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Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
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The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Cacatua galerita, is one of the larger and more widespread of Australia's cockatoos. Frequently sought as a cage bird in and out of Australia, they can be so numerous that in crop-growing areas of Australia they are shot or poisoned as pests. Government permit is required, though, as they are a protected species under the Australian Commonwealth Law.
They can be destructive to cereal and fruit crops, as well as timber structures such as house planking, garden furniture and trees.
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is similar in appearance to the three species of corella found in Australia; howerver, corellas are smaller and lack a prominent yellow crest.
Sulphur-crested Cockatoos range throughout the various climates in Australia, from Far North Queensland beyond the Iron Range Mountains, as well as parts of the Snowy Mountains.
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Encyclopedia
The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Cacatua galerita, is one of the larger and more widespread of Australia's cockatoos. Frequently sought as a cage bird in and out of Australia, they can be so numerous that in crop-growing areas of Australia they are shot or poisoned as pests. Government permit is required, though, as they are a protected species under the Australian Commonwealth Law.
They can be destructive to cereal and fruit crops, as well as timber structures such as house planking, garden furniture and trees.
Taxonomy and geography
The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is similar in appearance to the three species of corella found in Australia; howerver, corellas are smaller and lack a prominent yellow crest.
Sulphur-crested Cockatoos range throughout the various climates in Australia, from Far North Queensland beyond the Iron Range Mountains, as well as parts of the Snowy Mountains. They are also numerous in Adelaide and southern South Australia and can be spotted north of Perth. There are a few regional subspecies within Australia.
Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, along with many other parrots, are susceptible to Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease, a viral disease, which causes birds to lose their feathers and grow grotesquely shaped beaks.
Behaviour and description
Typically these birds will weigh around 800 grams. In most cases, male birds can be distinguished from females with their almost black eyes, whereas the female has a more red/brown coloured eye. Their distinctive raucous call can be very loud; it is meant to travel through the forest environments in which they live, including tropical and subtropical rainforests. These birds are naturally curious creatures, as well as very intelligent. They have adapted very well to European settlement in Australia and live in many urban areas.
These birds are very long lived, and can live upwards of 70 years in captivity, although they only live to about 20-40 years in the wild.
They have been known to engage in geophagy, the process of eating clay to detoxify their food.
These birds also emit a very fine powder to waterproof themselves instead of oil as other creatures.
As an introduced species
They have been successfully introduced to Singapore where their numbers have been estimated to be between 500 and 2000 individuals. Contrary to their large populations, they are rarely seen. These birds make the most human contact in Changi Road as well as central Singapore, mainly Bishan, Toa Payoh and Braddell.
As pets
Sulphur-crested cockatoos may no longer be imported into the United States as a result of the Wild Bird Conservation Act. However, they have been bred in captivity. The potential owner should be aware of the bird's needs, as well as how loud these birds can be and their natural desire to chew wood and other hard and organic materials.
Gallery
See also
External links
- on the Internet Bird Collection
- A heartwarming photo-story of an injured female and the devoted male that opened her cage
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