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Parrot Compass

Goffin's Cockatoo as a pet

Cacatua goffiniana

In short

This species may suit you if you can live with noise level ‘loud’, have room for an enclosure in class ‘large’ and can care for the bird for up to about 40 years [S8, S58]. Biggest trade-off: the EU Annex A paperwork, with a certificate and ring for each bird [S39, S40, S77]. The perfect parrot doesn’t exist: a species profile is no guarantee about your bird.

This information was compiled with AI from public sources and may contain errors. Always check legal rules with the competent authority. Not buying, veterinary or legal advice.

Does this species suit you? Take the guided route

Talking

Hand-reared birds can imitate speech but are usually poor talkers [S58].

Noise

Quieter than large cockatoos, but with a sharp scream [S58].

Lifespan

Up to 30 years in captivity [S58].

Space

All classes on the Flemish cockatoo page start at 300 × 200 × 150 cm per pair [S8]; Goffin’s cockatoo is not named there.

Suitable for beginners?

Flemish cockatoo group: for advanced keepers [S8]; secondary source: unsuitable for casual keeping [S58].

Costs

From €300 per year per bird. Vlaanderen — Huisdierwijzer Kaketoes: about €25 per month × 12 [S8]. Price level unknown; not a full budget or quote.

Paperwork and rules in Belgium

EU Annex A (CITES I). An original European CITES certificate (yellow A4) for each bird, with a matching ring number; check box 20 for restrictions [S39, S40]. Captive-born and captive-bred Annex A birds must also wear a closed, seamless leg ring with a unique mark, except species on the list of commonly bred species (that list was not checked here) [S77]. In exceptional cases (physical or behavioural traits of the bird) a microchip may replace the closed ring; if a vet removes a closed ring for medical reasons, the replacement chip number must be on the vet’s certificate [S77]. According to the FPS, anyone who buys, sells or breeds these birds keeps a register of arrivals and departures and keeps it for at least 5 years [S39]. Status as of 24 September 2026; check the current rules for your bird with the Belgian FPS Public Health [S39].

Adoption and availability

Not seen on the rescue pages we read.

What you have to accept

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Source basis

Secondary source + Flemish cockatoo group

Guideline sizes, costs and adoption listings come from Flemish sources; different rules may apply in Brussels and Wallonia. Foreign housing rules are not Belgian rules.

Sources

Sources checked as of: