Common Names:

Rose-Breasted Cockatoo, Pink and Gray Cockatoo, Galah Cockatoo, Roseate Cockatoo, Galah Parrot.

Scientific Name:

Cacatua roseicapilla.

Origin:

Australia.

Size:

Rose-Breasted Cockatoos are generally between 12-15 inches in length from the beak to the tip of the tail feathers.

Average Lifespan:

The Rose-Breasted Cockatoo can live for up to 70 years in captivity.

Temperament:

Affectionate and friendly, the Rose-Breasted Cockatoos have a reputation for being loving pets.

They are sensitive birds, however, and require quite a bit of attention and interaction from their owners. Those interested in owning a Rose-Breasted Cockatoo should make sure that they have plenty of free time to spend with their new pet.

Colors:

Rose-Breasted Cockatoos have bright pink feathers on their chests, bellies, and the lower half of their faces. They have pinkish-white crests and gray backs, wings, and tail feathers. They have gray feet and horn colored beaks.

Feeding:

Like all Cockatoos, Rose-Breasted Cockatoos are prone to weight gain, so owners should monitor their fat intake. A healthy diet for a pet Rose-Breasted Cockatoo should consist of high quality pellets, a moderate amount of seed mix, and daily helpings of fresh bird-safe fruits and vegetables.

Exercise:

Rose-Breasted Cockatoos are active birds, and need plenty of exercise to maintain their physical health. Those who own Rose-Breasted Cockatoos should allow their birds a minimum of 3-4 hours outside of the cage per day, so that the bird can play and stretch its muscles.

Cockatoos have strong beaks and jaws, so it's important to provide plenty of safe chew toys for them to exercise their jaw muscles on.

Rose Breasted Cockatoos as Pets:

Their bold colors and friendly personalities have made Rose-Breasted Cockatoos increasingly popular as pets in recent years. While it can be tempting to rush out and buy a Rose-Breasted Cockatoo, potential owners should know that these are sensitive birds and are not right for everybody.

If you want to own a Rose-Breasted Cockatoo, the first thing you should do is make sure that you have enough spare time to spend with it. Rose-Breasted Cockatoos are very social, and they require a lot of interaction in order to maintain their emotional health. Birds that are neglected may resort to screaming and destructive behavior, so it's important that Rose-Breasted Cockatoo owners invest as much time as possible into their pets.

While they are among the smaller Cockatoo species, Rose-Breasted Cockatoos still need plenty of space to live in. The minimum cage size for a Rose-Breasted Cockatoo is 4 ft. x 4 ft. x 4 ft., and bigger is always better.

Before you buy a Rose-Breasted Cockatoo, contact local breeders to see if you can spend some time with them and their birds. Getting to know someone that has experience raising Rose-Breasted Cockatoos will help you decide if they are indeed the right bird for you.