Major Mitchell's Cockatoo Pink Cockatoo Parrot Parrots - breeding - pet

Major Mitchell's Cockatoo
Cacatua leadbeateri leadbeateri

OTHER NAMES
Pink Cockatoo, Leadbeater's Cockatoo

Description: This is a truly magnificent bird which has a red, yellow and white crest, white wings, tail and back. The underside of the wings and tail are a salmon-pink colour. The head, neck, breast and abdomen are a colour that can range from deep pink to a very pale pink to peach. The feet are grey, the beak is bone coloured and there is white with a red band of feathers just above the beak. When they are in full display it is truly a magnificent sight.

Size: Small weighing from 300 to 450 grams and has a length of around 14 inches.
In The Wild Native to Australia, they are protected throughout their range due to the diminishing populations. Unlike the Rose-breast, which has been able to co-habitate with man, the Major Mitchells numbers have declined as their habitat has been encroached upon by farming. Habitat that is preferred is arid semi-desert scrub lands, savannahs and sparse woodlands.

Diet: In the wild they are ground feeders, subsisting on seeds, berries, roots, nuts and fruits. Breeding is determined by the rains and begins after the spring rains when there is a relative abundance of food (August to December). The pair nests in a hollow tree that they partially fill with twigs and bark. Clutches usually consist of two to four eggs that have an incubation period of 28 days. Both parents participate in incubation; the male sits during the day, the female at night. As a result of the arid conditions, the spring bloom is short lived and food supplies for the babies are available for only a short time. For this reason the Major Mitchell's, like the Rose-breast, fledges and weans quickly.

As domestic birds
Breeding: These cockatoos have a bad reputation when it comes to intraspecies aggression (males attacking females). For safety it is suggested that the nest boxes have dual entries. Videos could also be installed in the boxes.
Diet: Daily give them a bowl of soft food that consists of fresh fruits, vegetables and cooked bean mix, and a bowl of dry food that is 1/2 seed mix and 1/2 pellets. During the breeding season also supply sprouted seeds.

Cages: Cages should be about 24"W X 30"L X 30"H, (600mmW x 750mmL x 750mmH) with three feeding stations (water, pellets & fruit-veggies). They can be prolific chewers so manzanita perches are recommended. They should have several toys including some that they can chew.