Goffin's Cockatoo (Tanimbar corella) as a pet

Goffin's cockatoo is a species of parrot native to Indonesia. Learn all the facts about this friendly bird with good learning abilities and what you'll need if you want one as a pet

Goffin's cockatoo,also known as tanimbar corella, is a white cockatoo that lives in the forests of Tanimbar islands, Indonesia.

It’s nickname Goffin's came from a naval officer, Andreas Leopold Goffin, which was a friend of its discoverer, Otto Finsch. Τhat’s what friendship is all about, right?

Their natural habitat consists of the islands of Selaru, Larat and Yamdena (Tanimbar islands). In captivity, Goffin's cockatoo can be found in many zoos, pet stores and private breeders.

White Goffin's cockatoo sitting on a branch.

Goffin's cockatoo, the smallest of the cockatoo family, belongs to the group of Parrots and like most parrots, can imitate sounds.

These parrots are very beautiful birds with white feathers and some pink ones around their eyes and beak. Also, the feathers under their wings are slightly colored yellow.

Is a Goffin’s Cockatoo a good pet? Personality and temperament

Many people ask: Are Goffin's cockatoos cuddly?

Their high intelligence combined with their affectionate personality makes them good pets - but they can become spoiled very easily. They're certainly not shy and they will find ways to gain your attention. In general they're very friendly and sociable.

Another fascinating thing about them, according to a scientific research, is their learning ability. The research showed that they can easily solve difficult mechanical problems. Watch a Goffin's cockatoo make tools in this YouTube video.

Oh, and be careful with their cage!!! Solving problems means they can learn how to open their cage door, especially if they watch you doing it...

One of the most common health problems these parrots have, is that they tend to pick or pull out their feathers when they feel neglected. That's why sufficient mental stimulation through plenty of toys and puzzles is very important.

They also love singing and dancing to music as you can see from this YouTube video:

Lifespan and size of Goffin's cockatoo

The average lifespan of a Goffin's cockatoo is 30-40 years in the wild and can reach up to 65 years in captivity, as long as they’re well cared.

This difference is because the life of a cockatoo is less stressful in captivity without any major threat or danger.

As far as their size, they can grow an average of 12,5 inches (39 centimeters) in length and 1 lb (450 grams) in weight.

They are considered to be one of the smallest cockatoos.

What do they eat?

Goffin's cockatoos, like most parrots, feed of :

seeds
nuts
roots
fruits
blossoms
small insects or larvae

In captivity, they need a balanced diet of seeds and vegetables with a small quantity of fresh fruit, protein and nuts. Small quantities of cheese, corn, hard boiled eggs, and meat can also be provided from time to time. Pellets can also be given supplementary.

Foraging toys are a great stimulation for these birds.

Goffin's Cockatoos tend to gain weight, so you need to make sure they remain active during the day (this means they have enough toys and attention) and also keep an eye on their body fat!

Can Goffin's cockatoo talk?

Goffin's cockatoo ability to mimic most sounds of its surrounding is extremely high. The same ability doesn’t apply though for human voice. It can learn some words or even phrases, but it will probably not learn to talk as good as an African Grey or an Umbrella cockatoo.

Are they loud?

According to beautyofbirds.com although most cockatoos are loud, Goffin's cockatoo is considered to be relatively quiet. That’s not the case though, if you leave them alone most of the time or if they feel they’re not getting enough attention from you.

Remember that they're like little children. For instance, if they see you talking on the phone, they'll probably be noisy just to grab your attention.

Are they good for beginners?

Goffin's cockatoo is an ideal pet for beginners, due to its exceptional learning skills, its affection to humans and its mischievous personality.

Pros and cons

Pros:

Good company
Bonding ability
Less noisy than other cockatoos
Long life

Cons:

Can become needy or spoiled
They require a big cage
They can chew everything

How much does a Goffin’S CocKatoo cost?

Τhe cost of getting a Goffin's cockatoo doesn’t consist of the pet’s price only. You’ll also need some necessary accessories such as a cage, enough toys and … perhaps a DNA test! A rough estimate is $1400 – $2600 and includes:

1. GOFFIN'S COCKATOO: $1000 – $2000

The cost of a Goffin's cockatoo depends on its age, the breeder and level of training.

You can get a better price for a young bird, but you ‘ll have to get all the ‘hard work’ raising it, done by yourself, not mentioning the risk of getting the young cockatoo sick.

On the other hand, if you raise it by yourself the right way, you will be sure that your bird will be socialized properly and won't adopt any bad habits which can be difficult to fix later on.

2. THE GOFFIN'S COCKATOO’S CAGE: $150 OR MORE

Although the Goffin’s cockatoo is relatively small, the cage that you’ll need must be quite big, meaning 35 inches wide, 6 feet tall and 25 inches deep.

You also need to make sure that it’s made of tough material, due to the cockatoo’s strong beak and love for chewing... That is if you don’t want to end up buying a new cage every month!

3. MIRROR,ΤOYS: $100-$200 (per year)

If you’re planning on getting a Goffin’s cockatoo, you must be prepared to spend enough money on toys, too. Social as it is, a mirror will come extra handy, especially if there isn’t much going on around the house.

Because of its habit to chew almost everything, you’ll need to buy new toys every now and then. If you don’t want to spend a fortune on toys, you must focus on toys from rough material, but also be careful not to harm the bird.

4. DNA TEST: $50

No I’ m not talking about who its father is! In order to know the gender of a Goffins cockatoo (if not stated in its papers), you need to have a DNA test done.

TO SUM UP, THE COST CAN BE BROKEN DOWN TO THE FOLLOWING:

One Goffin’s cockatoo: $1000 – $2000
One cage: $150 (minimum)
Mirror & toys: $100-$200 (annually)
DNA test (optionally): $50

The food will cost you about $100 – $150 annually and you will also need $50 – $100 per year for hygiene purposes.

IS GOFFIN’S COCKATOO GOING EXTINCT?

Although there is a decline of its population, Goffin's cockatoo isn’t considered critically endangered.

Parrots, especially the big ones, may seem less demanding than a cat or a dog, but they will need a lot of care and attention. Because they live for many years, they are a long-term commitment which means that getting one should be a well-thought decision.

One creature maybe more cute than the Goffin's cockatoo is the axolotl. Make sure to check some interesting fact and information about this smiling salamander!