Major Mitchell's Cockatoo: Price, Care and Facts

Ask a cockatoo lover to name the most beautiful species and the Major Mitchell’s will be on nearly every list. The soft pink and white plumage, the tall crest banded in red, yellow and white, and the gentle expression are unlike any other cockatoo. It is also a bird that asks a lot of its keeper. This guide gives you the real price, the real care needs and an honest view of who should consider one.

What is a Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo?

The Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo (Lophochroa leadbeateri), also known as Leadbeater’s Cockatoo or the Pink Cockatoo, lives across the dry inland regions of Australia. It was named after an early explorer, and wild birds are nomadic, following food and water across arid country. It is a medium sized cockatoo, smaller than the Umbrella or Sulphur Crested, but it is every bit as intelligent and demanding.

What does a Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo look like?

Length: about 13 to 16 inches
Weight: roughly 300 to 430 grams
Body: white back, wings and tail with soft salmon pink face, neck and underparts
Crest: a large crest banded in bright red and yellow with white tips, raised when the bird is excited
Underwings: pink, visible in flight

Males and females look very similar, so DNA sexing is the reliable way to confirm sex.

Personality and temperament

Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos are affectionate, clever and sensitive. They tend to bond deeply with their people and can be gentle and playful. The flip side of that depth is that they are prone to stress when their social needs go unmet. Screaming and feather damaging behavior are the usual signs of a bird that is bored or lonely. They thrive with a household where someone is home for much of the day and is willing to train, play and talk with the bird every day.

Are Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos loud?

Yes. They are talkative and have a high, penetrating voice. Many are noted for how much they chatter. They are not suited to apartments, condos or any shared wall home, and even in a detached house the volume deserves honest consideration.

Do Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos talk?

Many learn words and phrases and have a reputation for being talkative. As with every parrot, the amount varies, so treat any speech as a bonus.

How much does a Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo cost?

Hand raised Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos cost $2,500 to $5,000 in the US in 2026. They are bred less often than Umbrellas and Moluccans, which keeps prices firm. For pricing across all cockatoos, see our Cockatoo cost guide.

Cockatoo	Length	Price 2026	Noise
Goffin	12 inches	$800 to $1,500	Moderate for a cockatoo
Major Mitchell’s	13 to 16 inches	$2,500 to $5,000	Loud, talkative
Umbrella	18 inches	$1,500 to $3,000	Very loud
Sulphur Crested	18 to 20 inches	$1,500 to $3,500	Very loud
Moluccan	20 inches	$2,500 to $5,500	Extremely loud

Diet: why obesity is the big risk

Cockatoos are prone to obesity and fatty liver problems, and the Major Mitchell’s is no exception. In the wild it forages for seeds and travels long distances for food. In a home it can easily eat more than it burns. The safest plan is a formulated pellet as the base of the diet, plenty of fresh vegetables, only small amounts of nuts and seeds, and regular weight checks on a gram scale. Daily out of cage exercise and large flight space matter as much as food.

Housing and enrichment

Cage. A large, strong cage of at least 40 by 30 by 60 inches, with a bigger flight cage or bird room being far better.

Enrichment. Hardwood to chew, foraging toys and a rotating selection of safe items every week.

Out of cage time. Plan for at least 4 hours of active interaction every day.

Sleep. 10 to 12 hours of dark, quiet sleep.

A typical day with a Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo

A well kept Major Mitchell’s has a busy daily rhythm. It wakes with the household, eats a measured breakfast of pellets and fresh vegetables, then spends time out of the cage climbing, chewing and playing with its person. Mid morning and afternoon bring more toys, training and a bath or misting session. Evenings are for quiet company and a relaxed wind down before a full night of covered, dark sleep. Birds that follow a predictable routine like this tend to be calmer, quieter and healthier.

Bathing, feathers and stress behavior

Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos have soft, powdery plumage and benefit from regular misting or showers. Healthy birds preen often, and their feathers should look smooth and full. Watch for pulled feathers, bald patches or a sudden rise in screaming, which are common signs of stress, boredom or a medical issue. Any change like this deserves a prompt visit to an avian vet.

The same early warning approach applies to every species. Read our guide to the warning signs your parrot is sick so you know what to watch for.

Training and recall

This species is clever and food motivated, so it responds very well to positive reinforcement training. Step up, target and recall are good places to start, and many Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos enjoy learning simple tricks. Training also gives a high energy bird a job to do, which can reduce noise and unwanted chewing. Keep sessions short, stay calm, and always end on success.

Common mistakes with Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos

Leaving the bird alone for long stretches. This species is deeply social, and isolation leads to screaming and stress.
Offering too many nuts and seeds. They are high in fat, and weight gain is one of the most common health problems in cockatoos.
Choosing a cage that is too small. A bird that cannot stretch, climb and flap daily gains weight and gets bored.
Skipping sleep. A cockatoo kept up late in a busy room becomes irritable and prone to screaming.
Buying on looks alone. The pink plumage is stunning, but the bird’s needs are what you live with every day.

What does the first year cost?

Cage or flight cage: $900 to $2,500
Perches, bowls and heavy duty toys: $300 to $700
Food for the first year: $600 to $1,100
Avian vet for the first year: $350 to $700
Emergency fund: $2,000 minimum

How long do Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos live?

They are commonly cited as living 50 to 80 years in captivity, although precise lifespan data is limited, so plan for decades. See our parrot lifespan chart to compare it with other species.

CITES status and paperwork

The Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo is listed on CITES Appendix II, which covers species that are not currently threatened with extinction but whose trade is monitored. That is a lower level of protection than Appendix I species such as the Palm Cockatoo and the Moluccan Cockatoo. Captive bred birds are available through specialist breeders and should come with proper documentation.

Is a Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo right for you?

Consider one if you have experience with large parrots, live in a detached home, can give several hours of daily attention and are prepared to manage diet and weight carefully for decades.

If you love the cockatoo personality but want a gentler place to start, read our best beginner cockatoos guide and our guides to the Umbrella Cockatoo, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo and Palm Cockatoo.

Where to inquire about a Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo

The best first step is a conversation about availability and fit. Browse the cockatoos category page, or contact Mo directly to ask about this species. Buyers in Southern California can visit the aviary, and Texas buyers can discuss safe nationwide shipping.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo cost?

A hand raised Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo costs $2,500 to $5,000 in the US in 2026.

Why is it called the Pink Cockatoo?

Because of its soft salmon pink face and underparts. It is also known as Leadbeater’s Cockatoo.

Are Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos loud?

Yes. Like all cockatoos they are loud and talkative, and they are not suited to apartments or shared walls.

Do Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos talk?

Many learn words and phrases and can be quite talkative, though ability varies by bird.

How long do Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos live?

They are commonly cited as living 50 to 80 years in captivity, although precise lifespan data is limited.

Is it endangered or on CITES Appendix I?

It is listed on CITES Appendix II, not Appendix I. Captive bred birds are available through specialist breeders.