Cacatua galerita

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Family

Cacatuidae

Genus

Cacatua

Species

galerita

Common Names

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, White Cockatoo

Distinguishing Features

The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is a large white parrot 45-50cm in length. It has a distinctive bright yellow crest, yellow feathers on the underside of the wings and tail and a large, wide, dark grey beak. The males, females and young look almost identical. The species is loud and conspicuous both in flight and resting and is common in large eucalypts around Canberra.

Survey Techniques

Call and visual identification.

Species Call

Very loud, some consider unpleasant screeches: 'airrrik, aarrrk, ahrk, aieirrk, aieirieik!'

Similar Species

The Gang-gang Cockatoo (Callocephalon fimbriatum ) and the Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus) are similar in size and shape, however their dark plumage makes them very easy to differentiate.

Distribution

The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo's range extends across Eastern Australia, Tasmania and Northern Australia, with a small population around Perth. They are also found in New Guinea and the Aru Islands and have been introduced into New Zealand and Indonesia.

Country of Origin

Australia.

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional

Numbers are highest in autumn and winter with numbers dropping in spring as they retreat to the mountains to breed. Numbers have tripled since 1981 (COG).

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National

Secure, not listed under the EPBC Act 1999. They are listed as an official Native Household Pet Animal. Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are considered a pest in some urban situations, as they can damage wood decking, panelling, and sometimes window and roof eaves.

LSCCES Population

The species was found in high numbers across the entire survey area.

Associated vegetation community

The species is found in a variety of forest environments, from rainforest to woodland and partly cleared farmland. They are also common around suburban and urban areas.

Limiting Resources

Cockatoos require a reliable water source and mature trees for nesting hollows.

Breeding

This species breeds throughout the year in large tree hollows. Both parents incubate two large white eggs for 30 days. The young spend 65 days in nest and are fed by their parents for several months after they have learnt to fly.

Behaviour

The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is renowned for its noisy calls and confident behaviour. They are loudest as they fly across the suburbs in large flocks towards their communal roosts in tall eucalypt trees around sunset. When breeding, the male cockatoo will display his crest and bob his head.

Functional Group

Granivorous

Food Species

Mainly ground feeders, they spend their time feeding under trees in large flocks. They will eat a variety of seeds, fruits, berries or roots. They are not particularly fussy and survive well in the suburbs. They will eat food provided by humans.

Predators

Although the Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are large and strong, Common Mynas (Acridotheres tristis ) are known to gang-up on and attack them. Mynas compete for nesting hollows and may evict birds and their eggs or young from tree hollows.

Interesting Fact

This is one of the best known species in Australia, common in other countries as a zoo animal and as an exotic pet.