Tim Sewell, age 14, of Tucson, Ariz., for his question:

WHERE DO COCKATOOS COME FROM?

Some people select cockatoos as pets. They can be easily tamed and are amusing to have around, but they are not too popular since they rarely learn to talk and always scream loudly.

Cockatoos are usually white or combinations of white, black, red, rose or gray. They belong to the parrot family and have crests on their heads which they can raise and lower.

Cockatoos live in Australia, Indonesia and neighboring islands. They eat seeds, nuts and fruit. When wild, they are often considered to be pests because they can do great damage to orchards. They can sometimes be seen flying swiftly in large flocks.

The cockatoo has a powerful, curved bill, a thick tongue and very strong feet.