Hello my name
is Snowball!
Cacatua goffiniana
I am a 19 year old Goffin's Cockatoo that was born at The Hamilton Aviary in 2005 when my mom and my dad, Howard, bred unexpectedly. I may look all white, but I actually have pink feathers on my face and some yellow in my tail! Before The Aviary closed, my dad and I were neighbours and I would often visit him when I spent time out of my cage. When I was born people thought I was a boy so they named me Snowball. It wasn't until later that they learned I was a girl, but they would have called me Snowflake!
Likes
Asking you to pet me and trying to nibble your fingers
Dislikes
Aprons
Fav Foods
Walnuts, Sunflower seeds, Pomegranate, Corn
What I Can Say
Hi, Hello, Hi Snowball, Peek-a-boo
About Me and Other
Goffin's Cockatoos
Another name for us Goffin's Cockatoos is the Tanimbar corella and we are one of the smallest birds in the cockatoo family. My ancestors lived in Indonesia, but have also been introduced to parts of Puerto Rico, Singapore, and Taiwan. In captivity, if cared for properly, it is estimated that my species can live 30 to 40 years.
Goffin's Cockatoos - like most parrots - are naturally curious. Combined with the dexterity in their feet, beak, and tongue, they make excellent explorers and innovators. We are so smart that we even use tools to access our favourite foods. From bark to twigs, these exotic birds have used different materials to wedge open shells to get what's inside.
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Personally, I am very good at learning new tricks! I can play peek-a-boo, hop, stick out my tongue when asked, flap my wings, raise my wings when a finger gun is pointed at me, and do "crazy bird" where I shake and twirl my head.​​​​
Since these wild Goffin's live in a relatively small area, threats pose a much greater risk to them. Habitat loss combined with continued poaching has caused a decline in their population, leading to the classification of Near Threatened.
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Goffin's have also been persecuted as a crop pest and hunted for food in some regions of Indonesia.
What I'm up to Now
I was moved to Bird Kingdom!
When our sanctuary at Oak Knoll Drive closed its doors, several birds migrated over to Bird Kingdom in Niagara Falls, Ontario. After we have completed our 30 day required quarantine period and have been assessed by the BK team, we will be available to be visited by the public again.
References
O'Hara, M., Mioduszewska, B., Mundry, R., Haryoko, T., Rachmatika, R., Prawiradilaga, D. M., ... & Auersperg, A. M. (2021). Wild Goffin's cockatoos flexibly manufacture and use tool sets. Current Biology, 31 (20), 4512-4520.