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Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

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Introduction:

One of Australia's most popular and iconic birds, the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, has been known to live up to eighty years of age in captivity.

Identification:

The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is a large white parrot. It has a dark grey-black bill, a distinctive sulphur-yellow crest and a yellow wash on the underside of the wings. Sexes are similar, although the female can be separated at close range by its red-brown eye (darker brown in the male). This is a noisy and conspicuous cockatoo, both at rest and in flight. Young Sulphur-crested Cockatoos resemble the adults.

Size:

45 cm to 50 cm

Distribution:

The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo's range extends throughout the northern and eastern mainland, and
Tasmania. A small population has become established around Perth, Western Australia. The species also occurs in New Guinea and the Aru Islands, and has been introduced into New Zealand and Indonesia.

Habitat:

Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are found in a variety of timbered habitats and are common around human settlements. The birds stay in the same area all year round.

Feeding and Diet:

The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo's normal diet consists of berries, seeds, nuts and roots. It also takes handouts from humans. Feeding normally takes place in small to large groups, with one or more members of the group watching for danger from a nearby perch. When not feeding, birds will bite off smaller branches and leaves from trees. These items are not eaten, however. The activity may help to keep the bill trimmed and from growing too large.

Communication:

The most common call is a distinctive loud screech, ending with a slight upward inflection.

Breeding Behaviours:

The eggs are laid in a suitable tree hollow, which is prepared by both sexes. Both birds also incubate and care for the chicks. The chicks remain with the parents all year round and family groups will stay together indefinitely.
Breeding Season: August to January in the south; May to September in the north
Clutch size: 1 to 3 Incubation: 30 days
Time in nest: 65 days

Conservation Status:

The popularity of the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo as a cage bird has increased its range, as these birds either escape or are released deliberately in areas where they do not already occur. The species has become a pest around urban areas, where it uses its powerful bill to destroy timber decking and panelling on houses.
Related Objects:

Related Objects


(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.71914 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Lawrence , 19 Nov 1992

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.73519 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - No Data ,

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.73521 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - No Data ,
O.71902 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 ,

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.36224 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Northern Territory, Mcarthur R , (16° 5' S , 136° 18' E), 16 Aug 1913
O.49312 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Queensland, Cape York Peninsula , (10° 45' S , 142° 35' E), 13 Aug 1911
O.58139 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Myall Vale Agricultural Research Station, Narrabri , (30° 20' S , 149° 47' E), 29 Oct 1983
O.47494 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Castlereagh R, 15 Km W Of Gilgandra , (31° 48' S , 148° 30' E), 17 Feb 1979

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.1270 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Cambewarra , (34° 49' S , 150° 34' E),
O.63869 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Macquarie R , (32° 59' S , 149° 15' E), Oct 1900

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.15860 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Sydney: Pymble , (33° 45' S , 151° 8' E),

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.28629 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Dubbo , (32° 15' S , 148° 37' E), 1910
A.18450 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Lachlan R , (33° 52' S , 144° 52' E), Jun 1883
A.3227 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Wollongong , (34° 26' S , 150° 53' E),

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.28633 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Gilgandra , (31° 43' S , 148° 39' E), 1902

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.5299 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Bellingen , (30° 27' S , 152° 54' E),

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.11183 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, 'Laureldale' Tarana , (33° 32' S , 149° 55' E), Apr 1899

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.28634 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Gilgandra , (31° 43' S , 148° 39' E), 1902

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.1269 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Cambewarra , (34° 49' S , 150° 34' E),

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.11182 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, 'Laureldale' Tarana , (33° 32' S , 149° 55' E), Apr 1899

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.5300 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Bellingen , (30° 27' S , 152° 54' E),
O.54268 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Queensland, Cape York Peninsula , (10° 45' S , 142° 35' E), 7 Sep 1911
O.68491 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Western Australia, Perth: Helena Valley , (31° 56' S , 116° 4' E),
O.50896 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Queensland, Drumburle Stn, 130Km Sw Gladstone , (24° 38' S , 150° 32' E), 21 Aug 1912

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.34001 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Namoi River , (30° 19' S , 149° 40' E),

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.5409 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Bellingen , (30° 27' S , 152° 54' E),

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.1271 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Cambewarra , (34° 49' S , 150° 34' E),
O.58112 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Myall Vale Agricultural Research Station, Narrabri , (30° 20' S , 149° 47' E), 24 Oct 1983

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.28630 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Dubbo , (32° 15' S , 148° 37' E), 1909

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.5298 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Bellingen , (30° 27' S , 152° 54' E),
B.4591 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Cambewarra , (34° 49' S , 150° 34' E),
O.55972 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Queensland, Warkon , (26° 58' S , 149° 26' E), 24 Sep 1901

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.34439 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Northern Territory, Port Darwin , (12° 27' S , 130° 48' E),
A.2613 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Boro , (35° 9' S , 149° 40' E),
O.48533 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Victoria, Hamilton , (37° 45' S , 142° 2' E), 20 Dec 1898
B.2545 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Boro , (35° 9' S , 149° 40' E),

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.11181 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, 'Laureldale' Tarana , (33° 32' S , 149° 55' E), Apr 1899
O.63879 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Sydney: South Creek, Riverstone , (33° 40' S , 150° 51' E), 6 Oct 1941

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.28632 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Gilgandra , (31° 43' S , 148° 39' E), 1902

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.11180 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, 'Laureldale' Tarana , (33° 32' S , 149° 55' E), Apr 1899

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.11179 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, 'Laureldale' Tarana , (33° 32' S , 149° 55' E), Apr 1899

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.23787 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Queensland, Gayndah, Burnett R , (25° 37' S , 151° 37' E),

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.28631 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Gilgandra , (31° 43' S , 148° 39' E), 1902
O.69740 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Walla, Narrabri , (30° 20' S , 149° 47' E), 16 Sep 1915
A.18451 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Moolah Station , (32° 39' S , 144° 59' E), Jul 1883

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.28046 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Queensland, Drumburle Stn, 130Km Sw Gladstone , (24° 38' S , 150° 32' E), 29 Aug 1912
O.50899 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Queensland, Lockerbie Track, Cape York Peninsula , (10° 47' S , 142° 28' E), 9 Aug 1911
O.63868 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Copmanhurst, Clarence R , (29° 35' S , 152° 46' E), 6 Oct 1896

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.22671 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Queensland, Port Denison , (20° 1' S , 148° 15' E), 13 Sep 1864
A.3226 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Wollongong , (34° 26' S , 150° 53' E),
O.50898 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Queensland, Cape York Peninsula , (10° 45' S , 142° 35' E), 31 Jul 1911
O.57021 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Sydney: Centennial Park , (33° 54' S , 151° 14' E), 13 Jul 1983
O.57022 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Sydney: Centennial Park , (33° 54' S , 151° 14' E), 13 Jul 1983
O.57023 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Sydney: Centennial Park , (33° 54' S , 151° 14' E), 13 Jul 1983
O.52065 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Queensland, Kurrajong Stn, 130Km Sw Gladstone , (24° 43' S , 150° 28' E), 16 Sep 1910

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.18748 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Murrumbateman , (34° 58' S , 149° 2' E),

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.18749 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Murrumbateman , (34° 58' S , 149° 2' E),

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.828 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Cambewarra , (34° 49' S , 150° 34' E),
B.1569 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Lachlan R , (33° 52' S , 144° 52' E),
A.1483 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Richmond R , (28° 49' S , 152° 59' E),

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.25272 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Queensland, Bimbi, Duaringa , (23° 43' S , 149° 40' E), 1 Oct 1908

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.25629 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Queensland, Bimbi, Duaringa , (23° 43' S , 149° 40' E), 3 Sep 1908

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.25628 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Queensland, Bimbi, Duaringa , (23° 43' S , 149° 40' E), 20 Sep 1908

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.25627 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Queensland, Coomooboolaroo , (23° 52' S , 149° 34' E), 10 Sep 1893

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.3689 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Murwillumbah: Tweed R , (28° 20' S , 153° 24' E),

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.4234 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Lachlan District , (33° 52' S , 144° 52' E),

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.4235 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Lachlan District , (33° 52' S , 144° 52' E),

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.25273 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Queensland, Dawson R , (23° 50' S , 149° 48' E),

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.71883 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 ,

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.28636 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Narromine , (32° 14' S , 148° 15' E), 4 Aug 1914
O.65042 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Sydney: South Turramurra , (33° 45' S , 151° 7' E), 13 Jan 1994
B.9317 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Bellingen District , (30° 27' S , 152° 54' E),

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.8947 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Sydney: Smithfield , (33° 51' S , 150° 56' E),

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
S.565 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Sydney: Smithfield , (33° 51' S , 150° 56' E),
O.67602 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Wyndham , (36° 56' S , 149° 38' E), 11 Mar 1996
O.65647 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Crown Land W Of Cobaki Broadwater , (28° 11' S , 153° 30' E), 2 Nov 1994

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.23587 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Queensland, Pine Mountain , (27° 32' S , 152° 42' E), Mar 1865
O.66373 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Western Australia, Perth: Helena Valley , (31° 56' S , 116° 4' E),
O.65207 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Woronora , (34° 2' S , 151° 2' E), 8 Dec 1982
B.9318 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Bellingen District , (30° 27' S , 152° 54' E),

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.28635 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Bulliac , (31° 55' S , 152° 2' E), 1912

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.38953 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Western Australia, Forrest R , (15° 11' S , 127° 51' E), 1952
O.53635 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Western Australia, Ord River Irrigation Area, Near Kununurra , (15° 46' S , 128° 44' E), 30 Nov 1979
O.70857 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Sydney: Hyde Park , (33° 53' S , 151° 13' E), 15 Jan 2004
O.47546 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Castlereagh R, 15 Km W Of Gilgandra , (31° 48' S , 148° 30' E), 17 Feb 1979
B.9468 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Bellingen District , (30° 27' S , 152° 54' E),

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.33121 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Springfield Station, Eurolie , (34° 34' S , 145° 36' E), 17 Oct 1932
A.17372 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Boro, Braidwood District , (35° 9' S , 149° 40' E), May 1883
B.4592 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Cambewarra , (34° 49' S , 150° 34' E),
A.4651 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Northern Territory, Port Essington , (11° 16' S , 132° 9' E),
O.53636 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Western Australia, Ord River Irrigation Area, Near Kununurra , (15° 46' S , 128° 44' E), 30 Nov 1979
B.2627 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Mayfield, Boro , (35° 12' S , 149° 48' E),

(c) assumed Australian Museum.
O.46279 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Narrandera , (34° 45' S , 146° 33' E), 4 Jan 1976
O.72278 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Sydney: Turramurra: Mitchell Crescent , (33° 44' S , 151° 6' E), 31 Jul 2008
O.57156 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, New South Wales, Sydney: Centennial Park , (33° 54' S , 151° 14' E), 13 Jul 1983
O.68466 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Queensland, Atherton Tableland , (17° 16' S , 145° 29' E), 1997
O.68465 - Cacatua galerita Latham, 1790 - Australia, Queensland, Atherton Tableland , (17° 16' S , 145° 29' E), 25 Aug 1997