Cockatoos are considered one of the most lovable pet birds. They are noisy, beautiful to look at, and have hilarious personalities. Even people who aren’t particular fans of birds often love cockatoos for their unique and fun nature.
Solomons cockatoos are a specific type of cockatoo that are gorgeous, energetic, and unique. These may not be the most popular type of pet cockatoo, but they are lovable just the same. Let’s find out more about the personality and care requirements for the Solomons cockatoo.
Species Overview
Common Names:
Solomons cockatoo, Ducorp’s cockatoo
Scientific Name:
Cacatua ducorpsii
Adult Size:
12 inches, 1 pound
Life Expectancy:
50+ years
Image by: Loong Kok Wei, Shutterstock
Origin and History
Solomons cockatoos are a specific type of cockatoo that are often called corellas. Corellas are most often found in Australia and have unique traits not shared by other cockatoos.
Solomons cockatoos are specifically found on the Solomon Islands, where their nickname comes from. These birds can also be found in eastern Papua New Guinea and Bougainville Island. In these locations, they thrive in many situations, including dense forests or sparse woodlands.
Solomons cockatoos first traveled beyond their native habitat during World War One win the Solomon Islands were a part of the German colonies. By the 1990s, Solomons Cockatoos became more popular for importation. Today, they are often kept as pets.
Temperament
Just like many other cockatoos, the Solomons cockatoo is known for its fun and wild personality. These birds love to play games and tricks, making them very silly and fun to be around.
At the same time, Solomons cockatoos are highly intelligent. You can teach these birds to do tricks and other things that showcase their personality and intelligence at the same time. Because these birds are so entertaining and intelligent, they make great pets for both families and singles.
Pros
Very fun and silly
Highly intelligent
Social and gets along great with people
Not difficult to care for
Cons
Needs a friend
May be difficult to find at a pet store
Not suitable for apartment living
Speech & Vocalizations
One thing that some people don’t like about cockatoos is that they can be very loud and unpredictable. Solomons cockatoos especially can become loud if they are feeling particularly silly or playful.
Additionally, these birds are very good at mimicking sounds they hear because of their intelligence. In fact, Solomons cockatoos are very good at listening to humans and twisting the words so that it sounds funny.
Keep in mind that the birds are not actually talking because they do not understand the language. They are simply replicating the noise they hear.
Solomons cockatoos can be silent one minute but loud the next. Because these birds are so vocal, they are not ideal for apartment settings, unless you really want to anger all of your neighbors.
Solomons (Ducorp’s) Cockatoo Colors and Markings
Unlike some birds that can come with different morphs and appearances, cockatoos as a whole have a very simple appearance. In comparison to parrots, cockatoos have a bit more of a boring coloration, but that is not to say they are ugly. Instead, they look gorgeous in their simplicity.
Solomons cockatoos are gorgeous yet simple. Their feathers are all white, and their beaks range from being white to pale blue. Their eyes are very elegant to look at as well because there is a blue ring around them. There are no other color variations for the Solomons cockatoo.
Caring for the Solomons (Ducorp’s) Cockatoo
Caring for Solomons cockatoos can be a bit difficult if you have never raised one before. One mistake that many new owners make is keeping the cockatoos by themselves. No cockatoos, including Solomons cockatoos, should be housed alone. Instead, you want to keep both a male and female together.
Another mistake that people make about owning Solomons cockatoos is level of interaction. As we’ve already discussed, these cockatoos are highly intelligent and need a lot of stimulation.
Make sure to provide a lot of attention, games, and toys for the cockatoo and keep it entertained. If not, it will be a nuisance and may become depressed. Provide free flying areas around your home, too.
As far as grooming, you won’t need to do much. So long as you provide the Solomons cockatoo a proper diet and a clean cage, it will maintain itself. Make sure to clean out the cage frequently so that the cockatoo is not sitting in its own filth.
Most cockatoos, including the Solomons cockatoo, are very healthy and not prone to health conditions. These birds are known for adapting to many environments and conditions. In most cases, providing the right diet, exercise, and environment for your cockatoo will help it stay healthy and happy for decades.
One of the most common health issues that birds face is depression and boredom. Unlike cats and snakes, birds are very social. If they do not have friends of their own kind, they often become depressed, causing them to pluck out their own feathers.
Similarly, Solomons cockatoos are so intelligent that they can become bored easily. Boredom leads to depression and plucking, just as described above. Boredom and depression really are the number one health concerns to be aware of in your cockatoo.
Diet and Nutrition
In the wild, Solomons cockatoos primarily eat a diet of fruits, berries, and flowers. They also eat insects and larvae at times. In captivity, you want to replicate the bird’s natural nutrition, even if the nutrition is delivered through different types of food.
Vary the cockatoo’s diet to make sure it gets all the nutrients it needs. You want to provide this bird seeds and water, but supplement fruits, vegetables, legumes, and other fresh foods so it can get all of the vitamins it needs.
Even though fresh food is a must for cockatoos, the majority of its diet should come from a cockatoo seed mix specifically. At least 50% of the Solomons cockatoo’s diet should come from this mix. You’ll need to go to a pet store to find a bird mix specific to cockatoos.
Unlike dogs, birds don’t need the type of exercise that requires all of your care and attention. That being said, Solomons cockatoos require a lot of physical and mental stimulation. If not, the bird will become depressed and likely sick.
To provide your Solomons cockatoo the right exercise, give it toys and allow it to fly around your house. Allowing the bird out of its cage lets it stretch its muscles and flap its wings. The bird should have out of cage time daily.
Where to Adopt or Buy a Solomons (Ducorp’s) Cockatoo
Even though cockatoos are common birds to be owned as a pet, Solomons cockatoos aren’t always kept at local pet stores. If you live in a big city, you might be able to find a local exotic pet shop that offers this type of cockatoo, but many people will have to look online.
There are many exotic pet shops online specific to exotic and unique birds, such as the Solomons cockatoo. This is your best choice of action for buying this extravagant feathery friend.
Final Thoughts
If you want a gorgeous yet quirky bird, the Solomons cockatoo may make a great addition to your home, assuming that you don’t live in an apartment. These fun, silly, and loud birds are sure to make your day better.
However, Solomons cockatoos are not for everyone. If you live in an apartment, do not want to provide this bird with the environment it deserves, or don’t have the space for having more than one, don’t get this bird. Because of its high intelligence and social nature, it has care requirements that must be taken seriously.
If you provide the Solomons cockatoo with the right environment, though, you will be more than happy with this little birdie for decades to come.
Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe....Read more
