Photos left female Roseate cockatoo. Attacked by her mate of 12 years.
Had we not been around she may have been killed.
The male birds chase or harass the females until they are caught and/or weak then attack. Or attack and kill the female whilst she is sitting in the nest box.
Note the black eye (her left) which is evident compared to the right eye where the skin is normal colour.
These photos were taken some days after the attack. She was severely traumatised.
All male cockatoos have the potential to kill or cause serious injury due to their nature.
Attempting to pair up or breed from ANY cockatoos, not only the white cockatoos should be taken very seriously.
They are not easy to pair as are African Greys and Macaws, which - if incompatable do not kill their mates.
There are so many ex pet hand reared cockatoos and also unwanted single, usually male aviary cockatoos 'doing the rounds', being passed from home to home.
These unwanted male aviary birds are usually the 'killers', which after having killed or caused serious injury to a mate are passed on to the unwary.
Breeding from them will only add to the number of sad unwanted birds.
Also it is thought that the 'killer instinct' may be a genetic factor and so any young produced from killers may also be killers as they mature.
