Abbott's Lesser Sulphur Crested Cockatoos Solombo besar, Medium Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, Abbott's Medium Sulphur-crested Cockatoos
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Sulfur-crested Cockatoos are common on their native Indonesian Island of Solombo Besar. This breed of Cockatoo is considered stable in their native environment and is not considered "endangered" at this time. However, farmers often consider these cockatoos a pest and are trying to rid their crops and orchards of them by poisoning or shooting them. Additionally, these magnificent parrots are popular in the international bird trade and are often captured as pets.
In their natural habitat, the Abbott's Lesser Crested-Crested Cockatoos usually make their home in tree hollows, where they raise their young. In the wild, their diet consists of seeds, plant matter, fruit and insects.
Description:
These Cockatoos average around 34cm in length. They are primarily white in color with yellow markings, from which it derives its names. The yellow coloration appears under the tail and wings and as ear spots. They also have a vibrant yellow crest that resembles a fan. They have gray legs and a black beak.
Training and Behavioral Guidance:
Cockatoos certainly demand a lot of attention, but are appreciated for their exceptionally loving, devoted personality that is second to none. Cockatoos require an extremely dedicated owner who is willing to provide significant and meaningful attention to these intelligent parrots. They require consistent training from a young age to ensure potential cockatoo owners enjoy a bird free of destructive and annoying habits. Behavioral challenges that cockatoos present include:
- Excessive Chewing: Any parrot will chew. In nature, they use their beak to "customize" their favorite tree, to enlarge the size of their nest in a tree hollow. Doing this keeps their beaks in good condition. The problem is excessive and undesirable chewing. Undisciplined cockatoos will chew on electric wiring potentially causing house fires. The owner needs to provide plenty of "healthy" chewing opportunities (bird toys, natural wood branches, etc.) and training is necessary to teach a cockatoo what is "off-limits."
- Biting: Cockatoos, as most parrots, are likely to discover their beaks as a method of "disciplining us" once they are out of the "baby stage." It really is important to learn to understand them and to guide their behavior before an undesirable behavior has been established. If this behavior is unchecked, the cockatoo is likely to be dominating the entire family, chasing and attacking their least favorite humans (usually the ones they deem to be a competitor for their human mate's affection). Training is vital to stop this destructive behavior.
- Screaming: Not everybody can tolerate the natural loud call of a cockatoo, and even though it can't (or should not) be entirely eliminated, there are ways to discourage screaming / screeching in your pet cockatoo.
Training and behavioral guidance will help your pet be the kind of companion you want it to be ...
- AvianWeb Resources: I put together web resources for you to help you understand your pet bird and properly direct him. Please visit this website for valuable tips on parrot behavior and training. If you found a way to resolve a "parrot behavioral issue" please share it with others.
- If you are, as I am, a visual learner and prefer step-by-step instructions to train your pet, I recommend:
- the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
- Stop Biting
- Perform Tricks &
- Tame ANY SIZE bird you could possibly own
- and/or try the "Teach Your Parrot to Talk" Training Course.
- the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
If you are considering one of these magnificent parrots as pets, please visit the following websites for information:
- Cockatoo General Information
- Procuring your Parrot
- Bird Breeders
- Do you breed this species and would like to be listed? Click here to see your options.
- The 3 Key Elements to Keep Your Pet Bird Happy & Healthy
- Housing Your Bird
- Bird Nutrition
- Parrot Products
Taxonomy:
Genus: English: White Black-billed Cockatoos ... Dutch: Wit & Zwartsnavelkakatoes ... German: Eigentliche Kakadus ... French: Cacatoès
Species: Scientific: Cacatua sulphurea abbotti ... English: Abbott's Lesser Sulpher-crested Cockatoos ... Dutch: Abbotts Middelste Geelkuifkakatoe ... German: Abbotts Mittlerer Gelbhaubenkakadu ... French: Petit Cacatoès à huppe jaune de Abbott
CITES II - Endangered Species ... Distribution: Solombo Besar Island
If you would like to add to or correct any of the above information, or would like to share with the AvianWeb visitors your own experiences, please e-mail the AvianWeb Webmaster.
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