounces about. Initially, the female ignores him, but - provided he meets her approval - will eventually allow him to approach her.
• Once accepted, they will be observed preening each other's heads and scratching each other around the tail. This serves to strengthen their pair bond. Eventually, the male will mount the female and perform the actual act of mating. Generally, this ritual is much shorter for bonded pairs, and the female may even approach the male. When the time comes to nest, pairs leave their group and search for a suitable nesting site - which is usually a tree cavity.
• Cockatoos form a close bond that lasts for a lifetime. If they are separated, they may slip into a deep depression. In absence of a "true" mate, they may accept a caretaker as its mate.