Cockatoos's distribution ranges from the Philippines and the eastern Indonesian islands of Wallacea to New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Australia, and are instantly recognizable by their showy crests and curved bills.

The cockatoos are generally medium to large parrots of stocky build, which range from 30-60 cm (12-24 in) in length and 300-1,200grams in weight; however, one species, the Cockatiel, is considerably smaller and slimmer than the other species, being 32 cm (13 in) long and 80-100grams in weight. The vocalizations of cockatoos are loud and harsh. They are of many Sub Species- some of which include- Palm, Galah, Sulphur, Blue Eyed and so on.

The larger cockatoos can live 30-70 years depending on the species or occasionally longer, and Cockatiels can live for about 20 years.