Cockatoo vs Macaw: Differences Every Pet Owner Should Know

Overview: Understanding the Two Species  

Due to their beauty, intelligence, vocal tunes, social behaviors, and expressive nature, Cockatoo and macaw are both the most popular species

Cockatoos are classified in the family of Cacatuidae family, while Macaws are of Psittacidae family.

Cockatoos vs Macaw is a quite difficult question, but we try to explain these by comparing their behaviors, their needs, their attitude, their lifespan, and everything related to this.

Native Region and Natural Habitat  

• Cockatoos:

  
  Cockatoos are primarily found in Australia, Indonesia, and its nearby islands. They live in diverse environments including rainforests and dry areas where they can find food and water. 

• Macaws:

  
  Macaws live in Central South American forests. They are mainly found in Brazil, Venezuela, and its nearby areas. They live mostly in rainforest areas but due to their ability of long-distance traveling, they can live in the whole ecosystem.

Physical Appearance and Color Variations

• Cockatoos:

  
  Due to their varieties of colors like gray, white, and pink cockatoos are very popular and give a gorgeous look. The best species of cockatoo are Moluccan and Sulphur-crested cockatoos

• Macaws:

  
  Macaws are famous for their bright colors and having long tails and varieties of colors like scarlet macaw, blue and yellow macaw, and Hyanith macaw which has a variety of beautiful and gorgeous colors that make them more popular.

Key Physical Traits of Each Bird  

Some physical traits of macaw and cockatoo are given below:

Cockatoo:

Cockatoo Crest:

The Cockatoo crest is the most prominent part of the cockatoo which can raise or lower. Their crust shows their expressions like anger, happiness, anxiety, or other emotions.

Size & Weight:

Cockatoo are medium-sized parrots whose size is from 12 to 27 inches in length. Their weight can vary because there are quite different species, so in general their weight ranges from 400 to 800 grams. 

Cockatoo Plumage:

Cockatoo have distinctive plumage in which they can move their feather on body and feathers 

on crest.

Feather Dust:

They can create a good amount of dust from their feathers which can be seen, and this dust can become a cause of allergies for some people.

Macaw:

Size & Weight of Macaw:

Macaw has a large size which can range from 11 inches to 40 inches in length and has a higher weight than cockatoo which ranges from 1 kilogram to 2 or 3 and some macaw have 4 kilograms of weight.

Tail & Feet of Macaw:

Macaws have a long tail in comparison with cockatoos while they also have strong toes which is perfect for a good grip or to grasp anything at best.

Feather Dust:

Macaws create very little feather dust, which is best as they don’t become a reason for allergies for other people.

Lifespan and Health Expectations  

Cockatoo:

Cockatoo normally ages between 40 and 70 years, depending upon their diet and care. A good diet with proper time and care ensures a long lifetime.

Macaw:

Macaws also have a lifespan of 50 to 80 years, which also depends upon their proper care and well maintenance in all of their aspects.

Affordability: Which Bird Costs More?  

Cockatoo and macaw both are considered expensive, yet they have a difference which is given below.

Cockatoo:

Cockatoos range from 1000 to $4000 depending on the species. The more rare species, the more expensive it is. The rarest and most expensive cockatoo species is Black Palm Cockatoo.

Macaw:

Macaws generally range from 1500 to $10000. Every species has its rate. As said before, the Hyacinth Macaw is a rare species, so it’s very expensive.

Temperament and Handling Experience  

Cockatoo:

Cockatoos are social parrots and are famous for making bonds with owners, yet they are also considered very sensitive and become angry and go into a stressful state if the owner doesn’t give them proper time

Macaw:

Macaw are very playful and energetic parrots, they are not too sensitive like cockatoos, yet they are very social parrots.

Intelligence and Talking Capabilities  

Cockatoo:

Cockatoo are very intelligent parrots, puzzle solving is easy for them. They can learn to train commands easily and are very talkative.

Macaw:

Macaw are also very intelligent species and can also learn words, and phrases and have a good voice, but they are not too much emotional as cockatoos.

Is it a Macaw or a Cockatoo Smarter?  

It’s very difficult to say which one is more intelligent or smarter as both intelligence levels are high and equal yet cockatoos are emotionally intelligent and can sense their owner’s moods. While macaw intelligence is not too emotional, they are good at problem-solving like in puzzles and toys, etc.

Socialization Needs and Companionship  

Cockatoo:

Cockatoos are very social parrots, ye they need proper time from their owner. If they don’t give proper time, the cockatoo gets felt in stress or boredom.

Macaw:

Macaws are also very social parrots, yet they don’t demand as much time as cockatoo, they also spend a good time without the owner, and then they play with toys and perches.

Dietary Differences and Nutrition Plans  

Cockatoo:

A well-balanced and full-of-nutrient diet is necessary for cockatoo. Such a diet includes the formulated pellets, fresh fruits, seeds, and vegetables which are enough to provide them with all nutrients and minerals that are necessary for them.

Macaw:

Macaw also needs a good nutrient diet which they can get from fruits, pellets, vegetables, and seeds. Their beak is designed as a large and strong beak so they can easily crack all the nuts that are considered their favorite diet.

Habitat Preferences and Adaptability

Cockatoo:

Cockatoos are medium and small parrots, so they need too many large cages. They are good at both indoors and outdoors.

Macaw:  

Macaws are large-sized parrots, so they need large aviaries. They need regular outdoor flights to keep their wings healthy and keep their exercises well.

Vocalization: Quiet vs Loud Birds  

Both cockatoo and macaw are very loud parrots. Cockatoo can speak loud when want someone’s attention, but macaw’s voice is like a scream and when they want to speak loud they can speak ear-piercing screams which are very loud and noisy.

Pros and Cons of Cockatoos  

Pros:

• Form a strong emotional bond with owners.
• Less expensive than Macaws

Cons:

• Requires a lot of attraction and wants the owner proper time.
• Can have health problems like feather plucking, which is less common in macaws.
• Bad behavioral issues if ignored.

Pros and Cons of Macaws  

Pros:

• The beautiful color combination and large size make them gorgeous.
• Highly intelligent, especially with problem-solving skills in puzzles and toys.
• Can spend easily a good time in their loneliness. 

Cons:

• They are large parrots so they require more space in their cage, a big cage.
• They are expensive to purchase.
• Their expenses after purchases are quite large like cage, food, and vet expenses
• They also have loud sounds or screams, which is not suitable for those who want a quiet environment.

Final Decision:

Choosing cockatoo and macaw is according to your needs and environment. Cockatoo is affectionate but requires good time and attention from owners. Moreover, they are very sensitive. So if you can’t provide much time, then you shouldn’t buy them.

Macaw on the other hand requires a big cage and big space, and they are also considered very loud.