The sulfur-crested cockatoo hails from Australia, New Guinea, and some of the islands of Indonesia. In large numbers these birds are considered pests, as they can be destructive and loud. They face the threat of habitat loss and fragmentation via the clearing of mature eucalypt woodlands which removes essential foraging grounds and the deep, old-growth tree hollows necessary for nesting. Due to the fact that these highly adaptable birds forage in agricultural regions, they are often branded as pests and sometimes shot or poisoned to protect cereal and fruit crops. Climate change has increased frequencies of severe bushfires and prolonged droughts that impact the productivity of food trees, putting additional stress on local populations. They have also historically suffered drastic population declines due to heavy commercial poaching. However, they are abundant enough to be listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Their population trend is listed as decreasing though.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Cacatua galerita
Weight: Up to 2.2 lbs.
Length: Up to 21.5 inches
Wingspan: Up to 40.5 inches
Lifespan: Up to 100 years, but typically up to 80 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) They have been introduced to Singapore, where their numbers are estimated to be up to 2,000 strong.
2.) These cockatoos have also been recorded as being established in Hawaii and on various islands in Wallacea, Kai Islands, and Ambon, but it is not certain if they have managed to become established in those locales.
3.) Their harsh calls are very loud, which is a result of an evolutionary adaptation in order to travel through the forest environments where they live, as well as in tropical and subtropical rainforests.
4.) These birds are not only very curious, they are also very intelligent. They have adapted quite well to European settlements in Australia and dwell in many urban locales.
5.) They have learned how to open garbage cans and search for food.
But wait, there’s more on the sulfur-crested cockatoo!
6.) Cockatoos also engage in geophagy, which is the process of eating clay to detoxify their food.
7.) Powder down, aka “cockatoo dust” is produced naturally and acts as a waterproofing substance, the way many other birds produce an oily substance for the same purpose.
Did you know…?
As a testament to their creativity and intelligence, these birds will often spontaneously dance to music, making up a variety of inventive dance moves.
8.) Females lay up to 3 eggs that hatch in up to 27 days.
9.) Both parents participate in incubation and rearing duties.
10.) The nestling period for chicks is up to 12 weeks, and the young fledglings tend to remain with their parents for a number of months after fledging.
But wait, there’s still more on the sulfur-crested cockatoo!
11.) Sulphur-crested cockatoos utilize a variety of facial expressions (with the help of their feathers) to indicate positive and negative emotions.
12.) These birds have evolved a behavioral adaptation to protect against predators: whenever there is a flock on the ground, there is at least 1 perched in a tree keeping guard.
Did you know…?
Some specimens have learned to speak up to 50 words or short phrases! They can also mimic songs and sing along with human voices.
13.) This is such a well known behavior that it is even used in Australian slang: a person keeping guard for sudden police raids on illegal gambling is referred to as a cockatoo or cocky for short.
14.) In some parts of Australia, these birds can be quite numerous, and often cause damage to cereal and fruit crops and newly planted tree seedlings, as well as softer timber on houses and outdoor furniture.
15.) It has been presumed that human feedings are a large part of the blame in not only their spread, but in their lack of fear of humans and in the spread of avian diseases.
Now a Short Sulfur-Crested Cockatoo Video!
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Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IUCN
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