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Red-vented or Philippine Cockatoos

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The Red-vented Cockatoo, Cacatua haematuropygia, sometimes called the Philippine Cockatoo, is a cockatoo roughly the size and shape of the Goffin's Cockatoo. It is easily distinguished by the red feathers around the vent (refer to photo to the right)..

This cockatoo is native to the Philippines where small populations exist on the islands of Palawan, Tawitawi, Mindanao and Masbate.

The Red-vented Cockatoo makes a characteristic bleating call, as well as screeching or whistling noises that are common to most cockatoos.

Status

This bird is critically endangered. Populations have decreased dramatically due to illegal trapping for the cage-bird trade. The high price fetched per bird (c.US$160 in Manila in 1997) means that chicks are taken from virtually every accessible nest. Loss of habitat may also have contributed to its decline. The current population is estimated at less than 4,000 birds. ) It is one of the fifty rarest birds of the world. (Ref. Wikipedia.org)

Training and Behavioral Guidance:

Due to its critically-endangered species, all red-vented cockatoos that are capable of breeding should be placed into a breeding situation with experienced aviculturists to ensure that this magnificent parrot can be enjoyed by future generations.

As pets, cockatoos demand a lot of attention, but are appreciated for their exceptionally loving, devoted personality that is second to none. Cockatoos require an extremely dedicated owner who is willing to provide significant and meaningful attention to these intelligent parrots. They require consistent training from a young age to ensure potential cockatoo owners enjoy a bird free of destructive and annoying habits. Behavioral challenges that cockatoos present include:

• Excessive Chewing: Any parrot will chew. In nature, they use their beak to "customize" their favorite tree, to enlarge the size of their nest in a tree hollow. Doing this keeps their beaks in good condition. The problem is excessive and undesirable chewing. Undisciplined cockatoos will chew on electric wiring potentially causing house fires. The owner needs to provide plenty of "healthy" chewing opportunities (bird toys, natural wood branches, etc.) and training is necessary to teach a cockatoo what is "off-limits."



• Biting: Cockatoos, as most parrots, are likely to discover their beaks as a method of "disciplining us" once they are out of the "baby stage." It really is important to learn to understand them and to guide their behavior before an undesirable behavior has been established. If this behavior is unchecked, the cockatoo is likely to be dominating the entire family, chasing and attacking their least favorite humans (usually the ones they deem to be a competitor for their human mate's affection). Training is vital to stop this destructive behavior.



• Screaming: Not everybody can tolerate the natural loud call of a cockatoo, and even though it can't (or should not) be entirely eliminated, there are ways to discourage screaming / screeching in your pet cockatoo. Although the Red-vented Cockatoo is quieter than most cockatoos, and much quieter than the Umbrella Cockatoo or Moluccan Cockatoo.

Training and behavioral guidance will help your pet be the kind of companion you want it to be ...

• AvianWeb Resources: I put together web resources for you to help you understand your pet bird and properly direct him. Please visit this website for valuable tips on parrot behavior and training. If you found a way to resolve a "parrot behavioral issue" please share it with others.


• If you are, as I am, a visual learner and prefer step-by-step instructions to train your pet, I recommend:
  
  • the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
    • Stop Biting
    • Perform Tricks &
    • Tame ANY SIZE bird you could possibly own
  • and/or try the "Teach Your Parrot to Talk" Training Course.

If you are considering one of these magnificent parrots as pets, please visit the following websites for information:

• Cockatoo General Information



• Procuring your Parrot
  • Bird Breeders
  • Do you breed this species and would like to be listed? Click here to see your options.


• The 3 Key Elements to Keep Your Pet Bird Happy & Healthy



• Housing Your Bird



• Bird Nutrition



• Parrot Products

Taxonomy:

Genus: Scientific: Cacatua haematuropygia aka Psittacus haematuropygius ... English: White Black-billed Cockatoos ... Dutch: Wit & Zwartsnavelkakatoes ... German: Eigentliche Kakadus ... French: Cacatoès

Species: Scientific: Cacatua haematuropygia ... English: Red-vented Cockatoos ... Dutch: Filippijnse Kakatoe, Roodstuit Kakatoe ... German: Rotsteißkakadu ...French: Cacatoès de Philippines

CITES I - Protected Species Distribution: Philippine Islands, incl. Palawan and Sulu Archipelago

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If you would like to add to or correct any of the above information, or would like to share with the AvianWeb visitors your own experiences, please e-mail the AvianWeb Webmaster.
Photo contributions and articles are welcome!