Sulphur-crested Cockatoos
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Are you looking for a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo? Click here for a listing of breeders
Please also see: Greater, Eleonora, Lesser Sulphurea:
The Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Cacatua galerita, is a common inhabitant of open woodland and forest areas along the east coast of Australia, extending along the northern coast and across the seas into Papua New Guinea. 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. They are noisy and conspicuous parrots and in the wild are wary and difficult to approach. They have adapted very well to European settlement in Australia and live in many urban areas
They are one of the larger and more widespread of Australia's cockatoos. In fact, in Australia they can be so numerous that they considered pests as they can be destructive to cereal and fruit crops, as well as timber structures such as house planking and trees. Some even resort to shooting or poisoning them. However, a government permit is required, as they are a protected species under the Australian Commonwealth Law.
These parrots have been known to engage in geophagy, the process of eating clay to detoxify their food.
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.
| Sulphur Crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita |
| Size: Up to 60cm in length |
| Pet Status: Excellent |
| Talking Ability: Excellent |
| Noise Level: High |
| Lifespan: Up to 80 years |
| Breeding Ability: Good |
| Courtship Display: Male struts with bobbing motion and crest raised along branch to female. Mutual touching, preening and mating then follow. |
| Number of Eggs: 2-3 eggs |
| Incubation: 21-23 days |
| Compatibility with other species: Not recommended |
| Feeding: Seed and Fruit eaters |
| Health Programmes: Follow the Parrot Health Programme. |
Sexing: Iris dark brown in males, reddish brown in females. Surgical or DNA sexing generally required. (Source / Permission granted from Dr. Rob Marshall - http://www.birdhealth.com.au) |
Description:
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 and can be very loud.
Their call 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.
Sulphur-crested as Pets:
These beautiful parrots are frequently sought as companion birds, but as they are demanding pets, they require a devoted owner and continuing obedience training from a young age.
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
- Ohio, Chillicothe: Jeff & Norma Steinbrook - Exotic Kingdoms Aviary, 1049 Baum Hill Rd. Chillicothe, Ohio - Tel. 740-626-2790 between 10am & 6pm or Call Cell # 740-649-9673 - e-mail Address is loveparrots@horizonview.net - Breeder of: Cockatoos: Sulphur Crest (Eleanora's) & Umbrellas - Will Ship Weather Permitting
- Click here for more 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: Scientific: Cacatua ... English: White Black-billed Cockatoos ... Dutch: Wit & Zwartsnavelkakatoes ... German: Eigentliche Kakadus ... French: Cacatoès
Species: Scientific: Cacatua sulphurea sulphurea aka Psittacus sulphureus ... English: Sulpher-crested Cockatoos ... Dutch: Geelkuif Kakatoe ... German: Gelbwangenkakadu ...French: Petit Cacatoès à huppe jaune
Sub-Species: eleonora, triton, fitzroyi, galerita
CITES II - Endangered Species
Sub-species:
Eleanora Cockatoos aka Greater Sulfur Crested Cockatoos, Medium Sulphur Crested Cockatoos
Greater Sulfur Crested Cockatoos:
Genus: English: White Black-billed Cockatoos ... Dutch: Wit & Zwartsnavelkakatoes ... German: Eigentliche Kakadus ... French: Cacatoès
Species: Scientific: Cacatua galerita galerita aka Psittacus galeritus ... English: Greater Sulphur-crested Cockatoos ... Dutch: Grote Geelkuifkakatoe ... German: Großer Gelbhaubenkakadu ... French: Grand Cacatoès à huppe jaune
CITES II - Endangered Species
Middle Sulphur-crested Cockatoos:
Genus: English: White Black-billed Cockatoos ... Dutch: Wit & Zwartsnavelkakatoes ... German: Eigentliche Kakadus ... French: Cacatoès
Species: Scientific: Cacatua sulphurea djampeana ... English: Middle Sulphur-crested Cockatoos ...Dutch: Middelste Geelkuifkakatoe ... German: Mittlerer Gelbhaubenkakadu ... French: Petit Cacatoès à huppe jaune de Djampea
CITES II - Endangered Species
Timor Cockatoos / Timor Sulphur-crested Cockatoos
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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