Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

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Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Conservation status
Least Concern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia   Phylum: Chordata   Class: Aves   Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Cacatuidae   Subfamily: Cacatuinae   Genus: Cacatua   Subgenus: Cacatua   Species: C. galerita
Binomial name
Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790
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.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, along with many other parrots, are susceptible to a widespread viral disease known as Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease, 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.

The oldest captive bird in the world was Cocky, a sulphur-crested cockatoo who died in the London Zoo at the age of 82. Though it has been recorded that a sulphur crested by the name of Cocky Bennett lived to the grand old age of 120 years in Sydney (see link below).

However, a young cocky by the name of Bert is attempting to beat the record of Cocky Bennett. Bert is currently in training and following a strict diet of sunflower seeds, pasta and ice cream.

Links to Cocky Bennett (sailor of the south pacific, chewer of wooden decks and speaker of nautical words):

http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pictoria/a/0/9/doc/a09186.shtml

http://www.petsforum.com/cis-animals/bpub02a.htm.