It grew from a small number of caged parrots, released into the city just before Japanese invasion in 1941. With just a few thousand remaining birds, survival in the wild is in question.Īnother, introduced population, exists in Hong Kong. This designation is the last step before extinction. Due to extensive illegal trapping, these parrots have been proclaimed as critically endangered. These islands are part of East Timor and Indonesia and are home to many exotic parrots. LIFE EXPECTANCY: Up to 80 years in captivity with proper care Origin and History galerita) can reach an adult size of about 20 inches, weighing nearly two pounds COMMON NAMES: Sulphur-crested cockatoo, greater sulphur-crested cockatooĪDULT SIZE: The largest subspecies ( C.Like some of the related cockatoo breeds, the Lesser Sulphur Crested Cockatoo is originally found on Sulawesi and Lesser Sunda islands. Sulphur-crested cockatoos are native to eastern Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia, and New Zealand. Their preferred habitat is along the edges of tropical and subtropical rainforests. They are also a familiar sight in urban areas. In some parts of Australia, this bird is so plentiful that people consider it a nuisance. There are four subspecies, hailing from different geographic locations with slightly different physical characteristics : The Wild Bird Conservation Act prohibits the import of sulphur-crested cockatoos to the United States, so most pet birds now are captive-bred. The lesser sulphur-crested cockatoo looks similar to the (greater) sulphur-crested cockatoo, occupies a different geographic range, and is not a typical pet bird. TemperamentĬockatoos are an affectionate species among the various types of parrots the sulphur-crested is typical in this regard. You must be willing to devote the time and energy to form a strong bond with a bird. A sulphur-crested cockatoo loves to be handled but also needs enough alone time to learn self-sufficiency, which is no small feat. This bird is a more emotionally complicated pet species than other cockatoos and is prone to sudden, unpredictable movements that can be startling, although the intent is rarely aggressive. This demanding bird can become self-abusive and destructive if it does not get the attention it needs. So we consider them as one of the most intelligent parrots. They have the learning capacity of a 1- to 2-year-old human child and can learn to talk and do tricks. Young birds will be easiest to train and socialize. These birds are excellent mimics and can quickly learn to speak words and phrases. The sulphur-crested cockatoo also has a piercingly loud shriek. Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo Colors and Markings This species is not well-suited to apartment living as its noisiness can be considered a nuisance to close neighbors. Sulphur-crested cockatoos are primarily white with black beaks. They sport a beautiful crest of yellow feathers on top of their heads. It has a yellow wash on the underside of its wings. The sexes look similar, although the female can be distinguished at close range by its reddish-brown eye. The male’s eyes are darker brown or black. This distinction does not become apparent until the bird has reached maturity, which varies between 3 to 5 years of age. Sulphur-crested cockatoos are large birds that need very spacious enclosures. At a minimum, the cage should have a footprint of about 40 inches by 40 inches and at least 5 feet tall. A bigger cage is better, and best of all is an aviary environment. The birds naturally emit a downy powder, which aids in keeping their wings and skin healthy.
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