How to tell if a sulphur-crested cockatoo is older or younger than 2 years old?

How to tell whether a Greater Sulphur Crested cockatoo is younger or older than 2 years old? How to check if the bird has reached sexual maturity?

I believe my bird is a male and I am hoping to find out whether my bird is older or younger than 2 years of age or whether it is sexually mature. Is there any good way to find out from looking at the beak or feet or eyes?

I am not actually sure whether my cockatoo is a male or female. I am just guessing that it's male because it seems very aggressive when I try to get near it.

I was just curious when I asked this question because I have read that a common behavior issue with cockatoos is screaming. But my cockatoo doesn't scream at all which makes me suspect that it's either way past maturity or it could still be a baby. But so far I haven't been able to find out how I can tell.

Where did you get your bird? The place where you picked him/her up may be able to tell you. They could at least tell you how long they had him/her so you could know they are at least a certain age. Then just add how long have you had him/her. And you could bring your bird to the vet and have them confirm the gender for you, which could be useful for behavioral questions you might have.
I don't believe you can visually age a cockatoo, but hopefully someone with more experience will come along soon!

Got it from a bird trapper who has told me that he had it for 4 months.

I imagine taking it to the vet might be traumatic for the bird (I don't think the bird likes being grabbed).... I'm still trying to tame it.

I would contact your local avian vet, schedule a 'well bird' examination, and ask them to check the gender via a dna test. A basic checkup is a good idea for a new bird and it gives you a good opportunity to ask questions. The vet may be able to help with age but once they're adult it's not easy.

Screaming is a behavioural issue - in the wild it's a way to communicate across large distances but the neurotic constant screaming that some pet birds do is learned behaviour that you can avoid by giving the bird lots of attention and teaching it how to entertain itself when there is nobody around for company. Cockatoos are notorious screamers because they're generally needier and less independent than other species. If your bird isn't a screamer you may be in luck and you have a good starting point for a well behaved bird - but if it's a new arrival it may also be that he's still weighing up his new situation and you're in a honeymoon period. But not all cockatoos will turn out to be screamers.

If it's wild caught it's probably trying it's hardest to keep a low profile and will be extremely quiet and defensive. Without commenting on the ethics of trapping, I'd say a vet visit is pretty much imperative based on it being wild caught baring in mind the many diseases wild birds can carry, and it's going to be no more traumatic than being taken from the wild In the first place.

Jayyj said:

The vet may be able to help with age but once they're adult it's not easy.

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Is there a way to tell whether the bird is adult?

There is really no way to tell age. You can tell the sex with a dna test which you can order online and do yourself, or have it done at the vet. I understand you're not wanting to further traumatize your bird, but under the circumstances, I'd say it needs to be done. If it has been "trapped" then I don't think you will really ever know the age for sure.

Do you should what type of Sulfur Crested Cockatoo? IF trapped as a wild bird in it's native land, they should be released!!!! And no you can not visually tell the age of the bird. You can tell when they're young but after a year old you can't really tell.

If it was trapped as a baby would it have the skills to survive on its own when I release it? How can I tell if the bird is under 1 year of age?

First of all, is it LEGAL to own a "trapped" bird? To my knowledge, it's illegal pretty much everywhere these days to catch or posses (newly) wild caught birds unless you are licensed to do so. I believe internationally recognized laws on the matter of wild caught parrots for the pet trade went into effect in the late 1990's.

Second, the bird MUST go to a vet. The diseases he could be harboring could infect your other cockatoo and/or you. Wild birds are petri dishes of disease and parasites. An experienced avian vet may also have a better idea of how old the bird is. As for re-releasing the bird- NO! If you discover it is illegal to have this bird or simply want to see him released back to nature, make sure he is surrendered to a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center with professional experience in preparing bids for re-release to the wild.

Here in Australia, sulphur-crested cockatoos are considered pests and trapping them before they reproduce helps to control their numbers. The trapper obtained a license from the government to do this trapping work. He keeps all the trapped birds for a while before wholesaling them to various pet stores.

I am not 100% sure on whether it's legal for me to keep this "trapped" bird, but the trapper said it's legal as long as the bird is obtained from him. I do know that a license for Sulphur-crested cockatoo is not required where I live (only black cockatoos require a license). Where can I find out for sure if it's legal or not?

Through my reading only the captivity bred can be kept as pets as the wild ones aren't. It's not allowed period on the eastern part. On the western part they do trap them but not kept as pets. Please do release him as it's not fair for a wild bred bird to be trapped in a cage as he would never be happy and will develop psychological issues such as plucking, self mutilation, etc.

Its wings are currently clipped so will have to wait for them to grow back.

nulloa said:

Here in Australia, sulphur-crested cockatoos are considered pests and trapping them before they reproduce helps to control their numbers. The trapper obtained a license from the government to do this trapping work. He keeps all the trapped birds for a while before wholesaling them to various pet stores.

I am not 100% sure on whether it's legal for me to keep this "trapped" bird, but the trapper said it's legal as long as the bird is obtained from him. I do know that a license for Sulphur-crested cockatoo is not required where I live (only black cockatoos require a license). Where can I find out for sure if it's legal or not?

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Your vet should be able to tell you OR whatever the name of the agency you have over there is responsible for wildlife management. And again, I reiterate, if you do find you are not allowed to keep him, please surrender to a wildlife rehab, not the backyard.

If it is legal and you choose to keep him, wild caught birds CAN adapt to life in a domestic home (all our babies on here are decedents of wild caughts) HOWEVER, the wild never leaves them. My mom has a wild caught amazon (captured as an adult) who's been with her over 40 years. She is tame, but theres a difference in her behavior compared to the behavior of the captive breds. She doesn't always follow commands, even though she knows what she should do. She is a very loving bird towards trustworthy female humans. She steps up, but otherwise HATES hands and you can kindly keep them away from her less you want an amputation. She especially hates men's hands. That reaction is from being "grabbed" when she was captured and then undoubtedly manhandled during transport and quarantine (back when importation was legal). She's never forgotten, and never forgiven men (males) either. They have good memories, and remember being traumatized at the hands of humans forever. A wild parrot may become your best friend, but they will NEVER be a domestic housepet.

Another thing to keep in mind is that cockatoos are highly social and very sensitive. They are prone to plucking, self mutilation, behavioral screaming (above and beyond normal vocalizations) and attacking. I am unsure how well researched you are with cockatoos, but they are notoriously 'difficult' parrots. They need ample toys to keep them mentally healthy and you might as well kiss your social life goodbye because they need the kind of attention you'd need to lavish on a toddler every day for the rest of your life (and the bird WILL outlive you). They are a huge commitment. I am hoping you had already researched the kind of time you'll need to put into this bird before buying him. If not, I'd suggest you look around the forum and learn as much as you can. If you have any specific care questions, please ask. We're all here to help! I've heard what happens to the wild cockatoos deemed agricultural pests over where you live. If at all possible, I'd like to see this guy saved from that fate.