Cockatoos have very strong bills made of hardened keratin. Their bills are usually beige or black, depending on the species of cockatoo. They all have four-toed feet. Two toes point forward and two toes point backwards, this allows them to grasp things quite well. Cockatoos have long life spans, from 30 to 50 years, and some have survived in captivity for 60 to 70 years.
All cockatoos have a bald spot on their head, covered by a crest of feathers.
They have a down powder beneath their feathers which provides them with insulation to keep them warm. The down also sheds a thick powder, which the birds use to waterproof and clean their outer feathers. Cockatoos are the only parrots to have powder down. Cockatoos are very intelligent birds, and can be quite comical. Their life cycle is similar to that of humans.