I will be comparing and contrasting Cockatoos and Macaws in their behavioral aspect. I will be researching how they interact amongst themselves and with other animals and their owners. I will be finding similarities and differences of the two, making them closely and far related. I will also be taking into account how their behavior affects or helps them throughout their life. I will also be researching and taking a look at the reproductive system of the two.
Background Information of the Cockatoo
Anatomy
• Anatomy of the cockatoo does not differ much from other birds. (Harrison, 2013)
• They have two toes facing forward, and two toes facing backwards which makes it easier for them to grip or hold on to a certain thing when climbing. (Harrison, 2013)
• The name of the structure of their toes in Zygodactyl. (Harrison, 2013)
• Have hollow bones, which makes them lighter and easier to fly, making these bones a bit more fragile. (Roberts, 2009)
Digestive System
• Their Digestive system is very basic (Pesek, 1999)
• Food intake is processed in the crop. (Pesek, 1999)
• The crop is basically their “mouth” where food is stored and softened; this is located in the upper front of their chest. (Pesek, 1999)
• The second main organ in their digestive system is the gizzard. (Pesek, 1999)
• This is similar to a “stomach”, with very strong muscles surrounding it. (Pesek, 1999)
• The gizzard condenses the food into small portions and mixes it with “digestive like enzymes”. (Pesek, 1999)
• After food is processed, they only have one way of doing bowel movement like activities. (Pesek, 1999)
• This part is called cloaca, they basically do everything in this part; such as, poop urine and reproduction. (Pesek, 1999)
• They do not produce urine; in fact they produce solid urine. If they have drunk a big amount of water that is what they will take out, water. (Pesek, 1999)
Background Information of the Blue and Gold Macaw
Dietary Information
• The diet for the Blue and Gold Macaw is very basic yet somehow broad. (Pollock, 2012)
• They eat prepared seeds or pellet mixes.
• Are able to eat certain healthy human foods such as, chicken.
• Avocado and chocolate are highly toxic to them.
• When the Blue and Gold Macaw is “depressed” which is rarely, they may have loss of appetite. (Pollock, 2012)
Anatomy
• The Blue and Gold Macaws have strong black beaks perfect for crushing several things such as nuts, etc. (Pollock, 2012)
• They have a black chin, goldish bottoms, blue wings and tails and a green forehead. (Pollock, 2012)
• They tend to measure 34-36 inches all around. (Pollock, 2012)
• Their wings weigh about 800-1,200 grams. (Pollock, 2012)
Article I. Environmental factors of Cockatoos
The Cockatoos are a species that is mostly found in Australia and are different from other parrots because they are just pure white. They are a diurnal species and need daylight to search for their food.
• They open like and umbrella when are happy and trying to get attention. (Coila, 2014)
• When happy only the feathers on their crest erect. (Coila, 2014)
• The way they prepare to sleep is by “blowing up” looking fluffy; this protects them against the cold. (Coila, 2014)
• They can sleep with one eye open. (Coila, 2014)
• They are not early risers and like to be asleep until the sun is shining. (Coila, 2014)
Cockatoos can also be aggressive and cranky at times. They can be a threat to some humans when are angry.
• Shows fear when all their feathers are closed to the body. (Roberts, 2009)
• It will try to scare away any threat that is presented, or when another unknown animal is present. (Roberts, 2009)
• Biting is not really natural even if they get angry. Instead they use this for fighting other flock members. (Coila, 2014)
Articles IA. Reproductive system of a Cockatoo
The female bird begins its life with two ovaries and oviducts. The female cockatoos have evolved so much that the left ovary and the oviduct grows faster than the one on the right, this is due to an adaptation to have less weight, which makes it easier for them to fly. The female reproductive system is divided into 5 main parts. The Infundibulum, magnum, which contains sodium, secrete albumen, magnesium and calcium. The Isthmus is the shortest portion, the uterus is where the eggs stays in the longest, and lastly the vagina which is where the eggs is passed rapidly then later hatched.
• It takes 25 hours for an egg to travel from beginning to end. (Pesek, 1999)
• The eggs remains in the first part for 15 minutes. (Pesek, 1999)
• The egg remains in the magnum for about 3 hours. (Pesek, 1999)
• The egg stays in the uterus for about 20-26 hours. (Pesek, 1999)
Determining the gender of your cockatoo can be very tricky; hence there are 18 species of cockatoos. If your cockatoo is a female the eye will become red or reddish-brown after two years of birth. Although sometimes this eye color is not present on all of them.
• An endoscopy or several DNA testing may need to be done in order for you to reveal the gender. (Brough, 2015)
• Obtaining blood sample or some feathers does DNA testing. (Brough, 2015)
Article II. Environmental factors of the Blue and Gold Macaw
Since the beginning of time the Blue and Gold Macaws have made great pets. They are able to get along with just anyone and anywhere. The Blue and Gold Macaws are very social animals, which makes them at all times in fond need of company.
• The Blue and Gold Macaw are very friendly, they adapt rapidly to any environment. (Davis, 2006)
• Can make great pets due to their well-behaved characteristics, and can be seen outdoors with their owners. (Pollock, 2012)
• Can only be caged for about 2-3 hours in a day. (Pollock, 2012)
• In their natural habitat there are visually seen in pairs. (Davis, 2006)
• During their off breeding season they like to be peaceful and in the company of other birds. (Pollock, 2012)
Blue and Gold Macaws are very fast learners, they love to be around anything. They have the tendency speak and capture movements quickly. They are also able to recognize whom their owner is, when faced amongst a large group of people.
• Are able to learn 15-20 words or expressions around their whole lifetime. (Davis, 2006)
• Do not like to be caged, and are eager learners so they’re always curious about their surroundings. (Pesek, 1999)
• Are cranky at times and would only prefer its owner or one person. (Pesek, 1999)
• Can be trained to sit on a perch. (Pesek, 1999)
Article IIA. Reproductive System of the Blue and Gold Macaws
When the Blue and Gold Macaw finds a partner, it will start to mate and therefore reproduce. They live in small families rather than to be wandering around after hatching. They are very selective as to where they lay their eggs, which is usually 2-3 at most.
• Their regular breeding age is between 3-4 years old. (Brough, 2014)
• Do not develop their plumage until their 9 weeks old. (Harrison, 2013)
• When they are first born they have no feathers and are blind. (Harrison, 2013)
• They lay their eggs in nests, found in large high dead trees. (Brough, 2014)
The Blue and Gold Macaws are a very diverse type of birds. They will only mate within themselves and are very selective as to whom they mate with. The evolutions of these birds have made these birds sustain in any environment.
• These birds can live up to a bit close to 60 years. (Harrison, 2013)
• Remain with their parental for several months until they fully become independent. (Brough, 2014)
• The lifespan for their reproduction stage is very long. (Harrison, 2013)
• Their eggs are kept shut and warm for around 28 days. (Pesek, 1999)
In conclusion I have determined that there aren’t many differences of the Blue and Gold Macaw and the Cockatoo, but the ones available are big and significant. Ever since I watched the movie Rio, I have been fascinated with these certain birds, which is why I have decided to make this the topic for my literature review. While researching these two species, I actually took the time to research in detail what they do and how they reproduce and take care of their offspring and this has now made me see that they are interesting species that are taken for granted.