Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Taxobox | name = Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1

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caption = Sulphur Crested Cockatoo in flight
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Psittaciformes
familia = Cacatuidae
subfamilia = Cacatuinae
genus = "Cacatua"
subgenus = "Cacatua"
species = "C. galerita"
binomial = "Cacatua galerita"
binomial_authority = Latham, 1790
range_

range_map_width = 220px
range_map_caption = Australian Sulphur-crested Cockatoo range (in red)

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.

The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is similar in appearance to the three species of corella found in Australia. Corellas are smaller, however, and lack the prominent yellow crest. There are a few regional subspecies within Australia.

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.

, which causes the birds to lose their feathers and grow grotesquely shaped beaks.

These birds 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.

These birds have been known to engage in geophagy, the process of eating clay to detoxify their food.

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.

These birds are very long lived, and can live upwards from 70 years in captivity, although they only live to about 20-40 years in the wild

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.

Gallery

References

* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern

* cite book
first= Jim
last= Flegg
authorlink=
coauthors=
year= 2002
title= Birds of Australia: Photographic Field Guide
edition=
publisher= Reed New Holland
location= Sydney
id= ISBN 1-876334-78-9

External links

* [http://www.parrotscience.com ParrotScience - cockatoo heavy information site. Video of geophagy in Australia]
* [http://www.mytoos.com/ mytoos.com - information on cockatoos in captivity]
* [http://ibc.hbw.com/ibc/phtml/especie.phtml?idEspecie=2045 Sulphur-crested Cockatoo videos] on the Internet Bird Collection
* [http://www.petsforum.com/cis-animals/bpub02a.htm Oldest known cockatoo]
* [http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pictoria/a/0/9/doc/a09186.shtml Photograph of "Cocky" Bennett, 115 years old in this photo]
* [http://www.juliusbergh.com/cocky/ A tale of two cockies] A heartwarming photo-story of an injured female and the devoted male that opened her cage
* [http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2011/2370435228_9eabf008f1.jpg?v=0 Very noisy sulper-crested cockatoos in Double Bay (Sydney), New South Wales, Australia]